7

After a nap we decided to go for a swim in the late afternoon sun. The zero clearance pool overlooks the valley and a few small Trulli that have been here for hundreds of years. There is a peace here and a natural beauty that sort of sweeps you away.

The V’s got back around 6:30 from an action packed day of slides and wave pools and our chef arrived to prepare Kayla’s surprise birthday dinner. We all decided to get dressed for a formal affair, and here we are in our finest.

Dinner was a bit of a bust. Chef was lovely, but food was made for a different sort of American guest. We had bought wine at a local farm stand, and it too was sub par, but honestly, we were all having such a good time that we didn’t even mind. The joy and love among the group overcame all.

Celebrating Kayla was the reason for the dinner, but the energy and love within the group was the real celebration. The acceptance of one another, the happiness that we are together, the way we all interact with one another is what is special. We truly had a fabulous time with one another. Now that is a gift.