Europes best kept secret

Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I will be back with my friends and family is a dozen days. Guess time really does fly when you're having fun...too much fun. I am looking forward to seeing my dog and having my bed back, I forgot what it is like to sleep on a bed and not have half your leg be hanging off.

So far every trip I've gone on has been amazing in some way but this past weekend was by far the most beautiful place I've ever been. This past weekend we went to the coast of Croatia also known as "Europe's best kept secret." Going into the trip I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was pleasantly   surprised. The first day we went white water rafting through a mountain. Was incredible..half way through the river it started down pouring and storming but we continued on anyways because there really isn't a safe place to go when you are in the middle of the no where. Luckily the storm only lasted about 20 minutes and the sun came back out. We stopped at one point along the river and were able to jump off a 25 foot cliff!

Saturday we hiked up to the top of the town we stayed in Split and saw incredible views of the whole city and the Adriatic Sea.

 Sunday could not have been more amazing. We went to KrKa national park, blew any other national park out of the water. We only walked part of the part but what we did was a 2km wooden path that walked through the waterfalls..pictures don't do justice.

Weird to think the next country I will be in will be usa. With these next 12 days I plan on eating as much gelato and Italian food i can handle. Wednesday I am going to see the blessing by the pope at the Vatican..very excited! Since I've been in roma my roommate, Karlee and I have taken up belly dancing class this Thursday is our final performance!  




SEE YOU SOON!

Slow Down

It's weird to think that exactly 3 months ago I was home struggling to fit my life into a suitcase under 50 pounds. At the time I had so many mixed emotions I was excited to travel to a new country but also nervous that what if study abroad wasn't for me. Now on my last three weeks in Rome where I now call home I am having all those same feelings about returning to the United States. I never though I would become so attached to a place so far away from home. Study Abroad has hands down been the best months of my life, I've traveled to incredible places and made life long memories with some amazing new friends. For me, my time abroad has opened my mind, gave me self-confidence, and taught me to relax and go with the flow. If I could go back I wouldn't do anything different I believe I have made the most of every minute from the time I left my Dad in the airport in January. Since being here study abroad has made me so appreciative of everything I have, spending time in many other countries that are so less fortunate from my life back home has been an eye opening experience. I am so lucky to have such incredible parents to support me in this great experience in studying in Italy when themselves get nothing more out of it more than reading this blog.

I truly believe that if you study abroad (anywhere really) it will be the best experience of your life. Indisputably, top 5 at least. Arguably, top 3. Perhaps marriage and kids will top this… but at my young age, I simply don’t see life getting much better.

I have recently stumbled upon my new found love in Rome, Villa Doria Pamphili Park. It is located right up the hill from where I live and is the largest park in Rome. Its incredible how many acre of rolling green grass and trees are located their right near the crazy jam packed center of Roma. Morning, noon, or night – the scene is absolutely breathtaking in every sense of the word and refuses to get old. I find it relaxing and enjoyable to run through the park or even just sit on my blanket and read a book.

Roma is very large and international city, but the more I walk around and explore the smaller it feels. It still seems unreal to me that for the past months I've been living with Vatican City a short 10 minute walk to my left and with the Colosseum 15 minutes to my right.

Last weekend we traveled to Corfu, Greece for Easter Break. Was defiantly a change of pace from the other vacations we have been having but it was nice to have a relaxing trip. The weather worked out in our favor and the views were unreal. The hostel we booked ended up being full so we got put into a hotel like resort for the same price..safe to say we got a little lucky. 

On my final weeks here I plan to breathe in a little deeper, walk a little slower and keep my eyes wide open to make the most of every moment I have left!

                                              The best girl friends I could have asked for

Spring Break!

Hola!! Hands down one of the best weeks of my life!

We started spring break off with a bang in MOROCCO. We stayed in Tangier, Morocco in a 5 star hotel..felt like heaven compared to all the hostels we've been staying in. The first town we went to visit was Tetouan that was a great eye opening experience. It was fascinating to see how the people in this town make do with everything they have (or don't have for that matter). We walked through the meat and fish market where they were killing chickens and selling them right in front of you..thought for a second I was going to pass out. Next we saw the tanning house me being naive thought it would be people laying outside..nope it was where they skinned the animals and made fur and leather. While walking through the market I was volunteered to get dressed up like a Moroccan women in a haik, gave everyone a good laugh i'm sure you can tell.

 My roommate, Jenna, about to also pass out from the smell of all the dead animals

Thought I was going to turn into couscous by the end of the trip since that was about all we ate while in Morocco. I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the meals. 

After exploring the town we headed back to the water where we went inside The caves of Hercules! Such an incredible view. Also the point where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet! Only downfall of visiting the caves was that I had to pay 50 euro cents to use the bathroom there. Usually wouldn't care but what they consider the "bathroom" was literally a hole in the ground outside. oh well you win some you lose some

Best part of the trip comes next...GOT TO RIDE CAMELS ALONG THE BEACH! Was perfect riding along the ocean watching the sun set with best friends. 

Sunday we visited Chefchaouen another village in Morocco that is located in the Mountains. All the houses in the village are painted blue to help keep the homes cooler in the dead heat of summer. We ate lunch at a Lebanese restaurant called Casa Aladdin, looked exactly like something out of the movie. After lunch we went to a factory and saw all the famous Moroccan oils and spices.

 

Next stop: SEVILLE, SPAIN. I feel in love with Seville, the city was so clean and gave off such a happy vibe. I wish we spent more than just two days in Seville but I am already looking forward to going back. 

 Excellent Spanish Piaya! yummm

 Had a picnic along the river

 Can't go to spain without trying Churros.

Plaza de Espana! 

Rented a row boat and rowed down the Guadalquivir river!

Lastly Barcelona!!

Sagrada Familia, Church designed to make you feel like you are in a Forrest:

 At Park Guell:

 

St Joseph market best fresh fruit:

 Olympic Stadium from 1992!

 Rented bikes for the day and cruised up to the top of Barcelona

 Last day relaxing on the beach

 

Last year for spring break I had trouble packing for 7 days in a bag under 50 pounds. How things have changed, its safe to say I got use out of everything I packed in my backpack for 10 days. Made some memories I will never forget this past week. Our next trip is to Greece for Easter weekend! Feel like I have to be setting some kind of record for most vacations in 4 months. Also while updating this blog I finished my second jar of peanut butter. Now back to reading The hunger games, bummer that the movie didn't come out this weekend here in Rome. Until next time!

Ciao!