This trip was incredible. I cannot believe at 21, I was given this incredible opportunity to travel the world and experience so many wonderful cultures and places. When Tai and I decided to go on this trip we decided a flight that long (20 hours to Geneva) warranted a long trip—so a month justified the flight and sounded good to us. We bought the airplane ticket to Europe and made sure it was okay if we stayed with Tai’s friend Gabriella for a couple days when we got there; Gabriella was ready for us and that was the only plan we made before we left America.
I truly believe this trip was successful for 2 reasons.
1. We were open to everything. We were influenced by the people and places around us, and that led our travels. If it was warm in Cannes—book a week there. There is a cheap flight to Rome—let’s do it! Tai has a friend there—on our way. This allowed for us to experience so much; everything happened for a reason. The boats to Capri were cancelled for a day; we got to stay in and experience Amalfi! If we couldn’t find exactly what we were looking for it was because we were meant to find something better—sorry Cannes street market, we might make it to you eventually. Best of all, we now have friends all over the world. We met so many people that were kind and fun and demonstrated some of the most selfless hospitality I have ever known.
2. I had a fabulous travel companion. Ever since we got back, people have asked us over and over, “aren’t you sick of each other??” The answer is no! Tai is one of my best friends and a very positive person. We have very similar mentalities and truly believe everything will work out. There is no need to plan ahead, because the best option will present itself undoubtedly if you give it a chance. We both believe there will be new friends wherever we go and value the friendships made along the way. A lot of this trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help of friendships Tai held prior to this trip. It also helped we had similar goals when starting this trip—find new places, visit someplace special, see everything and as much as possible stay close to the beach and get tan.
Finding new places led us to Talloires, Cannes, and St. Tropez. Tai knew Positano was so special and wanted to return there after staying 3 weeks last year; so this led us to Rome, Naples, Capri, Ravello, Amalfi, and of course Positano. While I know we haven’t seen everything, I feel as if we saw an awful lot; we stayed in places long enough to experience the culture through meeting the locals, tried new food (with the eyes still in it), never turned down an aperitif, and strayed from the beaten tourist path, not to mention mastered shopping in economies across Europe (one day I hope we figure out when the French are supposed to get back from lunch). We did manage to find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world in Cannes and the Amalfi Coast and “took some sun” at all of them.
Everything on this trip was entirely new to me—and I am truly grateful for that. I am so grateful for all of our new friends we met along the way. Guilio, you are the best! And, Alessandra, I am so glad I now have an Italian sister with fabulous taste in handbags and shell rings!
Lastly, thank you, Tai for doing this trip with me. You are truly unique and wonderful; I admire your gracious way with people and your ability to adapt—you are comfortable in a mountain cabin with no electricity and at a five star resort cooking in a bikini. Also, you put up with me for a month, while everyone has seen the packing pictures to know I’m not the most organized of travelers or the neatest of roommates, I loved experiencing every minute of this trip with you, and I’m thankful your presence in my life remains now that we are back.
No comments:
Post a Comment