Extended stay

I was due to depart from Florence-Italy on Monday evening, but I have decided to extend my stay in Italy until after Easter. Essentially because after I have attended the next and final professional meeting on Monday afternoon, I'd like to take some time to relax and 'smell the coffee'.

Although it's been a wonderful so journ, the daily energy and concentration levels have been high and my focus to obtain prospective work opportunities in Italy has been all consuming.

My experiences in Florence-Italy have been different to previous visits. This time I have been immersed more deeply into the Italian culture, idosyncracies and burecaucy and I have been confronting my expectations and ambitions with greater clarity.

Without a doubt Italy is beautiful, historical, fascinating and romantic. However, unlike the young Jules who traveled frequently here in her 20's to paint, view art galleries, buy foreign fashion, and attend cultural events; and the Jules who lived and loved here in here late 30's; the Jules of today is searching for the deeper meaning within the kernal.

A definition in process.

When you travel through a foreign city,
you are a tourist.
When you strive to integrate into a foreign city,
you feel like a native,
but look like a foreigner.
When you spend time with foreigners living in foreign city,
you feel less foreign.
When you are accepted into the lives and homes of Italians,
as a friend and lover,
sharing conversations and experiences,
you no longer feel alone or misunderstood,

you feel yourself blossom.
When you walk through the streets of your adopted city,
without attachments,
you feel displaced.

The concept of home starts to develop a new meaning.