All good things… begin with the letter ‘P’

It’s hard to believe that the journey I set upon almost six weeks ago is nearing its conclusion. A super-long day in Rome will draw out further as I board the red-eye flight to Dubai in about an hour. A 10pm departure across two time zones and a little under six hours in the air with a 6am arrival – I guess it’s a bit like Perth to Melbourne. I’m hopeful the Sheraton Grand will grant me an early check-in because I can’t see myself getting much shut-eye over the next nine hours. Apparently there is a virus outbreak in South Korea and the face-mask wearing airline staff are a little disconcerting to say the least. Hopefully I make it home fit and healthy and my flights are free of any projectile vomit – imagine opening the cabin doors on that plane?

Today was a day of lasts – my last meal, my last coffee, my last beer and my last walk through the Borghese Gardens (honestly fell in love with that place). It was also my last encounter with a crippled begger, my last near-miss with a death-defying scooter (or is that a motherfucker on a motorcycle?) and my last passive smoke. In all honesty, as progressive as Italians like to think they are, they really did miss the boat on lung cancer here. I’d hazard a guess and suggest 7 out of every 10 people smoke like a super-fast train in Italy and there literally is a tobacconist on every street corner. Methinks I’ve taken six weeks off my life here.

But they have been a marvellous six weeks. If these are the experiences I can look forward to in my forties, than I can’t wait to plan for the next one. Traveling alone may have its drawbacks (most obviously the cost) but the freedom to be able to do what you want, when you want to, is the perfect recipe for a travel experience to savour. The cultural events, the fine museums and galleries, the sports arenas and the historical landmarks provide a wealth of highlights, but it’s the simple things I will miss the most. The little coffee houses, the cobblestoned laneways, the old-school streetlights, the elderly gents playing bocce in the park, the metro networks in most of the big cities, the helmet-free bike shares, the trams in Turin, the hills in Naples, the sheer beauty of Verona, the fast trains and their slickly dressed conductors, the crazy taxi drivers in Florence, the beautiful and friendly hosts in every place I stayed and the food.

Fuck yes, the food. The most delicious food in Italy invariably begins with the letter ‘P’. Pizza. Pasta. Prosciutto. Porchetta, Polenta – I fell in love with Italian cuisine all over again. When I didn’t eat out, I would cook at home, and pasta was my best friend – quick, easy and with little fanfare. Olive oil and butter, pesto and parmesan, tomato and basil. Rest assured, if I invite you over for dinner over the next few months – you’re having pasta. A fine selection of cold meats will most likely be your accompanying antipasto too.

There have been some things I have missed in my time away from home. My bed is definitely one of them. Whether mattresses were too hard, too soft or too small – I have struggled for continuity of sleep throughout my travels. But when you travel to twelve cities in less than six weeks, you are going to struggle when faced with a different place to lay your hat each time. One aspect I can’t speak highly enough of is my AirBNB experience, which for the most part has been wonderful. Of the thirteen places I stayed in, twelve were booked via that network and only one failed to live up to the standards I would have hoped. For the record, reviews suggest I am an exemplary guest – you would be lucky to have me stay in your home.

It’s almost time to board my flight. A few days in Dubai will certainly break up the journey home, but the forecast of hazey conditions and 45 degree temperatures (overnight lows of 30) would suggest that indoor activities are a priority. To think FIFA wants to host a World Cup in this region – idiots! My hotel has two restaurants, a bar and a lounge – that’s pretty much all I need – and of course, air conditioning. Come Sunday, that will read ‘ducted heating’. I’m not looking forward to a Melbourne winter, but I am looking forward to returning home.

Ciao a tutti, si vede in un paio di giorni!