"Whit's fur ye'll no go past ye"

                The final days are truly upon me. I leave Europe in about two days and it is hard to stomach. I have a knot just resting underneath my heart, making it hurt just a tiny bit, but at the same time have butterflies about going home pushing up on the knot. The past 20 days were 100% incredible. The past 5 months have been a whirlwind. I traveled Europe in 15 days. Amsterdam to Germany to Italy (Layover in Glasgow for a few) and to France. I lived in the UK long enough to laugh harder at Family Guy’s recent new episode with more vigor. I hate tooting my own horn, but I am pretty satisfied with what I have accomplished and the choice of friends I made.

                 Starting with my backpacking adventure with Brooke and Patrick, I would have to say I love the challenge of it. Navigating through language issues and developing map skills is pretty cool. Picking up some basic language communicators was pretty decent too. Trust me, I can’t speak anything except maybe Bostonian, but knowing how to say please, thank you, hello, goodbye and How much does this cost? is imperative. We started our journey in Amsterdam, which is a city with quite a reputation. I loved the relax nature of Amsterdam, it seemed less hustle and bustle than any other city I have ever been to. There was a mainstream focus on the Red Light District and the selling of drugs that are illegal in the states. I was pleasantly surprised to find the city to be pretty and unique with the structure of its streets and buildings. I dubbed the city: Chill. Just a chill place to hang. The Red Light District didn’t scare me as bad as I thought it would. I think Vegas may be the true sin city.

Germany was dubbed: IMPRESSIVE. The pure magnitude of the structures and buildings made New York City’s buildings look chunky and ill-placed. Berlin had a flow with the structures. The food was soo awesome. Currywurst forever. Not a huge beer-drinker, but the beer was soo soo sweet. The people were so friendly and helpful. I noticed a very similar humor to my own as well while I was there. I had no expectations for Germany, but it made quite an impression on me. The Hofbrau was the best food I have ever had! (Almost, Chiptole is #1) I had a blast there. Germany just gave me a great feeling the entire time I was there. The clean trains, streets, and the simple order of things. 

Italy is my cluster-crazy of culture. Venice provided such a magical (dubbed word) setting to start the culture. Venice is one of my favorite places in the world. There is an atmosphere that just makes you want to wear a 15th century dress and mask, and sing on a gondola all day long. We had the perfect “hostel” with a private room in a court yard off of the grand canal. My gosh, it was heaven for me. The weather was great, sunny but with a cool breeze. I just loved it. Rome was dubbed as overwhelming. The size and the ability to walk down a street and stumble upon something from the days of Caesar was just too cool. I had been there before but the Lucas/The Cisco walking tour really made it different. I had some great moments there and seeing The Vatican again always gives me mixed emotions.

I think the most important thing for me about my backpacking trip was the friendship. I was really lucky to have Brooke and Patrick. We balanced each other off well. We had our strengths that contributed to the trip and really never truly lost patience with each other. We took advantage of everything we could and I regret nothing. I feel like if I worried about all the things I was going to miss, I wouldn’t enjoy my trip. Brooke and Patrick are my partners in crime for sure. We laughed a ton and it was such a comfort to find people who were willing to drag me along. Meeting Lucas and Francisco in Rome was like Icing on the cake. Having those two chill dudes gave some vigor to our tiring group. We were able to really spend some time in Rome that no one can take away from me. I loved Rome but I know Lucas loved it the most.

I have had to say goodbye to Patrick, Brooke and Ia. My Ia, the most interesting person I have met in a long time. She’s just incredible for all her experiences but also for her huge heart. The world has not turned this one ugly. :) I had some private tears after saying goodbye to those three. I have to go and spend some time with the Cisco and Lucas before they too leave. I will discuss Paris later because it was with different friends and a longer stay in one city.

Word to dubbed my entire stay in Glasgow/Traveling: Life-changing.
(Is that two words?)