When Jessa and I made our first trip across the pond—to Ireland, two years ago—I thought it might also be our last. Happily, however, certain fears have not been realised, and so when we were invited to go to Europe with two other couples, we accepted.
I have to admit, Italy was not necessarily high on my personal list of travel destinations. But while Jessa and Juliet shouldered much of the logistical burden—nice job, ladies!—this was really Sequoia's trip, and she had her heart set on the Cinque Terre, so Italy it was to be.
In the months and days leading up to our departure, I grumbled to myself (and Jessa) more than once, "Why are we going to Europe but not Ireland? Or at least Britain?" And when our 747 passed over Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Yorkshire on the way to a fateful layover at Heathrow (British Airways was about to lose Jessa's carry-on bag, forcibly checked at the gate, for six days), I was sorely tempted to ask for a parachute: "Driver, just drop me off here, if you would?"
As it happens, I'm glad we went. (Thanks, therefore, to Sequoia & Kjordahn for setting up the trip; to Juliet & Marvin for additional good company; and to Evelyn & Jeff, who know the way, for encouragement and intel.) I was reminded of Ireland again when I recalled the words of Ruairi McDonnell, our friend from Dublin: "Scenery? Don't worry about scenery. In a week, you'll be sick to death of scenery."
Keep an eye on this space, and join us for a virtual tour of the Cinque Terre.
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