Ciao!! I've arrived in Italy! I feel like I have so much to write and have only been here for less than 48 hours. So I'll start with the airport....

Saying goodbye to my family was hard but we all made it through! :) Kyle was the cutest with his constant waving goodbye. From when I got on line to security, to when he walked up the stairs, to the top of the stairs, to as my mom carried him out. Love that little guy! And of course, Michael!

However, I had some issues at security. I bought the little girl a NYC snow globe and carried it on with me. Turns out you can't do that! The liquid in the globe is toxic - go figure! So I had to give that up to the airport toxic gods. Who knows where it is now. And after that long exchange, I was a bit flustered and left my passport on the table. I realized just as they announced my entire name over the PA system I didn't have it on me. I was off to a great start! But after I got that back, I headed to the nearest bar for a stiff drink. Makes everything better! :) Headed to the gate and only waited about 20 min. before boarding the plane.

The flight to Munich was uneventful (which is a good thing) but the wait at the airport was definitely long. However, they don't seem to care when people lay down along 3 seats for a nap at the airport, so I was able to get in about 3 hours of on and off sleep. 2 planes gathered and left around me with not much movement from me!

The flight from Munich to Ancona was also OK aside from the fact it was propeller plane! Why do they even make those anymore?! I really thought my luggage could be a cause of the plane having issues. But we arrived without incident and even my baggage made it in one piece. But the coordinator wasn't kidding when she said the airport was small. I was the last to come out of the gate (because you know I always have to make an entrance!) so the family definitely knew it was me! I was met my Rosanna, the mother/wife, and her husband's aunt and uncle. All extremely welcoming! I felt at ease right away.

It was about an hour drive to the town of Porto San Giorgio from the airport. It might have taken a bit longer due to the fog (la nebia). We kept hitting pockets of it where you couldn't see the car in front of you. But we made it.

The apartment is beautiful. Rivals some of the nicest I've seen in the city. Raoul (the father/husband) is a contractor, so I'm sure that played a role in it. It's very art deco/Italian modern. Even though I'm in it, I still find myself envisioning the one I had in my head - weird! But it's great.

Luca, the 3 year old, took a liking to me already. Helps that I brought him a toy. I'm not above bribery! :) He loves his new taxi. (His aunt told him of the long journey it took to get here from NY - he listened so intently!) He even asked if I knew Laura (the last tutor) in America. He's super cute! You'd think speaking on his level in Italian would be easier, but it's actually a bit harder because I can't tell if he's speaking in full sentences. And of course, I keep making comparisons to Kyle. 3 year olds around the world are very similar! Loves his sweets just as much. :)

Irene, the 9 year old, will take a bit of warming up but she's a very sweet girl. I'm looking forward to getting to know her. Her birthday is on March 30, so hopefully by then we'll be pals!

Today I woke up at 11am! Oops!! So just had a small breakfast since lunch is in a few hours. I'm going to go for a quick walk around town and then head home for lunch. More eating! I didn't think I could fit anymore after dinner last night! (Pasta, meat, salad, dessert)

I'll try to upload some pictures soon and will update on any new things going on.