Day 1

Captain’s log, day 1: flew into Venice and landed around 9:30 am CET. What felt like far too long later, I got on the water taxi to the island. It’s amazing. Everything you’d expect and then some. Tears are streaming and people are staring. I care not. My plan to check my baggage at the train station was thwarted, so I spent the day lugging my shit around cobblestone streets and crowded bridge stairways. Luckily I packed light; I’m not doing insta shoots or a fashion show this trip. However, a Russian chick I met is, so I take her pictures at Doge’s Palace in the canal. She tells me she prayed God would send someone to take her pictures and I appeared. I do what I can. I walk through San Marco square and take great video of the bells tolling and the fattest sea gulls you’ve ever seen only to later realize that the stopping of said recording was actually the beginning of another, far less exciting video. I do have some great footage of my feet though (see what I did there). I turned down a side street, ate some gelato, took some weird selfies, was profiled as an American and served an americano - then had to shamefully ask in English for an espresso - had an aperol spritz, met some friendly Australians and made my way to the train to Roma! Apparently I’d made reservations for the silent and pregnant car but decided to make the most of it and slept the majority of the way, with the occasional pause to accidentally group text Jackson’s history teacher with an odd question. There were beautiful views that took my breath away and others that made me think I was in Sanford. I finally arrive in Rome and meet my DeLos!! I have my 15th emotional breakdown. Being here is an absolute dream come true and being here with them is completely surreal. We have a great meal, great wine, venture to a neighborhood bar and call it a night. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. For my hubs, for my kids, for my framily, my people and support system that made this possible. I’m not sure 20-yo Shena would have appreciated this as much as 42-yo Shena does. And I am beyond grateful for every. fucking. second. Buonanotte a tutti!!