It started as most wild ideas do, over a cup of tea. I looked out at another grey BC morning and thought, why not trade drizzle for dolce vita? 

Now The countdown is real: in January, I'm leaving for San Lucido- a Little coastal gem in Calabria that looks like it was painted by someone with too much sunlight and romance in their heart. The kind of place where laundry flutters above cobblestone alleys and life seems to hum to the rhythm of espresso cups clinking.

I picture myself walking along the promenade at sunset, pretending I know where I'm going, while Google Maps cheerfully sends me into someone's private courtyard (again). I imagine ordering coffee in my best broken Italian, confusing latte with milk and accidentally getting a glass of warm dairy instead of caffeine.

But that's part of the adventure - the joy of not knowing    of getting lost in the language, a town, and maybe even a new version of myself.

White Rock gave me calm seas and long walk; Italy might just give me wings. I'm not running away- I'm walking towards something: light, laughter ,a bit a chaos  and maybe a rediscovered part of me that's been waiting under the Mediterranean sun all along.

So, the packing begins, One suitcase, One heart, One playlist of The Beatles songs for courage. Paul always said " Take a sad song and make it better" I think this winter , I just might.