I studied the postcard closely, probably for the hundredth time. White stuccoed homes dotted the mountainside, their red tiled roofs gleaming in the afternoon sun. Mountains and hills rose up in indigo shadows in the distance. Beautiful. Idealic. If I peered through my magnifying glass, I could just make out dark dots which I knew to be purple clusters of grapes hanging from vertical rows of green vines.



This was to be my new home. Italy. I had never been there, yet here I was moving across the wide ocean to immerse myself in a culture I hadnt a clue about and a language I didnt speak or understand. I wondered for the millionth time if I was out of my mind, plum loco!

Fearing Id find the answer if I dwelled on it for too long, I took a deliberate step forward. I contacted an international moving company. Then I decided to contact all the international moving companies in the Yellow Pages. This took some time and lots of concentration as I had to keep track of quotes that kept changing as the companies competed for my business. This was okay with me kept me from thinking about whether or not I had lost my mind.

I checked my shortened list of international moving companies on the Better Business Bureau and finally, I made my selection. I set the date for two short weeks for them to come and pack my possessions into their barrels, crates and tea chests in case I lost my nerve. I wouldnt have time to chicken out in two weeks, would I? No, Id be way too busy!

Turns out I wasnt that busy. My international moving company agent was absolutely fabulous. She helped me plan my move and informed me of the papers Id need. When she found out I had inherited an Italian vineyard estate from grandparents Id never known, shed gushed about how lucky I was, Italy was the most romantic country ever, and on and on till I was pretty much convinced I was doing the right thing.

My international moving companys agents name is Lorenza. She has relatives in Italy that she visits every year. They live in a city close to my estate. Turns out shes my age, 26 and single so we made arrangements to meet at my place in Italy in two months. We exchanged emails. Who knew I could actually meet such a great person of interest through an international moving company?

Her description of the mountains, castles, lakes, quaint villages, ocean and most of all, the friendly people, blew away the last remaining doubts that I had like morning mist in a breeze. All that remained was pure, unadulterated excitement!