We have been back a couple of months from our trips this May. We had three fabulous groups, three wonderful teachers, and lots of good times.
I was looking at some of the comments from those we traveled with recently. One of the interesting things to me is that for some of the people who joined us, it was a last minute decision. For many, this is a dream trip, an oft postponed or dreamed about venture that for all kinds of reasons has been put off. Then, realizing life is short, people jump. And they are so happy they did. Comments from this May’s travelers reflect this contentment.
Orvieto seen from across the valley
“It took me about 2 weeks after I got home before I started to come down off my “Italy high” and I would love to turn around and go back again.”
And . . .
“After reading your wonderful note, I sit here with tears in my eyes recognizing that this wondrous moment has passed and I am sad that I will not come down to start this day with a heart felt Buon giorno and lovely coffee at the Blue Bar. (I did go for the Espresso Blend in the Keurig this morning though…..) I am sad but yet so filled with the wonder that is each and every one of you. Such a gift this week has been; the setting, the gracious giving of herself Sue has shown us, the amazing heartfelt depth of everyone and everything we’ve experienced. I cannot find the words to really do it all justice. Magnifico, molto bella…….. are close but still fall short. Thank you will never seem like enough.
The richness of this week will live in my heart forever. Things happen for a reason, I am convinced, and providence could not have aligned any better than it did for all of us this week. I return full of life (full…..literally too!) and an eagerness to embrace it. Thank you Sue, thank you Kristi and Bill, thank you ALL for allowing me to share this time with you. It would not have been as rich if even one single element had been different. Perfecto!”
And another
Orvieto's Cathedral
“What a fabulous experience a week in Orvieto was for me … getting to know new friends with their hearts in needlework … is more than I could have ever asked for … all thanks due to the two of you with your love for Italy and Sue’s love of quilting & embroidery. I owe the most thanks to my friend Lynn, for “twisting my arm” last summer to join her for a much needed get-away & creative experience. It was a joy to “let go” in the design process and “make do” with fabrics at hand, thanks to the generosity of each in our group, I have lovely bits of fabric in my piece to remind me of each of my new friends.
I’m now totally in love with Italy & truly look forward to a return in the future … just to make sure the dream trip I’ve just experienced was real!”
I credit our trips for some of this wonderful feeling. But one can not deny that there is something about Italy that makes us fall in love with life all over again. What a gift.
I must echo the sentiments of those you shared…your planning, attention to detail, location, as well as your personal caring for us as well as for one another (not to mention your EXTRAORDINARY teachers) all created a recipe for success. My experience, although I had been to Orvieto several years earlier, was fresh, unique and will stay in my heart always. I loved the time spent in class, on our own, in the convent as well as the field trips…it was ALL WONDERFUL! Thanks so much to Kristi, Bill, Giovanna and of course, DJ Pettitt.
HUGE hugs,
Abby Lazar
http://www.thevivere.blogspot.com
I am counting down the time until I return to Orvieto next year. I have just finished a quilt which is called Memories of Orvieto where all the fabrics were either painted, stamped or rubbed in Orvieto or inspired by my hundreds of photos. You can see it on my blog at http://www.fibreinspirations.blogspot.com. Or maybe you just would like to come and be inspired with me next September.
September 2009…..almost two years later I still dream of Orvieto and Italy. The class was great and the care and details sent prior to my trip were exceptional.
I highly recommed this run-away-from home experience. Think about it and dream, you will not be sorry. Italians are wonderful, food and wine are something you will remember always. Plan and join in the fun, you won’t regret it.
[...] have written before about the gifts we receive from Orvietoand Italy. I guess Merry Christmas from [...]