"Just be careful because the couch separates." -Megan, Roma

So, all the time when we were toying with the idea of crashing at Megan and Ali's they kept bringing up how of course one of us could sleep on the couch but that we should be careful because it separates or it's uncomfortable because of that...something like that. And after some of the conditions we've lived and slept through throughout this trip, honestly, nothing could have phased me at this point. And I'm pretty sure, once you've been traveling this long the accommodations become less and less important. At this point, Janise and I had been trying to swap "nicer" accommodations like every time, just to keep things fair. I told her she for sure gets the couch this time because Italian homes, like Taiwan and many of the other more humid countries I've had the incredible opportunity to travel through and experience, traditionally don't have carpet and I didn't want her sleeping on the cold concrete or tile floor. No, I don't know that it's really that I'm that kind or thoughtful or compassionate, but more because I actually don't mind AT ALL sleeping on the floor. Sometimes I even prefer it. No really, I'm being totally serious. I am one of those people that is blessed in an extreme way for being able to sleep pretty much anywhere and pretty much under any conditions. If you want to test me, feel free to comment on this post with places or conditions you can't sleep through, I bet I've either already tackled it or for sure could...within the reason of reality :)

Anyway, so Megan and I get back to her place after sitting outside talking for a couple hours and Janise is on the floor dead asleep wrapped up like a taco in a few blankets and seemingly wearing a few more layers than normal. This left me the couch and a throw blanket. Totally fine. Ha! I said goodnight to Megan as she headed into her room and, after brushing my teeth, I set off to nuzzle on into my little leather couch.

So, I think most of you would agree that I'm a little person, consequently I seem to fit practically anywhere with space to spare. And even if it were to be snug I typically sleep in a tight little ball so I only take up a cushion and some anyway. I moved some pillows around, lay down, grabbed the throw blanket, and proceeded to try and situate myself so that I would be fully covered. I have pretty poor circulation in my feet so I like to tuck them in good, even if that means the covers venture away from my chin and neck. I started to kind of slide my legs around in a manner I've learn so I don't have to sit up and actually use my hands to tuck them in...lazy, I know...well, as I'm doing this--OH! AND I didn't mention that Megan and Ali are basically renting a room from this cutie little Italian couple so we need to be really quiet because they wake easily--so, yeah I'm silently squirming around and suddenly...uuhhhhaaaahhh!!! and next thing I know I'm laying or sinking feet up in the air, head wedged against a cushion as pretty much the only reason my head didn't smash against the ground, and as for my rear...well, let's just say that it was planted firmly on the freezing cold ground directly where the couch is normally covering. Hahahahahaha! It was soooo funny! And not only could I not yelp or scream or whatever from the spontaneous fall but it took everything in me to try and hold my laughter in! I was dying inside and trying so hard to not wake up Janise by either my held in laughter or by fall-rolling on top of her being that she was on the ground nearly right at the foot of this incredible transformers couch. I'm pretty sure I had to look something like those cartoons when they fall into a trashcan and their hands and feet are sticking out all kinda ridiculously like. Oh my goodness.

I finally maneuver my way back into an upright position, get to my feet, gather up everything else that sunk into the middle of the couch with me, pushed the two ends back together and went for round 2. I was very conscientious, gentle, and slow this time. And yet, not 15 seconds passed and I found myself catching a breeze along my backside. You see, this time as I began to feel the two ends (this is a little two piece couch) starting to part with the grace of the Red Sea, and knowing that my impending doom was for the middle section of my body to go crashing down, I naturally reacted by lifting that part of my body straight up into the air the way we sometimes do as part of our cool down in yoga, pilates, and my kick boxing classes. I'll pause so you can envision what the human bridge I had just popped into... Ha! Yes, hysterical.

Again I slowly, strategically, and as silently as I could pulled myself back together and stood up to observe my arrangements and options. Ahah! My backpack!! It's huge and brick-like. It's the perfect wedge!!! I tip-toed across the room, quietly lifted it, and wedged it against one end of my little roller coaster and kind of the wall and a table leg. I kind of pushed the couch around a little to see if my next try and sleeping would end up with my tush on the ground and it seemed pretty stable.

Now, sometime around 2:30-3am I laid down, tucked my feet in, laughed to myself, reflected on my favorite day in Italy, and fell asleep...finally.

Never underestimate friendly warnings about separating couches from friends...just sayin'.