April 2024
Ciao! Come stai? My April was spent all over Northern Italia and I couldn’t be more excited to take a moment of pause and reflect on the past month. It was absolutely magical and I created so many friends, memories, smile lines, and pictures. April showed me what it feels like when your life is like a movie. A good, cheesy one. If you could create a movie of your life, what would you like to show? That’s what I created in the last five weeks. An absolute masterpiece. And I’m only getting started.
Table of Contents
1.Recap | 2.Lessons | 3.Challenge | 4.Summary
1. Recap
As a quick recap, last year was difficult for me. I stopped diving, moved off of Bonaire, and had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. I started dreaming in September. How can I make the next year the best one yet? So, I took my savings and made a plan. At the end of March, I headed off to Milano. For four-and-a-half weeks, I volunteered through Worldpackers for a sweet family who owns a hostel in the city. I babysat the boys, got a free place to stay, and traveled on my weekends. In Milan, I made countless friends, explored the streets with a cute local, learned to cook Milanese saffron risotto, and so much more. I visited some museums, went into cathedrals and churches, basked in the sun in the city gardens. My first weekend trip was to Florence, or Firenze, which absolutely stole a bit of my heart. Absolutely gorgeous. The city was alive, the streets were beautiful, the food was amazing, the museums were incredible, the weather was great. Ugh, I will go back one day. I took a morning bus to Vinci as well to explore Museo Leondardiano Vinci and his birthplace home. The second weekend trip was to Genova (Genoa). That weekend was PACKED. I took a train to Camogli, ferry to San Fruttuoso, walked 2,5hours to Portofino, swam in Baia di Paraggi, bused to Santa Margherita, and took the train back to Genoa… all in an afternoon! At the recommendation of a friend, I also found my favorite panino shop and had three throughout the weekend. The pesto from Liguria is to die for… not shocking since it originates from this region. Then my last weekend trip was to Venice (Venezia) and Verona. The weather wasn’t great, but it didn’t stop me from exploring. I saw the iconic Murano glass blowing, took a gondola ride, and tried traditional Venezian seafood. Then, I met up with a friend in Verona for a day on my way back, and we even left a lock on the gate at Juliet’s House. On my last night in Milano, the Inter Milan team won a very big game, and I found myself at Duomo surrounded by Italians shouting fight songs. It was an epic way to end my time there- the company I had wasn’t bad either. I pulled an all-nighter to make a flight to my next destination, which I am currently at, and I will share more at the end of the month. This is the most abridged recap of the most fantastic month I’ve had in a very, very long time. Life is what you make it, so I choose to make it magical. Joy in the little things. Befriending random Brazilians in a hostel, babysitting Italian kids with a Brit, walking down palace halls of royals, lying in the park with the company of an amazing person. Life is epic.
2. Lessons
The biggest lesson I learned in April was that true connection only happens when you slow down. With people, with experiences, with yourself. Building strong relationships with others can only occur if you both slow down and truly hear what the other person is saying. You can only connect with a sculpture, painting, or artwork if you take a moment to feel what it does to you. The only way to learn more about yourself is if you pause and ask yourself hard questions. So, slow down. When you find yourself in a moment that you enjoy, close your eyes. What does this moment sound like? What does it feel like? Physically and emotionally. What does it smell like? What is the taste in your mouth? Embrace everything. Slow down.
3. Challenge
During the month, I strived to ask hard questions and listen for answers, both of others and myself. Part of the whole slowing down thing, I engaged in conversations I historically would not have. Asking questions, being asked questions, getting answers, giving answers. Arguing, but in the sense of “explain to me why you think that way,” and not a screaming match. Learning about other perspectives, questioning my own thoughts, growing. I love it.
4. Summary
In conclusion, if you can’t tell already, April was otherworldly. Bellissimo. I started my indefinite traveling through Europe like a cliché twenty-something year old not from Europe. Northern Italy in over six cities, friends from all over, museums and gardens and canals, delicious and fresh food, and pure joy. Not sure it’s possible to get better, but that’s my challenge to May. So, bring it on.
