I simply don't know what to say.
I can't decide whether to talk about the amazing people I traveled with, the [without a doubt-- worth it] 10 pounds of tasty Italian food that resides in my hips, or the personal growth I experienced.
So i guess I'll touch on all of those topics.
The People:
Paulette
Let me introduce you to one of the most beautiful people I know-- inside and out. She is a mother at heart, says what she means and means what she says, and this summer, she fell in love with Rome. I believe every person should have a place that just floods you with energy-- and I know that place for Paulette is Rome. I will miss her with every ounce of my being and I feel so blessed to have met such a fun-loving person.
Emily
When I think of Emily, I think of music, cleaning, gnocchi, and an unforgettable bike ride. She is about as down to earth as they come-- a quality I will forever admire. She thinks in music and lyrics just like me, and never takes life too seriously. I love that about her. As I said in a Facebook caption, I will miss her more than gelato.
Carlos
If everyone could see the world through the eyes of Carlos, I'm convinced they'd be a more cheerful person. I've never met somebody so expressive about how beautiful something is. I love his sass, his Disney smile, and his warm heart. Forever his Italian girlfriend, xoxo.
Max
I have so much appreciation for a guy like Max. Always there to save the day and give a helping hand. No matter what dilemma the group had at any point in time, Massimo to the rescue! A true gentleman.
Sherrie
Sherrie is a saint. We'll start with that. From the very beginning, when I was checking out this program and attending the meetings, I told my friend Molly, "I just can't figure out this Sherrie lady; she's so cool." I am so glad I got to know such an inspiring woman. I forever wish I could be as fit and independent as her.
Gianfranco
Paulette and I joked that we should get "GF" tattoos on our wrists so that we can carry Gianfranco's spirit with us everywhere we go. This man has the best outlook on life. He is all about being happy and most of all, no stress. I will truly miss his enthusiasm, humor and charm.
Molly
Last but not least, my lifelong pal Molly. I am so grateful that she informed me of this trip and let me be her travel buddy! I realized how precious of a gift it is to still be friends with someone who you played with in diapers. I will forever be jealous of her natural intelligence. We shared so many laughs on this trip and we didn't kill each other! So I'd consider that a success :)
The Cuisine:
The food in Italia is impossibly perfect. They tell you gelato is heaven, and indeed it is. I had at least one cone every. single. day. And sometimes two!
With no regrets, I admit that I only had true Italian pizza (that is, not the take out kind) ONE night. That's right. The "pasta masta" (as some of my friends call me) ate pasta every. single. night.
Fettucine Bolognese is the closest to Nirvana I've ever been.
I could go on about the food forever; but I think these pictures do pretty good justice.
The "Soul Vacation":
Last of all, the soul searching side of Italy.
I came into this trip in no way expecting to find out who I really was; but inevitably I did.
I learned that alcohol tolerance is quite minimal for a girl my size.
I learned that it's not necessarily about where you travel but who you travel with.
I learned that Bill Nye was right when he said, "Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't."
I learned that the petty everyday problems of America are just that-- petty.
I realized that McDonald's rules the world.
And above all, I realized that when you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, he's with you everywhere you go. Even across the pond!
About mid-trip; my good friend and roommate Emily had asked me if I had found a song that represented this trip for me. I pondered that question for the next couple of weeks.
It wasn't until my very last weekend, on a plane to Paris--and oddly enough--listening to a playlist that Emily herself had created for me-- that I found my song.
It's a song that talks of living life to the fullest; but also remaining true to yourself. I simply could not summarize what this trip meant to me in any better way than it does; give it a listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENM2wA_FTg
Grazie for bearing with my long and rambling blog post.
This summer in Rome was simply the experience of a lifetime.
Ciao ragazzi,
Miranda
