Before the Trip

I have been reading guide books, surfing the Internet, getting immunization shots and entertaining the eternal question, "India!? Why India?"
But first, there is Italy and the three F's, Family, Food and Fun.

Our plan is to fly to Rome and spend three days exploring. Airbnb has been a good way to save some cash and have a real home to live in.

The final days leading up to the big trip have been so weird. I've got plenty of time, but I'm constantly feeling like I have an overwhelming amount of stuff to do. I think it has a lot to do with the feeling that I can actually control the events ahead. Or more accurately, it's the feeling that I can control the things behind. I'm not used to leaving my home or my cat or my mother or my family or my life in the hands of others. I've been told by those wiser than me that the ability to control is actually an illusion, rather than something we can actually do. I'm getting a glimpse of the illusion these days.
The past few days are not just about packing and mail collection and numbers for plumbers and heating emergency guys. They are exhausting because I'm realizing that I'm taking a leap of faith. I have to trust that all will be well when I return.