Adventure is Out There!

It's 4:38. In the morning. A.M. Normal humans aren't awake yet. Even the sun isn't up. Yet here I am, writing this blog post. My last post that I will write in Italy. How did I get here? Didn't I just hop on a plane headed for Rome? Didn't I just start this crazy adventure? The expression "time flies" definitely applies. I never saw myself at this day, the day I go home. It was always off in the future somewhere, somewhere intangible. Yet here it is. My suitcase is packed, my duffel stuffed. The dishes are done and the floors are swept. All that's left is to say my good-byes to my second home. With my socks on, I only need to tie up my tennis shoes and I'll be out, walking the streets. Where will I walk? I don't know. Don't have a clue. I just want to walk, just one more time, through Rome. Rome and my experience here have taught me so much. Every study abroad student insists the same thing, but really. It has. This whole...

Last weekend in Rome. Last adventure. I spent my last weekend in Italy in Cinque Terre ("Five Lands"). It consists of five towns, one of which I stayed in and fell in love with: Manarola. My friend Megan and I feel in love  with Manarola. When we arrived, we hiked up the all-uphill street to our hostel, a pastel green building. In our room, I opened our shutters to reveal a glorious view of the town and the ocean. Once settled and suited up (bathing suits) we headed out to explore the town. As we headed back down the street, we paused multiple times to take pictures of the pink, orange, and yellow houses. It could have been a painting. As we explored, ate, and filled our bellies with gelato we began to get to know the town. And then there was the sea. The deep turquoise and navy ocean  shown in the warm sun. It was unreal. We found a spot by the water, spread out, and soaked in the rays. After what felt like a couple minutes we were already toasty and sweat...

When you think about studying abroad, especially in Europe, you start to make a mental wishlist of the places you want to see, the places you want to go.   I didn't have much expectations coming here except for good Italian food. I knew I wanted to travel, but where this semester would take me was up in the air.  Everywhere and anywhere was an adventure. But there was one place that I did dream of going, one place that seemed to be only a dream. Croatia .  As I looked up and booked my many adventures, Croatia was always on my mind. However, getting there was the problem. Planes didn't travel to Croatia until the summer. The only other option was by train and ferry, an expensive and arduous journey. Then, Bus2alps made it all happen. Bus2Alps is a traveling agency that caters to study abroad students, planning trips to hot destinations and events like Springfest and Carnivale in Venice.  As I began to lose hope of ever seeing Croatia, Bus2Alps ...

This past Wednesday, Papa Francesco and I hung out for the last time. To truly appreciate the moment, we decided to go for a regular picture instead of a selfie together. Look at that smile!! That man is so filled with hope and joy. I lost count of how many babies and children he kissed. Even though there might be several problems in the Catholic Church, having someone like Papa Francesco at the head can't help but make you feel better. He truly fills me with hope. But, last Papal audience? I can't believe it. The lasts have already started. Never before have I felt this overwhelming feeling that is completely bittersweet. Half of me never, ever wants to leave this place, the food, the culture, these friends. Half of me cannot wait to see my family, my friends, and especially my dog. I'm absolutely torn. Whenever I realize my days here are numbered though, I resist the urge to just sit down and cry. Rome is such a beautiful city. It's become my city, m...