It is 6:55 am and in six days I'll be in Europe.
Yes, again. I asked Mom and Dad if they would like me to come be tour guide for Italy during their farewell tour after their mission. They have never been to Italy, and although we won't be visiting the area in which I actually served my mission, I wanted them to experience the people, food, and culture we enjoy so much. John wouldn't slack off work to go (he did just start this job in February) so I am taking Katie with me.
Which explains why I was up at 6 am this morning. I hope to push that to 5:30 and then 5 am by Sunday, to minimize jet lag. We leave Monday and stop in London (nice and necessary since we are using the last two travel dates available with airline points) then fly on cheapo Easyjet to and from Italy before returning. I have spent WAY too many hours online forming an itinerary with sites, transportation, reservations and food options built in so I can minimize wandering and frustration while traveling with parents and child. I feel an incredible responsibility, maybe compulsion, to make it a good trip since it will almost certainly be my parents' only time in Italy and perhaps the only time Katie goes to Europe.
Sounds glamorous, though, doesn't it? I have been consumed with the particulars and the budget but my plan is to get it all tacked down enough so I can step back and enjoy seeing it through Katie's eyes. Although I started out doing this for Mom and Dad (I've actually quenched my thirst for travel) it's all about Katie now. John and I are hoping this trip will give her confidence in herself and in how much her Mom loves her. We have seen it happening already, which makes the hours and hours of planning worth it.
7 am, blog done, and Katie rolls in, on skates, in pjs to say hello. How cute it that?
2 comments:
That sounds wonderful! How fun to be taking your daughter on that incredible experience. I can't wait for my girls to get a little older to start experiencing more of the world with them. Enjoy yourself!!
Sharon that sounds so amazing! I can just picture you and Katie on your plane to Italy nose in a book. I hope you have the most amazing time ever. Can't wait to hear all about it!
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