Sabbatical in Spello

Blog 1

Ready to linger.

As this school year closes and summer begins I am traveling to Spello, Italy in the region of Umbria to see how it feels to stay in one town for a month and linger. I’ll linger over coffee, the aroma coming from the local bakery and the taste of each flavor that I can only imagine will be glorious. I’ll also begin to learn the Italian language from a local college student and possibly volunteer in helping to create a floral design for Infiorata di Spello, Spello’s famous flower festival. 

This journey is what some might consider a sabbatical, a time for personal development, travel and rest. In fact, I found my place to stay through Sabbatical Homes, a website for teachers looking to swap a home, be a tenant or rent. I’m doing the later. While my sabbatical is unpaid, I am treating this time off differently than previous times off or vacations. I wonder how it and I will unfold.

I invite you to come along with me as I wander the streets of Spello, Italy and explore local towns like Perugia, Assisi and Arezzo. I am already preparing and packing.

The lens of small acts and moments will guide me during my stay in Spello. My days as a teacher are filled with small acts and moments, so I know the importance of slowing down and noticing what’s most important. I am going to take this perspective with me as my guide as I also meet new people.

My hope is that in sharing my experiences with you, you might also consider how all the small acts and moments in your life matter, make and shape you and are taking you somewhere deeper. Small acts, in particular, have legs, or better yet wings! I’m curious where my wings will take me.

In community,

Donna aka Ms. Samluk