Monday, February 20, 2006

I will not go gently into that dark night...

I've been in quite a rut since finding out that I'm being forced out of the Garden of Eden otherwise known as Bella Italia. I've been moping around for over a week now and just can't seem to find joy or happiness in anything. Every minute of the day is spent reflecting on the past 6 years here and how great life has been. And then, inevitably, it always comes to a crashing halt by the realization that it's all going to end soon. Everywhere I go I find my self looking around and seeing all the familiar places that have meant so much to me.

My one consolation is that I've never for one second taken any of this for granted. From the second I stepped foot in this country I've never stopped admiring the beauty and history and culture and everything that Italy has to offer. And just because I'll soon be gone, there's no reason to stop now. I've always said that when it's time to leave, they'll have to drag me kicking and screaming from this place. I refuse to go quietly and meekly with my head hung low.

No, I will not go gently into that dark night. I'm going out in style. I'm going to enjoy as much of Italy as I possibly can until the day I get on that plane. If I feel like stuffing myself full of pasta, I'll do it. If the spirit moves me, I'll take a sick day from work and spend the day in Venice or go for a stroll downtown. If I feel like drinking vino, I'll drink as much damn vino as I want. Hell, I may even splurge for a Brunello di Montalcino or a Barolo. Might as well get my fill while I can. I'll take Old Triple 7 for a spin down the Autostrada at over 200 kph. I'll eat pizza for dinner every night if I want. I'll eat as many fritelle as I feel like. I'll watch as much soccer as I can find on TV because God knows I won't be able to do that in the States. If I'm still here when the season opens, I'll spend every weekend fly fishing the Brenta River. I'm going to suck the proverbial marrow right out of the Italian bone.

I'm going to miss this place but I'm not going down without a fight.

4 comments:

Kitty said...

I hate to sound like a scold, but geeze Louise, Rik, life does go on, si? Especially with the possibility that it may go on for you in Hawaii. I've linked to your posts -- your adventures as well as your beautiful photos -- referring to you as "my favorite American blogger in Italy." Cut short this pity party and tell me where you'll be blogging from in the future.

Anonymous said...

Rik,
I will be in Paris from 27 Mar - 5 April. Let me know if we can get together someplace. Hope to see you.
Steve-O

Rik said...

Kitty...I know Jack Kennedy. I served with Jack Kennedy. Kitty, you are no Jack Kennedy.

Kitty said...

Rik, I honestly feel badly for you. Your blog has been a testament of your love affair with Italy, so I can empathize with you for having to leave. My advice, for what it's worth, is to view this as an opportunity for new adventures. But you've probably already thought of that.

Is there a possibility of remaining in Italy working at another job?

Hey, who told you that I'm not really JFK?