I have euros in my possession and some are sporting graffiti. Does that mean I jumped the hierarchy from tourist to real Italian? I'm inclined to say yes. 

We're down to the last 48 hours before departure. I have been passing the time by raising mother's stress level over my plane going missing and staring at my suitcase willing it to pack itself. So far we're in a stalemate, the luggage and I. In the words of the wise Mrs. Jones next door at work- I will be the last one standing.

I seem to have forgotten most of the Italian I have been working to learn which baffles me because you would think my sub-par effort of one hour every few weeks would have yielded significant results. Fret not though, I have ingrained the most important ones into my memory- vino, birra and caffe (wine, beer and coffee). 

Most of all I am going to worry about my car while I am gone, Chauncey. In an effort to make him feel less neglected during the 3 weeks I will be gone I am getting him detailed before I leave and his oil changed. Obviously I'm trying to buy his affection. I would make a great parent.

In the meantime, the countdown to departure continues at Casa Shaver as does the stalemate.