As we anchored for the evening, the Mediterranean sun faded in the distance.

Sailing among the same islands where pirates ambushed ships transporting valuables, we found sculptures made of rock.

Vacation time in Italy and I was invited to set sail with the Italian family who had hired me for the summer to teach English to their eight-year-old daughter. We were to sail on the Mediterranean off the coast of Croatia for one week, and spend the second week on the island of Viz. Having never sailed, I was nervous about what experiences this trip might bring.

My mother was to meet me at the end of these two weeks in Florence.  She was anxious to meet me at the airport as it was her first trip traveling to a foreign country and she would be arriving alone.  As the days passed, and we were closer to leaving I saw Cesare with a map in hand and decided to push him for more details concerning our trip. “How large is this boat?” I asked anxiously.  Then I prodded, “When exactly will we return?”

His reply was vague as usual, “Oh it depends on how things go. It will be wonderful, do not worry. I am still looking for a boat.” I wasn’t so much worried that it wouldn’t be wonderful but I needed to provide my mom with information to clarify what she should do upon her arrival.

I emailed her a script since I could not promise to greet her in Florence. “Mom, this is exactly what you say to the taxi driver or just hand it to him and it will all be ok.” She was less than amused that her travel-savvy daughter might not be there to meet her.

Since phone and email would not be available on our adventure, I pressed Cesare again for the plan one day before we were set to depart. After getting no where, I accepted the reality that I was not in control. Once I accepted this and decided to welcome each day’s mystery with the excitement a child might have, I was able to begin my journey.

My mom did make it to Florence. After spending her first night alone, I embraced her outside her hotel. She later realized she had made it through the night without even locking her door. But she survived.  And in the end, we spent the most amazing two weeks making our way around Italy, discovering each new town without strict timelines in true Italian fashion.