You are uniquely separate from generic or more broad terms like travel, because even though parts of you can attributed to travel-like experiences, certain characteristics are incomparable. While anticipating you, I looked to you as an escape; I was literally putting miles and oceans between me and my doctors, schooling, and perceived expectations. I … More Dear Abroad,
With my trip nearing its end, the sight of day one-hundred thirty-three cannot be met with the overflowing tank of energy that poured into my first days. Not to say that I’m no longer loud, excited, or going two-hundred miles an hour, taking in all the sights. It’s just to say that those things, the … More Dear Fuel,
I can’t say there will be another time in my life where I will take classes in a nunnery or crawl up the steps Jesus once walked. I can’t say there will be another time when I can take over 80% of my class actively out on the city streets and give a presentation … More Dear Rome,
You are beautiful. Yes, you are chaotic, upsetting, messy, and imperfect; you’re unpredictable, hard to catch. But you are also the most beautifully naturally constructed thing I have ever laid eyes on with people, places, and things that give me the good kind of wrinkles, keep my feet kicking, and throw my soul into … More Dear Crazy World,
I usually thought of you in terms of World Discovery Channel or the latest NASA space findings; something that was a new revelation to the world. But as I’ve walked through the ancient churches of Rome, stumbled upon its mosaics, and identified its ruins, I’ve realized that this eternal city has already been exposed. Though … More Dear (Multiple) Discovery,
Thanks for taking time off work to come visit me. I know 12 hour plane rides aren’t necessarily your favorite nor is having to give up the Queen size bed for mom and I to snuggle. 😉 I have far too nonchalantly broken down my DNA makeup to looking like mom and having your emotional … More Dear Daddy,
When the clock struck midnight I popped a bottle of champagne in front of the Colosseum. Not only am I still confused on if its Coliseum or Colosseum, but I’m also confused on how I’m living in Rome, twenty-one, and living life. Let me try and explain my point of view to you. One, this … More Dear Twenty-First Celebration of Birth,
As I don’t claim to be Catholic, I found myself unfamiliar with your every-Friday-evening-during-lent occurrence. Considering the fact that my newfound best friend from block III is Catholic and that I’m currently in (what I consider) the Catholic capital of the world, I could not pass up the opportunity to experience you in the presence … More Dear Stations of the Cross,
You are probably the most vague essence I have written to yet because you are both literal, referring to the sight that comes from eyeballs, and hypothetical referring to the insight that comes from perspective, backgrounds, and information; vision both external and internal. This weekend I saw some of your best landscape and oceanic forms. … More Dear Views,
I swear when travel is involved your likelihood increases tenfold. Because you’ve happened before in my life, but not as frequently or at least not to the same degree of freak accident. Here’s a quick overview of what I attribute to your doings: Locking my suitcase without knowing the code 2 minutes before leaving to … More Dear Unfortunate Accidents,
Compass 