After a fun-filled trip down the east coast to visit friends on a self-declared "Friendship Tour 2011", Lily (our 8 lb. maltese) and I had a 17-hour transit (including layovers) to Naples, Italy for our second tour. The long plane ride provided some time to regroup and think about what the next chapter of our lives would entail.... another tour in Naples, Italy, returning to our old stomping grounds and one of the most beautiful and remarkable places we've yet to experience. To return will mean going to "known" landmarks, not experiencing the ultimate in culture shock as we had done before, and returning without the kids. This time around, it will be Troy and I -- exploring and experiencing our new life together, and all the beauty that awaits us for the next three years (or more)..... As the minutes and hours ticked by on the plane, I reflected on all that had happened over the past 4.5 years in PA. Most of our lives' biggest events had occurred just the last 1.5 years alone with the marriage of both of our daughters, Troy's retirement from the US Navy, and our son's graduation from the US Naval Academy. All wonderful and happy events, the best any family could ask for, really. The kids are on their own, they are happy and well adjusted and off the payroll.... so when the opportunity arose for Troy to return to Italy as a Navy civilian, we opted for one last big adventure before retiring to that final home in the states to await our future grandchildrens' visits. This was going to be "our time" this time. I also reflected on all the many happenings of Naples past, the trips and tours all over Europe, and the fun memories that can only be experienced by living in a city full of chaos and Neopolitan tradition, culture, and livlihood. We would return to make more memories, and to experience it once again, to see it with more mature eyes and a yearning passion for its people and its beauty. My life was about to drastically change, and if I learned nothing more from 22 years as a military spouse, change is not always easy, but change is good. So here goes: Naples - Round 2!
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