Reunion & Final Thoughts
Reunion
January 2016
We received the email about the reunion in January and were all set to go. Fortunately, we live close enough that the trip to Edmonds, WA doesn’t involve hotels, long drives or flight arrangements. We didn’t make the Friday evening festivities as there were no tickets available by the time we tried to register. We did get to go to the Saturday afternoon gathering and were very pleased to see Lisa, Adrian and Carol from our tour. Many guides were available to talk a little bit about their tours, Rick spoke to the political and safety concerns that have escalated in the world since last Fall. Even our driver, Adrian was there. It was telling to see how many people in attendance have been on multiple trips through the company.
Final Thoughts
“My take away from the time spent in Italy is a new appreciation for the country, its history and contribution to the world, and it’s people, past and present. While I don’t have the experience to compare RS tours with other companies, I can’t say enough about the way RS organized the trip. From easing us into the tour in quiet little Varenna and ending in busy Rome, every detail has been considered and anticipated. Our guide Lisa and her assistant, Alexis, were wonderful. I so appreciated their ability to give us what we needed to succeed without overwhelming us. I look forward to another tour some day but know that if I had to go to Italy on my own I would have the tools to be more comfortable in doing so.” – K
“I’d reiterate Kerry’s praise for the Rick Steves organization. Every detail was carefully orchestrated to minimize time wasted getting tickets or getting lost. I loved the balance of group and free time, and the manageable size of the group. The pre-trip planning and letter, encouraging a positive attitude and friendliness set us up for a peaceful and happy experience as well.
Speaking of which, I loved Lisa’s instruction on a cultural difference between Italy and many places in the US. She explained that whenever Italians entered an establishment, whether a shop or a bar or restaurant, they said ‘buon giorno’ or buona sera’ to the proprietor, wait staff, or sales person. When leaving, it was always with ‘arrivederci’ or ‘ciao’ to the staff. A small gesture with big results!
Finally, on a very personal note, I felt some connection to my roots in Italy, though my grandparents were from southern Italy: Calabria, Sorrento/Naples and Sicily. Attitudes and customs felt familiar in spite of the differences from north to south, and the changes which have gone on since my grandparents arrived in New York at the turn of the 20th century. La famiglia is still central, and foods are consumed in the same order as we did when eating a traditional meal (salad last!) What a joy it has been to have an Italian journey. Next time, to the south!”-M