Travel is such sweet tonic!

Looking out from Roma Termini train station at a tourist bus; it only rained on the fast train to Venice!

I’ve always loved travel. Friends have dubbed me “En Route.”

After a challenging year of hard work and mood swings, I learned again how healing it is. I spent 2 wonderful October weeks in Italy with a friend — Rome, Venice, and Tuscany. Totally delightful. Beautiful weather. Good pacing.

Eduardo and Angela near the Roman Forum

A mini-skirted movie-star-style guide to the Roman Forum and a sweet, smart gay ex-Catholic guiding us through the Vatican. A hip-hop Italian version of “Peter Pan,” complete with magic wands and audience participation ("I believe in fairies!") Magical time in Venice including a jazz concert, a new-music-version of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis,” an Indian dance performance — while staying at a new guest house with a stunning rooftop deck and brilliant views of the city.

Kids on a field trip to Piazza San Marco

Golden days in Tuscany, staying at a wonderful agriturismo with some other Americans, visiting stunning hill towns and ancient Roman baths.

Edward Guthmann loved our beautiful green Motiz as we traversed the Tuscan Hills!

There was a resonance with my very first trip to Europe in 1970, when I spent 3 months studying roots of Western Civilization... a month each in Greece and Italy, and 2 weeks each in France and England looking at all the things that had been ripped off from Greece and Italy. That was a life-changing trip. It opened the frame of my vision personally, socially, politically, creatively. I was also reading a book on alternative futures for America by Robert Theobald, who became a mentor and an important inspiration in my attitude and worldview. (He said: “Some of us have got to define ourselves and world problem-solvers.” and “You can get change, or you can get credit for change — but you can’t get both.”)

This trip could also prove life-changing, but in more subtle ways. I’m at somewhat of a crossroads with my work, and play. Gordon and I are facing a possible move in the next several years. We are also looking to spend winters in a warmer spot. He is interested in doing more teaching of the considerable things he’s learned and taught himself about wax-carving, and jewelry and bell making. I’m wanting to research and write a biography of James Broughton before his friends all die away.

So, I find new inspiration in the Romans’ ability to see the big picture (even if they had other blind spots), be patient, and balance work and play. I’m ready to dive in — and want to still support the youth arts program Power of Hope, the news council concept (though I’m going off that board next year), and the youth communication projects on Vashon. So how to do all that, and still enjoy my gorgeous husband, the wonderful spot where we live, and leave time for nature and spiritual renewal?

Hmmm, it means making more conscious choices. [This, in the middle of increasing success of the Journalism That Matters project and my desire to do more writing of articles.]

We’ll see how I do.

Peggy Guggenheim's terrace on the Grand Canal, Venice; no place like it on earth!