The End

Wow. That’s really the only word to describe my whirlwind of a life lately. What an incredible adventure these past few months have been & I feel so lucky to have had opportunity to go on this journey. As sad I am to be leaving bella Roma, I know this won’t be my last globe-trotting escapade. I hoped this little four-month stint would cure my travel bug but it’s only gotten worse!

 I've learned so many important lessons on this invaluable adventure. I discovered that a watch is more than just a fashion statement and I am actually capable of (gasp!) reading a map! I’ve learned how to pack the bare minimum because when you’re carrying every single pound on your back for a week throughout Spain, it adds up fast. I’ve realized that getting lost is okay, and that sometimes the best experiences are those that you stumble upon. One of the most important lessons that I’ve come to recognize is that branching out on your own isn’t scary, lonely or humiliating. I had some of the best experiences of my life when I was traveling solo. I got the chance to eat, sleep and discover what I wanted, where I wanted and when I wanted. The time I spent exploring by myself was a great opportunity for a little self reflection and you become a heck of a lot more approachable to meet new people when you aren’t traveling with a herd of six girls. I think that this experience has helped me to accept whatever the universe gives me instead of stressing and overthinking the details. The busses aren’t running? Well at least everyone else is going to be late, too. I missed my train? Good thing that wasn’t the only one running today. My psycho ex roommate broke the lock to get into my room in East Lansing while I was gone? Well, things are replaceable. As Dr. Jill put it, “you’re still Type A, just a lot less Type A…” Thanks, Mom.

I’ve also really appreciated the effort from my friends and family to stay in touch… Cards, emails, packages, visits and weekly Skype calls kept me from getting homesick and for that I am so grateful. I’m feeling bittersweet about leaving this incredible place but the end of one adventure is the beginning of another & I am so excited to meet my fellow tadpoles in Chicago this weekend! 

Gardens of Tivoli

No words... Just a few pictures from my solo trip to the gardens of Tivoli on Saturday.

Solo Hiking in Cinque Terre

When you live with 6 girls, sometimes you just need a few days to yourself! So Friday I headed to go hiking in my favorite place on this earth--the Cinque Terre. When I was there a few years ago with Dr. Jill, I never would have dreamed I'd get the opportunity to experience this place again so I'm hoping this wasn't my last chance either! Anywhooo I arrived in Riomaggiore Friday morning and it was the perfect day for hiking: 75 degrees and sunny with a little breeze coming off the water to cool me off... Could not have asked for better weather. 

One of the trails was still closed off from the aftermath of the floods in October, so I was able to take a train for that stretch of the hike. One of the villages, Vernazza was still in shambles and that was really sad to see. Months later, there were still cranes pulling scraps out of the water and construction happening to all of the stores and apartments that were ruined. This photo is right outside of Vernazza and you can see that half of the house was just washed away down the cliffs. There were still keys and towels hanging up in what used to be the kitchen... It makes you wonder where those people went or what happened that they wouldn't even go back to save what was left of their things.

 Other than that, the hike was amazing... Where else in the world do you get views like this?? After the hike I ended up in the last town Monterosso (where Mom & I stayed a few years ago) and I fell asleep on the beach after some delicious coconut and peach gelato :)

That night I went out for dinner with these girls I met at the train station. I can't remember (or pronounce their names), they're from India but studying for their Masters in Paris. They were great company and it was so interesting to hear about their life in India--they both come from a lot of money and had never even cleaned their rooms before moving to Paris because having maids and cooks is so common for them. They also told me how much Indians hate the movie Slumdog Millionaire because of how it depicts all Indian children as starving and living in poverty--and it wasn't even produced or directed by an Indian. Yeesh, I kindof liked it!

My hostel was quite strange, it was just an apartment with a lot of beds in it. Small world though: 3 of my roommates just graduated from University of Michigan! But the world gets smaller... When I was in Madrid I met this Australian couple (about my age) at a hostel who were on a 10 month tour traveling the world. I talked to them for a few hours about their trip and Australia and they completely sold me on making that my next adventure. Well while I was waiting for a train in Corniglia I ran into them again! I think fate brought us together because we spent some time catching up and they ended up writing out an itinerary for my trip to Australia and gave me their contact info and said that I was welcome to stay with them in Sydney whenever I make my way over there... What are the chances!

Saturday, I ended up doing a hike inland which wasn't as incredible as the cliffside hike, but it was still nice to be out in nature... Ahhhhh, zen. Halfway through the hike, I plopped myself down in a vineyard to chow down on a croissant with cream. This is the life. Seriously, I'm not sure how it could get better. I had such an amazing weekend in the Cinque Terre and so glad I decided to go on my own. This was supposed to be my last trip butttt I might need a break from finals studying next weekend so the wheels are turning... :)