I'm here!

Words can't express my excitement at the moment! I just got back from buying groceries for the weekend with Joy and Hillary and we made off like bandits. We needed to stock up for dinner meals tonight and tomorrow, so we bought a large box of crackers, pineapple juice, apples, and peaches for 4.24 euro! Hillary has Nuttella for us to spread on the crackers :)

I don't know where to begin - my body and mind are still pretty messed up time-wise, but I feel rested and am loving the weather here. The trip over was very nice, particularly the flight from Charlotte to Munich. We flew on a German line called Lufthansa, and the coach seats were above and beyond the first class seats on US Air! The crew were so friendly and considerate, and the food wasn't that bad either. I was especially fond of the mashed sweet potatoes ...

After arriving in Munich we all made it through customs (I had to put my hand lotion and eye drops in a plastic bag because of new liquid regulations) and were soon on our way to Milan. On the flight over I was in the middle seat between two strangers. As we flew over the Alps, I was determined to get pictures, so I decided to harass the guys sitting next to me - and try out my Italian as well. He was very nice and took all the pictures I wanted, but after several failed attempts of me trying to communicate I found out to my dismay that he was French! Oops. Thankfully he knew enough English for us to semi-converse. He was traveling to Milan on business for the day and was from a city in the southern part of France but worked in Germany - or something to that extent. The woman next to me was Italian (And probably laughing at me the whole time) but she kept her nose in a book the whole time and didn't seem to want company.

After arriving in Milan we drove 5-6 hours to Sansepolcro, stopping along the way at a rest stop type of place that was like a mini mall and gas station. I tried my best to stay awake during the drive and take in the scenery, but it was something like 3 AM in NC time and the motion of the bus rocked me to sleep for the first 3-4 hours of the trip. When I finally woke up my first glimpse was of the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany (see below) - mountains, fields, valleys, rivers - it was amazing. Here's my first view of Tuscany (taken from the bus - excuse the poor quality!):

I lost my heart then and there! I can't describe how in awe and yet at home I felt. It is a unique sensation that has continued in Sansepolcro. I feel different from the Italians, but not unwelcome or greatly out of place. Here is a glimpse of the Tuscan countryside we witnessed on our first early morning walk around Sansepolcro:

And here is a shot of a street in Sansepolcro:

I need to run now because lunch is in thirty minutes and I don't want to be late! I am going to try to drop back by this Internet joint later this afternoon to post pictures and update this post a bit (I don't have my camera output with me at the moment). I have so many other fun stories to tell!

Thank you for your prayers and emails! I'm in the traveler "high" at the moment and set to hit the low within the next 48 hours give or take, so be aware of that over the next week if my posts get homesicky!

Much love!

Baci,

Bekah

Packing up and saying goodbye ...

'Twas the night before takeoff and all through the house
Were siblings and parents - no room for a mouse.
A daughter was leaving and packed to the seams
A father was hoping she'd spend within means!
A mother made dinner - the best of its make
She even provided a delicious cheesecake.
One sister was ailing, confined to her bed
Another was well to the top of her head;
A brother was decked in his white baseball gear
And quite good at the game in his very first year!

And up in the room where two windows face south
Sat a girl at her bed with a pout on her mouth.
Though glad at the chance to explore overseas
Saying farewell left her weak at the knees.
She couldn't believe that the time was at hand
And her summer this year wouldn't be on the sand.
Yet goodbyes were coming if she liked it or not,
So she wiped off the frown right there on the spot.
As her smile opened wide and heart beat like a drum,
She squared off her shoulders and said:
SANSEPOLCRO HERE I COME!

I cannot express my excitement as I think about what is in store over the next 11 weeks.

Though I'm almost completely packed and well within the 24-hour countdown till departure, the reality of the matter has yet to sink in - and I won't be surprised if the surreal sensation continues until takeoff (or beyond). This trip will be my first excursion outside U.S. borders, my maiden voyage as a "world traveler." I will covet your prayers and emails over the next few months, both for me and my family while I am away. They have all been so wonderful during the whole preparation process and I cannot thank them enough for the hugs, notes, kisses ... and peanut butter Cap'n Crunch :)

Today my good friend Sarah came over to help me pack for the summer and unpack my post-college wreck of a bedroom; honestly, without her I could not have tackled either and come out with my morale in one piece. She kept me moving through my list of to-do's, accompanied me to pick up my supply of contacts (then drove us home when I realized I had removed my driver's license from my wallet in preparation for the trip), and narrowed my superfluous idea of what needed to come along down to a manageable load. THANK YOU SARAH!!!!

The equally difficult task has been saying goodbye to friends and family. I've never been very good at farewells and the past couple of days have been full of them. Today's goodbyes included bear hugs from Sarah, a tearful parting with Amber over tiramisu, and a surprise visit from my aunt who came with hugs and other parting gifts. I don't even want to think about the goodbyes in store for tomorrow. I'm really going to miss these guys ...


As far as communication goes, my access will be limited to brief stints at internet cafes, so I plan to use this blog as my main vehicle for updates. I would love to receive emails! I will do my best to respond, but please don't get angry if I take a while to get back and the response is very brief. Due to the iffy nature of White Rabbit (Meredith's email provider) and a few frustrating battles I've had with Gmail over the past few days, I opened a Hotmail account - bekah.williams@hotmail.com. Please write me at this address instead of my Meredith or Bellsouth accounts as I will not be checking them regularly. You cannot email me too often! Emails make my day :)

Arrivederci i miei amici!

Baci,

Bekah

P.S. For those who live in the Raleigh area, please do me a favor and give my family lots of hugs! I will miss them very much ...