Adventure is Out There!

I spent the beginning and end of the the Lenten season with Papa Francesco.  So blessed!! I mean, We're practically best friends now with our two selfies. He may not have known I was taking it, but he's a spiritual guy. He sensed it.                                           Ash Wednesday                        Easter Sunday  Before the sun woke up, my friend and I were on the tram on our way to the Vatican. When in Rome, you can't just go to any old church for Easter when the Vatican is right around the corner!  We arrived and took our place in line. They weren't quite ready for us and we waited along with everyone else to be allowed into St. Peter's Square. When the time came, we didn't quite sprint as others did but allowed ourselves a nice "trot." We scanned the seats, straining our n...

Even though I didn't go on a "weekend trip," this past weekend was still chock-full of adventure. I'm in Italy!!! How could it not be? Friday:  Everyone is familiar with the pang of disappointment that accompanies soaring expectations.  It can happen with a book, a movie, a restaurant, or even a song.  But then, there are those experiences that go above and beyond your already high expectations.  One of those magical experiences is the Tivoli Gardens.  My roommates had already painted beautiful pictures in my mind the week before, insisting that it was one of the most beautiful places they had ever been. The way they talked about it, I expected the gardens to be just as beautiful as Santorini. Well it was. When I walked out on one of the balconies of Villa d'Este, I was at a loss for words.  The sun peaked over the tall trees, revealing picturesque pathways bordered by hedges and flower pots. The sound of water bubbling and rus...

This past weekend was full of adventures, adventures to places that I've only dreamt about. Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, Capri. Did I really go there? The pictures say I did, but it's hard to believe it. Day 1: Mount Vesuvius Waking up inhumanely early, I scrambled to finish the packing that was supposed to be done the night before. As we rushed out the front door, we were greeted with lightning, rain, and more rain. Basically a torrential downpour. Soaking wet and excited to be leaving the rain behind, I boarded the bus, ready to begin the adventure. As the bus traveled farther and farther from the Rome, we left the rain for fog. As the bus lurched back and forth up the switchbacks, I strained to see a glimpse of a view, but the cloud was persistent in swallowing us whole. After endless switchbacks, it came time to set off on foot. With the rain, the fog, the damp all around, I couldn't help but just smile. I was on a volcano . No bad weather could take that away. Th...