Vedo ad Ascoli...e piango...

I look at Ascoli and I cry...

Yesterday morning, I woke up to go to the music school for a final time for classes. I climbed that legendary hill. Along the way, I looked down at my feet and I saw the cobblestones and travertine streets I have grown to know and love. And I said to myself, "I will not see these stones and material again...for a long time."

And then I heard two old ladies talking in Italian. And two men yelling across the street. And a rush of emotion hit me...this language I have come to know and love. Due to scheduling conflicts, I will not hear it anytime soon. I have grown to love this language so much. It is the replacement for the sound of the birds outside my window in the morning. The ups and downs, the inflection of the phrases, the cheerful "Ciaòs" and "Come stai" that greeted me as I got my coffee.

Tonight is the last night I sleep in Italy. Tonight is the last night I look out my window and see the most romantic street view I have ever seen. Toight is the last night I go to the bar to use internet, talk to Dalilah and Paolo, and call it a night.

Tonight is my last night here. I...do not know what to say. This experience has been the most amazing experience of my life to date. And it has just hit me that this place is going to be thousands of miles over the Atlantic ocean tomorrow night as I get to the airport.

Ascoli I just want to say, mi macherai. I will miss you. Hai insegnato molto. Ho impararato la lingua. Cantavo e ascoltavo alla musica bellisima, e mangiavo i tuoi cibi...e mi piaceva molto!

...e ti ricordarò sempre.

Ascoli...I will miss you. You taught me a lot. I learned the language. I sang and heard the most beautiful music, and I ate your food. And I liked it a lot. And I will remember always.

With that, I go to take my Italian final. There is but one more entry (and a multitude of pictures) left before this blog is officially chiudo (closed). I will let you all know how my travels went and my final reflections.

A presto,
Ryan