Countdown is ON!

Hey Everyone - the countdown is on! We leave exactly 3 weeks from today and as excited as I am to be going on this trip, I am just as nervous about all the things that need to be done before we go. Whew....deep breaths, deep breaths.....

We've had an amazing month spent hanging out with the GSE team from District 2060 and all the wonderful Rotarians and Rotaracters in District 5150. The Italian GSE Team have been so much fun to hang out - so sweet - and they have given us great insight into some of the fun that is in store for us when we get to "The Boot". We've also gotten to experience some of the team learning how to use chopsticks, how great the whole team is at speaking English in front of large crowds (so much better than me attempting to speak Italian in front of anyone!), and how much they have enjoyed their visit to our beautiful District 5150. This last weekend was topped off with a BBQ hosted by the Novato Rotaract Club at the Marin Bocce Courts - pictured above is both teams with some of the Novato Rotaract members (thanks to Ryan Olson and Sarah White for organizing the event!!). I will be so sad to say goodbye to all of them tomorrow morning at my sponsoring club's meeting and I personally can't wait to host a few of the team members on their next trip back to the States.

I also was graced with a surprise Buan Viaggio BBQ this last weekend by my family and friends and need to send a shout out "THANK YOU" for all the fun that was had. Two special friends put together a little care package for me to take to Italy. I'm totally ready to go with my Italian phrase books and other goodies they supplied me with. Such lovely friends and family!! Hopefully they all follow us on our adventure through this blog. Arrivederci for now :)

Jess