Today's going to be a hard day. Simona leaves at 5 pm tonight and neither of us is looking forward to saying goodbye. She was pretty quiet yesterday, and very anxious.

I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye. I got used to coming home and seeing her here. Even Bailey took a liking her to her. Its going to feel pretty strange...

The only consolation I have ever found in "Goodbye's" when friends leave is the certain knowledge that sooner or later they WILL return. I'm absolutely certain that this will be the case with Simy too....

Simy - you have tasted that wonderful feeling of freedom and adventure now - DON'T leave it at that. No more fear of travelling alone or not being able to make yourself understood..... you arrived in Toronto and have survived 'English' for a couple of weeks, even if it was coupled with quite a lot of 'Calabrese and Cuss' So if you can survive that sweetheart, you can survive ANYTHING!!!

From a personally private point of view I hope that your next adventure will be a little easier, and nearer 'home'. That is a visit to me..... NO flying, NO strange language - and (alas) no Dennis! But I'm only 275km from Savona by road, and even the rail journey isn't difficult. But if you can't come to me - then maybe I'll just drive down to see you.....

But all that is for later... today is the start of the end of your wonderful (and successful) adventure.

See - we ALL told you it would be OK - and IT WAS!

Now is the time for a true "ARRIVERDERCI" to each other and I'm certain that this is just the first of many such wonderful holidays for you!

Buon Viaggio bella!

Simy, I know you are sad but at least now you know flying really isn't that bad! And now you can eat! Next time, maybe you can come to Chicago and I can show you most Americans really aren't that bad. Chicago is a beautiful city with lots to do. Maybe we can throw eggs at Dennis DeYoung's house! Hehe. Have a safe trip home!

Buon Viaggio Simona,
Have a safe trip home. I'm so glad I had a chance to meet you.
Keep in touch.
Tanti saluti,
Denise

Thanks friends!

Well, We got Simy off to the airport ok and said our goodbyes. I really hate goodbyes (but I cried once she left). Even Lou enjoyed her visit. He kept saying he now had two wives to take care of since he had to keep running out and buy us everything in duplicate.

I received an email from Simona about 4:45pm which made me laugh. Here it is...

My ass is once again on the plane. Next time i'll come there swimming! I'll miss you all. LOVE YA!

She said she would try and skype me tomorrow about 12 noon our time..I can't wait to hear from her.

I also have some news to tell her that I'll share once I share it with her.

Love You too Simy!

Simy just emailed me. She has arrived in Milano safely and is waiting for her brother to pick her up. She tired since she didn't sleep on the plane at all so I assume she'll be spending the day in bed.

But at least we know she's safe now.

Hi everybody!

I'm at home now...

I just awoke, it's 4:50 pm here. I slept a couple of hours just because I wasn't able to stay up... 24 hours without sleeping are too many for me.

I didn't crying while we say goodbye... tried to be strong... But when the airplane started moving, I began to cry... The guy sat close to me (a handsome guy, btw!) told me "Hey? Why are you crying? Are you scared?" and I answered him, sobbing, "No... I'm not scared... My friends are here! Don't want to leave..." and he gave me a chewing gum...

Can't wait to chat with you and to know the news. Are they about my marriage??? LOL

Get a shower and I'll be here later.

Love you!!!

I'm glad you had a safe return Simy - and tell us more about the guy with the chewing gum...eas he really a dish?

Bet you wanted the plane to turn round and go back - right?



What time did your brother finally get there to pick you up? I bet he was held up with fog on that road....

Can't wait to hear when your next visit will be.

Simona,

Remember I told you my father gave my mother chewing gum when they first met....

Last night when I got home, the people from the Rose Theater (where we went to see the concert) called. Eric was his name and he wanted to know about our "experience" that night, so I told him everything. He was really concerned about it all..I can't believe the amazing people and service that theater provides! I told him ow wonderful everyone who works there was...

There was more but we can talk about it on skype. I will say this though. I will definitely go back to see performances there! And if any of you visit Toronto, try to go..its amazing.

Heres the link to their website..

www.brampton.ca/maxtix/home.tml

www.rosetheatre.ca/buy_tickets.tml

As for the marriage...hmmm..will need to follow that up! Now hurry up and call me!

Carole wrote:

I'm glad you had a safe return Simy - and tell us more about the guy with the chewing gum...eas he really a dish?

He has two small children in Toronto waiting for him... So I had been a good girl!!!

Carole wrote:

Bet you wanted the plane to turn round and go back - right?

When I came in the plane, the pilot said "Hello, did you wait too much time to embark? There was a long queue?" and I answered him "I am in no hurry to come back home..." and he said "Hey! A person who doesn't complain! Welcome aboard!" and he laughed!

Carole wrote:

What time did your brother finally get there to pick you up? I bet he was held up with fog on that road....

Yes, there was the fog (I didn't see it, though...)
I arrived to Milan at 7:00 am (15 minutes before the expected time), after 10 minutes I was already out of the airport... My brother got there at 8:30 am!

Carole wrote:

Can't wait to hear when your next visit will be.

Me too................