Last thoughts started at the airport in Rome and finished in Bed-Stuy!

We are at the airport and it looks like we will be able to leave.

Will we survive the black cloud?

Obviously we did... I am now in our loft in Bed-Stuy and I am trying to tie the loose ends of this travel blog.

Here are my parting thoughts.

First I should say it has been an amazing trip. Full of colors, flavors

and great people.

I had the great surprise of spending time with my aunt who had to reinvent herself at fourty-something in a new country with a new language and in a very rural male-dominated area.

She had to start all over and prove herself over and over. Today, she is extremely respected and loved and is still working. We left her house as she was on her tractor ready to cut the grass...

Next I feel lucky to have shared our time with two amazing women who are fun, loving, beautiful and talented. Thank you Maja and Janice.

Sardegna was a raw beautiful place but I must admit, my heart beats faster when I approach the hills and mountains of Abruzzo.

Sardegna may lack the charm of small villages and gorgeous architecture, it does however more than compensates with pristine emerald clear waters, raw nature and warm amazing people. It also has incredible produce, fish, honey, sweets and many wonderful specialities.

Italy is a rich and diverse country. One should be so lucky to have the time to slowly and leisurely get to know every region and every town within. If you travel to Italy, do not try to visit all at once. Pick a Region, choose a town and explore within. Get to know the people, shop at the markets walk around and take it all in. After lunch, have a siesta. Drink lots of vino and just be. If you cook, keep it simple. Let the ingredients shine and add as little as you can.