Among all of my “last days” in the past week, I’ve kind of lost track of the fact that this is actually the Grandaddy of them all. Leaving Siena came upon me out of nowhere, spending two days back in Ascoli went by in a blink, and the few days in Vasto had me thinking back to the summer. But, alas, here I am, where every road in Italy actually does lead to: Rome. Where, for me, the journey, the adventure, the life as a traveller, ends. I would say it seems like yesterday that it all started back in Spain last June, but, to be honest, it doesn’t. It feels like a lifetime ago, and, in some ways, it was. I will return home a different person from when I left, in more ways than one. Tatooed on my character will be the experiences I’ve been so blessed to have had, the memories of the adventures shared with old friends and new, the influence of the incredible variety of people I’ve met, and the ability to appreciate the sheer beauty that this world has to offer.
I believe it’s fitting, this being my last day, to share a little story about my first day in Europe-my first hour to be exact. After making my way through customs and onto the metro in Madrid, I was finally headed to my first hostel, directions and transfers in hand. Cramming onto the metro, I was in the exact situation I’d expected to be in, amid the throngs of people unaccustomed to the personal space Americans tend to want and need. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to be distracted by the “cultural experience” for a bit too long and, after reaching down into my pocket to check for my wallet, felt nothing but the musty air of the metro. Really?? Yes, really. I closed my eyes for a second thinking that my mind was playing tricks on me before reaching into my pocket again. Nothing. After a deep breath and a few choice words, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself as I had become that traveller that I always thought I was wiser and more aware than. Humble pie never tasted so bitter. I knew things could only get better from that point on, and, needless to say, they did. I chose not to dwell on the things that I couldn’t change, and the rest of my trip was more or less smooth sailing, er, training.
I think my little mishap sums up my advice for any would-be travellers. Take your trip as it comes. Not everything is going to work out exactly like you planned. Trust me. The thing is, though, it’s better that way. Every minute you spend wishing things were different is a minute that could be spent meeting someone or getting lost in a new city. The same mentality can be adopted for everyday life as well. You can “travel” in your own city, in your own neighborhood even, which I look forward to trying when I get home. Get lost, it’s fun. Talk to someone, if not just to see where they’re from and what their story is. Most of all though, enjoy the moment you are in, soak it up and truly experience it, wherever you may be, from the Eiffel tower to your front porch.
For that matter, you can go to the Eiffel tower while sitting on your front porch; all you have to do is close your eyes. As for me? Tomorrow I think I’ll be going back to the rolling hills of Tuscany, watching life stand still. Or maybe if I’m in need of some fresh air I’ll go back to the Swiss Alps or the fjords of Norway. If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll head back to the streets of Pamplona to hang out with the raging bulls. If I’ve got the hankering for a hearty meal, I’ll savor the taste of some Bavarian sausage and beer. If I’m in need of a little swim, the crystal clear waters of Croatia will be just the refresher I need. Whatever the desire may be, I’ll know just the place to let my mind take me, and that’ll do just fine…
To my readers over the past 6 months, thank you for joining me along the way; I hope you have enjoyed reading the blog as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it, and that I was able to make you feel as though you were right there with me throughout because, in a sense, you were. The thought of friends and family inspired many of my actions and reflections as I was constantly reminded of those close to me by people and places I encountered. While I wish it was possible to tell each one of you how and when you popped into my head, I’m afraid that goal is unobtainable; but I’ll do my best to let you know if and when I see you. I also want to invite anyone that feels so inclined to chat a little about travels. I’d be more than happy to lend some advice or just tell stories, so don’t hesitate to get a hold of me, and, just so you know, I wouldn’t be against serving as a guide for your next trip. I promise I won’t charge too much!
So there you have it, questo blog è finito, the real world is finally calling my name. I would continue with updates, but I’m afraid my life just isn’t as interesting when I’m not country hopping. See you all on the next continent!
Ciao
-Andy