Storytime

...begins with a single step- Lao-tzu. We all know the saying...and most of us understand. To get anywhere, to do anything, we must take that first step. That initial, sometimes frightening 'I don't know if I really want to do this' step. Because in reality, there is no guarantee. We can never know exactly what is behind that door, what waits for us at the end of our journey. But what if the journey doesn't get us to the end that we wanted / dreamt/ planned for so long? A few years ago, Boxing Day to be precise, I was heading off to visit my sister and her family. I had the car loaded with Christmas presents for her and the children, I had clothes packed, food in eskies...had taken a few days off work, said goodbye to husband and cat...ready for that five and a bit hour drive. Excited to spend time with my sister, eager to get there and extend the Christmas celebration. I had taken this trip so many times before. Knew exactly what to expect. I woul...

When you travel there is usually some form of research...how else do you decide to go here, there or way out over there? And with that research, comes an expectancy. For me, Italy was going to be a revisit of Venice which we had both loved (spent three days there years ago). And what is Venice without it's waterways and gondolas? For Rome I had images of Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren with the bonus of a crumbling ruin or two...Florence I thought would be the art hub.... One noted crumbling ruin.... and the Amalfi Coast a seascape of rugged cliffs and swarthy fishermen. Cliches-----and that is the problem with cliches. They are correct...merely over used. But as always, if you look deeper you discover the small details that make the travel that much more interesting. Yes Italy has history....lots of history...but look past that if you can.... see the story in the everyday.  Everyday ordinary people going about their lives. I soon learn...