Arrivederci Italia

After my 11 hour flight at the Atlanta Airport

So my luggage was only 22.3 kg which is about 49 pounds!! I made it back safely to Atlanta yesterday afternoon around 2:30 after an 11 hour flight from Roma. Although I was very sad to leave, I was relieved to be home. I was so exhausted. I wasn’t able to sleep on my 11 hour flight so last night I went to bed before 8 o’clock and was able to sleep all night until 8 o’clock this morning! My body clock is so messed up- hopefully I can get my sleep schedule back on track. 

Now that I am back in the states it is hard to believe it is all over- what a great trip I had. Now I can reflect back on all my experiences. I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to be in Italy for an extended period of time. I loved getting to meet new people from all around the world and will miss Florence and those friends so much.  I can’t think of one thing I would change about my trip except for staying longer! My journey this summer in Italy included many places- Rome, Pompeii, Piza, Firenze, Maremma, Marina di Massa, Viareggio, Bolgheri, Versilia, Cararra, Pietrasanto, Positano, Capri, Sorrento, Venice, Tonfano and Forta de Marmi. I managed to make it to all this cities in such a short time. I always seemed to be on the go making the most of my time in Italy.

 I have tried to the best of my ability to describe my experiences to yall on this blog,  through my words and pictures but I still do not think I will ever be able to fully describe just how amazing this trip really was. I think a large part of that I owe to the friends I have made. Those girls MADE my trip wonderful and I hope to stay close with them. We have already made plans to meet in New York this fall for a reunion.

Clearly so excited to see me!

I need to thank my Grandmother for encouraging me to make this trip. I can’t believe I even thought twice about my decision to study abroad. My mom was also a big encourager and I need to thank her support and for this opportunity as well. I know it was hard for her to let me go but I appreciate it so much!  I also need to thank my brother, Taylor, for all his smart advice on traveling abroad. His tips were so helpful. Our puppy, Rusty was also very excited to see me! I had missed him so much.

I hope I will have the opportunity to visit other parts of the world and will be able to embark on another journey abroad sometime soon.

 As my friend Jillian said, with a full heart and what will forever be an empty stomach until I return, I say Arrivederci Italia until next time!

P.S Here are some pictures to just recap my trip!

Trip is almost over!

So Tuesday was my last day in Italia! I didn’t have too many things on my agenda- but it was nice because I could just enjoy my day and reflect on my trip. I walked over to Termini (the train station) to purchase my train ticket to the airport for the next morning. I bought the 5:52 AM train ticket. WOW I was going to have to be up so early! I then just walked towards the Trevi Fountain too see it for the last time. I also walked to the Spanish Steps- something I had not seen yet so I was glad I got to! Then I walked down Via dei Condotti which is the famous shopping street in Roma- shops like Hermes, Gucci and Prada. Clearly, I was just doing window shopping but it was still neat. It was crazy to see all the people actually buying items from these high end stores!! Overall it was a nice, relaxing day to end my trip with. I went back to my hotel and started thinking about my flight home. I needed to repack my suitcase and hope and pray that it would be until 50 pounds!

Back in Roma

Wow. I can't believe my time in Italy is almost over..... I don't know how to feel about it either so I am just going to enjoy these last few days and then decide how to feel

This past Thursday (my day night in Firenze) I presented my project in my class and packed up my things. I cleaned my apartment and then we walked over towards the Ponte Vecchio where we watched an amazing sunset. What a perfect way to start our night. We walked to dinner at our favorite place in Firenze.. GUSTA PIZZA! MMMMMM it is literally the best pizza I have ever eaten and no pizza in American will ever compare. Their spicy olive oil makes the pizza even better not to mention the guys who make the pizza make ours in the shape of a heart! We then decided to walk up to the famous Piazza Michelangelo which has an amazing panoramic view of the entire city. This was a great place to reflect on our time together in Florence.

On Friday I finished cleaning my apartment and my friends Dana and Joanna met me at the train station to travel back to Roma where our journey began weeks ago. Jillian would meet me there the next day. 

Last night I got to see the Trevi fountain in the dark! It was so much more peaceful than during the day and there were less people!

Vatican City

Today I visited the Vatican. I bought a ticket before hand for the museum because I had heard the lines were just crazy. Well today I barely waited 10 minutes and those minutes were spent going through the metal detector. I have heard that Italians take August off for vacation and so a lot of people go home and shops start to close for a few days. Works for me! It was such a neat experience. I even got to climb to the very top! The staircase was so narrow and it was very hot but it was well worth it! I got some great pictures.

Dome in the Basilica

San Pietro Basilica

Narrow Stairs!

View from the Top!

Last days in Firenze

Today is my last full day in Florence! I'm sad to leave-I am cleaning up and packing my cute little Italian apartment. I will miss it so much. Tomorrow a group of 5 of us will take the train to Rome. Some of them will fly out Saturday and then some are flying out Monday. We are staying in a hostel all together. Once all my friends leave I will have Monday and Tuesday by myself and then my flight home is Wednesday. I will move to a hotel Monday and Tuesday- I just feel more comfortable being in a hotel than a hostel by myself!!  I have plans to go to the Vatican one day and I am thinking about signing up for a Rome Food Tour that lasts all day- They take you around Rome to the best food places and you get to sample everything! Today I had my final presentation in my class-it went well and I am expecting an A! I cannot believe how fast these past few weeks have gone by. I wish I could stay longer!! I would love to find a job here after I graduate.

Last night we went to our regular favorite place for dinner- it is outside and is a few doors down from my friends apartment. I have never been a big fan of lasagna but this is some delicious lasagna with a yummy meat sauce.

This week I went to all the museums and churches in Firenze- a post with pictures is coming!

Thea, Me, and Joanna