Mom's Visit, Part 1

My mom came Saturday and Sunday to Rome to begin her tour of Italy and to see me! I knew that I would be excited to see her but the minute she opened her hotel door and I got to hug her I could feel home rushing back to me. It was so nice to get to have her physically there in front of me and I could almost not believe it, after having not seen her for months now! The first day, she was jet lagged and needed to get some rest for the coming trip, so we stayed at their hotel, which was really fancy and beautiful! It had a huge pool and nice tennis courts - nice even by American standards, and by Italian standards well, woo hoo! So, we had a great time just walking around the grounds and then taking a nap together before I went home. She had a dinner for the tour group to attend (an information session). Then, the grand event was yesterday when we went on a walking tour of Rome with her tour guide (I got some gelato that was Orange Chocolate and thought of dad). After that, we loaded their bus again and took off for this special restaurant where you eat everything from antipasto (appetizers) through dolce (dessert) while listening to opera! It was excellent and we had a blast because the singers were both extremely good and hilarious. They sort of performed while we were listening and the pieces were all especially Italian, making it really feel special. The place itself was sort of small and settled into a nook but the inside was wonderful with low lighting, paintings, a grand piano, and some balconies above. We had a great time and it was so nice because I was able to meet some of the people from her tour and see what she would be doing, while seeing her! I couldnt have asked for a better night.
Mom comes back in a week and a half, which I cant wait for! I know it will be hard to say goodbye then, just like it was hard for me to go last night. It feels like saying goodbye all over again, except with the knowledge that Ill see her sooner rather than later. I felt like I had reformed this connection Ive been missing and then had to lose it again so soon, but it wont be long until December when we really get to spend some time together. I hope the rest of her trip goes well and that the tour guides stop waking them up so early! haha. When youre thinking of Italy, think of my mom who is exploring it for the first time!