Day 237

Last weekend the family and I took the long *long, long* journey back to Rome from Moena, after being there for two weeks including a two day interlude in Treviso with G's parents. I loved the experience, and the fresh air, and the sun, and the early nights. But I'm very much glad to have been back to normal routine and Rome weather! Seriously, every day has been a shorts and vest top day (even if Italians give you the look of shame while they're bundled up in their scarves, jackets and boots. I mean honestly, when it's upwards of 22 degrees outside, who really looks the fool?) so you never know, by the time I'm home this summer I might -for the first time in my life- be tanned! 
I really do love Moena as a town though, it's quaint and pretty, and it just has such a friendly feel to it. It helped that B and G know so many people there too, and because I had the chance to meet a lot of people before Christmas, I was welcomed even more warmly. And while I can imagine going back at some point in life, I can't picture myself going on a skiing holiday to ski again. Don't get me wrong, I really, really enjoyed it, but it was only at the end that I was gaining my confidence, and even then it was incredibly exhausting and stressful. (Worrying about breaking a bone the whole time probably wasn't helping my mental state; maybe I just need to get over that before going again!!). The scenery was beautiful though, and the silence you get in the middle of a snowy mountain is unlike anything else. That became especially clear on one occasion where I had gone for a walk while the others were skiing. I'll upload the pictures from that walk soon, but those two hours alone to walk and meditate and praise were the best, and the gnocchi ragu I had afterwards really topped it all off! 
On the whole I'd say I'm more of a beach/sea person, and so last Saturday was great. Bekah, a few others from church and I went to the coast and spent the day on the sand and playing volleyball in the water. It was so much fun, and coming back late in the evening to be offered BBQ, salad and gelato by B and G and their guests topped off the whole day very well! (They were all very surprised that I "took the bath" *went in the sea* but I mean, once you've swum in the sea at Aberavon, you can swim in the sea anywhere!)
Mum and dad arrive on Tuesday, so that's rather exciting, and I'm sure I'll have something to write about!
Ciao!!