Jennifer's Travel Adventures

Tourists

2009-05-22T22:56:00.001-07:00

When I first found out that I was coming on this trip to Egypt, I was ecstatic. I would have never thought before that seeing the Pyramids or being in Africa was something that I was ever going to experience. However, once the initial "oh my god, oh my god" joy wore off---I began to get a little nervous about the trip. I started to googling the typical tourist information on customs, warnings, what to expect, etc...and it was a little overwhelming. The more I researched, the more I became aware (once again) of what a sheltered American woman I am.

The primary concerns of my mine revolved around being a woman in an Islamic country. I was anxious about what I should/shouldn't wear, I feared for my safety, I was scared my blonde highlights and blue eyes would make me a target for kidnapping, but most of all---I just didn't know what to expect. I knew this trip would be no Italy--with drunken debauchery in the streets at two am, mozzarella at all times or the day, or staying with random strangers. I might always be down for an adventure, but this adventure had me apprehensive.

The reality of it is, the Egypt I'm visiting is built for tourism. I've yet to encounter anything that would make me feel as though my personal safety is on the line. It's important to me to be respectful while I'm here so I've held back from wearing anything close to short booty shorts or spaghetti strap tank tops. Although, if I really wanted too--- I could walk around in a tube top and it wouldn't matter. The people in the areas we visit (our tour guide included), are only interested in trying to make a few bucks. My appearance means nothing to them.

I know I'm not seeing even a fraction of the things that make Egypt the country and culture that it is---I'm seeing the condensed chicken noodle soup safe version. Unfortunately though, in my version, the majority of the people I encounter care nothing for tourists. This trip hasn't been like last time--where I was constantly blessed by strangers who helped simply out of sheer kindness. No in Egypt, I even have to pay someone to show me where an ATM machine is. Like product coming down the factory line, we tourists are shuffling through Egypt in the same process as the people before us. We may come in different shape, sizes, and colors--- but we are all the same to them, tourists = $$$

Now I can't help it (or maybe I choose not too???) but there are days when I enjoy being a tourist. Moments where I like buying myself soveniors, eating well, sipping on wine in a beautiful establishment---just enjoying a general self-absorbtion where you allow yourself to become oblivious to the hardships out on the streets. Those kind of times when you take a cab instead of walking because you feel like it. Mostly though, I am unsatisfied with being and acting like a tourist. I wish I could obtain a deeper connection with the people of this country.

A connection---without having to pay for it.

Hotel Safir Dokki

2009-05-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Our hotel is the most gorgeous hotel I've ever stayed in. Ryan and I just checked in this afternoon, where he assured me over and over again---that he normal stays at the Motel 6 (I think he doesn't want my future expectations to be too high, hehe). When we got to our room, I proceeded to jump all over the beds screaming and laughing over the sheer luxury of it all. I'm super SUPER hyper, we're going to clean up and then get sushi in the hotel's restaurant. Post drinking blogs later!!!! :)

The Lobby

Our beds, post-jumping

There's even a kitchen sprayer for "cleaning" yourself post
bathroom use (I'm a little intimated...)

Living a dream!

Camel Ride

2009-05-22T03:04:00.000-07:00

Ryan and I just got back from riding camels in a Nubian Village. We had to take a 30 minute boat ride just to get out to near the village and then rode camel's from the shore into town. My camel's name was Rambo and his was Christina.

Riding camels is AWESOME!!! Apparently, Ryan was trying to talk to me but I was so wrapped up in the moment and taking pictures that I didn't even notice. Experiencing this culture is breathtaking! I'm so absorbed in the experience that I don't even notice the hundred degree weather anymore and haven't whined (well about that) in days. I find this especially funny because our Muslim guide Ashra complains all the time. Granted, Ashra is wearing pants and I'm not---but for a girl who hates really hot weather, I'm very proud of myself!

Egypt ROCKS!!!!

Now we're off to the airport to fly to Cairo....

Approaching the shore

YES!

My Camelbak on a Camel!!!

In front of one of the village houses

One of my favorite photos
You can even see the reflection of my camel on the ground

Our guide sleeping during the boat ride back
(with his fly undone)

Cruising the Nile

2009-05-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

First of all, I think the lack of internet access has been tortuing me a little. I know I know: I'm in Egypt and I shouldn't care, but hey---we all have our vices! Apparently my craving for internet time was even great enough to make feel compelled to write a dramatic emotional blog at 1:00 am when I'd been drinking all night. I never knew drunk blogging was apart of my genetic makeup but apparently it is! Oh well.... ;)

The last two days have been absolutely spectacular! Sailing down the Nile rive is incrediable. Everyday I feel as though I'm living thru a National Geographic magazine and it's amazing! The dessert is beautiful from the river and the sides are a lush green forest of palm trees. Children are playing in a the banks and they yell "hello helloooo, welcome" as we sail past. I'm so amazed that they do this, seeing as ships are constantly sailing back and forth. When we sail through bridges men in small wooden boats attach themselves to the side of our ship and sell items to those on the upper deck. The boats litterally swarm the sides of the ship and it's crazy how they can throw their goods so high and accuratley--all in the hopes of just getting a few euro. It's quite the sight to watch bartering between men who are throwing clothes, towels, and rugs 4 stories up the side of a ship to tourists who come from all over the world. Ryan and I soak it up and watch the show---it's funny and amazing, some communications truly are universal!

Our ship is in 4 story cruiseliner with 70 cabins. There are tourists aboard from Spain, Italy, India, England and America. I lounge by the pool admiring the Nile while I'm served cocktails. We listen to local music that's being piped over the loud speakers and meet people from all over the world. Most people on the ship are much older than Ryan and I. In fact, about 95% of them are older married couples---so needless to say, we've been asked half a dozen times if we're on a honeymoon together. This trip is absolutely a dream, by day we walk the steps of pharohs and at night we relax in luxury. It's the perfect mix of touring and relaxing, how could want anything more in life?? One of the things I love about Ryan is that he lives in the moment and is traveling as much as he can. Most people wait their whole lives for a trip like this---I recognize that getting this in my 20's is much more than I could have ever dreamed.

Today was my most favorite day yet--we toured Edfu and Kom Ombo. BUT the day is not yet over so I must run. Right now I'm going to go dress in the Muslim outfit Tonya made me (it was an amazing birthday gift). I'm going to wear the outfit for a party on the ship and then our guide Ashra is going to take us on a late night walk through town. Details of Edfu and the magic of Egypt later tonight!

Ciao!

Day 1 in Luxor

2009-05-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

It's almost 1:00am in Aswan, Egypt and I'm paying $10.00 an hour to use the ships computer to write. This blog might be expensive, but I feel the need to write it. Above all things, I am an expressive woman. I feel the unrenting need to share myself with the world, regardless if the world wants to hear it. Needless to say, this leaves me with the feeling that more and more-- writing is my passion. I don't care about sleeping---I won't even be able to shut my eyes until I've had at least a few minutes to type! Moving on.....

I'm so blessed.

Everyday I am aware of my blessings. A year ago, I made choices that left me crossing the line of life and death and almost killed me. Choices that put me in a hospital bed next to a man who's response was not "I love you" but rather "thanks a lot, now my Saturday is ruined". My life has never been so terrible in the comparison to others, in fact--I've always been blessed. But it was in those few moments of my life that I was so wrapped up in pain that I couldn't see straight---that I failed to see the beauty in my own future. It's now just one week after my 24th birthday and I'm visiting my third foreign country for the year. If you would have told that girl in the hospital bed that she'd be here now.....well, I would have never believed you!!! I'm so blessed, blessed, blessed...which is just another reason in which why I praise God for having a much better plan than me!!!! :)

Egypt is unbelievable! I have so many thoughts about this country. Right off the bat, I'd say that I'm a little sad over it. I'm sad to see how everything has a price. Children, pride, the most scared of historical sites, etc...they will all go for a price. Everyone needs to make a buck and they go to whatever lenghts to make it. Yesterday, a guard inside the Valley of Kings told Ryan and I to jump the the guardrail and go inside the tomb. The guard didn't tell us this because he could tell we were fanscinated by the history, he let us becaue he wanted the tip he'd get went we came out. There we were in all our sweaty glory; hot, inside of the tomb, next to the hieroglyphics, living a apart of history--- and all I could think was how this guard cared nothing for the scaredness of the site but for the two euros he wanted from each tourist.

Yesterday's agenda consisted of going to the Al-Deir Al-Bahari Temple, learning how to make alabaster, touring The Valley of the Kings (were we paided extra for King Tut's tomb---FYI: not impressive), relaxing for a few hours, and then taking a carriage ride through Luxor.

Ryan is all about the momuments and pictures while I'm all about learning about the people and writing in my journal. Thus, it's no surprise that my favorite thing of the day was riding in a horse carriage. The carriage ride took us along Karnak and into the city/villages of Luxor. I swear to God, I have never worked in my life like the kids work here. I have never had to suffer, stress, or want---like the people do here. I almost feel sick at times, sick to be on this cruise ship and enjoying a vacation when little kids chase down carriages to make fifty cents. We think we have poverty in America---but I've never seen anything like this. It's strange though, to be apart of this vicious cycle. A cycle where tourists come with ther dreams of history, statutes, and pryamids while children depend on them in order help their family.

I have so much more to say, but I'm exhausted and have to be up in 4 hours. Unlike my Itlay trip, I've been hand journaling so I'll be able to write more later. Unfortunatley, I cannot upload photos now---but I will when I can.

Arriving in Luxor

2009-05-19T07:03:00.001-07:00

Ryan and I arrived in Luxor, Egypt about 8:30pm Monday night. The sun had gone down but the temperature was still over 85 degrees. Despite my initial concerns, I found myself surprisingly comfortable in it---it was warm but not humid, thus completely manageable. At the airport they made us go through a "health screening" because of the Swine Flu. We were herded into two lines and had our temperature taken with the thermometers that go in your ear. The first time they told me that they needed to do mine again and I almost had a heart attack. What happens to you if you have a fever in Egypt?!?!? I'm not sick, but will they make me turn around? I didn't need to panic though because the second time was fine and they let me pass through. Going through customs was very confusing and a little frustrating. The forms asked for things like the address and phone number of where you are staying--which of course, we didn't know. Ryan and I are traveling with an Italian touring group and while Ryan speaks pretty good Italian, we're usually completely outside of the group and left to figure things out on our own--the airport was no exception.

When we finally walk out of the airport, a man approaches us and tells us he's our guide. I thought it was fishy, how does he know that he's supposed to take us? Then Ryan laughs and tell me to look at ourselves---and seriously, we don't just stand out, we are screamingly obvious. All our guide knew he was taking care of two Americans and there is no doubt in the world, that we are American. We stand apart from the locals and the other tourists. Forget blending--I can really see why we are such magnets. Of course, in true tourist form--we need a picture in front of the airport!

What is really cool about us being with the Italian touring group is that because we are the only American's, we have our own private guide for everything. Instead of getting on a bus along with everyone else, we get to ride in a 4 door sedan. Our guide takes us everywhere we want to go and we can stay as long as we like. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty much the best thing ever. It's also making me feel a little like royalty and I'm afraid it's spoiling me for future travels. This trip is definitely nothing like last time, my bags are actually carried for me everywhere I go!!!

Last night basically consisted of getting on the ship, having dinner, and relaxing. Ryan and I smuggled wine in our bags to save money and we enjoyed a bottle while sitting on a swing on top of the ship. We then took a 1:00am swim in the pool before finally heading for bed.

Right now it's 5:00 Tuesday evening and we're in an internet cafe, Ryan is patiently waiting while I check my bank account, write Courtney, check on work, and finally write this--- so I'll keep the details of today's adventure for another time.

PS: EGYPT IS HOT!

The first 24 hours

2009-05-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

As always, I was scrambling out the door at 5:00am Saturday morning to catch my flight. Needless to say-- this did not leave me with time to write the pre-trip blogs as I wanted too. However, I'll give you the condensed soup version:

My fears about Egypt: Getting kidnapped by terrorists. Dying of heat (not literally but more in my dramatic I-can't-stand-to-be hot). Losing the bite-n-suck.

What I'm excited for: Seeing Ryan. Taking a picture in front of the Pyramids. Being back in Italy. EATING MOZZARELLA!

Clarifications: Ryan and I had a platonic relationship while I was in Italy, don't quote me on that after this visit.

As for the first 24 hours. Well that time was spent mostly in the air. I had to take 3 flights to get here, Portland to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Munich. Munich to Catania. In Munich I saw the first smoke booths in an airport that I've ever seen. As the 4 hour layover was the only time I've ever spent in Germany, I thought I had actually learned something new. Then I talked to my Dad on Skype and he told me that they have those in America too-damn!

Being in Italy has been bittersweet. I cried a couple times yesterday, I just love this country so much---I never ever want to leave it!! Ryan and I revisited some of the places we went to before yesterday, a lot of them with Court and Bella---thus what brought on my tears. Aside from missing my sorelle, I'm really having a blast!

Quick funny story: Ryan's neighboor, an old woman and her daughter stopped us in the parking lot last night. She held my hand as Ryan turned bright red and talked to me in Italian for 10 minutes. I may not speak Italian but I could tell she was telling me that I was beautiful and that Ryan should marry me. It was hysterical and the woman and her daughter were so passionate---raising their arms and talking fast. I felt like I was in an Italian movie. Ryan later told me that they were scolding him for not going to the church, that Ryan and I must get married, and that our babies would be beautiful. I love Italians!

I'm going to make us late for Egypt by writing this, so I got to go! More when I can!

24

2009-05-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Today is my 24th birthday! WOW----I have had the most amazing day!

To top it all off, in just 2 days I fly back to the country that I love so much. I get to see some of the friends I made last time, eat gelato, savor mozzarella di bufala, listen to the sweet sound that is the Italian language, and then I'm off to explore Egypt with a really amazing person! I couldn't possibily think of a better way to start my 24th year of life!!!

See my pic? All paths lead to Italy...even if the paths are just streamers and a poster in my cubicle! :)

Gosh, there's NEVER enough time to blog these days! Alas, I will try to post a few more tomorrow about my thoughts before I head out.

The Plan

2009-05-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday: Depart from Portland.

Sunday: Arrive in Catania Sicily.

Monday: Depart Catania and fly to Luxor. Get our visas and check into the boat where we will stay for the next four nights. http://www.nilecruising.com/radamis1-1b.htm

Tuesday: After breakfast travel down the Nile and see The Colossi of Memnon, The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and free time to see the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Packed lunches then temples Karnak and Luxor. Dinner on the boat.

Wednesday: Temple dedicated to Horus. Lunch on boat, depart to Kom Ombo and visit temples of Sobek and Haroeris. Depart to Aswan.

Thursday: Visit the great dam, the old granite caves and the temple of Philae. Sail down the Nile on a feluca, a typical Egyptian boat.

Friday: Get off the boat and fly to Cairo. Dinner in the hotel Safir Dokki. http://www.safirhotel.com/

Saturday: Visit the Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza! Then off to Menphis, antique capital, Statue of Ramses II, The Alabaster Sphinx, and temple ruins of Ptah.

Sunday: Egyptian Museum downtown Cairo, Mosque of Mohamed Ali, the citadel brief stop in Bazar Khan El Khali.

Monday: Depart Cairo, return to Catania.

Tuesday: Fly home to Portland.

It's pretty amazing!

Yes Woman

2009-05-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

June 26,2008:

I really want to explore the world and experience new things. I'm done missing out on opportunities. I'm ready to live life for me.

Above is a quote that I found in my journal today. I started that journal during one of the most difficult times in my life. During this particular entry, my ex-husband and I were “on a break”. I had rented a small room out of someone's house close to work, although most nights I was still staying at home with him. Walking away from Scott was one of the one hardest things I’ve ever done. After this entry I ended up moving back with Scott, trying once again to repair our marriage. Ultimately this failed, for I was home just only weeks before I was so betrayed---there were no pieces of the marriage left to pick up.

Re-reading my journal takes me back to another era in my life. And although I know I’m “so stinkin young”, it really was another era for me. I was married, that alone seems really WEIRD now! Married at 20 years old…now that I’m turning 24, I realize just how little I know!! But enough digressing….my former era…well that time in my life revolved around fear, pain, addictions, abuse, and more fear. I was so afraid of being alone, so afraid to completely change my life. I was dependent on my lifestyle/vices and co-dependent on everyone except for the one person that I should have been: myself. Now of course, I wanted more out of my life and boy did I sit, moan, and complain about it. I longed to travel and explore but I was simply all talk and no action. I did NOTHING to help myself, nothing....until Italy.

Italy, Italy, Italy.... yes, I could write for hours on the topic! For just making the decision to drop everything here to go, changed my entire mindset on life. It's as though once I opened up myself to new possibilities, opened myself to change and to life...the doors started flying open. But I’ve talked plenty about Italy, so let me get to the point (yes, there is one).

Why am I heading back to Italy next week? And what's up with Egypt?

Well a couple Monday nights ago I was driving home from work when I got a phone call from my friend Ryan….

(Ryan was the Navy guy in Catania who saved me when things fell thru with the host family. Ryan is also the man that I got my random tattoo with, who followed me along my castle break-in, who took me to Taormina where we thought our car was going to go off the cliff, the man who picked me, Court, and Bella at 3am from a train station when I came back thru Sicily a month later....I could go on...)

It wasn't unusual to hear from Ryan as he and I have stayed in close contact since I’ve been back home. What was unusual about this phone call was the question he posed, it was something along the lines of “hey--do you want to fly to Italy and come on a trip to Egypt with me?”

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…

Let’s take a pause here.

Have you seen the Jim Carry movie Yes Man? If you haven't---you should. His character learns to go from someone who stays unsatisfied with their stagnant life to someone who says yes to change, yes to opportunity, and yes to life. That's what I want to be!!! I want to be a Yes Woman!

Do I want to go to Italy and then to Egypt? Do I want to spend 4 days on a cruise ship in the Nile? Do I want to spend the weekend in Cairo and go see the Pyramids?

YES, YES, & YES!!!!!!!!!!!

So I’m going---it’s as simple as that!

It’s amazing. One year ago I was so miserable I couldn’t see straight and now, I’m preparing to visit my third foreign country of the year. I'm not the woman who just journals about the life she wants anymore, I'm actually living it. This trip is beyond exciting and I feel blessed. Blessed to be the woman who is experiencing new things. Proud that I’m living life for me. Ecstatic to say that I am a YES WOMAN!!!!!

More details to come later.

Back for more...

2009-05-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hello folks----I'm back!

I originally thought that because my little Italian excursion had ended, that this blog had as well. But then I got to thinking...the url of my blog is "jennifernapiertravels" so why wouldn't I continue to write about my traveling experiences!??! Writing has become a passion for me, one that I feel has been locked away for way too long. So ready or not, I'll be blogging here again (yay)!

Now mind you, my adventures might only be going to the Oregon Coast---but they'll be my entertaining adventures all the same.

So what's first? Well, I actually have a very big trip coming up in just 9 short days....

(drum roll, please)

...I'm going to Italy and then to Egypt!

For now I must run, but have no fear---soon there will be plenty of blogs detailing all of the the who/when/why.

Ciao!

New Blog

2009-04-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

This blog may be done...but I'm still writing! :)

You can check out my next adventure at:

http://trailertrashjenny.blogspot.com/

:)

Conclusion

2009-04-07T21:23:00.001-07:00

I've been able to succesfully avoid writing this final blog entry for just over a month now. But it's bugging me---it's bugging me because I'm the type of person who likes to have conclusions. So tonight, I'm forcing myself to type a few concluding words...

(sigh)

Before I begin to really write my final message, let me tell you my struggle with this entry. One, the finality of it. The finality that I am not writing in Italy anymore. If my life is a book, then this is the ending of one chapter in my life. A chapter that was so amazing, I feel strongly that many people wouldn't have that much adventure in their entire life---even if they lived twice. Two, my words will fail. I can never write a blog that will capture everything that was my experience. While I accept that I cannot sum up my thoughts and feelings perfectly, it doesn't change the fact that I want too. Third and probably most importantly, is that I want so badly for my message to you---to be a powerful message. Like the ending to a fabulous movie, I want this final entry to burn in a blaze of glory.

It will never be enough though, I could re-read and re-type for weeks and not be satisfied. So I'm not going to say much, I know what I felt, saw, touched, experienced...the fact that I didn't document each one of those moments doesn't take away from me or mean that it was any less significant. So without further ado, here goes:

Going to Italy was the best decision I've ever made.

If you have an opportunity to travel-take it, if you don't-make one.

This was not written by me (I wish it had been)--it's my post-Italy philosphy:

Maybe it is time to consider living dangerously. Maybe it's time to reject the commands of power, the dictates of society and public opinion, and to stop worrying about what other people think about what you do. You have the power and ability to create your own reality — to change what isn't working and to manifest what you desire.

Signed with love,

The much improved and happier Jenny :)

Pictures from my Sorella

2009-03-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Courtney uploaded her photos online, here's a few that I wanted to share. The photos are in chronological order.

In Venice

The bar owner on the left is getting too friendly
and I am pushing him away

Making my white russian

Start of day 2 in Cinque Terre

Our clothes stripped off for the winter swim

Chips & Cheese

Sunset Sorellas

We did a lot of this on the trains...

Finally---we got our photo with the Polizia!

Fun night out!

BEST restaurant in Roma!

Getting soaked

Soaked from the Trevi Fountain and eating gelato

Last night in Roma

So excited to be back in Bacoli--look at my GF food!

Walking away with the goods

Cooking at Spence's

We love our pub crawl t-shirts!

Family Dinner

Limoncello day begins...

Boozing on a park bench

Look closely--I was so overwhelmed with joy for having bread
that I cried the whole time

Best gelato in Sorrento

Sorellas!

At Lino's bar

Bartending with Lino

Me & Spence

Buying medication for Bella
even though the store was closed

Exhausted and carrying too much stuff
I can't stop reading though!

We love Twilight!

Healthy Dinner

Watching Iago in Catania

Last dinner with Ryan, Court, & Bella

Ryan's adorable kitten

My Sorella's!

Unflattering Pictures

2009-03-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends mentioned this morning that while I wrote about how terrible I was looking in my blogs--that you couldn't see it in my pictures. As this blog is meant to portray the whole picture---let me remedy this problem by giving you some real classics from the trip. Courtney uploaded some especially unflattering ones (and also some good ones that I'll post later). In no particular order---I'm not too proud to show my bad side!

Reading Twilight, I look like an angry chubby girl!

On top of Notre Dame--Am I awake?

I look about 19 weeks along here! Maybe 22...

Check out that hair--no, I hadn't showered..

I look like a guy--Yuck!

Another no shower day

With Barry my first night in Roma, I'm so pale!

I'm so bloated by this point, look at those checks!

Hungover in Roma and protesting that a movie theater is closed

Sweet hair

Waiting for McDonald's to start cooking
so drinking pop and eating gelato

HAHA--this is me eating---again!!!

Real cute Jenny...real cute...

After skinny dipping

My lips and teeth are stained purple at this point
and I remember my jeans hurting because they are so tight

Who is that girl? What is that giant mass around my stomach?
Even my arms are fat

With Antonio in Messina---am I a guy? Because I can't tell...

Marriage Proposal

2009-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, remember how I said that marriage was the very last thing I was interested in? How everyone said I'd get married to a hot Italian man and I thought it was ridiculous?

I changed my mind.

I am open to any and all marriage proposals at this time. Quite honestly, a marriage arranged for citizenship---would be ten times healthier than my last one! I'm almost tempted to post online ad, I like Craigslist dating in the States...maybe it'd work in Roma?

Here's my offer to any Italian man who's interested:

I will clean your house
I don't mind living with your mother
I will hand wash your vespa everyday
I will hang your laundry from the balcony of our 12th floor apartment
I will appreciate your tight jeans, leather jacket, and scarf
I will learn to be a really good cook
We can watch soccer games every night
I will get a job to keep up my part of the household, maybe McDonald's is hiring?
I won't mind it when you call all the other women you know bella
I will be ok with summers spent lounging in Florence, it might be tough--but I'll manage
I will run everyday to maintain somewhat of a figure when my diet is just cheese
I will tell you that your the most wonderful man in the world everyday and mean it!

Basically, you can name the terms...just marry me and then whisk me off to Italia!

LOL

Pictures from my last week...

2009-03-18T22:10:00.001-07:00

Some pictures I never got the chance to post from the final week in Italia!

Sunrise view from Spence's

Spence's Super Cute---Cinquecento!

Bella in the driver seat

Cutest tiny car that I've ever seen!

The lake in Bacoli

Another amazing sunset

Bella, Spence, Paul, & Court

Being silly in the bathroom---I love Bella!

Too bad we got cut off--
this is what happens when you have a 2nd broken camera!

My favorite bar owner in all of Italia--
marry me Lino so I can come back! LOL

Our awesome hostel in Napoli

I love that clothes are air drying everywhere...you can reach up and grab these!

We missed the train...because we went to McDonald's!
We are laughing in exasperation!

Waiting in Messina

At Cannon's apt in Catania

Me and my soul mate

Random navy guys---Court & Ryan

We are the Mofia...

Goals for my trip--The Follow-Up

2009-03-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

The following is the list of my original "goals" for my trip---along with a few notes on whether I did it or not.

*Attend a mass in Rome: Barry and I sat through part of mass to escape the rain and rest our feet. COMPLETED!

*Take a picture next to the leaning tower of Pisa: Didn't make it

*Drink wine in Tuscany: Didn't make it

*Go see a movie and enjoy not being able to understand it: Iago! Watched it with Court & Bella in Catania, it was absolutely fantastic and my mouth watered over every beautiful Italian word. COMPLETED!

*Take a gondola ride in Venice: Didn't because it was too pricey, however, I ended up missing the water bus to get to the airport so I had to pay for a water taxi. The water taxi drove me through the canals in Venice--equally cool. Calling it COMPLETED!

*Drive along the Amalfi Coast: Spence and I took a trip in his jeep to Positano, Amalfi, and Sorrento. It was a rainy gray day but we had a fantastic picnic and sampled limoncello. I went back to Sorrento with Court and Bella and had the most amazing lunch. COMPLETED X2!

*See the Colosseum: I toured it once and walked by a lot. COMPLETED!

*Get up early, climb a viewpoint, and watch the sunrise: No getting up early for me, unless it was forced...however, I watched a couple sunrises from the nice confines of Spence's apartment and I also watched as many sunsets as possible though! Calling it better than COMPLETED!

*Attend an opera: They don't accept dirty hippies! Just kidding...never made it.

*Find myself some yummy gluten-free pizza: Good Lord, how I tried...Unsuccessful!!

*See St. Peter's Basilica: Oh I saw it along with the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. COMPLETED!

*Eat lots of gelato! COMPLETED!

*Go to a trendy nightclub: Not only did I go---I danced! COMPLETED!

*Memorize at least one phrase in Italian everyday: Hahaha...no, didn't do that. But I did say "vino", "gelato", "si", "bella", "grazie", "dove", "sono allergico glutine", and "NO PANNE" everyday! Calling it COMPLETE!

*Take a scenic train ride: Took so many---I love trains! COMPLETED!

*Make a wish at the Trevi fountain: Made a wish alone and then again with my sorellas! COMPLETED!

*Go to a sports game: Watched a soccer game on TV in Napoli and in Venezia. Calling it COMPLETED!

*Go to St. Mark’s Square: COMPLETED!

*Learn to cook an authentic Italian meal: Cooked lots of meals! Created my very own Italian dish: Napier's Napoli! Better than COMPLETED!

*Splurge and buy myself something beautiful: Oh I splurged! Most proud of the pea coat and boots! COMPLETED!

*Go skiing: Didn't make it

*And but of course: enjoy obscene amounts of delicious wine!! OH I MASTERED THIS---COMPLETED x100's! :)

How was Italy???

2009-03-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

I frequently get asked: How was Italy??

Honestly, I have no idea how to answer that question.

It was mind blowing.

It was liberating.

It was the most amazing six weeks of my life.

It is the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

It was more than I can ever put into words.

Every moment was perfect.

It was a dream....

Indeed, it feels like it was a dream....I feel like I hibernated for six weeks. I escaped every oppression that I've ever felt and I lived. I LIVED. I loved. I laughed. I cried. I learned. I had fun, more fun than some have in a lifetime. I felt. My God, I really felt who I was and what I wanted. I felt complete, totally and wholly complete--- for the first time in my life.

But now I'm here. And it's slipping...

I may be different, but my life is going back into a routine...

I haven't even been home a week and I'm starting to feel like I was never gone. How this is possible?!?!? I don't know....but Italy feels like sand slipping through my fingers. I want to hold on to it. I don't want a single grain of sand to leave me, but it is. My insides scream: I can't go back to the way it was before. I CAN'T!!! But like an hour glass turned upside down, I feel like I am being drained. Italy seems so far, so far....I want to reach out and touch it, just one more time...

I had that moment at work today. That moment when you look around the room and go "what the heck am I doing??!?!". I looked at my computer screen, I looked at my amazing co-workers walking around the office, I saw the work piled on my desk...and I blinked. "Is this my life?!??!"....NO, no, no...this isn't real?!?!?

I am so eternally grateful I met Court and Bella....so grateful for a million and one reasons. One reason though, is that I have someone who understands---because no one understands....

Some things in life don't change---but I did change. I will not let myself be the way I was before. I will remember. I will hold on to my strength, I will hold onto what I learned, I will hold onto my memories...I will hold on to bella Italia.

How was Italy?

My response: Indescribable! You go---then tell me!

Back Home!

2009-03-08T10:45:00.001-07:00

Well I made it back to the States safely. Coming home has been interesting.

I pretty much felt terrible in anticipation all last week, I couldn't get my mind off of it. Thursday night, I finally let it all out. I was on the train to Roma, alone in a dark cabin, alone with my thoughts and my space...it was there that I finally broke down and sobbed. Sobbed for everything and everyone I was leaving behind. Sobbed because I have never had a happier six weeks in my life. How does one walk away from the best thing they ever had? How!?!?

It took me about an hour of crying and listening to the most depressing songs I could find on my ipod before I calmed down. But I did calm down. I told myself to breathe. After all, that's all I really have to do, just keep moving, one step in front of the other, just keep breathing...

By the time the time arrived in Roma, I was smiling. I generally find it impossible to be upset for long, this was no exception. I remembered that while one adventure is ending, another one is just beginning. And oh my God, I have my entire life ahead of me now! The possibilities are endless!

While waiting for my connection in Washington DC, I found a restaurant to eat dinner in. The line was really long and the woman in front of me offered to share her table with me. We never even exchanged names, just started talking about why we were traveling. I explained my backpacking trip, my philosophies, and how I planned to move forward. She explained how at 45, she's got an empty nest with two kids in college, and has realized that none of the success and money makes her happy. She explained how she was always caught up in how her parents raised her, molding her life in the way "it should be", and advised that I never listen to anyone who tries to put me there. Right now, she's selling her expensive home with the granite counter tops, hardwood floors, and ocean view. She's moving into a small apartment and going to travel. At the end of dinner, she stood up, threw her arms around me, and told me that I inspire her.

Wow, I inspire her! I inspire people? That's the most amazing compliment I could ever receive! She is right though, I know that pure financial success will never be what I am after. I know that following the mold isn't for me (always been a rebel!!! LOL). I am happy that I figured it out now, I am happy that I get to spend my whole life listening to my own heart...because I don't want to be that woman. I don't want to be 35, 45, or 55 and finally figure out that my soul is empty. I often feel as though people don't get me, they don't get what I'm after and it leaves me feeling very lonely. But in the end, I'd rather be alone and misunderstood than to conform, than to comprise. Happiness is what life is about. I will not compromise my happiness.

Hours of flights and driving later. I made it to my apartment in Beaverton at 11:30pm Portland time (that's 8:30am Italian time). Driving my car was exhilarating, I love driving my mustang!!! I tried to a feel a little bit Italian, I found myself shifting fast and hauling butt back home, LOL. I couldn't open the apartment door fast enough---I was so excited to see Harley and Kudos! As I collapsed on the floor with my backpack still on, my heart filled with so much love that I could barely speak as I held them. I plan to travel for the rest of my life, but I will also never leave them for six weeks again. Much to my surprise, the boys didn't completely hate me and actually cuddled with me while I managed to sleep for about five hours.

Yesterday, I did the routine organizing and unpacking. I spent time uploading some photos on facebook and sending emails. I was surprised to find home much more comfortable and not quite as foreign as I expected it to be. I also felt pretty loved because my phone rang off the hook and by noon I had four different invitations for Saturday night. Home is definitely different though, because I am different. I am finding some things disorienting, like my room. I wake up and think "where am I????" and then I realize I am not in Italy and that Harley is at my feet. I cannot seem to say "yes", even when I think the word "yes", my brain says "si".

I've been pretty happy since Thursday night. I never even once got upset on the plane ride home...but today I am hurting. I woke up feeling very disoriented again. If it wouldn't have been for Kudos and Harley crying for food, I could have laid there and sobbed. I had to get up though. Now I'm writing this blog to vent (which always helps) although I'm also making myself even sadder by listening to depressing love songs and crying. I really miss Italy. I miss Courtney and Lauren. I miss the man who calls me Coyote... :( I want to walk on the cobblestone streets. I want to hear old men speaking Italian. I want spend my day outside, smelling pizza and second hand smoke. A million times over, I'd rather be all alone in Italy than to be alone in this sterile apartment.

I went out for a few hours last night, seeing couples together made me a little jealous. I may be resolved to focus on putting my life back together and not on centering my world around dating ---but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be thrilled to be in a healthy relationship. Life is about love, love is in the fabric of everything that is beautiful in this world. Someday, I do want to build my life with a partner that compliments it. I want to find someone I can share my stories with, someone who will push me more than I push myself, someone who will drink too many bottles of wine and climb a castle wall with me, someone who will be the sweetest dessert to top the meal I already prepared.

Courtney, Lauren, and I would have discussions on this topic. As much as we may be "tough, independent women"...we are still women. We want to pursue our lives, but we still want the fairytale. We do want to have kids someday and we still want Romeo...or even better yet-- Edward Cullen, LOL. ;)

(long dramatic sigh)

I am just being emotional. I fell in love with Italy. And like any love story coming to a close, my heart now breaks.

There are a great many things about being home. Most importantly, my brother and sister. Nick and Meg came with my Mom to pick me up from the airport, those two absolutely light up my life! Eating healthy is refreshing and my ankle is finally not swollen from my tattoo so I'll be able to run today. Showering when I want too and having my own towels is fantastic. Having a cell phone is convenient...well actually, I shouldn't list that as a positive...because already I am ignoring calls and texts. I got so used to being unavailable...I actually don't like having a phone--so never mind that one! LOL

Tomorrow I will walk through the doors to work. I will officially be joining the rest of civilization in being productive. I think about the fact that many people at work may know me a whole lot better now, if they've read this blog then they've seen my ups and downs. They've seen me pour my heart out over and over again-- like I'm doing today. It's a little different, to have the world look into your life and you not into theirs...but it really doesn't bother me, I've always been an open book--got a question? Just ask! :) I've never hesitated to share everything with everyone...this time, I just put it in writing!

Well I'm in a better mood and smiling now (writing is the best therapy for me) so it's time to hop on a treadmill. Oh yeah, I'm up 12 pounds from Italy...not to mention the 5 I gained during the holidays. 17 pounds--dear lord! As my friend Dan told me yesterday, it's okay because those are happy pounds. Indeed they are, I've never been so happy eating and never been so happy to feel fat! :)

Ciao!

PS: Thank you to my friends and family for welcoming me back with open arms!!! Please don't ever take my sadness or complaining as a sign that I don't love and appreciate you all. I am so blessed to be around such amazing people, I am eternally grateful for your love!

Ok, one last one

2009-03-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

I just thought about how my last blog coming from Italy is about my weight (LOL) and decided to throw one more up here...for those of you who do read my random thoughts, I'll be posting many more pictures and adding some reflection blogs back in the States...until then:

I LOVE ITALIA!

I didn't fall in love with a Italian man...I fell in love with the whole dang country!

I will be back to Italy...I will be back...

Ciao bella!

Yes, I am fat

2009-03-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

I am very aware of the fact that I've gained weight. I am presently wearing two inch heels, nylons, and a backpack. This morning, my only pair of pants were so tight they hurt and I couldn't wear them. My tennis shoes were also rubbing on my tattoo...leaving me with the option of boots (not going to happen) or heels. So I am a little ridiculous right now, dressed up and backpacking. It's not a fashion statement, its a necessity.

In case anyone felt compelled to make statements about my weight: I know I gained, yes--I am fat. And believe me, when I later blog about all the things that I've "gained" during this trip, I will be brave enough to post the actual pounds. I'm guessing it's around 15...but I'm not sure. Give me three months though, I'll be back to 125 in time for the summer.

I may complain or make statements about my weight, but in reality...I wouldn't take a single block of that swiss cheese back! I've had the time of my life, no regrets!

Just some of the food pictures from over the last week:

Gelato!!!

Homemade crepese salad

Me and strawberry limoncello...
can't you see how happy I am?!?!?!??!

Gluten free heaven in Sorrento!

Oh yeah, more mozzarella!

Gluten free seafood pasta, yum...

Gluten free BEER!

and again, more mozzarella!

Mrs. Guinn!!! This is limoncello...its a lemon liquor :)

I can't get enough...

We didn't have time to stay at MD, so we walked out like this.
Really classy, I know...

I will be in trouble for posting this one...
but believe me, I probably looked worse and its too funny!

A place with gluten free milkshakes! Yay!

Something new for me, cheese and honey!

Second Tattoo

2009-03-05T04:14:00.000-08:00

It was Lauren and Courtney's first tattoos--and yes they hurt!

This is the essence of us

Bella!

Almost done...its hurting, but bring it on!

Stopped for a bite to eat after

Same lettering, each tattoo a little different though

Last photo with my sorella's on this trip...many more to come!

Courtney, Lauren, and I got the word Sorella tattooed on our left ankles last night. Sorella means sister in Italian. I was already blessed to be a sister to Megan and Ashley, both of whom are beautiful, inspire me, and I couldn't love more. Now I have two more additions to the group that I call my family---Courtney and Lauren will be my sisters for the rest of my life. I miss you both already! XOXOXOOXOXXO

Thank you's

2009-03-05T03:28:00.001-08:00

Today is my last day in Italy, wow! Last day....

I am currently making my way up the coast of Italy and back to Roma. Tonight I will stay in a hostel and then get up very early for my flight to DC, then its DC to Portland.

Without a doubt, I will not have an opportunity like this again. It has been amazing!!!

I am eternally grateful to everyone in the US who helped make this trip happen for me. For starters, my roommate Aaron. Without Aaron I would have never been able to leave. He has been taking care of my cats for six weeks now. I am so lucky to have a roommate and friend whom I can trust with my cats and beyond that, who willingly guarded them for me. Thank you Aar!

My boss Steve and all of my co-workers. While I was willing to quit my job to travel, I really didn't want to and it would have been financially disastrous. I am so blessed to have a supportive employer. An employer that saw that I both needed to do this and the value I will bring to the workplace upon my return. It has touched my heart to have my co-workers follow my travels, your supportive words have blown me away. So thank you Steve for allowing me to leave and thank you everyone at STVA!

My family. For you there are no words. Always know that I love you all (despite when you drive me nuts) to the moon and back. It doesn't matter what country I am in, you all are my world.

I could name off so many people that are important to me and who have significantly helped-- but in the fear of forgetting someone, I will leave it here.

Lastly and most importantly, I must give thanks to God. Ive had a roller coaster ride in my relationship with God. Part of me has never wanted to accept his existence and part of me will always wonder about life's biggest question "where do we go from here?". Regardless of heaven or hell. Regardless of the religious institutions. Regardless of the bible and whether I believe the stories in it... I feel God in my heart. I know God is real. For the first time in my life, I am actually listening to God.

Even in my new found "faith", I know God will not make things happen for me. I am a simple human being. I make choices. If I want something--I need to go for it. However, I do believe that things happen for a reason. That people stumble into on upon our paths for a purpose. That you really can see the hand of God in a sunset. I don't think my life has already been written, but I know that God is helping me to write my story. I have spent a lot of time alone in Italy. It was the first time I've really ever been completely alone and completely indpendent...but it will be the last. I will never be alone again. There can be no glory without God...at least not for me.

Thank you God. Thank you for helping me see. Thank you for loving me.

I have many more thanks left...a lot of thanks to all the generous and loving people here. I will have to save those thanks for another day though...

Clarification

2009-03-04T04:49:00.000-08:00

I'm frustrated right now and anxious about leaving. If it sounds like I am a little irritated in this blog, then you are getting my mood correctly.

For clarification:

I write this blog for myself. I account for my days, my thoughts, my feelings for my benefit---I post it publicly because I am an open human being who doesn't mind sharing. I do choose not to do things like curse in my blogs---as a simple courtsey to my parents. However, I am not going to write about particular things or leave out others in fear of being offensive.

I choose to write about what I feel like.

I have never written a blog while under the influence of anything but being "high" in the moment.

I am in Italy. People drink wine here and yes, I drink wine here too. I am not drunk constantly nor is drinking the purpose in my adventures, even if it was---I am an adult and accountable to no one but myself.

Why must everyone worry about what everyone else thinks? WHY? I refuse to live my life worrying about a future employeer reading this blog three years from now may think. This is my life, if you don't like it--that's ok.

I get frustrated when people want me to be a certain way. I'd love it if I could please everyone in my life, I really would--but I can't. I am never going to be the girl that follows the mold. I am never going to be the woman that has a cookie cutter life-- the model citizen with a clean slate. I have always been the girl that said too much, that went her own route, that didn't listen, that has to figure it out for herself. That hasn't changed.

I am going to pave my own path in this world. It may be diagonal, it may be tattooed, it may be filled with nights of wine, it might be filled with volunteering, it might be financially driven, it might result in me being homeless---but it will be my own. There will always be a part of me that wishes I could could build my life in a manner that would make my grandparents brag, that would make it so my Dad didn't stress, that would be something my old school friends were jealous of...but I can't.

Accept me for the flawed, determined, loving, and strong woman I am.

Accept me or get out.

Mofia in Messina

2009-03-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

I was saved by the mofia last night.

In no particular order: I also missed a train, went to one city--decieded to leave, changed train tickets, drank a bottle of wine while sitting on a ferry's stern underneath the stars, danced my heart out to Garth Brooks "Standing Outside the Fire", went to the bathroom on the side of train station, ate mentos for dinner, read Twilight for hours, survived a crazy bus ride, ate swiss cheese and salami at midnight, was prepared to beat a crazy drunk with a wine bottle, had my large shopping bag (that needs to be mailed) rip open--forcing me to awardly carry it everywhere, and most importantly--I shared my entire day with two of the most amazing women I've ever met.

Courtney, Lauren, and I are on a first name basis with the mofia in Sicily. Don't know how you beat that!

Increasingly aware

2009-03-02T02:53:00.000-08:00

I am increasingly aware that I am returning to the States. It's Monday...and a week from now I will be sitting in a cubicle. I don't care how you look at it---that is depressing.

Some would say, don't think about it yet. Live in the moment.

I do live in the moment; I climb castle walls, I get tattoos, I run with bottles of wine in small coastal towns, I stay up past 3:00am in Roman bars, I eat everything in sight, I jump into boats, I watch every sunset possible, I learn to navigate subways, I embrace not having a plan and praise God because no plans always leads to the best time possible, I jump into gardens and steal lemons, I ask police to take pictures with me, I close my eyes and listen to Italian men argue with each other--each word rolling out sounding like music, I get lost, I try foods that would normally repluse me, I laugh---I am always laughing.

I have a brain. It thinks (most of the time). I can't not think about going home. I can't not think about the fact that no one will be able to relate to my experiences. That my words will always fall short of the beauty that is here. That I will never able to acturately describe how the downtown streets of Napoli, filled with trash, graffiti, stray dogs, linens hanging from windows, the smells of pizzas and smoke--- have some the most friendly people you could expect to meet. I can't tell you all the reasons why I am in love with this country, but I am.

I am a proud American, but I'd rather live in Italy.

I have a full blown cold now, it sucks and I am hating my nose, throat, and head. GRRR... About to hop on a train to Catanzaro, will spend a few hours exploring, then we take a night train to Catania---where I will be getting two more tattoos!

Napoli/Sorrento

2009-03-01T00:58:00.000-08:00

Here's a run-down on the last couple of days:

Left Roma and Wednesday and took a train to Napoli. The plan was for me to stay with Spence and met up with Court and Lauren during the day. Court and Lauren were going to couchsurf with an American guy we met in Roma. However, at the last second Mike wasn't able to host them so Spence very graciously said that all of us could stay with him. THANK YOU SPENCE!!! :)

Spence picked the three of us up from the airport and we went back to his house. Wednesday night, Spence had rugby practice so he dropped us off at his house and went to play. The girls and I then headed into his cute town of Bacoli so we could buy groceries. Our second stop was to the pharamcy I went to at the beginning of my trip which has a huge selection of gluten free food. The pharamist Roberta recognized me and came out from behind the counter to give me a hug. I swear, Roberta is the sweetest woman ever! Roberta packed up my purchases and then sent me home with another bag of free groceries. Her kindness blows me away and I plan on mailing her a thank you card one of these days.

After the pharmacy we went to two produce stores, the cheese store (of course), and a supermarket. Dinner was pasta shells stuffed with cream cheese, spinach, sauteed meat, and garlic as well as a mediterran salad. My pasta receipe has now been officially named Napier's Napoli by Lauren---if you are lucky, you may get to try this slice of heaven sometime! Anyways, we ate dinner late as Spence was late coming back from his practice. While he was out, someone had smashed in the window of his brand new beautiful jeep and stolen his ipod. He spent time dealing with the police and filing out reports, needless to say, he wasn't happy...the three of us were tried from the pub crawl from the night before and so we all crashed out.

Thursday, was lazy day! While Spence was at work, the girls and I watched movies, washed clothes, read, went for a walk, and Court and I had our daily fill of deep conversations...the kind of conversations that make Lauren nap, LOL. Thursday night the girls and I enjoyed watching yet another amazing sunset over the ocean and then in true form, bought a block of swiss and salami to eat on the walk back to Spence's (as well as some mozzeralla for dinner). That night we enjoyed some wine, another delicious dinner thanks to Spence's amazing grilling skills, and an early night in bed.

Friday, we got up early and Spence dropped us off at 7:30 near downtown Napoli. We took a train and headed in to Sorrento. By 10:30 am we were getting as many free samples of limoncello as we could. When the samples ran out, we started opening our purchased bottles. I mean "why not" get really buzzed off limoncello before noon?!?!!? We are in Sorrento after all. Next we went on the gluten free pizza hunt. A website said that there were two restaurants with pizza in town....I won't go into details, but needless to say---I did not get my gluten free pizza. I did however, manage to get my first taste gluten free pasta and bread from a restaurant. The bread was a suprise, I didn't know that the restaurant had it. When the waiter brought it out, I gave him a disgusted look. I was rolling my eyes, thinking "dude, I just told you I'm allergic to wheat, what the heck"...he turned and said "sezna glutine panne". I took a bite and then I cried (there are photos of this miracle--to be posted later). The three of us gorded on gluten free food in that restaurant for the next 3 hours, sang disney songs, and opened up some more limoncello.

Friday night, the four of us watched 300 together (really good movie!) and then headed out to the cool spots Spence had taken me too before. I had an absolute blast hanging out with my 3 favorite people in all of Italy. Ironic how my favorite people are all Americans...LOL...but in my defense, I've spent more time with Spence, Court, and Lauren than anyone else. Anyways, did the rum and peara thing, laughed a lot, and ended up back at Lino's bar where both Courtney and I got to bartend. Lino must be my favorite Italian man, he has been nothing but very sweet and fun the two times I've seen him. Our promise is, should I move to Italy-- I will teach him english and he will teach me Italian!

Saturday morning, the girls and I decieded it would be best for us to head to hostel. Spence had a busy day and needed to get stuff done around his house. We felt in the way, knew that any person would want their space back, and didn't want him to have to go inbetween his activities just to pick us up. It was a good thing we left, because Lauren got sick as soon as we got into downtown Napoli. Court and I were worried about her, she spent the entire day in bed and had really debilitating stomach cramps. Court and I did some wondering, but mostly stayed around the hostel (hence my long blogging) in case Lauren needed us. I also didn't mind being lazy because I have now come down with a cold.

This morning I am feeling crappier, not enough to keep me in bed but enough to annoy me. We were supposed to head to Catanzaro this morning, but there is not a single hotel or hostel available in the town. Lauren is still sick and no feeling up to strapping on her backpack and traveling. So we will spend another night in the hostel and head to Catania tomorrow. I'm not sure what the plan is for today...but we are definetly going to do some type of sightseeing.

Ugh, I should go to a pharmacy....and maybe get some actual food. The only thing I could eat from the free breakfast here was packages of strawberry jam.

Ciao!

Pizza Hunt

2009-03-01T00:22:00.001-08:00

I have officially resigned my hunt for gluten-free pizza in Italy.

I have tried 9 different times to get it. I've spent $30 euro on a cab right to get to one place. I've walked for an hour to try another. I've called a restaurant, they've told me that they'd have pizza, so I made dinner reservations, showed up---only to find out that they don't have anything gluten-free. I've dragged Courtney and Lauren down aimless streets for hours, only to find that the pizzeria is closed on that particular day.

Some of the reasons why my hunt has failed:

The restaurant was closed on that day
The gluten-free chef was off work that particular night
The restaurant didn't even have gluten free food
The restaurant was closed for their afternoon "siesta"
The restaurant was done making gluten free pizza for the day
The restaurant only makes gluten free pizza when you pre-order the morning before

I had actually decieded to give up prior to last night. Eight failed attempts and two mental breakdowns over pizza had been enough for me. But when Courtney and I were leaving the hostel to go out to dinner last night, we started chatting with the front desk clerk. The clerk was recommending pizza places and I decieded to inquire if he knew of any gluten free. He told us that many people in his family had Celiac's and he knew of two different restaurants. He even had a sticker from one of the restaurants on his motorcycle helmet and very ethuasictically gave us walking directions.

It should have been a 20 minute walk, but Courtney and I took two wrong turns, circled back to our original point and then didn't know what the exact address was. After about 45 minutes, we managed to find the restaurant. As we approached I starting jumping...the lights were on (OMG!). I get to the door...and there is a gluten-free pizza sticker on the window (YAY!). I walk in, ask the host "Do you have gluten-free pizza?".... he replies "yes" (I am screaming in my head: Yes, Yes, Yes---FINALLY! and Courtney and I are hugging). I get excited to quick though...the host turns and says "oh, wait. we are all done cooking that dough for the day. No pizza".

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Dear God, WHY?!?!?!

I believe in fighting for want you want, whether that be a person you care about or just getting a pizza. However, sometimes you have to let go. Sometimes you can try all you want but it still won't force something to happen. I made a valiant effort to eat pizza in the country of it's origin but I have to conclude that God just doesn't want me to eat it. I concede and Italy---you win...

I guess it will be more mozzerella for me...

Honestly

2009-02-28T06:23:00.000-08:00

I don't want to come home.

I don't this adventure to end.

I have been gone for 36 days and I'm not homesick--I'm in heaven.

I honestly do not miss my life in the States. There are moments when I miss a particular thing, like breakfast. Or times when I feel lonely and want to talk to my friends. But these moments are few and far in between. When they happen, I take a deep breath and let them go...and they do always go.

I may not miss home, but I do think about the people I love. I think about my brother and sister. I hear my Dad's voice in my head. I spend hours thinking about my relationships and friendships with particular people. I analyze which ones are healthy and which aren't. Being gone, I see which people make an effort and am surprised by some that don't. Some of my relationships need to change and some should improve. Some people--I plan to completely live without.

Funny how even the cats. My sweet little boys....I am OK without over here. Sometimes I still can't believe that I feel that way, I am the crazy cat lady afterall! However, this trip has taught me that I can walk away from everything and everyone. I can go to a foreign country without knowing a single soul and be perfectly content.

I feel very different now. This trip has changed me in ways I could have never expected. Every day I learn so much more about myself. I don't know how I am going return to Portland and to the life I had. And the thing is, I know that I can't. Jennifer Napier left America one way and she's just not coming back the same.

I spent 2007 trying to survive an unhealthy marriage. A marriage that was built on lies, co-dependency, and addiction. I spent 2008 trying to survive my divorce. I tried to throw myself into the arms of one attractive man after another in an attempt to fill the new emptyness in my life.

Being in Italy has affirmed the strength and confidence I have in myself--- I am a strong independent woman!!! :) Italy has inspired me to really begin my life. It's super corny, but I know that I can do anything that I put my mind too. Therefore, I am going to spend 2009 building the life that I want. A life built on the things I love. A life that inspires me. A life that I can be proud of.

My life (oh it sounds so beautiful to say...)

My life, lived in the manner that I choose.

For too long, I have been a stagnant human being. I'm not beating myself up over it-- it's reasonable that I haven't been moving forward...I've just been trying to survive the crappy situations that I got myself into. I have always been a happy person but I haven't always been a healthy woman. In fact, I honestly don't think my mindset even began to get healthy until I bought my plane tickets for Roma last September. After being here, now I'm really ready. I'm ready to move forward, to have some actual goals, to surround myself with people that bring out the best in me. I want to push myself--- I am motivated.

I am by no means perfect. I'm a huge work in progress. Even in my wondering bliss in Italy---I have to fight myself when I start to return to my previous habits, previous thought patterns. I question myself, I question my confidence. There are many moments when I feel insecure, I think of my mistakes. I think about the plans I made but didn't follow through with. I can go so easily back into my old ways, especially when you throw a man in the mix. But I think that I am finally seeing most of my imperfections, my weaknesses...I'm learning what it is that I need to change and what I want to change. I'm learning to tell myself that I don't have to be the person I used. I don't have to live that way--that I won't live that way.

I don't want to come home, but I have too. I am most definitely not getting married to a hot rich Italian man and I'm out of money.

Coming home...wow, I am actually very overwhelmed by the thought of seeing everyone. I've changed. I've had experiences here that I can't even begin to discribe. Often, I do not even blog about the things I am doing because I can't accurately explain them. How do I tell you about Cinque Terre? HOW?!?!? You'd just have to be here to know. I know that returning to the States is going to a bit of a culture shock for me. I know that my life is going to be different from the way it was and I just don't know how I am going to react to my family/friends and them to me.

I keep saying how is my life going to be different...well let's talk about three big things that will be different:

One, I'm moving. I got word from Aaron (my roommate) that we will not be able to extend our lease past March 31. Therefore, we will be packing and parting ways upon my return. That credit card bill of mine is pretty hefty now, so I am actually making a smart financial decision---and I'm asking my parents to let me move back home for a couple months.

Two, I'm going to really pursue the things I'm passionate about-- starting with Italian classes and joining the tennis club. I am going to spend more time with my family (it will be easier living there--LOL). I'm going to focus on developing some goals for the next two years. Spend more time in healthy habits and a lot less time drinking. More time molding my life into the vision I have.

Three, I am not going to be dating. Honestly, my life is in disarray...I'm moving in with my folks for Christ's sake!!! There is no way I can pursue romantic relationships while I'm living with my parents, focusing on paying off debt, and putting goals together for the future. I love men, dating, and being in a relationship but I have to put my life together first. I need to get myself re-settled before I start dating again. A few months off the market--let's be honest...really, I'm doing the world a favor, LOL.

I know most of you reading this will not believe this part of my plan. I have previously said that I was going to take a break from dating and then immediately ran into work talking about my latest "victim". In looking at my history, I wouldn't believe myself either... it's okay for you not to believe---I don't need you too. It may sound cold but your opinion doesn't matter, I live for me now and I mean what I say.

And what about my job? (It's a question I get asked frequently)

Well I want my job. I have an amazing boss, great co-workers, and I pretty desperately need money. I know times are tough and I've been so blessed that my company let me take a leave of absence. However, as it has been since my hire date on 3/8/06...I won't ever know how long I plan to or will stay. For now, I have absolutely no intentions of leaving my company. I have a lot of other stuff I need to deal with and I will most certainly be there bright and early on March 9th.

(sigh) I don't want to come home... I am so in love with Italy!!!! :(

I do have things to look forward too... I look forward to building this new life of mine. I look forward to breaking my bad habits for good. I look forward to being productive again. I look forward to catching up with friends. I look forward to the twin's sports games. I look forward to getting debt-free. I look forward to having a bed. I look forward to loosing the weight I've gained (I haven't stepped on a scale, but I think this is the heavist I have ever been). I look forward to figuring out what my next adventure will be. I look forward to see where life takes me...

I could spend hours typing but this has been a long enough "deep emotional" blog for now...

Highlights from Cinque Terre

2009-02-28T03:41:00.001-08:00

In no order, fun things I did in Cinque Terre:

Convinced Ivo to keep his bar open where Lauren made drinks. Then went to his apartment even though we didn't like him and where we told him that we'd be reporting to Rick Steves that he's mean.
Jumped into the ocean (remember it is FEB!!) with three other women wearing nothing but my underwear
Took some of the most amazing photos I've ever seen in my life
Found a mountain man on our hike who sells limoncello and took shots
Stole lemons
Got lost then hitchhiked
Watched the sunset everynight
Yelled at stupid girls in the hostel after they told me to be quiet at 10:30pm
Ran on traintracks and tried to break into heavy machinery
Convinced Courtney to climb up a closed off stairway, creepy men followed us, we jumped down and had to run as fast as we could to get away as they were running after us.
Went looking for a church at 1:00am
Fell in love with seafood
Hiked until it hurt all my muscles, then hiked some more
Scaled a rock wall
Had a diet consisting only of: red wine, chocolate, cappacinos, chips, swiss cheese, mozzerella, pitsachios, and nutella.
Explored five of Italy's most beautiful coastal towns
Discovered that Cinque Terre is 95% closed down in the winter
Ran barefoot through the streets with open bottles of wine
Spent my time exclusively with women

Roma Round 2 Pictures

2009-02-25T02:56:00.000-08:00

Best Caprese Salad yet!

Hostel in Roma

In St. Peters Square

Fancy hotel with a bath tub, too bad we didnt use it!

Looking semi normal! WOW!

Gotta get the most from the hotel buffet...snacks for the day!

Have no fear...there is a McDonalds nearby!

Raining in the Pantheon

Pouring at the Trevi Fountain

Everyone else ran away, I soaked it up...literally

Going out for the Colosseum Pub Crawl

How cool is this!?!?

A few drinks in...

The scene at one of the bars

Oh yes, we are hot backpackers!

Rocking the boots and the backpack
(plus, I just couldnt fit the boots in the pack)

Change in "Plans"

2009-02-24T04:35:00.000-08:00

I am in Roma with Courtney and Lauren.

Right now, we are a little bit of a binge...ok, maybe a really big binge. We are staying in a fancy hotel in downtown Roma, costing us 170£ a night. We are going out and having full course meals. We are taking taxis instead of riding the metro. We are throwing away clothes, mailing others back...buying shoes, skirts, coats, jewerly, tops, and leggings. Without a doubt, my credit card will be maxed out upon my return. Over $12k in credit debt, I just can't wait....LOL! It's ok, money is just paper. You only live once and I'm enjoying every beautiful second of my momentary break from being a dirty hippie!

Last night, I wore nylons, knee length boots, and a PEA COAT! Listening to my boots clack down the stairs, pulling the nylons up over my legs, wearing a very tight jean skirt (because I am a whole lot thicker these days! LOL)....was priceless! And while I am presently back in baggy jeans, a pub crawl t-shirt, and pretty much looking like a boy....I will be doing some more shopping this afternoon, I am going to get dolled up, and then we'll hit the town looking better than ever!

I was supposed to go back to Milano tomorrow and catch a flight to Prague on Thursday....yeah, that's not going to happen. I can't separate myself from these two women--we really are sisters and are pretty much inseperable.

Yesterday, we were talking about how will be parting ways on Wednesday...and Court and Lauren begged me to come with them to Napoli for 3 days and then on to Calabria. It hit me when we got back to the hotel last night, that while Prague always be there...the three of us traveling in Italy won't be. So at 2:00AM I ran in the room and annouced that I'd finish the rest of my trip with them. We then proceeded to hug, jump up and down, and profess our undying love. You'd think you were watching a corny teen chick flick movie with the three of us jumping like that. I won't lie...we are pretty ridiculous---but I love it.

Traveling is not about the sightseeing, the churches, the monuments. Traveling is about the experiences you take away from your journey. Yesteray, we spent most of the afternoon in Vatican City. I saw St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum...all of which was impressive, great, and wonderful. But do you know what I enjoyed most about Vatican City? Sitting on cobblestone, eating pitsachios, listening to music, and talking with my sisters. That is the memory I will walk away with and I couldn't be happier about it.

Ciao for now...

More about food

2009-02-22T05:58:00.000-08:00

Ok, let's have an honest discussion about McDonald's.

I hate McDonald's! Or so I thought...I am beginning to question my reality because I keep seeming to go back there...

I hate to use my disease as an exuse, but it is hard for me to eat! Going to McDonald's, I know I can get a burger minus panne and fries. Not to mention, when you are always on the go...stopping for a full meal either doesn't happen or is too expensive.

Yesterday, I went to McDonald's three times. The first time Lauren and I bought fruit and salads from the train station in La Spezia (that's not so bad!). The second time all three of us got large fries because we had just arrived in Roma and simply needed something to tie us over until dinner. The third time happened when we realized that we wouldn't be going to dinner. However, Lauren and Courtney would be able to eat free pizza during the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl...so I had to grab the only thing I could--McDonald's!!!

This morning...where did the three of us very hungover ladies head?!?! Take a wild guess---MCDONALD'S! LOL

In fact, we just had to go eat gelato and drink pop while waiting for McDonald's to open as it was only 10:30am and apparently they don't open until 11:00am here.

My body hates me and my stomach is grows a little more (well actually, a lot more) each day to remind me of just exactly what I put in my mouth...

I'd like to say that I won't be going back there, but I will. I just really want to make a supreme effort to not go 3x in a day!!!

PS: I love seafood now!!! In Cinque Terre, I could not get enough muscles, swordfish, and shrimp. I first starting really trying different seafood in Napoli and loved it. I am so grateful that I am finally appreciating and truley enjoying seafood---can't believe I wasn't much of a fan before!

Girl Time Pics

2009-02-22T05:05:00.000-08:00

Arriving in town...

I am in love with these two women!

Preparing for the sunset, opening the wine right inside of the tiny store.

Sunset with my sisters!

Rick Steve's recommended Ivo's bar (pic above) but he's a jerk so the three of us will be letting Rick know!!!

After jumping in the ocean and hitchhiking. Our actual hike begins...

Gatto!

Out to dinner...and ps: I really didn't like any of these other girls!

I got bored at dinner and decieded to run on the railroad tracks!

Men chased us earlier in the night, so I carried a wine opener as a weapon...
it really doesn't do much good on the ground. LOL

Courtney, Lauren, and Taryn (girl in the hostel) on our night walk

Really??? It doesn't get better than this...
hiking, panaromic views, girlfriends, AND shots!

We found a man sitting inside of hole in the mountain. He sells limoncello, wine, and fresh lemonade. It was awesome!

Found a group of cats on the hike, feed them with the food left there.

We watched the sunset, drank the mt man's wine, and each rocked out to our ipods.

Last night in Cinque Terre. Waiting in a train station...eating cheese, whipped cream, and drinking wine!

Scenic Cinque Terre

2009-02-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

I stayed in Riomaggiore (1st town)

First sunset in Riomaggiore

Locks of love from the path from Riomaggiore to Manarola

Exploring in Manarola (2nd town)

Our swimming hole

View of Manarola and our swimming hole

The lemon theif strikes again!

Second night's sunset

Amazing!

In Monterosso (the 5th town)

Doesn't it look like I am photoshoped into this picture?!?
View of Vernazza (4th town)--WOW!

Sunset in Vernazza

Damage Control

2009-02-21T03:20:00.000-08:00

The cheese must stop.

If you squeezed my arm I think mozzerella would ooze out of my skin.

The last couple days the three of us have litterally been eating entire blocks of swiss, cream cheese, mozzerella, and parmesan. Oh, not to mention the chips, cappacinos, gelato, and chocolate.

I walked by the mirror yesterday morning and could not believe the size of my stomach. My legs are staying in shape from the walking, however, my gut is expanding at a rate that makes me sick.

I have definetly been living up the food over here. I thought I had a problem while I was in Venice...HAHA, it's much worse now....

I know I come home in a couple weeks and can get back to my running program, back to tracking my weightwatchers points, back to veggies-fruit and homecooking, back to 125 pounds...but the damage control (as Courtney puts it) must begin today!

Lauren and I went for a run this morning, we ate a healthy breakfast, and the three of us are not letting each other eat anything but healthy snacks for the rest of the day.

While on our amazing two hour hike yesterday, the girls and I decieded the title of the book we will be writing together. It's going to be called: How to get fat while backpacking.

Clearly and sadly, the three of us are experts on this topic...no more cheese....

Complete in Cinque Terre

2009-02-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

Google Cinque Terre

It is likely to be one of the most beautiful places on this earth. Go on a hike here and you'll find yourself snapping a photo every five steps, you just can't stop. I don't think I have seen anything in Italy yet that has compared...and I've seen some pretty amazing and beautiful places.

I do not have time to blog right now and quite honestly, I wouldn't even know where to begin if I did have the time...I have had another two wickedly fun/inspiring/amazing days with my sisters Courtney and Lauren. How do you capture those kind of times in a blog?

I will tell you that my first night here: Courtney, Lauren, myself and three other women from the hostel sat with our bare feet dangling and pants rolled up, drinking wine, sharing cheese and chocolate, and watching the sunset from a cliff. Nothing could have made that moment better and I felt more happy and complete right then and there than I think I ever have been before. One of the other girls said "now this would be perfect if only there were hot men here" and she seriously meant it. Amazing how I was once a woman who was so co-dependent on men that I would have said the same thing....knowing that I've come full circle and away from that kind of mentality--it is extremely liberating.

My life is complete because of me. This is what annouce to the world from beautiful Cinque Terre!!!

The really fun crazy stories about skinny dipping in the ocean (in February) and hitchhiking...well those will come later for sure! LOL

Day One Milano Pictures

2009-02-17T02:45:00.001-08:00

Flamingos!

The Duomo

Alberto and my shadows

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Sforza Castle

The Couchsurfing night out begins...there were over 30 people who came! Note: My camera was taken over and I took none of the following.

I had originally emailed Filippo (to the left) for a place to stay but Alberto responded first. Jakob (to the right) is a CS Ambassador. He is a fantastic guy helping the couch surfing movement get even bigger!

Ereid and I forget....

Alberto (my host) and me

Apperantly, this is what I do after too many drinks...email! Darian: doesn't gmail have a way of stopping this??? LOL

I want Sharis

2009-02-17T00:52:00.000-08:00

The following is a random vent and misc thoughts. My host is sleeping and I cannot go anywhere until he wakes. I feel very lonely trapped inside this apartment with nothing to do and I am missing home...so what do I do with myself?!?!? I blog!

I miss being at home right now....because I want breakfast. They don't eat breakfast here, they just have cafe.

I want to go to Sharis, get a steak skillet, and shove the entire thing down my throat.

After having smelled the sweet aroma a mile away, I want to see the waitress walk down the aisle with that big black sizzling skillet in her hand. I want to enjoy the flavor of those hard outside, soft inside, greasy, and cheesy potatoes in my mouth. I want to swirl ketchup into those bell peppers, steak, onions, and eggs and pile as much of them as I can on my fork. I want to sip on that strong arista bold coffee after I've first dumped tons of sugar and creamer in it. Then having consumed it all and wiped the plate clean with my fingers-- I want to lean back in the booth, put my hand on my stomach, and feel the pain of eating way too much....

Oh for the love! Sharis---why don't they have something like you in Italy???? They have crappy McDonald's on every corner...surely they should have a fine American breakfast establishment that is open 24 hours for hungover people.

I also want to lay in my own bed while I hold Harley down and force him to cuddle with me.

I also also want to be able to call my girlfriends and tell them every little detail of my night out last night. Oh to talk to someone who knows me...I miss my friends so much!

Want, want, want...us humans are needy! This experience is most always humbling, as I will indeed not be getting any of those particular "wants" today. However, don't get me wrong...I am very grateful for the things I do get---like being in Italy. I am so lucky that yesterday, my day consisted of standing in front of the "hands-down" most ornate church I have ever seen and then walking through a castle. That I then got to spend my evening amongst some of the most intelligent, fun, and awesome people you could ever expect to meet and whom I immediately fell in love with. An evening full of dining, drinking, and dazzling conversations...of course, I could have nothing less than one of the most fantastic times ever! Life really is GREAT!

People say to me...but your on vacation (or now days: your on holiday). Please let me assure you that this is not vacation--this is a backpacking adventure! While it is true that I don't have to work...vacation is laying on a beach and getting served pina coladas. Vacation is wearing your new clothes and going out to dinner. Vacation is getting your own space in a nice hotel where you have drawers to put clothes into or an accessible suitcase. Vacation is enjoying your time with a best friend or a loved one. Vacation is sleeping in on good sheets. Vacation is taking pictures of you and your sweetheart looking beautiful against the sunset. Vacation is picking between massages or pedicures. Vacation is living moments of luxury...

Maybe next time I blow off my life for 6 weeks I will choose a vacation! For now, I will continue to sleep in random places--being grateful when that place is a room to myself. I will continue to wear the same socks for days at a time. I will continue to not do my hair and look the same in every photograph. I will continue to be grateful when I get meals and try very hard to be happy about the corn chips I bought at the store to munch on. I will continue to have these deep emotional epiphanies that make me feel as though I am one of those really annoying people who want to have "deep life conversations" all of the time...geez, I want to tell them and now myself--give it a rest won't you!?!?! I will continue to get lost, buy the incorrect phone cards, have no real direction to my days, and LOVE IT! I will continue to be amazed by the kindness of strangers, the beauty of foreign countries, and how God blesses me in each moment. And of course, I will continue to pour out way too many of my thoughts to a random audience on the world wide web--happy that if I have not a soul to talk to, I can still type!

I really want Sharis though, my mind cannot get away from Sharis. Oh, breakfast. Sweet, sweet, breakfast...my mouth waters....

Dad: Can you please arrive to pick me up from the airport with Sharis to-go. Please????? I arrive at 8:30pm Portland time but for my body it will be 5:00am. Either time seems perfectly good to consume an entire steak skillet meal! Besides, as much as I do miss home in rare moments like these, I am going to be sad. I am going to miss my Italy and being on a wild adventure. I am going to be sad to no longer spend my days being lost, taking photos, meeting other travelers, and making new global friends. I need something to look forward to besides the obvious of seeing my family and friends...I need Sharis to highlight my return!

I continue to dream of skillets...

Finishing up France

2009-02-16T02:42:00.000-08:00

After I left the internet cafe on Saturday I headed out to the trainstation in an attempt to return to Italy. I had no luck---everything was sold out for Saturday and Sunday except a spot to Milan on Sunday afternoon. I couldn't risk waiting for something better so I bought the train ticket and headed back to Lili's.

While I was supposed to be out of Lili's by Saturday morning, she said that in an emergency, I could crash one more night. I emailed her, she said it was ok, so I dropped off my stuff. Friday night, Lili, Shen (an American traveling through France--he is making his way down to West Africa so he can study percussion) and I had gone out for appetizers and drinks. We started off drinking kir (cheap wine with cherry liqour to make it taste better) at a grunge bar, then went to a Brazilian bar and had delicious smoothy drinks, to a punk bar, and then finally another punk bar with good live music. A not so long story short, while the company was good...I only enjoyed the Brazilian place, the drinks were way out of my budget and tasted like crap, and by midnight I had spent $40 Euro, wasn't even buzzed, and just wanted to go to bed. So Shen and I left.

Saturday night I knew I couldn't or better yet--shouldn't, spend any money. Especially, after the previous night out---so I decided just to hang out at Lili's alone. Before crashing at around 10:30, I was able to call my little brother, my Dad, and Spence. Each time one of them answered the phone, I was surprised to find my voice squeaking and my eyes welling up with tears. Hearing a familiar voice when you have so much time either alone or with strangers, is very soothing to the heart. I am privileged to have such wonderful people in my life and their presence is a constant blessing.

Sunday I woke up early and headed to Versailles (see other blog). I had a great time there, where I acted fully American by only speaking english, drinking my Starbucks (I don't even drink Starbucks in the States), and then got McDonald's to go. My train ride to Milan was about 7 hours long...boy, was that an interesting journey!

After I boarded the train in Milan, I figured out where I sat but then found that I couldn't lift my pack onto the top shelf. As much as I am proud for slugging that thing around, I still find that I cannot lift it above my head. It's heavy and awkward...so I must always ask for help. There was a nice guy from London sitting behind me and he graciously put it up for me. I chatted with him and his Dad for about an hour. Turns out he lives in Torino but had gone to London to buy a car and drive it back. On the way back, he hit black ice in France and totaled the car. He and his Dad were very lucky to survive and now were making their way to his place in Torino.

I eventually turned forward and hadn't been reading my book for more than an hour when the woman immediately across from me starting screaming. She was screaming "Marko, Marko" and slapping her seat partner's face. The man slumped over and she continued to yell. People started shuffling around and calling for a doctor, but it was all in french so I couldn't completely understand what they were saying. There I stood, book in hand, getting pushed up against the window as people laid the man down in front of my feet. I cannot describe the feeling of looking at someone who appears to be dying. He was not responsive, his eyes weren't moving...I stood stunned and totally helpless. I couldn't stop thinking, "am I really watching this man die??? this is a dream...."

I don't know the exact length of time it took, but a doctor did appear and thank God--- the man did regain conciseness. The man stayed on the floor next to me for the next two hours as the doctor came back and forth. It wasn't until the man returned to his seat and appeared to be sleeping that my heart rate calmed down. I was never able to find out exactly what happened, but regardless---it was intense!!!!

At the last stop in France, an Italian man finally occupied the empty seat next me and having finished my book--- I was welcome for a new friend. Paulo was great, we talked about our countries and he offered advice on traveling in northern Italy. When we departed on the train, he even gave me his cell phone number and told me to call in the event my couchsurfing host did not show up.

Overall, I really enjoyed the long train ride. Trains provide more freedom than planes. It's easier to move around and you can go buy food in one of the cabins. Since I've also recently developed this weird fear of flight, it was nice to take a trip somewhere when I didn't feel the need to receit the Lord's Prayer or Palsm 23...LOL.

Well I am very comfortable in Milan. My host Alberto has a huge 3 bedroom apartment and gave me my own room last night. I was able to do a load of laundry this morning and take a shower where I could outstretch my arms (amazing!). Alberto has now woken up and is going to take me exploring, then tonight we are going to a couchsurfing party with 25 local Milan couchhosts--it should be great!

A few interesting points on France before I go (I will do this for Italy upon my departure):

French people do really walk around with their small dogs on leashes
If Rome is for stray cats as Naples is for dogs...Paris is for pigeons!
Almost every metro station has both a KFC and McDonald's nearby
French men do not dress as nice as Italian men--but still nicer than American men
At least every fourth person is carrying bread
I cannot attest to the quality of the baked goods, but if they taste a fraction as good as they smell---it's sure to be fantastic!
Paris is very urban city with lots of immigrant growth, it reminds me of New York--a blending point of cultures.
Crepe stations are everywhere...wish I could tell you how those taste too :(
The French are not as unfriendly as everyone makes out, perhaps, just misunderstood.
Gypsy women are everywhere and will pull on your clothes to get money from you.
Men play the accordion in the subway in hopes of money...but its great to listen too!

There is more...but I must run! Ciao!

Palace of Versailles

2009-02-16T01:46:00.000-08:00

I was very fortunate that my Mom and Dad took me to Paris when I was 16. My week long trip in France opened my eyes to a whole new world and left me with the life-long desire to travel more in Europe. During that trip, we took the train to Versailles so we could tour the Palace...however, we arrived only to find out that we had come on Monday, the one day a week they were closed.

Now --almost eight years later, I returned to Versailles for my tour of the Palace. It was so worth the return trip! I absolutely loved walking through the halls of history and afterall, while I might not look it...I am still a Princess! And what Princess doesnt throughly enjoy being in one of the worlds most beautiful palaces! HAHAHAHA! :)

Layout of the Palace

Approaching the Palace

After another tourist took this picture, she said "do you want to check and see if you look alright?" I laughed and told her that I'm a dirty hippie, taking the photo twice isnt going to change my apperance! LOL

Can you tell I loved this room???? :)

Marie-Antoinette's bedroom

There were many beautiful halls like this one

A view of the grounds

So happy to have finally come back!

Without a Paddle

2009-02-14T04:28:00.000-08:00

Out with Lili and her newest couchsurfer Shen

I don't completely understand the expression "up a creek and without a paddle", does it mean you're screwed because you're heading down without any control? I'm not sure...but regardless of the expressions true meaning, I presently feel up creek and without a paddle.

I'm in Paris. It's Valentines Day. I've got my fifty pound backpack--and no where to go. It is moments like this that make feel weak, moments when I think that I just want to hop on a plane and go see my boys. My couchsurfing requests have all been turned down (understandable that people want to be with their loved ones and celebrate Valentines) and my time ran up at Lili's this morning. I really don't have enough money to stay in a hostel and I also don't really want to be in Paris anymore either.

I'm spending a few minutes in this internet cafe to wallow for a bit. I went for a run this morning and it made me smile to see all of the men who were walking down the street with flowers and loafs of bread. Sitting here now though, this vision is making me jealous. I think about how nice it would be to be getting flowers...or better yet, bread! The smell of the bakeries is enough to make me want to spend my days throwing up---for just a few moments of flakey bread goodness. It is extremely difficult for me to eat over here, mostly because of the language barrier and the fact that I'm broke. I've had Celiac's Diesease for 6 years now, I came to terms with my lifestyle a long time ago. However, Europe has presented new temptations that I've never faced and I do have moments when I want so badly to try a crepe, a crossiant, a beer, a pizza....oh what I would give!!! Alas, feeling sorry for myself is wasted energy and time. I refuse to spend my days with negatitive engery--so I stop now.

I realized as I walked up the 422 steps to the tower of Notre Dame yesterday, how little I put in about the history I experience over here. I really only get an hour here and there to write, often I can't upload photos....so there is so much about my trip that goes without note, like the day I spent in Pompei (there's not a word in here about what a cool site that was). I'm an emotional being that copes by sharing (and don't we all know---I share it ALL). So while I might have spent my day seeing the most impressive historic buildings known to man, it is my feelings/experiences that I ulitmatley feel compelled to write--especially when I'm only given a few minutes to share. I'm sure that if I actually had someone here to talk to, I'd be better at sharing just the facts...until then, my blogging auidence will continue to be my silent friend....lucky you!! LOL

To break my own norm for a bit, I will tell you a little about Notre Dame. Construction on Notre Dame began in 1163 and took 200 years to finish. Walking inside of the main towers is physically exhausting, the stairway is narrow and looooooonnnnngggg.... Although the 422 steps are broken up into 4 levels, you feel like the stairway just might never end. I don't know how preists and they're long robes made it up and down--it seems like a death trap to me! The inside of the steps are worn down, which made me think about how many thousands of people for how many hundreds of years have been climbing up and down those steps...it's a cool feeling to be walking on the steps of history, even if it litterally takes your breath away! The Chimera gallery was my favorite part. It was this part of the tour where we walked on the balconies adorned with gargoyles. I did get someone to take my picture with one, although it would have been funier with a friend to have gotten to do a bunch of funny photos like other tourists were doing.

Well it's time for me to move on...Courtney and Lauren will be going to Florence tomorrow so I'm going to try to make my way back to "the homeland". I've been told there is an over night train to Milan, hopefully I can make that and then go on to Florence from there. As always I don't have set plans--until the end of the month---when I'll be going to Prague!!! A friend from Eugene is moving back to Prague and invited me to hang with him, I'm really excited to be going there! WAHOO!

Paris Sunsets Days 1 & 2

2009-02-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

The sunsets here are worth their weight in gold!!

2/11/09

2/12/09

(Sorry I cant turn the photos, but it damages the quality on my SD card for later if I do it now)

Sisters in Venice

2009-02-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

Courtney and Lauren may have come from a different family than me, but we were definitely cut from the same cloth! They are officially my new sisters for life!

I had so much fun with these women! Our night out included: watching an Italian football game and getting mad with the crowd, cheering up an old man, making friends with every group at the resturant, becoming the newest servers--wearing aprons, clearing plates, washing dishes (and I bartended), running down the streets of Venice with 3 Italian men who were trying to make out with us, jumping onto boats and railings, and then calling friends to share the word on how amazing Italia is!

Much more than our fun night out, what I enjoyed about these women was the conversations we had. As much as I try, I cannot fully describe for you all what it is like to be going through this experience. It really is an eye opening transformation, one you cannot understand unless you are here. These women are living it like me...and we relate. Oh, what a feeling it is to relate! At the end of the day, the best thing in life is being able to enjoy your moments with someone. While I may not have that significant other to share my life with yet, it is nice to share even one evening with women who are off on an adventure like me.

When Lauren and Courtney showed up in the room, they immediatley plopped on the floor next to my bed and we all began to spill on why we were in Italy, our experiences thus far, and our lifes perspectives. Courtney and I have a very similar story getting to this point in our lives. Both of us went to college, got good corporate jobs, have been in the workforce for 3 years--and then decieded to ask for a leave or quit so we could backpack for 6 weeks. Crazy how two women on opposite sides of the US end up in the same hostel in Venice while on the same type of journey!! Lauren is 19 and decieded to give up a semester of college to travel...this gave Courtney her initial inspiration and they made it over here together. Life is full of such random beautiful coincidences!

It was so nice to talk to other women who don't want to live their life to the norm, women that want to travel, explore, throw all of their worldly possesions out the window--and just live!! I will always do exactly what it is that I want; I'm strong, determined, and passionate. When I want something, I am going to work my butt off to get it and I don't give a darn what anyone else thinks about it!! However, that being said....it is nice to meet someone else who feels the same. There are moments when I think, "am I really all alone? am I the only woman who feels this way? am I the only one?".....so a little confirmation that I am indeed not the only person crazy enough to do the things that I do is reassuring. LOL

Of course, besides our deep ephiany stories....I absolutely died of laughter when they said they hated their clothes, they are tired of wearing the same thing, that they are in the same coat and hat in every picture, and that every woman around is goregous and they look gross. OMG....I can sooooo relate to that! LOL

It was also really nice to have girl talk and spend time amongst the company of women. During my travels, I have been so lucky to have the most amazing male hosts and friends help me out...but its been too much time with just men and I need a balance of men, women, and alone time in my life. Poor Spence had it the worst, I was there a week with no girl time at all--you can just imagine all the things I made him listen too! LOL Right now I am staying with a woman, hope to stay with more going forward, and will be meeting up with Lauren and Courtney soon so that will be good.

Ok, didnt get KFC (they only sell fries, no mash), saw the Notre Dame, and now I will walk the 90 minutes back to Lili's and get another good nites sleep.

The night begins!

Earning our keep!

Now I'm bartending again...only top shelf liquor for us!

Lauren and one of the staff

It was supposed to be a girls pic but he jumped in...

Courtney and I being rebels and jumping on boats

American in Paris

2009-02-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by saying that I hate French keyboards!!! While Italian keyboards may have been a bit difficult, French keyboards have some of the letters in completely different places...making writing a very long process for me. Regardless, it is freezing here and after a couple hours of walking I couldn't move my fingers anymore and I'm not quite brave enough to go back out yet....

I arrived in Paris without a map, translation book, or a plan. My host said she'd be meeting me outside of a metro station so after first making sure I knew where it was, I set off to take pictures of the Effiel Tower. My aimless walk lead me to Jardin des Tuileries, a huge garden in front of the Louvre. The sun was setting right as I entered the park--it was absolutely soulmelting! I took some really amazing photos and then trekked off to find a payphone because I wanted to call Standard (my work) and tell Stephenie about the Effiel Tower. During the phone call, I was able to talk to Steph, Carol, and Maria for a few minutes--this really made my night!!! (I miss all of you at Standard!!)

These days I spend lots of time daydreaming...no, not about Romeo sweeping me up into the sunset...but about leather boots and peacoats! The style of wearing nice boots over your tight jeans is everywhere in Italy and while this is common in Paris too, what's more common are women in dresses, tights, knee length leather boots, and peacoats. I have ALWAYS wanted a pea jacket but always been too broke or too cheap to pay $150 for one. Now, its all I can think about!
I practically drool as woman after woman walks so eloquently by me in their boots and jackets. Women of all ages too, from 16-60....in dresses, boots, peacoats. I walk--wearing the same outfit for 3 days now, with my bite and suck in one hand, map in the other, and have the following daydream:

Taking a shower, during which I can stretch out my arms (oh, wouldn't it be amazing!)
Blow dying my hair and then straightening it (crazy!)
Putting on a cute dress, tights, maybe even jewelry...(for once, not being a dirty hippie!!)
Pulling on tight knee high black leather boots (oh! how I miss high heeled boots...)
Walking out the door buttoning up my black peacoat and swinging a scarf over my neck....

Ahhhhh, I must close my eyes now and enjoy this beautiful dream......hmmmmmm....

Of course, the day dream varies. Sometimes I am wearing shades of brown, sometimes I am brave enough to think of actually wearing a beautiful white jacket, sometimes I go casual and wear a jean skirt...but I guess you get the point!! LOL

As in most moments, I was having this fantasy when Lili approached me in front of the metro last night. Can you guess what this extremely beautiful 25 year old French woman was wearing?!?! A dress, tights, black leather boots, and a gray peacoat...but of course!!! I could have died with jealously right then and there!

Lili took me around the corner to a Starbucks. "Great" I mumbled to myself, sooooo glad I flew all the way to Paris to get a freaking Starbucks!!! Ohwell...I'm at the mercy of strangers here, so you smile and just go with it. At Starbucks, Lili gave me her apartment key and explained how to get to her house. She was meeting up with other couchsurfers who are also staying with her but I had my huge pack so we decided it was best that I just head in for the night.

Lili's entire apartment is just a little bit bigger than my bedroom and she has 3 strangers staying with her!! Wow, this woman is even more generous and amazing than I previously thought. Lili's bed is like a bunk bed, only there is just a bed up top and nothing underneath. The couple from Vienna are sleeping on the floor underneath the bed and I'm sleeping with Lili! Its different, but it works! I'm still not feeling a 100% so I immediately went to sleep and slept for 11 hours. I woke up to find myself in the faces of 3 new strangers, threw on my running shoes, and then went for a jog. I returned to the apartment armed with fruit, attempted to shower in the worlds tinniest shower (you have to hold the nozzle and try to wash--how do people do this?), and then headed off into downtown.

On my walk this morning, I went through the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. Its a huge cemetery where a lot of famous people are buried, including, Jim Morrison. For the heck of it, I tried to find his grave but gave up after I realized I really wanted to eat a power bar (I'm clearly one to follow my gut). Somehow, eating a powerbar did not seem kosher in a place where people come to respect the dead, so I made my way out.

As I continued my walk, I found a thai restaurant and then almost got hit by a car because I immediately jumped to cross the road. The thought of pad thai--oh, its a more realistic fantasy than nice clothes!! Much to my disappointment though, I did not see pad thai on the menu. Did I mention that it's cold?!?! It's really cold....and that's the justification I used for my next stop of the day--which was going into another Starbucks and getting a drink. I find myself being very American in Paris and I can't quite put my finger on why....

In Italy, I enjoyed nothing more than trying everything that is their culture. From espresso to horse steak (ate one in Sicily), to pear shots and squid (which I actually like it)...I pretty much love everything that Italian is or that it represents. But I'm not doing that here....I loved Paris when I was 16 and while it is still very beautiful, I'm finding myself a little disinterested, a little lazy, and really cheap. Alas, my money is draining and even the McDonald's here is $5 Euro for dinner (that's what $8 US?) and I'd know this because its what I ate last night (bad kitty!).

I am going to enjoy my time here though! Lili is a fantastic woman, it makes me smile that every fourth person is carrying a loaf of bread, I'm constantly amazed by the women in their tights (maybe they are so skinny they don't feel the cold like me?), the buildings are impressive and historic, and I know there are plenty of untold treasures yet for me to find....

So now I leave this internet cafe close to Notre Dame, Im going to go into the KFC next door and get mashed potatoes (yes, I do HATE them but my desperation for hot food is overcoming any morals I previously had), and then I'm going to go tour Notre Dame.

As I'd rather be in bella Italia... I end with CIAO! :)

Everything Happens for a Reason

2009-02-11T01:38:00.000-08:00

I wasnt back at the hostel for more than 10 minutes when in walked two American sisters from Boston. Our deep conversations yesterday afternoon and the night which ended with us linking arms and running down Venice streets was absolutely mindblowing!

I have to go find a waterbus so I can get to the airport and fly to Paris, but Im too excited about meeting Courtney and Lauren to not take a second to mention a few things right now...

Back in the States, I have this thing I do when I go over a railroad track...its something you learn as a child. It goes "lift up your feet, touch a screw, make a wish and it will come true". Since I moved out on my own, Ive gone over railtracks twice a day everyday and always wished for the same thing. Everytime I see a shooting star, everytime I see the clock at 5:55, everytime I pray....its always the same thing. My wish is really more of a prayer and this is what I say:

Please show me the way, the truth, and the light. Please reveal to me who I am.

The person I was a couple years ago--wow, I wouldnt even recognize that girl! I went through a lot of healthy changes last year and feel confident that I was in a good state of mind prior to my arrival in Europe. However, now more than ever--- I am changing and I am growing stronger. Every day, just exactly who I am is being shown to me and I freaking love it!

I am living over here! I am really living, WOW!

It brings tears to my eyes to type this because it is such a profound feeling to know that you are living fully...nothing can beat it. And please dont think that its because of Scott, or the divorce, or my previous boyfriends, or my family, or any of that....Ive known for a long time that it was never any of them that put me in a cage. I put myself there, it has always been me limiting myself...no one else.

Everything in my life has happened for a reason. Meeting Courtney and Lauren is just another example of that.

I am in awe of how the simplest decision can have the most profound impact on our lives...truly, it is lifes most precious blessing.

I look forward to telling you more about these amazing women, but first I fly to Paris (Ive got it so rough over here, I know! LOL)

PS: Grandma---LOL stands for laugh out loud. Lots of Luck was a good guess though! XXOOXOXOXOOXOX

Rainy Afternoon Thoughts

2009-02-10T05:08:00.000-08:00

Venezia is definitely my least favorite city so far. Don't get me wrong. It is gorgeous, its worth seeing in person...its just B-O-R-I-N-G!

I can see why Americans get intimated by Venice and also why they love it. Everyone speaks English here and if they don't, no need to worry...the menus are in Italian, English, French, and German! Its so easy to be a foreigner here, so if you want a vacation where you don't have to try--come here! I get frustrated when I ask a question in Italian and I get a response in English, as I am trying really hard to be apart of this culture. While it is nice to know exactly what I'm ordering and how to find a bathroom, Id rather enjoy the challenge and be surprised. So far, my most favorite parts of this country are not in the tourist areas and all of Venice is a tourist area! Also, every store has the Visa sign in the window...funny how I prayed for that before and now I turn my nose up at it!

Venice is intimating because it is extremely confusing, especially at night. It took me less than 6 minutes to find a restaurant last night, another 5 minutes to go down to San Marco (St. Marks Square), but then solid 75 minutes to walk back to my hostel. Every turn seemed to be a dead end, trying to follow my map was a joke, and the streets were eerily quiet and vacant. I can see how people get nervous in a hurry, there were times when someone was ten steps behind and if they had ill intentions...there would have been no one to stop them. Thankfully, I didn't get scared, one public breakdown in tears is more than enough for me! I reacted by being stubborn and getting frustrated...but I did make it back. Once back at the hostel I found that I had a sleeping roommate so I also instantly passed out around 10:30 and got a great nights sleep.

I went for a nice long walk this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed my solo walk and was ironically glad that no one was with me. I never once pulled out a map, I just turned left when I felt like it, crossed over a bridge if it seemed like a good idea, walked through every park I saw, took pictures, and eventually made it all the way back without even trying! I have been in a internet cafe now for two hours and my pants are still soaked (that's what happens when the streets spray water on you!). I don't feel like doing much, I woke up with a little bit of cold, so I will probably stay another hour, and then go back to the hostel for a nap.

I never intended for this blog to detail so much of my inner thoughts/feelings but I also never knew the impact this journey would have on them either. So in being true to myself, I am now going to allivate my boredom by spilling my guts.... readers beware! LOL

As I said before, Ive got loads and loads of time over here. It doesn't matter how beautiful the scenery is, your brain needs to be occupied. I am living in the moment and I am loving it--but Im also constantly reflecting. Reflecting over my life, analyzing everything, making decisions on the person I want to be going forward, trying to understand myself more, etc... Sometimes I actually think how it would be nice to be busy with something other than my profoundly deep thoughts, but I don't really have a choice! LOL

Today's thoughts focused on the following: my looks and how I want to be judged.

On more than one occasion, I have found myself telling different people "I don't normally look like this, back home Im blah, blah, blah....".

Why on earth do I say this!??!?!

I stared in the mirror when I got ready this morning. My hair is pulled back and frizzy as all get out. I still don't like being a brunette, I want to be blonde again. I don't have a trace of makeup on and my skin is pale. I'm wearing the same pants, socks, sweater, coat, and shoes as yesterday. Despite how large my behind has grown, my pants are still 3x as baggy and they fall down as I walk. There is nothing about my appearance that screams attractive or beautiful. As I am found of saying now...I look like a dirty hippie.

But why do I care?

As I looked out into the bay, I realized that I don't. I have been justifying my appearance to others because I feel as though I need too. Ive felt the need to let them know that there is another side of this dirty hippie. But I know that I can put on a dress and look beautiful. I know that back home I would never wear the same socks 3-4 days in a row. I know that I have a gorgeous car and if I choose too, I can hit the town in better style than most I know. No one else needs to know that about me...and if they do, I really don't want to talk to them in the first place.

I've always gotten male attention. I don't have a problem securing a date for dinner. I wont lie, I thoroughly enjoy being young and attractive...but those two things are not the foundation under which I want people to judge or like me.

I want people to like me for everything aside from my looks, whether that be the girl whos a dirty hippie or the girl who's wearing a skirt and doing ridiculous poses on her mustang.

I want people to like me because I'm a walking disaster and its funny when I fall, trip, spill, and break things often. I want people to like me because I am always happy and when Im not, it takes me a whole 30 minutes to get in a better mood. I want people to like me because I try to always do the right thing. I want people to like me because I actually care about making the world a better place.

I dont want people to tell me that I have the most beautiful blue eyes...rather, I want people to tell me that my eyes are beautiful because my soul shines through them....

Im a little under halfway through my trip. After much thought, I decided (after first slipping down the stairs on a bridge) that I'm done justifying my looks to myself or to anyone else. How I may look back in the US is of no importance and I will not be bringing it up again. My favorite quote sums it up:

Id rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

If only for today, being a dirty hippie is who I am. If people cannot love me for it, then they weren't the ones I wanted to be with any way.

Venezia Pictures

2009-02-10T03:50:00.000-08:00

A Venice Bus Stop

Everyone links arms in Italy---its one of my favorite things about this place!

I really wanted a gondala ride, but its $100 and best done with someone

My landmark for getting anywhere in this town!

That same beanie and coat?!?!? NO WAY! LOL

This little boy was crying...but I dont think you can tell here

Backpackers paradise! My hostel room!

Jennifers first attempt at eating healthy

I liked the fuzzy night shots

In St. Marks Square

Layout of Venice, the rose indicates where my room is

A picture of Johnathan Livingston Seagull for Grandpa Don

Venezia

2009-02-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

I am in Venezia (Venice) right now, relaxing in an internet cafe, and feeling really grateful for how my day has turned out.

Its funny how and where this journey takes me. I often think I "know" something...but then I am constantly reminded of just how little I really do know...

For example, I said I would NOT be staying in a hostel during my trip. 1) I cant afford it and 2) I wanted a different type of experience by staying with locals. Well guess what I did this afternoon?!?!?!? Check into a hostel!!! LOL

Venezia is very confusing. Not only is it confusing but its also very expensive. I took the absolutely cheapest route to get here from the airport which was $13 euro one way and took 90 minutes. I was supposed to be staying with a couchsurfer outside of the city but its just way too expensive and time consuming for me to get back and forth from his house ($26 a day!). Thank goodness for my Rick Steves book because it guided me to a hostel inside of an old church that is only $24 a night. I am shocked at how relieved and excited I am to be in hostel!

One, I have my own space and my own bed. For the first time in 18 days I am not treading in anyones territory, WOW, it feels awesome! Not only do I have my own bed complete with sheets and towels, but a bathroom in my room. WAHOO! This is amazing! My only disappointment is that in my 4 bedroom room, there is no one else. I was hoping to go exploring with someone tonight but hopefully, Ill meet some people during the free breakfeast in the morning.

I would have never wanted to take a six week trip with just one person. Especially after everything last year, I feel a lot of time alone is healthy and it has really proven to make me grow stronger. However, I do get lonely. I spend at least 8-10 hours every day completley alone without a single conversation. Back in the US, Id strike up random conversations with people...but I cant do that here. I find that there are times when Id wish I was sharing certain moments with someone. Like when I tripped and fell going up the stairs onto the airplane, not once-- but twice this morning. Or when the door on the water bus to downtown backtracked and smacked me in the face. There really ought to be someone here to enjoy my humilation, someone should be getting something out of this!!! LOL

Today, I also became very aware that I am spending this week in two of the worlds most romantic cities, Venice & Paris. Ill be in Paris on Valentines Day and I know that for the first time in a long time, I wont be getting a kiss or even an "I love you" phone call from anyone. Im really ok with all of this and feel so extremely happy to be on this adventure... I just share it because its something I do realize and do ponder.

Ive only been here for a few hours but I definitely think Venezia is best done with at least a friend. You get lost a lot, there are lots of beautiful sights, everyone is riding in gondolas and making out...its something you should see with someone. While I am so glad I made the trip to come here, the senery is more than I could have imagined, I am also feeling really grateful that I leave Wednesday morning. There is just not that much to do, especially when your very poor like me!

Well Im getting out of here, Im going to hunt down that salad, try to take a few pictures, and get to bed pretty early. Its going to be a great night...simple, alone--- but very good indeed.

Ciao!

PS: Once I start a blog, it freezes it in that date even if I dont finish it. I started one on this weekend but cant get the pictures up so Im waiting to post it. Youll probably see it tomorrow but it will be further down than this one. Also, I figured out how to use my camera better and am taking some cool black and white pictures so I hope to get them up soon!

Amalfi Coast & Last Weekend in Napoli

2009-02-09T10:03:00.001-08:00

Spence and I took a ride in his new Jeep to the Amalfi Coast on Saturday. It was awesome! As he had previously promised, we drove through Positano, Sorrento, and Amalfi. We enjoyed cafe, gelato, lemon cello, and even our own little picnic in the car. Of course, the day we end up going it rained pretty much the whole time---but hey, we are both from the NW so we can handle it! Unlike the Italians, who seem to be allergic to the rain and all use umbrellas, we walked around getting soaked with no problem...well maybe Spence whined about his shoes a little bit (LOL). The Amalfi coast really is breathtaking though, gray or not---Im so glad I got to see it!

Without a doutbt, my time with Spencer has given me some of the most fun and fantastic memories of my life (thus far--of course). It wasnt just because of the nights out where we got drunken silly with his awesome friends and I acted as though I litterally owned the bar... it was everything! It was waking up to the most beautiful view from his apartment window. It was falling in love with every inch of his town. It was making some of the most amazing meals together and actually sitting down at a table each night to enjoy them. It was feeling like I couldnt have a care in the world and knowing I could tell him anything. It was fact that he makes me smile even when hes not in the room....

It was all too good in every single aspect that I could never possibly describe it adequatley or accurately here. Therefore, I will say no more on this topic...but rather sum it to say that my time in Napoli warmed my heart in a way that it hasnt been in a long time...and Im grateful for every second! I am so blessed to have Spence in my life, no matter in what capacity it may be.

And now the pics!

It may have been gray and rainy but I still loved it!

Amalfi

Our car picnic

One outside of the car, I dont like this photo but it works...

Drinking lemon cello (soooo delicious!) in Sorrento

Last night on the town with Spences friends

I hate dancing (I am terrible at it) but it was on my to-do list

so here is the proof I went to a disco! LOL

Getting Fat & Eating Gluten-Free

2009-02-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

I was out of shape when I arrived in Italy on January 23rd. I didnt worry about it though, I figured that 5+ pound Christmas gain would melt off in a flash...afterall, I am backpacking over here!!! AHAHHAHA...Boy, was I WRONG!

I have gained at least a solid 6-7 pounds since my arrival--thats a lot! I havent been in the 135 range for over a year and its actually a little distrubing for me! Whats distrubing is not the actual number but rather how I feel. I am normally extremely comfortable in my own skin and confident, regardless if I am up a few pounds or not. However, now being at least 10 pounds over "normal" is just too much for me. I get out of the shower and I feel uncomfortable. I sit in this chair to type and I can feel my gut (yuck!!!), this is not ok with me!

So why am I fatty in Italy?!?!?! Lets talk about my diet....

Eating gluten free is not nesseciarly easier over here like I thought it would be...and what I am eating is very different than back home. Whats been great is that almost all pharmacies stock gluten free food. Not only do they stock gluten-free food, its generally really good gluten free food! Ive gotten to enjoy crossiants, beer, pasta, pastries, etc... The photos below are from a pharmacy in Spences town of Bacoli. A tiny town but with a huge selection of gluten free food!!! They were so generous when I came in to the store to shop that they actually gave me over a third of the items shown below for free! When I had gone to check out, the pharmasist asked if Id like a sample...I said yes and she returned with a full bag of groceries. I was so blown away and touched by her thoughtfulness!! (Another example of why Italians are very kind!)

Back on topic...groceries are working out ok. Eating out is not.

My main selection when going out to dinner is usually antipasti, a plate full of different formaggio (cheeses) and proscuitto (ham). In general, Ive had a plate full of cheese every night...of which, lots and lots is the amazing mozerella di bufalo (that stuff is to die for)! I could definitely eat gelato by the buckets, in Sicily I enjoyed 3 servings a night. And of course--to top off my healthy meals, Ive been ending my nights by downing way too much wine and a variety of mixed cocktails! My new favorite is a white russian...but I wont write about that here because my family will be sure to get mad! LOL

Above: My typical dinner

Anyways, I am officially sick of being unhealthy over here. Ive also gotten a little more stressed out than normal and I feel that the lack of real execise is wearing on me. Today I made healthy food choices, Im going to seek out a salad for dinner, and only drink water. Tomorrow, Im going to attempt to wake up very early and go for a run. However, I am in Venice so its not like there are really "streets"...

I still plan on enjoying the food here, Im just putting myself in check from now on!

Onward I go...

2009-02-08T07:12:00.001-08:00

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm at Spence's. I have a lot to share about this last week...more about Catania, about more wild nights out on the town here in Napoli (I bartended again at a different bar, LOL), about the Amalfi Coast...

But right now, I want to just enjoy my last day in Napoli.

I won't lie. I am very sad to leave Napoli and I can't help but be emotional. Why do I let my heart get wrapped up? I guess that's life...or at least the way I want to live my life. After all, isn't it better to live with an open heart and leave hurt than to have never felt at all!?!?! Whether he likes it or not, Spence is not done being in my life (too bad Spence! LOL) But regardless, onward I must go...the adventure here has ended...well at least on this particular trip.

I fly to Venice tomorrow. I will be in Venice until Wednesday afternoon. Then I'm flying to Paris (I've already got my tickets). I'm not sure how long I'll be in France. I'm thinking about a week...but again, I just really don't know.

My main mission in Paris is to take really good pictures of the Effiel Tower for one of my closest's girlfriends (that's you Steph!) back home. I was in Paris with my folks when I was 16, so I've already done the Louve and some of the other tourist attractions, not sure what I want to do this time. I will be going back to Versailles though, it was one of my favorite parts of France before.

Well Ciao for now.

Gli Italiani sono molto gentili

2009-02-06T00:08:00.000-08:00

Gli Italiani sono molto gentili: Italian people are very kind. They truly are very kind!

However, you always have that one…that creep, jerk, or otherwise mean person that is out of the norm. Naturally, I was bound to find him at some point of my trip. After Ryan and I got our tattoos yesterday, he dropped me off in downtown Catania. I had a couple of hours to kill before my flight so I walked around in search of an internet café. Of course, Ryan had dropped me off at 1:00pm. If not even longer than the other Italian cities, Catania shuts down from 1:00-4:00. Thursday was the official St. Agatha holiday, so most stores were closed for the entire day.

As I walked away from a closed internet store, I noticed a guy (not more than maybe 20 years old) walking towards me. I paid attention because something in how he walked towards me made me nervous and I’m never nervous around people. As he approached he took the gray scarf he had on his neck and wrapped it around his face so all I could see was his eyes. Now I was walking at an angle so I could get on the street and out of his direction. I didn’t act fast enough though, because he came towards me and pushed my backpack. I turned around, giving him the “what the hell?” look…but he was already walking away fast in the opposite direction. Whatever, I figured, what a creep…so I kept moving…

Then I noticed in the reflection from the stores across the street that this man had started following me. When I would pause in my walk, so would he. Now, I’m ridiculously trusting of people and I honestly don’t get scared of people very often. However, now I was feeling irritated and confused. I figured I’d go sit in a café and that he’d leave…no such luck. I stopped into 2 cafes and each time I walked out, he continued to follow. Then I started seeing another man multiple times, all in the same vicinity of this kid who was following me. My eyes started to well up with tears. I didn’t know what this kid wanted and I was getting seriously scared.

I went into another café and found a couple my parents’ age. I walked up to the husband and said, puo aiutarmi? quell’uomo mi sta seguendo (can you help me? That man is following me). The man told me he spoke a little English but even still, I couldn’t help but burst into tears as I tried to explain to him that I was scared and I just didn’t know what to do.

The couple told me not to be sad and walked me out of the café. They said we would go find the police and that it would be okay. I kept searching the streets, searching for the stalker….and sure enough, he started following me with the couple!!! I turned around, pointed directly at the guy who was looking at me and said loudly to the couple “HIM! Quell’uomo mi sta sequendo!!!”

Geez, he had some nerve! We found the police but I guess the guy had finally gotten the clue because he took off. The policeman spoke good English and had me walk with him and two armed military men for about 15 minutes. I explained to him that I was traveling alone and that no—I didn’t have anyone to call, no—I don’t have a cell phone if the guy comes back. The policeman told me I was brave for 23 years old…(hahaha---as I was not feeling very brave right then). Eventually, the policeman stopped he asked me if I felt OK. I did, so we shook hands and I headed on my way.

At this point, I’m feeling drained. What’s an emotionally drained backpacker to do when she’s got no one and everything is closed?!?!? Seek good old American comfort of course---so I went to McDonald’s and had a large container of greasy fries!!!

The fries didn’t do the trick though, so I decided to seek some Italian comfort instead, when in Rome…do as the Romans, right?!?!? I bought a pack of cigarettes, sat down at a café, and proceeded to chain smoke, drink coffee, and listen to my music. I did feel better after that and by that time I was done, I needed to go find a bus to the airport.

My day did end up well and my last experience in Catania, Sicily was extremely positive. A girl my age helped me when I went to the wrong bus station and even walked me all the way to the correct station, helped me by my ticket, and find out what bus number I needed to get on. I truly do believe that gli Italiani sono molto gentili. There are creeps in every country, every city, every town…I just hope I don’t have to run into anymore over here!

Oh ps: I’m back in Napoli. Spence is taking me to the Almafi coast this weekend and then I’m heading out on Monday to a place TBD…

Ciao!

No wonder I get stalked...I definitely look like a foreigner!!

Tattoos

2009-02-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I got our tattoos Thursday morning. Jim decided he didn't want one and Tyler couldn't get out of work to come with (but he is going to get the same as Ryan's as soon as he can).

Ryan's is January 31, 2009 in Roman numerals wrapped around his ankle. Mine is the date but sitting next to the country of Italy. While Sardinia is apart of Italy, I didn't like the way it looked on my ankle...so I just have the main island and Sicily (hey, it's my body--I can leave out portions of a country if I want too!). LOL

I LOVE MY TATTOO! It's perfect! :)

A few Catania, Taormina & Castelmola Pics

2009-02-05T22:26:00.000-08:00

St. Agatha Festival

Fish market, turns out I will eat squid and octopus!

Ryan and I went up a pedistrian walkway and not a road...I got out because I was scared we were going to head down the hill below!

Taormina
Beautiful Castelmola!

We had lunch in the building above
Ryan and I leaving Castelmola

Mt. Etna

Castle Break-In

2009-02-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

Went out with Ryan (on the left) and Jim (on the right) on Tuesday for dinner and drinks. After dinner we went for a walk and stumbled upon one of their local castles. Without even thinking twice, I threw off my high heels, ran towards the wall, and climbed up it.

Okay...wait...what really happened was I got half way up and then yelled down to the guys "help! how do I get up this thing?". They pointed where I should be gripping with my feet and eventually I climbed up the wall. Ryan then joined me and took these pictures of me trying so desperately to somehow get through the iron gate at the top. Attempting to break into a Sicilian castle at 3:00am....PRICELESS! :)

Sicily

2009-02-03T05:28:00.000-08:00

I am in Catania Sicily!

I flew in last night from Napoli. I was supposed to stay here with a family, however, we had a communication breakdown...which left me unable to get a hold of them and with no where to go. Thankfully, another couchsurfer named Ryan had told me that if I got in a bind he would help me out. I took him up on his offer and he has been absolutely AWESOME! I have definitely made a new friend for life!!!

I called Ryan from the airport at 6:30 but he had to work until 10:00 so he had his buddy Tyler come pick me up and take me to his place. Tyler and I hung for a couple of hours and then Jim and Ryan joined us. The four of us went to a pizza restaurant where my dinner (which was supposed to be just meat & cheese) came out as meat and cheese in fried bread! LOL We ordered my food again, enjoyed a couple bottles of vino rosso (red wine), and they told me stories from their weekend in Roma.

Ryan, Jim, and Tyler are all Navy guys based in Catania. Ryan just re-enlisted for another 5 years and had his ceremony inside of the Colleseo last weekend. The guys told me that today the three of them are going to get tattoos of the date (January 31, 2009) in roman numerals. It immediately stuck me that I must have this tattoo as well!

2009 is my year to follow all the amazing/adventurous/monumental things that I have written on a to-do list. Guess whats on the list? Get a "random tattoo that will always make me smile"! I am so stoked right now...my heart is telling me that this is the most perfect thing EVER!

Ryan is getting his on his ankle, that seems to be a good place for me too, except I am going to have mine stacked (his will wrap around) and I am also going to have the outline of Italy. So when it is all said and done, I will have the date inside of the country on the inside of my right ankle. Italy has been such a mind blowing, eye opening, amazing experience for me and I am not even half way done with my trip. This tattoo is perfect because I LOVE ITALIA!!!!!

(I know what your thinking Dad! I hear your voice in my head saying: GOD ALMIGHTY!!!!! WHY?!?! But it will be ok Dad, I promise!!!) ;)

Sicily is fantastic! Today, Ryan took me downtown where we watched a parade for the St. Agatha festival, took pictures of the elephant square, ate cotton candy and bloody oranges, and watched butchers slice up meat. Ryan had to go to work but left me with his cell so he can track me down when he gets off. I am so content just wondering the streets alone...have I mentioned yet that I LOVE IT HERE!?!?!

Today, I am wearing Barrys t-shirt. Barry stuck it in my pack while in Roma and later sent me an email telling me I must wear it, have wild adventures, and then send him pictures. So I have my game face on today...I will spend the next several hours wondering the streets without a map, tonight Im getting my random tattoo, and then Ryan and I are going to hit the town. Who knows where else this adventure is going to take me or what else I can possibly get myself into...but I just have this one thing say: BRING IT! LOL

Oh ps: Clothes!!!

Let me make a couple of comments about my clothes.

1. I am living out of a backpack so I literally have a total of 6 total shirts that I can wear, assuming they are even clean and/or appropriate for the day...
2. No one has a dryer and I only get to wash my clothes every couple of days, so my pants get really baggy from both the wear and the lack of heat. I mean really, really, baggy. I am pretty much a dirty hippie (complete with the same coat and beanie hat) everyday! LOL
3. I am not a clothes person. While I do like to look nice and feel its generally important, I dont know much about fashion. However...there are times when the fact that I look like a slob constantly and am in the same slobby clothes that makes me want to cry!!! I am so ready to wear something different and feel pretty!!!!

So tonight...I am so excited that because Ryan has a DRYER, I will get to go out wearing both tight jeans and put on my heels! I might even be able to straighten my hair! WAHOOO! This is monumental! :)

Superbowl Sunday!

2009-02-02T01:45:00.001-08:00

Italy is 9 hours ahead of the US. So while everyone at home may have spent their afternoon enjoying the superbowl, I stayed up all night just to see it! :)

Spence, Andrew, and I left his place around 9:30 to meet a few more of their friends at the bar. There we enjoyed a few rounds of drinks, a round of pear shots, and at about 11:30 we headed over to his friend Mike's place to watch the game.

Pear shots!

It was really cool to go to Superbowl party while in Italy! While I'm not a huge football fan, I felt grateful that for this portion of my journey---I was with fellow Americans and could enjoy this big event. At Mike's, the 15 or so of us enjoyed the grilled brats, burgers, and of course-booze!

The boys

As far as watching the game though...getting an American signal here is not an easy thing to do. It was actually a little painful to try and watch the game as the men fought with the computer to make the screen stop cutting in and out. I felt like I was listening to a skipping CD but regardless of the quality--we all watched! I feel asleep around 2 am sitting on the couch. While I did deserve to be made fun of for passing out...you also couldn't blame me either as I was a little bit bored just sitting there AND it was late. Around 3:30, Rachel asked me if I wanted to join her and another gal (both are Navy wives) in trying to find an open bar---I immediatley jumped up and left! LOL

The three of us ladies walked up and down the streets looking for somewhere to go (no luck, everything had just closed) and chatted about their life in Italy. I woke up from my nap pretty quickly as we walked those beautiful and quiet cobblestone streets. I tried to lap up every beautiful image of this town and all of their thoughts on living in it. I find this area so rich and interesting---it's intoxicating! We eventually gave up our quest, Spence came and picked me up from the gal's apartment and we headed back.

Spence and I got home to his place at 4:30 am this morning, I bought my plane ticket to Sicily (I leave tonight) and then finally went to bed at 5:00am.

I wonder what country I might be in for the Superbowl next year...maybe Spain, Germany, or France?!?! One can only hope.... :)

A tiny bit of Italia...

2009-02-02T01:18:00.000-08:00

I am in a constant struggle to upload photos! Arg! But here are a few I managed to get on here...I have many more good ones to come! Above: Dowtown Napoli

In Roma

In the side streets of downtown Napoli

The lake by Spence's apartment, I walked along it one day

Beautiful stray kitty in Bacoli, she made my heart melt!

The flag along the beach of the Med

The view from Dave's apartment

Stray kitty outside of Mike's apartment

Fun Nights in Napoli Pictures

2009-02-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Spence and me sitting on the pier below his apartment

About to take rum & pear shots

Here we go...Spence, Me, Maddy

Heading down to the next venue

Cheers!

On the right is the bar owner (who is going to teach me Italian!) and the left the bartender

I stayed behind the counter the rest of the night...

New Italian Friends

Dave being Dave

Stopped to enjoy the view on our way to Dave's

The four of us---in hats...later we added scarfs! :)

At an Italian birthday party, me & my new friend

Bella Napoli

2009-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

I have officially fallen in love with Italy.

I was giggling very loudly as I walked on the cobblestone's back to Spence's apartment tonight...I'm sure to the Italians--that I look like a freak. I'm bundled up, holding my pink water bottle (aka: the bite & suck), have just one headphone on blasting Taylor Swift, carrying sacks full of groceries over my shoulder, and laughing alone to myself. I couldn't stop laughing though...because my life is fabulous. I'm in Italy, I'm in heaven, I don't think I could possibly be happier!

Why do you like this place?

That's what the girl at the pharmacy asked me today (she was my age and helping to translate for me).

What is it about Italy?

I told her it was everything, it's the culture here, and I couldn't possibly narrow it down...

It's the air. It's the smell of the bakeries, the fish stands, the ocean...even the second hand smoke I constantly inhale as I walk behind someone.

It's the people. It's the sassy women yelling back and forth from their opposing storefronts. It's the groups of Italian men and their vespa's on the corner. It's the owner of each cafe standing in their doorway to talk to you when they aren't serving anyone. It's seeing men wear tight pants, scarfs, and kissing their friends check all while maintaining their masculinity. It's watching men walk on the street so their woman can walk on the sidewalk. It's the kids yelling in Italian and running down the street.

It's the lifestyle. It's the fact that from 1-4 everything in this town shuts down...even though most places didn't even open until 11. The bank probably takes the shortest break--and that's an hour and a half. People go sit in their cars and read or nap. Couples take a walk along the shoreline. They enjoy themselves. Dinner is always late and the drinks are a plenty.

I realized I was in love while walking a side street in downtown Napoli yesterday. I had just spent 30 minutes on a rock bank along the ocean. I made myself go sit on a rock because I was crying and thinking about how easy it would be to just buy a plane ticket home...my emotions had been running high and they got ahold of me. That 30 minutes and the mess of the rest of my day has completely opened my eyes though, WOW! Let me tell you about yesterday's highlights! :)

Adventure in downtown Napoli:

I got kicked off a bus at Castle Nuovu after a misunderstanding with the bus driver.

I had only $15 euro to last all day (and I was lucky to even have that because it was from Spence after the atm failed) After $6 for bus tickets, $5 for the phone card, $3 at the internet cafe...I didn't even have enough for a cappuccino with my $1 left, so I bought a flower. No one accepts Visa so I didn't buy anything to eat/drink all day, thank God for the power bars in my bag!

I got lost for three hours wondering in those "scary" streets the tourist books tell you to avoid because of the high crime...and loved every second. I got to watch people buying their groceries from stores that are smaller than my bedroom. Old men hanging their laundry to dry. People pausing at the mini-sanctuary's that are somewhere on every street to pray. Old women sitting on wooden chairs in their doorways. Craftsmen churning out their furniture inside of their work shops.

I took pictures of the dogs in front of monuments and just at every opportunity possible.

Argued with a payphone.

Confirmed the following life changing realization: I don't need anyone. Granted, I did learn from the divorce that I don't need a man (and for those of you who see my dating as proof otherwise---let me assure you I just find dating extremely entertaining). But I don't need anyone to be happy or to be ok. When I had my little breakdown on the shoreline, I couldn't call my Dad. I couldn't call a girlfriend. I had no one and I had to deal....and I was just fine. In fact, it has been extremely refreshing to be even more independent in Italy than I ever have had before. I like it! :)

Napoli is not tourist friendly city. Very few people speak english. There are literally piles of trash, just about everywhere. While in Roma the cats were running wild, here it's stray dogs. People smoke everywhere and you seem to inhale it every street you walk down. Motorcycles will just about run you over, so look both ways and run. No one accepts a bank card of any type so you'd best have cash.

Despite it all..I love this area! The scenery is not just amazing, it's breathtaking. The towns outside of Napoli like Bacoli (the one I'm in) are quaint and quite. No chain stores, nothing looks the same, you even feel like you are breathing a different air, and despite the language barrier--everyone is really friendly.

Staying with Spencer has been fabulous. Spencer is an American friend who took me in for the week. Not only did he take me in but has been going way above and beyond. Spence is a government contractor for the Navy (he used to be in the Navy but got out last year and wanted to continue living in Italy) so he works mon-fri, 8-4. During the day he's either dropped me off at the airport so I can hop on a bus downtown or I've relaxed at his place. After work, Spence has been taking me out with his friends to different places or we've relaxed at his extremely gorgeous ocean view apartment where he cooks us the most amazing Italian food.

It is definitely interesting spending the week here. Spence also happens to be incrediably good looking, intelligent, successful, fun, sweet, and just about everything else...so of course, that would make any woman's mind wonder....

Well I'm off for the night, Spence and I are meeting up with a group of his friends for drinks. I can't post pictures right now, but promise too as soon as I can!

Oh ps: I'm going to Sicily on Monday and staying with a family of four in their 16 year old daughter's room. YAY!

Things I'm good at here, or not so much...

2009-01-29T02:55:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty confident that I've already been able to perfect the following "talents" at home: spilling wine/food, falling, being directionally challenged, and just generally being able to get myself in jam. Italy it seems, has brought out even more of these types of fine qualities in me...

First, lets talk about phones. I cannot seem to use a payphone. One wouldn't think that a payphone is complicated....but apparently it is for me. Maybe this is the kind of stuff that should have been covered in college because while I'd like to think I'm mildly intelligent...I don't get them!!! I have found that I have the chronic good luck of using the payphone that is broken. However, (with my limited capacity) I'm not realizing they are broken until after I've wasted a couple dollars and hung up the phone at least a dozen times.

Besides not getting the basic operation or understanding of the payphones, when to use the country code, area code, etc...I also don't understand how to use the phone cards I buy, like the $36 Euro one I bought at the airport and apparently already used up?!?!? (I just checked my bank online and that purchase ended up being $47.73 after conversion, DANG!) Or the $5 Euro one that I just got an hour ago. I just want to call my bank so I can get my debit card to work...but the phone tells me the number is invalid. "PLEASE", I yell at the phone. I just want to call my bank... I don't want much!!! :<

My second greatest "talent" here is operating keys/doors. I seem to have a talent for locking myself both in and out. The first time was inside of a tiny cafe in Roma. Barry and I stopped in so I could buy a cappuccino and use the restroom. The restroom locked on the inside using a key that was probably made during WWI. I couldn't seem to open the door no matter what I did. Barry said the cafe staff locked horrified as I wiggled the doorknob/pounded on door...but then starting laughing when he laughed and told them not to worry.

At Spencer's house in Napoli...I decided to go for a run but knowing my history with keys-was smart enough to put $20 and his number in my sports bra. Of course, I walked out of his apartment, tried to immediately see how the key worked...and what do you know-- I couldn't get it!! I wondered down into his town (he lives in a suburb of Napoli), experienced more problems with payphones, felt embarrassed as I was being starred and pointed at---because it's January and I'm in running shorts. Even after I managed to call Spencer and have him explain the door operation (put key in and turn--duh!) and find my way back to his place... I still couldn't get myself back in. At that point, I started knocking on all of his neighbors doors until an old Italian man across the street agreed to come open it for me. This happened on Monday.

On Tuesday, I never even left his apartment because it was pouring out and I was afraid I'd get trapped again and that the old man wouldn't be home!!! LOL

I'm out of time at the internet cafe :<

I'll update you on all my other adventures (like Pompei yesterday), who Spencer is, and what all I've been doing in Naples later...

Ciao!

The Rundown on Roma

2009-01-25T22:51:00.000-08:00

I have left Roma and am presently sitting very comfortably in the city of Napoli. Before I get to the what/why/how of Napoli...let me give you the run down on Roma.

To say the least, throwing yourself in a different culture is a very interesting experience. While some people may worry about me crashing on the couches of strangers, especially when the majority of these strangers are men. What people really should be worried about it whether or not I'm getting in an Italian man's car!! I fear that the driving here is the only real danger I'm ever going to experience on this journey. LOL!

Friday evening, Piercarlo picked up from a McDonald's in downtown Roma. While I absolutely refuse to eat at a McDonald's while in Europe, McDonald's has come to serve two very important functions. One, McDonald's seems to be the common meeting place for couchsurfing...afterall, who doesn't recognize a McDonald's?? Two, McDonald's has free restrooms! Restrooms seem hard to come by, you don't always see them in cafe's and I don't understand signs well enough to know where the public ones (if any) may be.

Back to driving with Piercarlo though...apparently, Italians do not have any type of driving laws... and if they do, they are not used or enforced. I was absolutely stunned that someone can talk on the phone while driving 140 km an hour and swerving between cars as if it was a race to the hospital. After just 3 days of being here though, I've come to understand that nothing about Piercarlo's driving was unusual or unordinary---he is the norm!

Yes, I am a little bit of chicken. Ok, I'm a big chicken! But this is no exaggeration, the driving is really insane!

Of course, I did survive the car ride and made it to Piercarlo's very nice 3 bedroom apartment just outside the wall surrounding Roma's downtown. Just minutes after we arrived, Barry showed up to the apartment as well. Barry, the couch surfer from New Zealand turned out to be a really cute, fun, and sweet 21 year old man. I've never met anyone from New Zealand before...his accent sounded Australian to me (making him extra cute) and he had funny sayings for different things like chili-box (a cooler).

So Friday night's "business" dinner with Piercarlo was a celebration night for him and his co-teachers/students from a martial arts studio where he works part time. The dinner was at a nice pizza restaurant outside of town (Barry and I practically clutched each other and laughed the whole time in the car--as we felt the ride was going to result in a soon and impending death). Our group was given half the room and tables were set in a big U shape so we could watch videos of their marital arts competitions on a pull down screen. The meal was fantastic (my host graciously ordered me a steak, while everyone else's main course was pizza)! Although, by the time the entrees came out-- I felt as though I might explode! All of the appetizers and red wine were plenty for me!

Barry and I got a slight buzz from the red wine, made a game of swiping wine off other other tables, chatted just about everything (it was so nice to have someone to talk with as Piercarlo was busy with the 40 0ther people), and made plans to go explore more of Roma in the morning.

I woke up Saturday morning feeling pretty convinced that someone had beat the crap out of me during the night. 12+ hours of carrying my pack around on Friday had certainly done a good job of making me sore and it hurt to even breathe. I hadn't been up more than 5 minutes when Piercarlo said he had to leave...somehow in the mix of language confusion, Barry and I thought we were able to leave his apartment later (after we got a chance to wake up) but Piercarlo wanted us out then. So I'm walking in my sweats drinking tea and he says "ok 2 minutes"....Barry said he'd never seen a woman get ready so fast in his life. I only had time to throw on jeans, pull a few things from my pack and we were out the door.

So day two began in hurry... I was still half asleep, sore, and completely disoriented in a foreign city---welcome to couchsurfing Jennifer! LOL

Barry and I spent the day walking, walking, walking...for about 8-9 hours in total. The pictures of myself from day two were all taken by him. We did get one of us together, but it was on his camera so I'm going to have to have him email it to me. Anyways, it was really fantastic...we saw The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain (again), The Spanish Steps, The Colosseo (again) and at least 7 different churches...

I had a several favorite moments during my day with Barry. However, I'll only share just a few for now. One memorable moment was watching the evening mass inside Santa Maria Maggiore. We stepped into this huge and very famous church for the sole reason of trying to find a place to sit out of the cold and the rain---if only for 5 minutes. It was about 6:00pm and mass was in service. We sat in the back, appreciating the beauty of the church and a service we didn't understand...of course, all while whispering about how heavy the statutes must be and how the angels looked beautiful. While attending a full Catholic Mass had been on my to-do list for Roma...I realized at this moment that my current experience was more than enough---it was an impromptu moment with the bonus of being shared with a new friend---goal accomplished! Plus, after listening for just 20 minutes...I also realized that I just could not bring myself to sit through an entire service again, I would be entirely too bored! LOL

After leaving the church, Barry and I were absolutely starved. Thus far, I'd spent another day in Italy without any food except 2 cappuccinos. But hey, another day of spending less than $10 Euro, YAY! We hadn't yet heard from Piercarlo so we decided to pick up some mozzarella de buffalo and wine so we could sit outside and eat. Selecting wine was a hysterical experience. You see Barry only has $20 Euro to last him until February 8th (crazy right?!?!) so we were absolutely trying to go as cheap as possible...we ended up selecting a $1 euro boxed wine. I couldn't believe that here I am in ITALY and buying crappy boxed wine, LOL...but hey, it works! :)

Saturday night we spent in at Piercarlo's place and he made us dinner. As I ate my gluten free penne pasta, I reflected on the fact on my surroundings. Just days prior I was in my apartment in Beaverton, Oregon and now I was in Roma. I was sitting in an Italian's man's living room having dinner with him and a guy my age from New Zealand. I couldn't dream up this scenario! Dinner's discussion was interesting and slightly unpleasant. Piercarlo, like many Italians I am hearing, believe 9-11 was planned by the American government. I have a hard time fathoming that, especially when George Bush just really isn't all that intelligent. I tried to keep an open mind though and just appreciate his arguments. After dinner, Piercarlo wanted to get to bed early (and he doesn't drink alcohol) so Barry and I drank our liters of terrible boxed wine, watched The Dark Knight, and passed out.

Yesterday, I woke up expecting to go to Vatican city but felt too sick from the wine. I also just felt done with Roma. I know it sounds funny, sick of Roma in just 2 days! But I had seen everything I wanted to in the city, plus more. I literally walked the entire thing a couple times after my 12 & 8 hour journeys. Going to more churches or paying to get in a museum that I'll never remember, didn't sound appealing. Also, I have to fly out of Roma when I leave in March and I'm going to want to have a few things to do then.

This trip is about me following whatever path I feel...whenever I feel it. I've spent too much time doing things in life for other people or because I just felt I should. I didn't want to be Roma, so I left! Barry was sad to see me go, we'd had two really fun nights together and we had planned to do more stuff during the week. While I would have loved to spent more time with him, it was time for me to go...I called Spence (my host in Napoli) and asked to come 5 days early. It was fine with him...I paid $20 euros and hopped on a train down here.

Well I've written a lot. This week I will have the opportunity to write again to tell you all about my great adventures in Napoli (Naples)!

Ciao!

PS, a few quick notes:

1. I'm not able to use the spell check tool in internet cafes, so in future blogs---I apologize for being a terrible speller...I will update as I can.

2. The @ and the ' symbols do not exist on Italian computers...well I'm sure they do, I don't know how to get them. So I can't email you unless I already have your email saved.

3. For those that worry...."Male strangers" can be trust worthy, kind, and generous gentlemen! :) Piercarlo actually gave me his room and he slept in a pull out in his office.

Pictures from days 1 & 2

2009-01-24T15:41:00.001-08:00

Fresh off the plane!!! WAHOO!

I am so happy right here, the view was amazing!

Oh Cappaccino....soooo good! Cheers to the Colloseo!

Right after I fell

Trevi Fountain

At the banquet dinner for Piercarlo and his martial arts studio

In front of the Spanish Steps

I'm on top of the world! :)

This picture is for you Steph!

One of the day's highlights

Caught in the rain, sitting on the Roman wall surrounding the city

They dont have gas stations, just pull up to the sidewalk to fill up

Roma!

2009-01-23T03:51:00.000-08:00

I survived the plane rides and actually managed to sleep 90% of the time...yay!

Roma is AMAZING and I am not even through my first day here!

After the flight, I managed to find my way onto the shuttle train that took me to the termini (its the central train station downtown Roma). From there, I caught a bus to the Colosseo. It cost 20 euros to do the hour long tour of the Colosseo and then I walked around the surrounding ruins. It truly is amazing to be standing in front of the Colosseo and then to look inside at where the lion cages where. If you ever get the chance--GO! Hiding behind the colosseo was a small but beautiful church. No one was inside but you could hear a priest singing from somewhere in the background. While I am not a strongly religious person or a catholic, I couldn't help myself from taking a moment to bow my head and pray. I also snapped a quick photo on my way out...even though I am not sure whether your supposed to do that or not....

After hiking back down the hill of the church, I went and found a cafe as I was in dire need of a coffee! It is now 4:00pm here but I have yet to eat single a thing. Who wants to eat when the cappuccinos here are are made straight from heaven! I am almost depressed that the coffee is so good here, now I don't know how I am ever going to go back to drinking it in the States! A note about getting coffe or any other drink here---taking it to go is not an option, instead you sit out on the patio and drink it. Its nice that the Italians take the 2 minutes to really savor their coffee...us Americans should take the time to do that more often.

My mission after enjoying my coffee was to find an internet cafe/phone both so I could call my host for the night. While walking on a quiet street to get here, I struck up a conversation with a man. Turns out he is a he is a father at the catholic church which were walking along side of. His english wasn't great but I kept using my quick reference guide to explain things. I asked if my current wardrobe was appropriate for church as I would really like to attend a mass-- and he said I would be fine. When I do decide to go on a Sunday, I think I am going to go to his church. I really enjoyed talking to him and he said he would be praying for my journey--that was pretty special and I am glad we crossed paths.

I am learning the following phrases very quickly: buon giorno, per favore, grazie, scusi, and quanto costa (how much). However, it seems most people in Roma have a basic understanding of English so I dont know how to say something we manage to work it out.

I was also not able to find lockers at the train station as I thought..so I have had no choice but to lug my pack every where. After coming on 8 hours of carrying it, my shoulders are warn out. However, I guess if Im not eating and packing a bag around all day... I will not be returning home fat from Italian food but rather a hot tiny little kitten! MEOW! :)

My last stop so far has been the Trevi Fountain. On the way there I tripped over the curb while attempting to cross the street and because my pack is so heavy...I ended up falling pretty hard on the concrete. Thankfully, an Italian man rushed to help me up (oh, another thing about the pack...once I fall, it is nearly impossible for me to get up). The fall was hard enough to rip a hole through my pants from corner to corner and left my knee pretty messed up. I was fine with having a bloody knee, but the man literally dragged me into a nearby pharmacy and starting giving instructions to the pharmacist in Italian. I kept saying, no, no...I will just wash it later but he insisted I get bandages. So the pharmacist bandaged it up and then looked at me and said 7.5 euros. Now I was pissed, if the guy was forcing me into the pharmacy...he could have at least paid for the bandage, I was very fine with going without!!! As we left I shook his hand and said grazie but he insisted we kiss checks...fine, I kissed his check. But then he wanted to kiss me on the mouth at that point I said no thank you, grazie again, and walked away.

The Trevi fountain is gorgeous! I asked some other tourists to take my picture in front of it and then I made my wish by tossing the coin over my shoulder.

I have about an hour and half to walk back to the termini where my host Piercarlo will be picking me up. He has invited me out to a business dinner, assuming the one nice outfit that I brought is acceptable for the event...I plan on going. I of all people, will not be turning down a free meal! ;)

Then later tonight, Piercarlo, myself, a couchsurfer from New Zealand and his friend from Manchester are all supposed to go out. But as the bars do not even open until 11-12...its going to be a late night for me! ;)

The computers at this cafe do not have a place for my SD card so I cant post pictures right now...as soon as can though, I will.

Miss you all!

Ciao!

Am I scared?

2009-01-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

I've received a lot of questions/comments about my trip. Let me share the top results:

Your going to find a hot rich young Italian man, marry him, and never come home!
Wow, going alone? Aren't you scared?
You're never coming back!
How can you trust the people your staying with? What are they after?
I'm jealous!
Aren't you nervous?

So apparently: I am crazy to go alone and should be scared and nervous. I should also be warry of the people I'm staying with but it's okay because I will end up running away with a hot Italian man and my friends will be jealous.

LOL, It's really quite comical.

In response to the question of being scared or nervous: I'm honestly not. I'm not scared to stay with total strangers. I'm not scared of being alone. I'm not scared even though I know that I will get lost/frustrated/confused more times than I can count. Europe...and all the things I don't know, have counted on, or don't yet understand...don't scare me. I know I'm going to be ok over there. I really am.

There are two things I am scared of about this trip. One, I'm scared of the flight to and from Rome. I'm terrified that my plane is going to crash into the Atlantic and I'll never get to finish living my life. I'm scared of never seeing my brother and sister again. I'm scared that I've somehow picked the wrong flight and my karmic bad luck will take me down. I'm not ready to be done with this life (I feel like I'm pleading with God here...)!!! I'm not sure where this fear of flying is coming from. I'm the daughter of a pilot! I've been on more flights than anyone I know (my Dad being the exception of course), I logically know that planes are safe. There is something about crossing the ocean though that gets to me. Aaron (my roommate) is finding humor in torturing me with this information too. He suggested that we watch the first episode of Lost tonight so I could see the plane tear in half or the footage from the most recent plane accident into the river. NOT FUNNY AAR!!! ;P

I'm preparation of this fear...I have loaded my purse up with benadryl. My plan of attack to conquer this problem---is to sleep through it. I'm going to make sure I'm completely exhausted on Thursday, pop the benadryl, and then pass out before we even take off. I'm sure this won't go all to plan though...the flight to DC is 5 hours, then it's 10 hours from DC to Rome. I'm expecting a lot to think I will sleep the whole way...but hopefully by coaching myself ahead, I will not be breaking down in tears at the first sign of turbulence.

My other fear, is of course--the cats. I'm so worried about them...sometimes I think I should fly home sooner. I felt like a rotten person for leaving them for six weeks. The guilt brings me to tears---I've never been away from them that long! They have been through so many changes in the last year, it rips me in half that I'm putting them through yet something else. Cats don't like change....it stresses them out. I'm scared they will feel abandoned, lonely, and hurt. Harley and Kudos take turns sleeping with me and for Kudos especially, it really affects him when I'm not at home. His most recent bladder infection (caused by STRESS) not only caused him misery for several weeks but cost me over $300. What if he gets sick while I'm gone???

As I'm typing this post, Harley just came and jumped on my lap...I had to snap a picture. God, I love them more than anything in my life!!! I am honestly trying not to think about them as much as possible--- because there is no rationale when it comes to me and my cats. No matter how many times I tell myself that Aaron will take care of them and that it will be ok...I don't feel any better, I always feel worse.

I'm sorry my angel boys....I will be back soon... :(

Don't be too proud

2009-01-18T23:20:00.001-08:00

Money...

I'll be honest (HA, when am I not?!?!), I do not always make the best decisions with money. Now there are a couple things I do well with my finances... 1) I automatically put 10% of my income into my retirement accounts (401k & IRA) and I don't touch it. 2) Since I was old enough to have my own accounts, I've never made a late payment on a single bill. 3) I have excellent credit and have worked religiously not to accrue more debt (well up to this point...).

My only real downside is that I'm not good saving for the rainy day. Like last weekend when Kudos got a bladder infection, there went $300+. Or when I decided randomly that I just must spend my New Years in Vegas, that cost me a good $700. Of course, I didn't plan on losing 5 days of work and pay due to a snowstorm--that wasn't in the plan! So now it's time to actually go to Europe...and the savings account is---Empty! LOL

It's okay, I've paid for a few things ahead...like the plane ticket and my rent through March. Yes, I'm going to have a throw a few grand on the debt pile while I'm over there---but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Credit cards may be the devil, but I do work hard. My debt will get paid off, I'm trying not to stress, and no one else needs to stress over my finances either (that means YOU DAD!). That being said I have to be careful. That digital camera I wanted to buy...the sleeping bag I need...the money isn't really there. My beautiful little sister generously gave me her camera to borrow. Steph & Dave have loaned me a leatherman, sleeping bag, and flashlight. My Dad made sure I had a money pouch and electrical adapter. At first, I didn't want to borrow anything from anyone, I felt as though I'd be putting them out. But sometimes, we have to know when to ask for help and accept it. So I've accepted some help from the wonderful people around me..and I'm going to be just fine.

This is all really just another life lesson for me... I can't afford to be proud anymore. The girl who always makes sure she pays for herself has to learn a little humility. I'm going to be at the mercy of strangers in Europe. People who are opening their homes to me for free---simply out of the goodness of their hearts. I need those people now...they are what is making this trip possible.

My budget for the trip: 30 euros a day with another 1,000 euros for transportation and special events. It's not a lot, but I don't need expensive things there. I've got my backpack, good shoes, and a camera. The most amazing sights in life---are free. And I intend on hunting all of those down! :)

PS: Did I mention that I'm going to Rome in 4 days!!!! WAHOOO, it's crazy, crazy, good! ;)

Bon Voyage Parties

2009-01-17T18:25:00.000-08:00

Friday was my last official day of work until March 9th...so to celebrate my trip, I went with a group of co-workers to the Shamrock (our local dive bar) after work. In total, about 30 people came and went as we enjoyed a few drinks and chatting from about 4:30-7:30.

At 7:30, we headed over to one of my best friend's house--Maria, where she so graciously hosted a Bon Voyage Party in my honor. One of the most amazing things of the night---was that Maria asked everyone to bring only gluten free food. Even in my house with Scott and all the parties we had---I always prepared item after item that was filled with wheat. Celiac's disease is second nature to me, I'm used to looking at every item before I eat it, I'm used to the fact that I will never be able to go somewhere and eat whatever looks good, even in my own house. I'm not however, used to going in a room, not looking and just enjoying. It was an extra special treat, on top of everything else that Maria & my friends did for me.

Another highlight of the night was that Mom & Dad joined us at both the Shamrock and Maria's house for a bit. It really meant a lot to me to introduce them to my friends and have them in my world for a night---Thank you for coming! XOXOXO

I'm so grateful to be surrounded by an amazing group of people everyday. I'm even more grateful that I can call these people my friends, that they were for me in the worst and will be there for me in the best. If you can ever measure a life, it should be by the people they were with. I'm honored to have so many people who make my life spectacular! Thank you!

Now, I know that some of my co-workers do not like it when I post pictures...so these are what I felt would be "acceptable" to all, if they are not...I'm sure I'll hear from you later! :)

Two of my favorites, Carol & Ron!

Courtney, Heather, Me & Janice

Our local arms dealer and his awesome wife! ;) Steph & Dave

A shot from far away.....

Decor at Maria's....it reads Bon Voyage

Me & the fam!

Maria, Steph, & Me

I'm not sure what we are doing...but looks fun!

Jenna & Darian

Jenna and I hiding in the corner enjoying our drinks!

Goals for my trip

2009-01-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

Ok, I've narrowed my list of things that I hope to do in Italy down to the most important (everything else will just be a bonus!):

*Attend a mass in Rome
*Take a picture next to the leaning tower of Pisa
*Drink wine in Tuscany
*Go see a movie and enjoy not being able to understand it
*Take a gondola ride in Venice
*Drive along the Amalfi Coast
*See the collosseum
*Get up early, climb a viewpoint, and watch the sunrise
*Attend an opera
*Find myself some yummy gluten-free pizza
*See St. Peter's Basilica
*Eat lots of gelato!
*Go to a trendy nightclub
*Memorize at least one phrase in Italian everyday
*Take a scenic train ride
*Make a wish at the Trevi fountain
*Go to a sports game
*Go to St. Mark’s Square
*Learn to cook an authentic Italian meal
*Splurge and buy myself something beautiful
*Go skiing
*And but of course: enjoy obscene amounts of delicious wine!!

My final "in preparation of amazing adventure" list

2009-01-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve been putting off the simplest task of just writing down the list of all the things to do and buy before I go… but for whatever reason, blogging seems like less work so I’m forcing myself to finally write it out on here. This way—just MAYBE, I’ll get my stuff finally done!

To Do:

٭ Change my cell phone plan to the cheapest possible option
٭ Change my voicemail to say “out of country”
٭ Change my car insurance to a garage policy
٭ Find out if my health insurance covers me in Europe, if not, look into buying a policy
٭ Get Dad a list of my passwords, bank accounts, info on the cats, key to my apt
٭ Call the airline and request a gluten-free meal on all flights
٭ Get the plug-in adapter from Dad
٭ Email and print for myself copies of my passport & itinerary
٭ Print a list of the information for the US embassies in every location I plan on going to
٭ Leave checks with Aaron for Feb & March rent
٭ Get my stuff from Bryan’s house
٭ Get my oil changed
٭ Clean out my car
٭ Go to the DMV and apply for a new title
٭ Write out instructions on the boys
٭ Thoroughly clean my room
٭ Finish Jenna’s Christmas Gift
٭ Learn how to use my backpack
٭ Make a tag for my backpackLearn how to say/write “I have Celiacs”, “no gluten”, and “allergic to wheat”

To Buy:

٭ Ipod charger
٭ Small battery powered alarm clock
٭ Canon digital camera, memory card, & case
٭ Good walking shoes
٭ A dress to wear to the opera
٭ Good headphones that go over your ear
٭ Tiny but warm sleeping bag
٭ International phone card
٭ Small but strong flashlight
٭ Thin but warm windproof gloves
٭ Frontline for the boys
٭ Cat tags with Aaron’s cell number on them
٭ Cat litter
٭ Blush & mascara
٭ Black neck warmer
٭ Jeans that I can wear layers under
٭ New beanie hat
٭ A small black purse I can use for going out/going somewhere nice
٭ Extra batteries for everything I’m taking
٭ Lots of chapstick
٭ A lock for my pack
٭ Ear plugs
٭ A poncho

There’s probably more…but writing that stuff down is a start!

Planning Anxiety

2009-01-11T20:16:00.001-08:00

I'm feeling really overwhelmed right now, so overwhelmed that I have a splitting headache. :(

I'm getting anxious that my plan of "not planning" might be bad idea. My worst fear about this trip is the thought that I could walk away feeling that I should have done more...that I could have spent my time better. Six weeks is such a short amount of time to experience a country, let alone several countries. As I look at the train schedules and the logistics of couch surfing, I'm doubting more and more that I'll even get out of Italy as I intended. What if I don't get to the places I wanted? When will I have a chance to go back? Why didn't I plan better?

I know have to stop stressing and beating myself up. Worrying about what might or might not happen is not going to get me anywhere. I have to remind myself that focusing on planning goes against what this journey is supposed to be about for me.

There are at least a dozen reasons why I'm taking this trip. At the core of all the reasons though, I'm going to live. To live, if only for 6 beautiful weeks, in a way that I would never do before. I'm going because it's good to loose control, completely change your surroundings, forget about responsibility, experience new things, and just let life take you over. It's funny how I used to be on this path of go-go-go. Since I was 16, I've been in a rush to get my life in order: finish college, get married, get a good job...then planning on buying a house, someday having kids, etc... No where in my plans did I think about the fact that I'm in my early 20's!!! No where did I schedule a little break, a little fun, a little spontaneity-- gosh, what was I doing?!?!?

Life is short--- but it's also deliciously sweet. I'm intoxicated with how wonderful my life is right now. I wake up every morning and inhale the sweet air of happiness. My only mission is to live in the moment, to love with all of my heart, and to let life take me over. I am choosing to be in complete disregard for what society or even what my family's perceptions of what I should be doing are...I'm trying my hardest to just focus on being me.

Granted, for you skeptics...I do understand that in order to travel you need a job. I understand that I do have responsibilities. I understand that I could be choosing to spend my time on elevating my career, making more money, making financial sound decisions--that those are all good things. But you must understand that Jennifer is just not that woman right now. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the "responsible" or "traditional" lifestyle. I know that someday I will probably feel differently; focusing on my career, getting my finances in order, building wealth, etc...well I'm sure all of those things will become a priority for me again. That day is just not today though...the time is just not now...

So back to de-stressing....I'm working on writing out a simple list of the things I want to accomplish. Now if I don't do it all---it's okay...but I think the best "plan" is to just shot for experiencing some key things and letting all of the rest come as it will. I'm letting go... (sigh)

Phew, I feel better all ready! Writing this all down helps, I'll be sure to post my list soon!

Only 10 days left! :)

Making Purchases

2009-01-05T22:26:00.000-08:00

Only 17 days to go---I've got a lot to do & a lot to buy!

Tonight I bought my backpack from someone off craigslist. I got it for $120, a steal for a pack that sells for around $300 and has only been used once. I also bought a really cute Columbia jacket last weekend. The jacket won't be quite warm enough in the coldest parts of my trip but I plan on layering up and I didn't want to get a coat that would be too hot in the nicer areas.

I've still got two big purchases left, a good camera and hiking shoes. My Dad says that the camera I have now is good enough, but I'm not going to spend thousands of dollars on this trip to take pictures with my three year old 5 mega pixel camera---Sorry Dad, it's really not good enough! :)

At Christmas, my Grandma Alice gave me silk long underwear and the fam gave me some clothes for layering. I should be pretty set in terms of warm clothes. However, I still have a bunch of miscellaneous purchases to make---flashlight, gloves, a good map, warm socks, phone card, emergency stash of power bars, etc...

With a short amount of time left, procrastination is no longer an option! :)

I was trying to take a picture of my coat and pack but my Harley kitty decided to lay on my coat instead!

Close up of Harley

Me & my new backpack! I can't wait for Europe!

Welcome to my blog!

2008-12-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

Hello Family & Friends,

Welcome to my blog!

I will be traveling in Europe from January 22, 2009 - March 6, 2009. Yes, folks, that's right---Jennifer will be soaking up 6 whole weeks of European paradise! WAHOO! :)

In order to keep everyone updated, I’ve created this blog to document my travels, wild adventures, new experiences and inspiring moments. It is my intent to make all of you apart of my trip by sharing my journey with you.

Now the only real hard and solid fact about my trip is that I'm flying in and out Rome, Italy. It is my intent to spend 70% of my time in Italy with the remaining 30% in Austria, Switzerland, & Germany. However (as you all know)...I change my mind very frequently!

I will be couching surfing while in Europe. For those of you who don't know what that means, couch surfing is a great website that allows you to connect with people who generously offer up a couch or spare room in their home to travelers for free. As is the case with myself, you can be on the website even if you have no place to offer someone to stay. Last weekend I took two couchsurfers out to drinks with my friends. They didn't have any plans in the city and it was a great way for them to connect and check out a pretty hip place. If you have a minute, check out the site:

www.couchsurfing.com

A few quick notes:

I will not have cell phone in Europe.
I will be calling my parents house very infrequently, maybe once a week.
Best method of contact is email, however, I may go a few days before checking it: napier85@gmail.com
I do not plan on emailing anyone individually- I want to make sure I'm spending the majority of my time living it up! If your looking to hear how I'm doing, please check this blog!
You have the option to comment at the end of each blog, please do not feel obligated to write anything. I'm happy your reading it---don't feel like I'm expecting the feedback.

Today starts my 31 day count down! I can't believe there is only one month to go! As my trip quickly approaches, I will be making a few pre-trip blogs.

I want to thank everyone for their support!!! The last few months have really shown me more than ever, how extremely blessed I am. I have a stand up family, an amazing group of friends, and great team of co-workers… all of whom are helping it possible for me to be gone for 6 weeks.

Thank you all again---I could never fully express my gratitude for everything!

Until next time...Ciao!

Jennifer