Lesson 4: The latter stage of a sabbatical can feel quite similar to the latter part of an Italian meal that one purposefully draws out to allow time to savor the parts before. Yourbellies and hearts will be full of Italy, but a year is not enough time to truly digest all that this wonderful country has to offer; rather, it is just enough time to feel the effects, and wear its impact home.
- I sometimes leaned forward in my Fiat 500 to try to get better acceleration
- I often circled the same roundabout 3-4 times before selecting my exit
- A soda will cost you more than a glass of wine in Italy
- People don’t eat on the run, but they do run to eat
- Men and women shop together, with equal vigor and interest
- Sabbaticals should not be unconventional
- Every sabbatical day surprises, like that feeling you used to get waiting for a roll of film to be developed
- At the end of the day, I learned how to laugh at myself again
- With a little bit of planning, a dose of courage and just enough ignorance, you can do this too some day!