I ain't gonna hurry back.

Indeed, Christmas Eve was a silent night in Carbonia in Sardinia. At about 10 p.m. I went out for a walk on the main drag, Via Gramsci, in the city of 30,000 residents. And I saw only three pedestrians – a couple walking arm in arm and a solitary man. The only traffic was a carabinieri ‘s car (police) that passed in front of me as I crossed the road to Piazza Roma. The piazza was empty. I had it all to myself. And my gawd, I thought this was a magnificent Christmas Eve. Because I am in Italy. No other place I’d rather be at the moment. Because I am in love. With Italy, and more. Believe me, I ain’t gonna hurry back. –Jim Broede