~ { ....Ellis's Italian apartment...} ~

The impetus for our trip to Europe was my daughter Ellis studying in Italy.

So after having the very best of times meeting up with her and her fabulous boyfriend  Elliot

 in London

 I was so excited to see their very own Italian apartment

 and

 get a glimpse into  their Italian life.

On our way to their  apartment from our hotel

 with Ellis and Elliot as guides,

 we made our way through the charming streets of Torino....

and of course we had to stop for some

 authentic cafes ....

We made our way through their

 authentic  daily market....

all the while taking in the Italian charm that surrounded us.

We made a few purchases... for the experience. 

Luckily I had remember Ellis telling me...

you don't touch the produce.... rather point... and they bag it. 

Being such a toucher myself .... 

I found this custom a little hard to remember.

With our purchases in hand we made it to their apartment....

 up three flights...

and with much anticipation on my part....

to see exactly where my darling daughter had made her  home....

so very far from our own.

I found the space to be both adorable and enchanting....

I felt like I had gotten to go behind the scenes .... 

to get a peek into some parts of real Italian life.

Staying at the beautiful hotels we do

 I always feel  some what removed from the 'real life' of the areas.

Just the way someone coming here and staying at the Montage 

would't necessarily 

get the feel of real life here.

 I wanted a taste of both... and with such excellent tour guides....

that is just what I got in Torino.

I found everything about their apartment utterly charming....

from the two balconies with mini views of  the snow covered alps..

to the tiny efficient kitchen that opened up into a dining room

 complete with a table and chairs and a couch...

 perfect for cooking, dining and studying...

in Italy.

Being so enchanted with their space

 I was thrilled when Ellis offered up the idea 

of getting some groceries and

 having lunch in the apartment...

So off for a walk to EATALY we were. 

As luck would have it...

Elliott and Ellis have the very great fortune of living literally just blocks from this

holy grail of grocery stores....

(even calling it by such a pedestrian name as grocery store does it an  injustice).

and with only three in the world...

EATALY is such a destination it warrants it's own post...

so for now....

 I'll just say we found everything we could possible want!

Back at the apartment 

Ellis artfully arranged all of our finds into

 the most beautiful of meals....

and one of our

 most memorable lunches

 in Europe.

Ellis has done one of her memory walls 

in Italy as well...

It is a good thing it is a large wall...

because the amount of  weekly traveling they have done....

has resulted in so many memories.

I was especially touched by the spot 

dedicated to the things I had sent her...

A map of Europe marks their weekend adventures...

Ellis has her own blog where she has captured her own traveling memories...

I am so very proud of my girl for so many, many reasons.

She has a bravery and courage

 I didn't even know she possessed.

Reading her traveling posts from home...

I must admit...

sometimes I was hit with pangs of jealousy for her adventures...

until I did travel....

and realize just how trying and how very much work is involved

negotiating  new places...

without the help of language.

The travel  quote that says...

traveling is only glamourous in retrospect 

is so true.

I am proud of Ellis for finding such

 a wonderful, smart, capable, loving and protective

boyfriend  in Elliot.

Jeff and I have always said....

if it wasn't for Elliott...

Ellis would have never gotten to go to Italy with our blessing.

I am so proud of both Ellis and Elliot and all they have accomplished...

far away

and at home.

So

Needless to say...

our good bye was once again a tearful one...

and I am counting the days until her return...

 all the while  

wanting her to savor and enjoy

 every moment in Italy

 with Elliot....

for all too soon it will be a part of their memory.

Having been back long enough...

to recover from traveling....

long enough to get my life here in order....

Now comes the third gift of traveling....

reflecting and reminiscing....

For me traveling has been so worthwhile....

an investment that just keeps giving.

The first gift being

 the thrill of seeing new sites...

exposure to new situations...

the realization of what a big beautiful world is out there.

The second gift

 the enveloping relief of being back 

in the comforts and beauty of my beloved home....

with new eyes of appreciation.

And now the

 third and most lasting gift

to me of traveling....

reflecting and reminiscing..

the reliving of the trip...

and

the shared history with those who were there...

forever  united in time spent together....

the sweet, sweet memories of....

 remember when....

as always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

t