Day 18 --Home Sweet Home

Today is bittersweet.  Of course, we're sad to be leaving Italy.  On
the other hand, we're excited to see those we have missed at home.

We, embarrassingly, began the day with a bottle of sweet (actually too
sweet) dessert wine that we had gotten from Carla Zenato back at the
Zenato winery near Lake Garda early into our trip.  She had given it to
us in celebration of all of our birthdays.  Knowing this was the last
time we'd have a chance to share it, we uncorked it.

We were shocked when the Italian women walked in the room and shook
their heads disapprovingly... not because we were sipping wine, but
because it appeared to be a sin to eat Parmigiano-Reggiano  cheese for
breakfast.  We were determined not to leave this behind, either,
knowing very well we wouldn't be able to bring an open package back to
the States.

Apparently, some cheese in Italy must be sacred.  Being the rebels we
are, we ate it anyway.  The ladies didn't complain when we left behind
another half bottle of wine and the rest of the Parmigiano.

We used the same taxi service that dropped us off at Sweet Dreams 2 to
drive us back to the airport.   This time our driver was one of the
owners of the taxi service.  He spoke perfect English.  He drove us by
the Mussolini monuments which were very plain and geometric in nature.
   We learned that he was born and raised in Rome, and told us, "I am a
true Roman."  Because of this, we all had to touch him just so we could
say that we had touched a Roman.  He thought this was funny.

We flew on Lufthansa to Munich, appreciating the Bailey's Irish Cream
offered for our coffee.  Next we were on to Chicago, then Minneapolis.
 Calls were made to those waiting, which got us even more excited to
get home.  

Donna's sister and her niece both drove to pick us (and all of our
goods) up at the airport.  Donna's nephew, Mo Mo, was also along and
smiled with joy to see her.  In the three weeks we were gone, he went
from saying "Dah Dah" to a clear "Donna."

We went back to Sharon's to get Brenda's car.  Beth and Mary were
fortunate to be able to ride with her to where they were going.  Beth's
parents met them on route to Hector at a major crossroad;  this saved
them from having to trek all of the way to the Minneapolis
airport. Mary was dropped off at her mom's house at nearly 1 a.m. 

Donna and Brenda worked the next day, while Beth prepared to drive home
to Idaho with her parents.  Mary drove back to the Twin Cities with her
mom and sister to fly to NYC for her brother's surprise 60th birthday
bash.

The trip was fabulous.  Even 18 days were too short.  Time flies when
one's having fun.  Maybe that 's why we're already 50.

May you all be blessed enough to share 50 years of friendship with
someone.  Thanks for reading :  )