Sailing on Clouds

Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore! Dream! Discover!                                                                                                             -Mark Twain

Sail away from the safe harbor. Tomorrow morning my journey away from my safe harbor begins. Anxiety and excitement fill my lungs as I think of all I still have to do before my parents and I leave my beloved hometown of Sonora before the neighbor’s rooster even thinks about opening his eyes. Early morning departures encase its travelers in a semi-conscious fog that wraps around the body like a warm blanket.  Shedding the blanket as the sun rises, the mind unfurls, expanding with the ethereal clouds that float just out of reach outside the small window; a window into a flying world that we humans can only dream of. 

The last week has been a frenzy of packing and unpacking and then repacking with even more things to be crammed inside of one another. How my luggage is possibly going to weigh less than the maximum 50 pounds is beyond me. One student who is already in Italy apparently brought along more than one suitcase and as soon as she arrived in Milan she literally began to throw away her own clothing so she could move about more easily. Well, if you are going to throw away clothing, what better place than Milan, the fashion Capital of the World (as my much more fashionable older sister continuously reminds me). The residents of Milan must even feel obligated to sneeze in style with the high fashion expectations tourists hold them too.

Last night, mom was reading The Union Democrat, and lo and behold, an article about Italy. January 6^th happens to be the Italian holiday most commonly recognized as “Little Christmas.” This day is when “Le Befana, a kindly old witch, flies around on her broom bringing toys, candy and cookies to children.” Her acts are not out of simple graciousness to the children of the country, but also out of guilt for not accompanying the three wise men on their way to Bethlehem. Her excuse for turning down the three kings, “I have too much housework to do.” Poor Le Befana, she was a very troubled woman. I am sure though Italian children do not question her choice as she flies overhead on her broom, bestowing delicious gifts. Arriving one day to Italy after Le Befana makes her rounds saddens me, but I am comforted knowing that as the New Year just begins, cashiers are already pulling out the Valentine’s Day inventory to place on store shelves. And, thanks to a small fit my nephew threw in the checkout line (because we wouldn’t buy him a fourth Elmo to add to his collection) I am now the owner of a box of Sweethearts to be enjoyed on my plane ride, the little love sayings to be my reading material. 

Now off to finish the last errands I have before my journey begins!

Arriverderci!