2 weeks from today!!!!

Again, not that we're counting the days but as I looked at the calendar I couldn't help but notice Laura and I  are leaving from New York to Milan two weeks from today! It's a little overwhelming to think about, especially the packing part (though my ever so organized sister is just about done!).  I have at least done some pre-packing in my head.  A notorious "over-packer", I am determined to do this 2 week trip in one large duffle and of course my carry on which shouldn't really count as it is just my electronic equipment and purse.

My biggest concern is shoes!!!  Though I've narrowed it down to my Reebok toner tennies (might as well give my legs and ass a workout while walking, despite the recent consumer report article about people "falling off them" and breaking there ankles or other such injuries!), and a pair of nice night shoes (not to high of a heel---it is cobblestone afterall) and a couple pair of flip-flops.  As for the rest of what I'll be taking that will simply fall in to place I am just sure of it!

Starting to get nervous about leaving my two dogs for this length of time.  They are used to me traveling as I do quite a bit for work, but I've never left them for 14 days.  They will be in good hands however, so I really am just going to be missing them.

We'll be doing a lot of driving, as I told one friend today.  He let me know to be careful because while you won't see much of a police presence there are cameras everywhere and they WILL find you if you commit any kind of infraction.  Probably ought to put a little $$$ in reserve as this is an almost certainty for me.

I'm sure there is a lot more that I could stress out over if I really put my mind to it, but then I remember I will be in Italy with my sister---what could possibly go wrong?

45 day countdown to Italy

Today marks the official count down for the ULTIMATE sister's trip to Italy.  My sis Laura and I (Mollie) have experienced many journeys together.  We make it our goal to meet somewhere every year, just the two of us, as 3,000 miles separates us physically from one another (I live in Boston, Laura in Portland, Or).  We share a very tight bond despite the land between us that keeps us from daily coffee or drinks.  We make up for the obstructing distance by daily phone calls, Skype or emails to keep each other updated.

With this blog we will share our biggest travel adventure together---Italy.  With our posts you, dear readers will be taken along for the ride.  While Laura and I have logged many miles together, this is certain to be a major travel milestone for us.

For those who read this and don't know us, welcome!  Here's a very brief bio:  Laura and I are complete opposites in just about every way---she: very polished, organized and refined; me:  not so much!  I am the complete antithesis of polished, organized and refined.  We are the personification of Yin and Yang, when together we make one whole person, though we both lead very independent lives.  Through our posts you will get to know us better, you will hear each of our voices and my guess it will become apparent to you rather quickly our differences and yet we so often share one voice.

A main theme in any of our travels is laughter, and we expect this to be no different.  We laugh until we cry, it is the best ab workout ever!  When Laura laughs it's orchestral; me--I'm a snorter though not in a Chrissy from Three's Company kinda way.

Our Italian adventure begins July 23rd with us meeting up in at JFK in NY for  our flight to Milan---Laura in First Class, me--Coach, another difference between us :-)  That said she always takes good care of me and I am sure she will be sending drinks back my way.

We will begin our adventure in the Volterra region for the first few days, then on to Sorrento and surrounding areas.   Next stop Rome and the grand finale in Monte Grotto.  Laura has put together a basic itinerary as this is a return trip for her and my first, but for the most part we will just be letting this trip unfold as we go along.

So sit back and enjoy the journey as we all learn together where this will take us!