Chapter 13
The plane banked to the left, dipping its wing towards the crystal waters of the Adriatic Sea as it prepared to line up the Bari runway. From the air, the city dazzled with orange terracotta roofs reflecting in the sun. Flying out of Melbourne had been a mix of modern grey buildings and green parks. This view was like something from the pages of a history book—like stepping back in time into an ancient city. The excitement swirled in my stomach, pushing aside the lethargy.
After disembarking and collecting my luggage—a much more relaxed experience than at Heathrow—I made my way through customs and into the arrivals area. The butterflies continued as I searched the many faces for Matteo and prepared to meet my relatives for the very first time. Matteo had been my point of conta
