But I feel like the changes I go through here are changing me drastically as a person- they aren't just changes pertaining to lifestyle. I remember writing in my journal a few years ago on January 1st, wondering what changes the year would bring. Now that I'm past that time in my life, I know exactly what changes were in store for me because I've already been through them. And I can't help but wonder where I'll be another two years from now, reflecting on that one time in early 2010 when I was wondering what life had in store for me next. Life's funny that way- we can try to plan and micromanage but life will always find a way to interfere with those plans. Almost as if to keep us in check.
Poland finished with a "bang"- Krakow was an adventure all by itself; probably my favorite trip I've taken yet. The people I met were awesome- right away in my hostel room I met three australians who I went out with that night, and later on met another aussie and a few americans. I don't know if it was the fact that we were all in Poland, pretty much traveling by ourselves or if it's just because we all clicked as people; but we all had fun just hanging out and listening to each other's stories. Mischief definitely found me in Krakow, I'll just leave it at that.
It's always nice to meet people you get along well with- one of the people I met in Krakow came to visit for a week. It was definitely a welcomed visit, as my family left on the 2nd and having him here helped to keep the homesickness at bay. I didn't realize how much I missed them until they had come and gone! I remember saying goodbye to them at the airport in Spain; I felt sad (like I had expected to) but not completely heartbroken. And then when I got into Rome it hit me like a sack of bricks- I was on the train to the Termini station to catch another train back to Florence, and I started sobbing my eyes out like there was no tomorrow. I had already made a complete fool of myself- when I got on the train I put my purse on the seat and tried to lift my 50 pound bag up onto the overhead compartment which I'm sure must have looked ridiculous. My purse then (for whatever reason) fell off the seat and my $1,000 Nikon camera fell out and the lens flew across the floor. I (trying to appear calm and cool) collected my camera (which thankfully didn't break permanently) and reached into my purse to get a pen. I had both hands in my bag, digging around for my pen when I felt something wet- I pulled out my hands and found out that my pen had completely exploded over everything. No, not leaked, I mean EXPLODED. My hands were completely black, soaked in ink, and I was getting ink all over my bag and my clothes and my camera...a girl sitting across from me, chuckling, asked me if I wanted a handy wipe. Thank god!
It was about this time that I started sobbing- thank goodness people had the sense to look away as a dirty, weary, frazzled traveler with ink all over her face and hands sobbed her eyes out for her mommy.
Maybe I'm not as much of an adult as I thought?
But anyway, we finally got to the termini station, I went into the bathroom stall (after having the bathroom attendant yell at me for not having the exact .80 eurocents for the bathroom- I only had a 1 euro coin instead), pulled myself together, and caught a train back to Florence.
I think things will get easier as I get into the swing of things again- starting school and keeping busy will help me realize that it won't be as hard as I think to last another 6 months out here.
I also just booked my trip to Ireland with Rosie in April and we're still planning trips to Switzerland, England, and god knows where else. Not necessarily in that order. That definitely helps keep the nostalgia away!
And I had pizza for dinner tonight.
So now you're completely caught up to where I'm at right now!
Ciao for now.
Just so you know, there is nothing shameful in crying for one's mommy! Just keep in mind that one's mommy is at the same moment missing you desperately. Together, we can keep each other strong! I love you my wonderful daughter!
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