June 2-3: Trip to Italy

 It has been ages since I wrote a blog post of any kind.

I went on a trip recently to Italy. I have been part of the Project SEARCH program for about 4 years now, and in 2023, one of my colleagues wanted to offer a travel opportunity for individuals who had graduated from the program. Initially, we were paired with another Project SEARCH alumni group from Denver, and they had already selected a 10-day food and culture tour of Northern Italy. The other group would ultimately change their destination to Scotland. Meanwhile, we had identified 8 alumni of Project SEARCH, we had three chaperones--Lora, Emilie and me--and several other adults and a few of our own kids. A few folks backed out due to concerns or health-related issues, but in the end, 15 of us boarded a plane on Monday June 2 to fly from Denver to Montreal, then Montreal to Milan. Many of these travelers signed up for this trip in September of 2023. It was a long time of anticipation. When it finally arrived and the travel date was imminent, it was almost surreal. Are we actually going to Italy? 

Most of it was a blur, but I've spent a bit of time wishing I had a place to post pictures and process through the memories. Why not here? 

When I enter photos directly from Google Photos, they always seem to go in reverse chronological order--but I can make it work. 

The first pictures are of our time at a hotel/housing location outside of Milan called Campus X. Our amazing tour director Valeria told us that these types of establishments are new to Italy, and they represent a type of housing that might appeal to young adults who are attending university. 

Since we flew to Italy on Scout's 18th birthday, Valeria and Lora plotted to do something special once we arrived at the hotel. Valeria gave Scout a fun t-shirt that says Ciao Bella (hi beautiful). Valeria says that it's sort of cliche in Italy--that people from outside of Italy act like Italians say this all the time, when in reality they don't. In addition to the fun gift and all the attention, the staff at the hotel made Scout a simple cake that read "Happy Birthday" written in jam. Almost everyone was so full from the meal that the cake was mostly under-eaten, but it was the kindest gesture.

My sweet little bed

Our first tiramisu in Italy

A guest at our lunch table

When we had free time, the girls and I walked into the Duomo and took a guided tour given by two teenagers who were doing an internship at the church. They were practicing their English skills, and they seemed to have a nice conversation with Ruby and Scout. The young women talked about how their friend had been an exchange student in the United States and got to go to prom. 

First look upon the lake. It's actually shaped like an upside down Y, and we were at the base of one leg. (see below)

Someone is feeling the Italian vibes

Italian flags fly overhead on a street used by pedestrians and cars.

Arriving the first day, we took a bus to Como to spend the afternoon in this beautiful Italian lakeside city at the foot of the Alps.

Aboard the long flight from Montreal to Milan. Notice Ruby's new neck pillow that demonstrates her newfound love of Canada.

Before the journey begins!