Hurt my left foot (Ron thinks plantar fasciitis?), sprained my right ankle.  Had to pay for mistakes — in dollars, in euro, in time.  Missed the bus, the train, opportunities.  Broke our camera.  Waited for hours in the pouring rain with one bootleg umbrella that flipped inside out at the slightest hint of a breeze.  Got frustrated (definitely got sassy), and this led to arguments.

But that’s not what I’ll be taking away.

Stood beneath the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Circled the largest amphitheatre ever built in Roman Empire.  Walked on the same road that, thousands of years ago, victorious Roman generals paraded down after war.  Made a wish at the Trevi Fountain.  Passed by the residence where John Keats lived and died.  Witnessed in person the grandiose and futuristic designs of famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrva at La Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias.  Sunbathed in Ibiza.  Pet a camel and perused the colorful markets in Tunis.  Cuddled with my love in the rain under our lone umbrella on the streets of Napoli, our patience rewarded by the best pizza I’ve ever had at Da Michele’s Pizzeria.  Shared the most delicious cannoli and gelato in Trapani.

I feel like I’ve already forgotten most of those stressful moments, even when it seemed like Murphy’s Law was proving to be all too true (even Mt. Etna erupted the day we arrived).  That’s what happens when there’s too much beauty to let the negative be the take-away.  How could I be completely negative with him at my side, anyway?  Amazing to experience it all with him.