Reflection

Studying abroad and traveling diffidently changed me. There is no question about it. I look at everything differently. I feel like I can take on everything and accomplish everything with the independence I’ve gained. 

There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think about my time abroad- Some days more than others. It’s almost like I get ‘Europe-sick’ sometimes (like home sick)! Also, it is a little odd, but a certain smell will send me into a memory. Most commonly- the smell of the laundry detergent pads I carried in my suitcase! I can’t travel without my book bag. It just doesn’t feel right. Packing is like second nature to me now.  I always think of how exhausting my time traveling was but how I was still able to handle it. 

I don’t share that much about my trip with everyone. When people ask how it was, the usual go to line is ‘It was so amazing, I miss it so much.’ And if I tell people about couch surfing they look at me like I have three heads and ask why I would do such a thing when I was traveling alone! I also don’t talk about my travels that much because I feel like I am bragging rather than people being interested in my stories. –Not saying that is the case, that’s just how I feel!

Even though I didn't have the best of luck on my trip, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I made so many new friends and learned so much about myself, others, and the world. 

Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness. =)

Rome

I had never made a post about Rome, I figured I would on the plane ride home, but I guess I was too anxious to write! But here is a little about what I did in Rome…

Getting to/finding  my host’s place was the worst. He was going to meet me by the station, but plans changed so he ended up texting me ‘play by play’ directions that were not easy to follow. I was late, I didn’t know where I was going, and I had my book bag and suitcase with me- it was the only time I felt vulnerable. Regardless, I did finally make it to my host, Leonardo’s, place.

On Tuesday, my host and I went out for lunch before I met up with another couch surfer Daniel.

Daniel’s fiancé lives in Philadelphia! They both travel back and forth a lot. Daniel picked me up at the Vatican and took me to a park, not sure what it was called, but it had an amazing view of the whole city! I loved seeing the city like this before I explored it! 

 

Next we walked through the city visiting all of the landmarks and ended at the Piazza Venezia. We grabbed dinner at this really amazing and quaint Italian restaurant. It was actually delicious and affordable! Over dinner, we talked about our significant others and his wedding. 

Piazza Venezia

 

I spent the rest of my trip hanging out with two Polish couch surfers- Ola and Caroline.

I loved hanging out with Ola and Caroline. They were so sweet and a lot of fun to be with! (also because I wouldn’t get harassed by Italian men when I was with them! Which was either because they are too pretty or because we were a group!)

On Wednesday, we met at the coliseum. They were a little late, so I saved them a spot in line- which they were very grateful for! 

 

After going through the Coloseum, we explored around that area for a little then went to the Spanish Steps and got some pizza and beer to eat! Then we went to the Trevi Fountain and took some awesome pictures =)

My favorite picture ever! =)

Afterward, Ola and Caroline went back to their hostel and I  went back to my host's place, this was the view from his place...

That night, the three of us met up with a few other couch surfers at an awesome place that Ola found near Piazza Navona. The best part- The entrance to the toilets at the bar was through a wardrobe! It was like Narnia!! =P Afterward we went to a club and had an awesome time =)

The boy to the left is Red, a brand new couch surfer from the Philippines!

On Thursday, I found myself a place to stay because my next host never got back to me unfortunately. It was a nice two or three star hotel right near the main train station- Termini. Later, we met up and did some exploring before we met up with some more couch surfers later and got dinner and drinks with them!

On Friday, I met the girls at the Vatican. They were late again, so I waited in line for them- which they once again loved! We had forgotten about the ‘no shoulder no knees’ role inside the the Basilica. Therefore I ended up wearing Ola’s jacket even though it was too little. Then me and Caroline wrapped pashminas around our legs! We looked a bit ridiculous but we got in! 

Inside the Basilica

Ridiculous but it worked! =)

Afterward, we toured the Vatican Museum....

Loved this! =)

So crowded.

The Sistine chapel

 The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museum, it is set up so it is the last room you go through. Therefore, after seeing room after room of ceiling murals- it sadly wasn't too astonishing. It diffidently sounds spoiled for me to say that, but Ola and Caroline were thinking the same thing too!

Afterward, we did some dress shopping for out last night in Rome =) We met up with some more couch surfers that night and invited some of the other CS friends we made the nights before. It was an awesome last night on my trip =)

Pisa!

I arrived in Pisa on Friday evening, April 27^th. Went and met my first host in Pisa- Peirgussppe – what a name right?! I was his first surfer this ‘season’. We hung out at his place for a little until some of his friends came over and had dinner together. Then we went out for the night. We went to a bunch of squares that are full of little bars. (you drink outside always). It was a really fun time. Also it is very common to bring massive jugs or bins filled with sangria- or in a shopping cart! ;) The next day we both slept in and I eventually wondered into the city but Perig had to work on his Thesis.

Piazza dei Miracoli (the miracle square) is the main attraction of Pisa and is beautiful. The monuments are all an astonishing shade of off white surrounded by grass. There are street vendors everywhere, all basically selling the same souvenirs. Also at each entrance to the square, there are black men trying to sell you something. There are five ‘attractions’ in the square- and you have to pay to go in any of them. I only went in the main cathedral and the tower. There is also an Opera Museum, Cemetery, and a Baptistery.

On Sunday, April 29^th, I went to my second host’s place- Svetlana. She was my first and only single woman host! And she was awesome; It felt like we were old friends. She reminded me of Kunlani (My west African dance group) a lot- she would have fit right in! That day we went to a couch surfing lunch/dinner party. The food was amazing! There were appetizers, handmade pasta, meatballs, potatoes, some other kind of meat, tiramisu, and lots of wine. Not everyone there were couchsurfers and only some spoke English. The meal started around 2 and did not end until about 6! We both ate so much; neither of us ate for the rest of the night! We went back to her place- talked and shared pictures.

On Monday, April 30^th, I reserved a spot for a train to Rome and then explored the city. Svetlana was busy getting ready to go to a workshop in Portugal.

 

Chirvari and Cinque Terra

My host in Chirvari was Daniel and he was refreshing company. He is also an American but he has been living and working in Italy for seven years. He is fluent in both English and Italian, but it was nice to be able to talk without a language barrier!

Wednesday, April 25^th, was a national holiday- . So after sleeping in, my host Daniel and I went to Portofino- a small port along the Italian Riviera. First we got an amazing lunch at a small local place. When we got near Portofino, we had to park and walk because they limit the amount of cars allowed to the area. But because of this, we were able to walk along the coast and a simple hike in the woods. We stopped for an espresso along the way at a café that was right on the water basically. Also, we stopped at a public beach and I was able to soak my feet in the water a bit! =) Once we got to Portofino, we hung out for a little- then decided to do some hiking trails. Daniel asked me if I was feeling adventurous- like that is a question! =P We were going to hike to the next small town, but there was not enough time to do so because we slept in too much! We still went hiking regardless; it was pretty tiring because it was for the most part uphill. We went to a beautiful lookout and relaxed before heading back.Once we got back to Portofino, we had a well deserved- but expensive beer while we waited for our bus to take us to the car! On the way back, Daniel took the scenic route on an old roman road! It was really curvy and went right along the coast

View from the destination of our hike!

Portofino from above =)

On Thursday, April 26^th, I went to Cinque Terra- a series of five small towns along the coast. Each town is really small and heavily relies on tourism. The first town was Montorosso. There was a public beach there, so I got a sandwich and had a picnic on the sand =) Manarola was my favorite town! It is perched on a little cliff right on the sea! =) It was so photogenic! Also walked on the Via Dell' Amore path (way of love)- by myself -.- hah! But no worries, I was beautiful and right along the coast. Also got to see the sunset on the water! It was the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen!

Where I ate my lunch =P

Manarola from a far ♥

Manarola up close!

along the Via Dell' Amore path

'Love locks'

<3

Genova! =)

I arrived in Genova on Sunday April 22^nd.Genova was diffidently one of my favorite places so far. It was finally a place that I could see myself living. The city is filled with beautiful architecture and parks. Genoa (the Italian spelling) is nestled in between the sea and the mountains. It also has a large port- where there is a Pirate Ship! =D

The Neptune is a replica ship that was made for a movie, but is now a ‘museum’ that is docked in the harbor. 

I felt so at home ;) loved it!

 

Part of Genova is the best example of an entirely preserved Medieval Town in Europe. So many of the buildings are declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO. Therefore, all of the buildings in the town have beautiful architecture

  I was planning to stay with two girl couch surfers in Genova, but both backed out on me. One did because of the train strike (took place on Sunday- regional trains weren’t running). Then another did because I did not let her know early enough when I was arriving- but I was uncertain because of the train strike. But it all worked out, because I ended up loving my accommodation! I stayed in a hostel priced hotel called ‘Alberto Argentina’ that was owned by an adorable Italian couple that barely spoke English. I had a room to myself, clean towels & sheets, and a large twin bed! It was so nice and clean- especially after my last host’s place!

My last night in Genova, I met up with my host that I was going to stay with at my next stop and we went to a Couch Surfing meeting! It was a lot of fun, it was a group of 10 surfers- all Italians/locals besides me. We started the night by getting dinner at ‘Eataly’- love the name! Then we headed to a small cute little bar called ‘Follow the White Rabbit’. Then another random bar at the end of the night. All of the surfers were awesome as usual.

I was talking to one for a bit- he said I was pretty cool and then mentioned that he thought that we would not get along. I thought it was a weird comment to someone you just met, so I called him out on it and said ‘Why, cause you thought I was a stupid, spoiled American girl?’ and he just looked at me surprised, then shook his head yes! Haha! Glad I’m breaking stereotypes ;)

Something silly to note, at the last bar we went to- I got to play with a dog! Because, in Europe, dogs are cool enough/allowed to come to the bar with you! The pup was a boxer mix, her and I played with the empty plastic cups littered in the streets =P 

Genova <3