The Journey Begins

The day has finally arrived, I can’t even believe it! I’m packing for ITALY!!!!!!! I am so excited I don’t even know where to begin. This past week I was so busy with finals I didn’t realize how close it actually was. It’s crazy that I’m going to finally be traveling to Italy for the first time in my life! I’m 50% Italian, and both of my grandparents are from Southern Italy, so to go back to my roots and see where my ancestors came from is pretty incredible. It has always been a dream of mine to go to Italy, and now it’s coming true!

However, the packing part of this trip was not part of that dream. It is soooo hard to know what the weather will be like and what kind of outfits you’ll need! I’m thankful I’m studying abroad for the summer and only four weeks, I have no idea how everyone does it in the winter and for a whole semester! That’s a lot of clothes and a lot of bulk!! I’ve done pretty good so far, I have everything laid out and organized- now for getting it in the suitcase…. Yeah, we’ll see about that one. I’m definitely going to have to sit on this one to get it to zip!

 

I just hope there’s enough room for all the stuff I’m going to be bringing home from Italy. Sorry Mom and Dad, but I’m going shopping!!! Packing aside, I can’t wait to get over there and start this amazing journey. I have a few trips planned, one to Cinque Terre for a hiking tour through all the towns, another to the Amalfi Coast to see all the islands and even the Blue Grotto (it’s a cave that glows blue when the sun shines in it), and then I’m spending my last few days before coming home in the heart of it all- Rome! There are so many places I look forward to seeing, but what I’m really looking forward to is the FOOD! Authentic Italian food cannot be beat (Grandma makes a mean lasagna and marinara sauce) and the different regions of Italy have such different styles and tastes. I hope to try them all!

I have no idea what to expect when I get to Italy, but all I know is that I am about to do something I never thought I would get the chance to and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I’m excited, nervous, and a little scared, but in a good way! I leave tomorrow at 3:30, so next time I blog I will finally be in ITALY!!!