Just when I thought this voyage would never get here and we'd never see the port of Barcelona, I am now halfway through and quickly approaching the end. It's amazing how much you can miss "home" in different ways. Wanting something familiar to you to be close by, like your own pillow. Or being able to make a quick Target run for the conditioner you're out of and being able to read the ingredients of a brand you don't recognize.
Traveling is both fulfilling and exhausting, all at the same time. The life experiences that come with it are priceless. I find that my thoughts about life and myself change on a daily basis. The events that have occurred over the course of just one month have challenged, confirmed, and questions my beliefs, views of myself and the world, and those around me, all at the same time. Funny how that happens.
I find blogging to be an interesting dynamic. Typing out jumbled thoughts to send into the internet black hole. Wondering who may read, how much to share, and how to put a feeling into typed words. I see why it's so important to blog often. Experiences that I meant to type out now seem like distant thoughts, or they're something I just don't feel like talking about again. Yet to type is to be free. To talk is to vent and let go. To share is to affirm and event or experience.
So with these jumbled thoughts and words I continue on with the last month of travels. Looking forward to home, knowing I will miss the spaces that I am in...but grateful for a journey that will impact me for a lifetime.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Basking in God's Beauty
Those that know me know I'm a highly spiritual person, and my faith is the grounding foundation of my life. It guides how I live my life, how I choose to interact with and treat people, and how I walk in this world.
Now that that's out of the way, I was pondering today how funny and ironic my prayers are often answered. Sometimes they're blatant signs in my face, sometimes they come in dreams, and sometimes they come from a voice in the middle of my thoughts that scares the s**t out of me (yes, spiritual people sometimes use excessive language to emphasize a point). All in all today has been one big prayer answering show, one right after another. Some of the answers I would like to change, some of them I'd rather have a completely different outcome - because of course they're not the answers I wanted. You know how that goes. But through it all I continue to maintain my faith, tranquility, and attempted humbleness as I'm continuously reminded that there is a higher power (whatever it is you may respectively believe) that is listening and watching over me. I'd like to share some of these "answers" with you, the reader, today in hopes that it brings a smile to your face, a positive thought in the midst of a bad day, or just an overall reminder to keep the faith and positivity going. :-)
Reading
I took my favorite daily devotional book with me on this trip: Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer. I haven't opened it as much as I should on this voyage, but today, amid a few rough thoughts, I opened up to this:
Let God Comfort You - 2 Corinthians 1:3
We all want to be accepted, not rejected. But most of us have felt the isolation and emotional pain that come from feeling rejected. It hurts! The good news is that we can do something about it.
Years ago, I reached out to someone who had hurt me greatly during my childhood. Instead of offering an apology, this person blamed me for something that wasn't my fault!
The emotional pain I suffered was intense. I wanted to hide and feel sorry for myself, but I now know how to respond differently. I know how to let God love me, comfort me, and heal me through the power of the Holy Spirit. I asked Him to heal my wounded emotions and enable me to handle the situation as Jesus would have handled it. As I kept turning to Him, I felt almost as though soothing oil was being poured over my wounds.
Maybe my situation sounds familiar to you. It's very hard to be your own comforter, and one of the best things you can do for yourself is to look to god for the comfort you need. Today's verse promises that He is the source of all comfort, consolation, and encouragement. He's the one who can provide them for you.
Love yourself Today: Do you need comfort or consolation? Don't try to take care of it yourself, but go to God and let His healing grace give you everything you need.
Seeing
I sat outside today (solo) for lunch and was amazed by the beauty of my view: the blue ocean, the white clouds, the cities and towns we were passing along the way...and just like that I became relaxed and at peace. I found myself saying a little prayer of gratitude. In that same moment, 2 dolphins popped out of the ocean, jumping up and down through the waves, enjoying themselves as if they had no cares in the world. Yah, I'll take that as a sign. ;-)
Now that that's out of the way, I was pondering today how funny and ironic my prayers are often answered. Sometimes they're blatant signs in my face, sometimes they come in dreams, and sometimes they come from a voice in the middle of my thoughts that scares the s**t out of me (yes, spiritual people sometimes use excessive language to emphasize a point). All in all today has been one big prayer answering show, one right after another. Some of the answers I would like to change, some of them I'd rather have a completely different outcome - because of course they're not the answers I wanted. You know how that goes. But through it all I continue to maintain my faith, tranquility, and attempted humbleness as I'm continuously reminded that there is a higher power (whatever it is you may respectively believe) that is listening and watching over me. I'd like to share some of these "answers" with you, the reader, today in hopes that it brings a smile to your face, a positive thought in the midst of a bad day, or just an overall reminder to keep the faith and positivity going. :-)
Reading
I took my favorite daily devotional book with me on this trip: Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer. I haven't opened it as much as I should on this voyage, but today, amid a few rough thoughts, I opened up to this:
Let God Comfort You - 2 Corinthians 1:3
We all want to be accepted, not rejected. But most of us have felt the isolation and emotional pain that come from feeling rejected. It hurts! The good news is that we can do something about it.
Years ago, I reached out to someone who had hurt me greatly during my childhood. Instead of offering an apology, this person blamed me for something that wasn't my fault!
The emotional pain I suffered was intense. I wanted to hide and feel sorry for myself, but I now know how to respond differently. I know how to let God love me, comfort me, and heal me through the power of the Holy Spirit. I asked Him to heal my wounded emotions and enable me to handle the situation as Jesus would have handled it. As I kept turning to Him, I felt almost as though soothing oil was being poured over my wounds.
Maybe my situation sounds familiar to you. It's very hard to be your own comforter, and one of the best things you can do for yourself is to look to god for the comfort you need. Today's verse promises that He is the source of all comfort, consolation, and encouragement. He's the one who can provide them for you.
Love yourself Today: Do you need comfort or consolation? Don't try to take care of it yourself, but go to God and let His healing grace give you everything you need.
Seeing
I sat outside today (solo) for lunch and was amazed by the beauty of my view: the blue ocean, the white clouds, the cities and towns we were passing along the way...and just like that I became relaxed and at peace. I found myself saying a little prayer of gratitude. In that same moment, 2 dolphins popped out of the ocean, jumping up and down through the waves, enjoying themselves as if they had no cares in the world. Yah, I'll take that as a sign. ;-)
Friday, July 6, 2012
Personal Bucket List. It starts with Napoli...
Before leaving the states I made a pact with myself - I would not come back as the same person that left. This doesn't mean I don't like who I am. I think I'm pretty great actually. But there's always room for growth and development. The minute a person thinks they've reached the infinite point of maturity they need to do some further soul searching....but that's just my opinion.
Naples, Italy (Napoli) is a rough place. Think urban city meets urban city. It's definitely not the beauty of Rome, but it has it's own "charm"...just make sure you don't go out at night by yourself and keep your valuables at home. Considering this place I am currently in I am proud of myself for achieving one of the top goals on my professional growth bucket list: to travel independently. I have always admired the independent traveler - the one who can take off to countries solo and never need a travel partner. The one who can go off on solo excursions with no fear or trepidations. I have many friends that do it all the time. That is definitely not me, but it is someone I aspire to be.
Back in Rome I met two people: one was from Belgium and the other was from New York. They were both traveling independently and had actually met each other in the hostel they were staying at. I remember asking them "How do you do it?" They're response was "Just do it." So here in Napoli I have found myself solo for two days. Yesterday I rode a hop on/hop off bus that took me around the entire city. It's a tour that allows takes you to different sites and you can get off and on as you choose, picking up the next bus as it comes along. I hopped off a couple of times - for gelato and pizza of course. But I did it, in the middle of hood Napoli, by myself! I spent the entire day on that bus. Today was Capri and Anacapri, and again I spent the day alone. And I loved it! I talked to some people along the way, but overall all, I walked the streets alone with a gained confidence I did not have before. It feels good.
I now feel relieved of some of the pressures and anxieties of making travel plans with others with the worry of not having anyone to go with. I feel free to do whatever it is I want to do. Of course, depending on the destination, it's fun to have a travel buddy. But to be reliant on that makes it difficult when it comes down to what's actually going to take place during the trip. I hope that by the end of this voyage I will be fully independent in my reliance on others.
Time for a new goal.....
Naples, Italy (Napoli) is a rough place. Think urban city meets urban city. It's definitely not the beauty of Rome, but it has it's own "charm"...just make sure you don't go out at night by yourself and keep your valuables at home. Considering this place I am currently in I am proud of myself for achieving one of the top goals on my professional growth bucket list: to travel independently. I have always admired the independent traveler - the one who can take off to countries solo and never need a travel partner. The one who can go off on solo excursions with no fear or trepidations. I have many friends that do it all the time. That is definitely not me, but it is someone I aspire to be.
Back in Rome I met two people: one was from Belgium and the other was from New York. They were both traveling independently and had actually met each other in the hostel they were staying at. I remember asking them "How do you do it?" They're response was "Just do it." So here in Napoli I have found myself solo for two days. Yesterday I rode a hop on/hop off bus that took me around the entire city. It's a tour that allows takes you to different sites and you can get off and on as you choose, picking up the next bus as it comes along. I hopped off a couple of times - for gelato and pizza of course. But I did it, in the middle of hood Napoli, by myself! I spent the entire day on that bus. Today was Capri and Anacapri, and again I spent the day alone. And I loved it! I talked to some people along the way, but overall all, I walked the streets alone with a gained confidence I did not have before. It feels good.
I now feel relieved of some of the pressures and anxieties of making travel plans with others with the worry of not having anyone to go with. I feel free to do whatever it is I want to do. Of course, depending on the destination, it's fun to have a travel buddy. But to be reliant on that makes it difficult when it comes down to what's actually going to take place during the trip. I hope that by the end of this voyage I will be fully independent in my reliance on others.
Time for a new goal.....
Capri, Anacapri, and Gaining My Independence
I just got back from the island of Capri and Anacapri. GORGEOUS!!!! I've never seen anything like it. The water is pure blue, and the sky is too.
Definitely worth the trip, which only consists of a quick ferry ride from Napoli. I hope to get some pictures uploaded really so you can share in this amazement. It reminded me of Santa Barbara - a very ritzy area off the coast, small, quiet, full of the walking elite. Shops set up side-by-side included Fendi, Chanel, Salvatore Ferragano...you get the picture. I strayed away from the heavy tourist areas and found myself in a serene, harmonious walk of beauty and peacefulness, a MUCH NEEDED change from the hustle and bustle of quick travel, long days and student life.
I started out with a larger group but found myself wanting to do my own thing, so I ventured out on my own for the rest of the day. I was pretty proud of myself. As independent as I am and people perceive me to be, I'm much more comfortable [in travel] with at least one other person. But going off on my own, I found a small market that had AMAZING nectarines, an old monastery with a somewhat violent history dating back to the Black Plague days, and I found a trail that ended up leading to a cliff side with a gorgeous view. I took pictures, asked people to take pictures of me when needed, got some gelato, ran into folks I knew here and there, and kept going. I had a great time with me, myself, and I. Can't go wrong there. :-)
Definitely worth the trip, which only consists of a quick ferry ride from Napoli. I hope to get some pictures uploaded really so you can share in this amazement. It reminded me of Santa Barbara - a very ritzy area off the coast, small, quiet, full of the walking elite. Shops set up side-by-side included Fendi, Chanel, Salvatore Ferragano...you get the picture. I strayed away from the heavy tourist areas and found myself in a serene, harmonious walk of beauty and peacefulness, a MUCH NEEDED change from the hustle and bustle of quick travel, long days and student life.
I started out with a larger group but found myself wanting to do my own thing, so I ventured out on my own for the rest of the day. I was pretty proud of myself. As independent as I am and people perceive me to be, I'm much more comfortable [in travel] with at least one other person. But going off on my own, I found a small market that had AMAZING nectarines, an old monastery with a somewhat violent history dating back to the Black Plague days, and I found a trail that ended up leading to a cliff side with a gorgeous view. I took pictures, asked people to take pictures of me when needed, got some gelato, ran into folks I knew here and there, and kept going. I had a great time with me, myself, and I. Can't go wrong there. :-)
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Students Say the Darndest Things
I decided to dedicate this post and section of my blog to the randomness of things I overhere living on what I now call "Semester at Sea College Town". It can be quite amusing (and at times tiring) to live amongst students. They say the most random things. I decided to start writing them down. Mind you some this for you as the reader will not have the context that brought tears to my eyes when these were said. But they are amusing nonetheless:
- "What kind of African is Beyonce?"
- This pasta tastes like Chef Boyardee. How did this happen to me?
- [This was said after a cultural pre-port that is used to orient students to a particular country and talk about potential danger] - "What's the best country to get drunk in then?"
When in Rome....Don't Speak Spanish
I've never been in a situation before now where I've traveled outside of the country and couldn't communicate...until now. I am finding myself COMPLETELY outside of my comfort zone, as I don't speak a lick of Italian. Previous to this summer, my travels outside of the US consistently took me to South America, a continent I absolutely love. Though I am not bilingual, I speak a fair amount of Spanish and do not have a problem communicating and getting around. Puedo entender mas que puedo hablar.
I am finding that somehow my mind isn't comprehending the fact that Spanish is not universal and is not secondary means to someone who doesn't speak English. "Parla inglese?" I ask them. They say say no, and automatically I start asking questions in Spanish. Their response - a blank and confused stare. My response - an "oops" moment. It's quite hilarious actually when this scene plays out in real time.
I've even found great joy in running into Spanish tourists here in Italy and being able to have a full blown conversations. Funny how that works. Two "foreigners" from two completely different countries bonded over language.
This should make Croatia very interesting........
Monday, July 2, 2012
Espana y Italia
It's difficult keeping a blog without consistent, reliable WiFi. I feel like I'm writing novels of what I consider adventures when it could be ramblings of shenanigans by the blog reader. But oh well, here goes. :-)
Spain
Barcelona was GORGEOUS! I loved the city and can see myself living there. Because it's a developed country at times it didn't feel like being in another country. It was more like traveling through Chicago. But that's exactly why I do not like being in the touristy spots when I travel to other countries. It removes the the authenticity, the excitement that comes from finding your way around, attempting the language, and interacting with the people that actually live there. So side street exploring I went. And it was AWESOME!
I toured Barcelona by bike. Best idea ever. I was able to see so much without having to actually walk! Lol - But in all seriousness I highly recommend it. It's a great way to see parts of the city you may not normally be able to see. We ended up at a beach....half nude half not. The surprising part was not the topless women...but who actually chose to be topless. Boobies at the knees was the theme. Personally I admire folks that can let it all out without caring what other folks think. We're often so consumed with body image and being in "perfect" shape that we don't take the time to live. BUT I kept my clothes on. :)
So much history in Spain. Walking through the streets imagining the architecture hundreds of years ago. Seeing the old castles of the kings and queens of ancient Spain. The US doesn't have this kind of history in the same context. It's pretty amazing, and I'm not a history buff. I was able to view structures and art created by Gaudi - a man insane in his own right, but I guess you would have to be to create the architecture that he did.
I will say I'm not a huge fan of Spanish food. It's just not my cup of tea. I'm learning I'm not a big seafood buff (as I thought I once was) so I stayed clear of the paella, and I don't eat a lot of meat in general, especially pork (which is a stable meat of their diet). Because of this options were somewhat limited. I do enjoy Croquettas. The best way to describe it is it's like a potato ball at Porto's Bakery. They can be filled with a number of different things.
Overnight....ITALY
Italy sprang up on me quicker than I expected. We were in Spain for 4 days, one of those in which I was confined to the ship due to a bronchial infection (which I'm still on antibiotics for). We left on the 30th of June and arrived in Italy on July 2. Insanely crazy and an indication how the rest of the voyage is going to go.
Today I spent the day in Rome. Rome, Italy. Wow, I cannot believe I'm here and I can say that. The unfortunate part was it was 104 degrees today, so walking the streets this morning was close to unbearable. Literally dripping sweat waiting in lines to see historical sites was not amusing. But it was worth it. Today I went to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, multiple plazas, the Spanish Stairs, and walked through old neighborhoods.
Rome is gorgeous! I admittedly wasn't impressed before. Rows and rows of tourist-filled streets lined with street peddlers selling the latest Prada knock-offs. But then you get lost in the architectural-filled alleys with locals sipping on wine as they converse away about the daily happenings. Oh how I loved it!
Rome is a pretty big city, so I definitely could not see myself living there, but I am hoping to go again before I leave. Our port is in Civitavechiaa, which is a good 1.5 hours by train to Rome. I'm on call tomorrow, meaning I cannot leave the ship for 24 hours. I still have yet to see the Colosseum. It's on my "must see before leaving Rome" list, along with St. Peter's Basilica...although I'm not sure if that will happen. I hope to go back on Day 3 before we head to Naples, Italy.
One thing is quite clear.
No matter how old I am or how many times I have traveled it's always the same. You learn SO much of yourself when you're removed from your comfort zone, "isolated" from your friends and family, and out of the country. I've had so much time to think, and not because I'm not busy, but because I'm actually in a space where I'm not connected to my phone, I'm away from the stress of my job, and I am by myself (not negating the friends I have here but you know what I mean). Things start becoming clear. People that you once thought had precedence in your life you realize you've been wasting your time on. Missing the people that actually matter and wishing they were here to share these experiences. Thinking about life's next steps and setting up new goals. My mind has been going a mile a minute, yet at a pace that has allowed me to really think about what I want. I was admittedly taken a back by it at first. I never really have time to think and I kind of like it that way. But then you realize you don't really deal with anything and it gets pushed to the bottom of the "to-do" pile. Overall this trip has proven so far (in the short time I've been gone) to be great for my personal and professional development. And it's only just beginning........
Spain
Barcelona was GORGEOUS! I loved the city and can see myself living there. Because it's a developed country at times it didn't feel like being in another country. It was more like traveling through Chicago. But that's exactly why I do not like being in the touristy spots when I travel to other countries. It removes the the authenticity, the excitement that comes from finding your way around, attempting the language, and interacting with the people that actually live there. So side street exploring I went. And it was AWESOME!
I toured Barcelona by bike. Best idea ever. I was able to see so much without having to actually walk! Lol - But in all seriousness I highly recommend it. It's a great way to see parts of the city you may not normally be able to see. We ended up at a beach....half nude half not. The surprising part was not the topless women...but who actually chose to be topless. Boobies at the knees was the theme. Personally I admire folks that can let it all out without caring what other folks think. We're often so consumed with body image and being in "perfect" shape that we don't take the time to live. BUT I kept my clothes on. :)
So much history in Spain. Walking through the streets imagining the architecture hundreds of years ago. Seeing the old castles of the kings and queens of ancient Spain. The US doesn't have this kind of history in the same context. It's pretty amazing, and I'm not a history buff. I was able to view structures and art created by Gaudi - a man insane in his own right, but I guess you would have to be to create the architecture that he did.
I will say I'm not a huge fan of Spanish food. It's just not my cup of tea. I'm learning I'm not a big seafood buff (as I thought I once was) so I stayed clear of the paella, and I don't eat a lot of meat in general, especially pork (which is a stable meat of their diet). Because of this options were somewhat limited. I do enjoy Croquettas. The best way to describe it is it's like a potato ball at Porto's Bakery. They can be filled with a number of different things.
Overnight....ITALY
Italy sprang up on me quicker than I expected. We were in Spain for 4 days, one of those in which I was confined to the ship due to a bronchial infection (which I'm still on antibiotics for). We left on the 30th of June and arrived in Italy on July 2. Insanely crazy and an indication how the rest of the voyage is going to go.
Today I spent the day in Rome. Rome, Italy. Wow, I cannot believe I'm here and I can say that. The unfortunate part was it was 104 degrees today, so walking the streets this morning was close to unbearable. Literally dripping sweat waiting in lines to see historical sites was not amusing. But it was worth it. Today I went to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, multiple plazas, the Spanish Stairs, and walked through old neighborhoods.
Rome is gorgeous! I admittedly wasn't impressed before. Rows and rows of tourist-filled streets lined with street peddlers selling the latest Prada knock-offs. But then you get lost in the architectural-filled alleys with locals sipping on wine as they converse away about the daily happenings. Oh how I loved it!
Rome is a pretty big city, so I definitely could not see myself living there, but I am hoping to go again before I leave. Our port is in Civitavechiaa, which is a good 1.5 hours by train to Rome. I'm on call tomorrow, meaning I cannot leave the ship for 24 hours. I still have yet to see the Colosseum. It's on my "must see before leaving Rome" list, along with St. Peter's Basilica...although I'm not sure if that will happen. I hope to go back on Day 3 before we head to Naples, Italy.
One thing is quite clear.
No matter how old I am or how many times I have traveled it's always the same. You learn SO much of yourself when you're removed from your comfort zone, "isolated" from your friends and family, and out of the country. I've had so much time to think, and not because I'm not busy, but because I'm actually in a space where I'm not connected to my phone, I'm away from the stress of my job, and I am by myself (not negating the friends I have here but you know what I mean). Things start becoming clear. People that you once thought had precedence in your life you realize you've been wasting your time on. Missing the people that actually matter and wishing they were here to share these experiences. Thinking about life's next steps and setting up new goals. My mind has been going a mile a minute, yet at a pace that has allowed me to really think about what I want. I was admittedly taken a back by it at first. I never really have time to think and I kind of like it that way. But then you realize you don't really deal with anything and it gets pushed to the bottom of the "to-do" pile. Overall this trip has proven so far (in the short time I've been gone) to be great for my personal and professional development. And it's only just beginning........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)