Well, I’ve officially been living in Los Angeles for almost two months now, and it sure has been busy! My time since arriving in mid-May has been fun, difficult, surprising and a plethora of other descriptors. The fact that I’m only just now getting a chance to blog speaks to just how busy I’ve been, but it’s truly been a great experience thus far. I’ve somehow managed to balance work, school and fun — and I must say, I’m “adulting” pretty well! Keep reading to hear more about my transition to living in a big city and starting graduate school, and all the other experiences I’ve had along the way!

After driving across the country from Alabama to California in seven days, I was incredibly tired (read more about that trip here). I had about three days to settle into my new dorm and get myself ready for orientation. I took those days to unpack, get groceries and more than anything just sleep and relax before I got thrown into my accelerated 1-year master’s degree program.

In those moments of relaxation, I found myself very confused because my emotions were all over the place. I was excited, but at the same time sad, stressed, but yet relaxed. I hadn’t had much time to just process all that I was doing. I had just graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with honors, and I got to relish in that moment with family and friends. I had just moved to Los Angeles and seen some amazing natural wonders along the way which really filled my spirit and huge interest in traveling. I was about to start the pursuit of a Master of Science in Marketing degree at the accredited University of Southern California. But at the same time, I had just uprooted my entire life and moved away from the majority of my friends and essentially all of my family members as they predominantly live in the southeast. I was nervous about starting such a rigorous academic opportunity. And while my best friend, Chloe (pictured above in the title image), lives in LA, I was worried about the process of making new friends.

I was in all all senses of the phrase, out of my comfort zone. But, I realized that growth comes from being uncomfortable, and I decided to completely fall into that mindset and focus on all of the opportunities presented in front of me. And so, my incredible next two months began.

I walked into orientation with confidence on my side. For those that know me personally, I dealt with social anxiety during my undergraduate career and while it didn’t inhibit me from making close friends and building relationships, it did limit how socially active I was and I wanted to make a conscious effort to do better this time around. I introduced myself to others, talked with all kind of different students and allowed my true personality to shine through much earlier than I usually would. I walked into orientation a bit nervous that my colleagues would be incredibly competitive and cut-throat, but I left orientation with such reassurance in my choice of USC. I even went to happy hour with a few of my classmates afterwards to wind down from our long 9-hour day!

Following orientation, I only continued to build relationships with all of my classmates and in the first few weeks we had gotten closer than I could have even imagined. I was also able to connect with Chloe and she helped to acclimate me to my new life. She gave me a tour around campus and gave me a guide for places to visit, eat and overall just good advice for living in the city. We even went to Las Vegas with a few of her friends for Memorial Day weekend and I was able to make even more friends! She’s been super helpful and has certainly kept me on my toes. Whether it’s chill wine nights, parties downtown after class, celebrity-hosted parties in Beverly Hills or brunch and mimosas, she’s certainly helped me to de-stress with some fun.

On a less fun note, school has been quite tiresome. Grad school is no joke, but nothing good comes easy. I’m currently taking 4 classes as a full time student: Communications for Management, Business Analytics, Consumer Behavior and Marketing Management. All are difficult and require hours on hours of work, but they are challenging me and are incredibly valuable. I’ve learned how to use data processing software, prepare case studies, perform integrated strategic marketing plans and even how to better network with others. I’m building connections with my class mates, my professors and business leaders who I aspire to be like and it honestly feels amazing.

The last aspect of my life that is time consuming but incredibly relevant is work. LA is not cheap, and it is even more expensive since I’m transitioning from living in Alabama for the last 4 years. So, I needed to find a means of income just to support daily life. I applied for every food and grocery delivery service you can think of, and even some interesting ones like Saucey which delivers alcohol. Since LA is such a large city, that market was already saturated and most didn’t have open positions. So, I turned to dog sitting and walking. After background checks and testimonials from friends and family, I began taking care of pups through Rover and Wag. Its a decent gig since I get to hang out and walk cute dogs in my spare time, but it can sometimes be frustrating. You have to drive to each dog, and as everyone knows, LA traffic is terrible. I learned that on my first day of living in the city and because of that it can be difficult to get to some dogs in a reasonable amount of time for what it’s worth. As well, while most of the dogs I’ve walked have been great, some are more anxious than other, some live in areas that aren’t great for them and some don’t even like walking! It requires a lot of patience, but you really never know what you’re in for. Nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed hanging out with some doggies, especially since I’m thousands of miles away from my own, and it’s nice to make some extra money while doing it!

I also applied for and and was chosen to be one of three graduate assistants for the program! The three of us have created a plan to market the program through social media, blog content and website updates. That opportunity is proving to be a great way to get to know the program leaders well, and it helps me, my cohort and prospective students stay up to date and informed about all that the program does and has to offer.

To top off my California experience, I experienced my first earthquake — or rather earthquakes! Over the July 4th weekend I was dog sitting in West Hollywood when the bed I was laying on began to sway back and forth. The dogs of course jumped up and started barking, and me being oblivious assumed that the motion was from some intense construction going on at the house next door. It wasn’t until 40 minutes later when I checked my social media and saw my friends posting about it that I realized it was an earthquake! It wasn’t what I imagined since it was much more fluid than abrupt and it really just felt like I was on a boat that was rocking on the waves. It wasn’t until the next day when an even stronger earthquake hit that I was really shook up ... literally! This time it was much more abrupt, and it lasted incredibly long relative to the first. While there was no damage I did feel incredibly dizzy after and I actually got a headache from the motion of it all. It was at that point that I realized how scary they are and that simply googling what to do in an earthquake and not reading any of the information (like I did the first time) wasn’t going to help me.

​So, my first two months of living in Los Angeles have been great! I’ve road-tripped to Las Vegas, had an authentic Korean barbecue experience with my classmates, bar hopped in West Hollywood for PRIDE, seen celebrities like Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, JR Smith, John Wall, Jacques and Dreezy in Beverly Hills, and so much more. Even now as I write this, I’m realizing just how many amazing memories I have already made. Sure I’ve had some ups and downs, but the good far outweighs the bad and I’m more excited for the future than ever before!

After graduating from The University of Alabama this past May, I made the decision to pursue a Master's of Science in Marketing degree at the University of Southern California. The program was set to start a whopping 2 weeks after my undergraduate graduation, so I had to get myself, most of my belongings and my car from Birmingham, Alabama to Los Angeles California -- and quick! Realizing that I probably wouldn't have a chance to take a cross country road trip anytime soon, I decided to make a real event of it. So, I grabbed a friend, packed my car and set out for Los Angeles with stops like Hot Springs, Arkansas and the Grand Canyon along the way!

I spaced out my trip over 7 so that I could make the most out of the trip and see as much as possible. Over the week, my friend Brenda and I traveled through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and finally California (and in that order). It was a convoluted and long route but it allowed me to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. I definitely found some hidden treasures along the way and hopefully whoever is reading this can take their own trip to see and experience for themselves!

I had my friend Brenda meet me in Birmingham, and just three days after graduating from college I was on my way! Our first stop was Hot Springs, Arkansas. I'm sure you're wondering, what's in Hot Springs, Arkansas? Honestly, its just a quaint town and it was a perfect resting point between Birmingham and Tulsa. But, I must say, Hot Springs surprised me! We arrived around early evening and by that point it was too late to visit the actual hot springs. Although, I wasn't too disappointed about that, seeing as my expectations were quite high as just a few months previously I had lounged in thermal baths in Budapest, Hungary and swam in natural hot springs in Santorini, Greece. Nonetheless, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then made our way to our Airbnb. Our Airbnb host was absolutely amazing, incredibly hospitable and super helpful in making our short stay worthwhile (If you ever find yourself in Hot Springs, make sure to book your stay with Shannon)! He told us about a beach nearby where we could watch the sunset, and though we didn't find the beach, we stumbled upon a lakeside area within the village that took our breath away. While we were watching the sunset, the locals were fishing and sparked up a nice conversation with us -- they were some of the kindest and most genuine people I'd met! After the sun fully set, we headed back to our Airbnb to get a good nights rest before our drive to Tulsa, Oklahoma in the morning.

The next morning we headed on our way to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tulsa is actually where my dad grew up! It is also where my Uncle Jimmy, his wife Stephanie and my cousin Hope live. My family is so spread out, and living in New York for the majority of my life didn't make it an easier to visit family. So, I was long overdue for a reunion, especially with my Aunt Stephanie who I had not see since I was basically a toddler. We spent a few days in Tulsa and I was able to not only bond with my family but see the plaque commemorating my grandfather's store on Black Wall Street, experience the interactive and innovative ahha Tulsa Museum, and also enjoy lots of deliciously unhealthy food! It was a great stay and I wish I could've stayed even longer.

On Friday morning we left for Amarillo, Texas. Again, you might ask, what's in Amarillo, Texas? well, there's a monument/art exhibit/pit stop location called Cadillac Ranch there. The name is pretty literal, it's just Cadillacs that are planted into the ground and covered in spray paint. I really don't know the origins of it, if there's any meaning to it, or really any information about it other than that it was another good midpoint location to stop at before heading to my next destination. Being that it had rained the past couple of days in Amarillo, the muddy clay leading up to the Cadillacs was definitely an adventure as Brenda slipped all over trying not to fall. If you know me personally, you know how clumsy I am, and it was a proud moment for me that I managed to keep my balance the whole time! We took a few pictures in front of the Cadillacs, tip-toed back to the car and went to our Airbnb to rest. This Airbnb was quite nice too! It was called Sadie's getaway (Sadie being the owner's sweet and laid-back dog) and the host, Nick, had great tips on things to do and places to eat. If you find yourself traveling to Amarillo, book with Nick!

After spending the night in Amarillo, we head to my most highly anticipated stop, the White Sands National Monument. Located in Alamogordo New Mexico, we had quite a drive from the northern tip of Texas. But, it was more than worth it because the endless dunes of white sand cascading of into the horizon was one of the most tranquil and jaw-dropping views. Brenda and I made sure to take full advantage of the beautiful landscape, but more than anything we just sat and marveled at how beautiful this world is. While it is an incredibly peaceful location, there's also a lot of opportunity for fun as you can actually sled down the dunes! Unfortunately we didn't have enough time (or actual sleds) to do so but I definitely plan on making my way back at some point in my life. In fact, the park closes at dusk and after watching the sunset, we had to run back to our car in order to get out of the park on time!

After leaving the park, we checked into our hotel and headed to get some food. To our surprise, there was actually a fair going on as we were driving to our chosen restaurant, so we stopped for a minute to watch the bright, colorful lights shine and get a whiff of all the carnival food. Again, unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to enjoy it all since it was closing very shortly after we arrived. Nonetheless, we got our dinner, headed back to the hotel and prepared for an even longer drive to Kanab, Utah in the morning.

After a full day of driving, we made it to our Airbnb late in the evening and it was once again an incredibly pleasant experience. Our hosts, , had our UK inspired room ready with treats and a personalized welcome sign. Not to mention, the house was absolutely beautiful! Again we were checked in and checked out in a short span of time, and I didn't get a chance to meet either of our hosts. But I did get a chance to say hello to their donkeys in the back field before we headed out for our hike. The reason for being in Kanab, Utah was to hike the Wire Pass Trail along the Buckskin Gulch. When I was doing my research for places to visit in the mid-west, the Antelope Canyons immediately popped up. They are absolutely gorgeous (look it up, i'm not lying), but also incredibly popular and a bit out of my price range. So, as the innovative broke college student that I am, I found a cheaper and more convenient alternative. Buckskin Gulch is a slot canyon, and as it narrows, it mimics the Antelope Canyons as the light reflects against the clay walls and it showcases the beauty of nature. It's a short and easy hike from the Wire Pass Trail to enter the canyon, and it's easily one of the hidden treasures of the midwest.

Following our short hike, we drove a few hours to our long awaited stop, the Grand Canyon! We made it around late afternoon and we had time to drive through a few of the main lookout points before settling into one spot to watch the sunset. My dad told me that when I got there and just saw it I would understand why the Grand Canyon is such a national treasure. And he was right! It is certainly grand! it's almost unbelievable how beautiful nature can be, and I really didn't think id be as impressed with a huge whole in the ground as I was! If I could have only made one stop on my trip, I would have been more than satisfied if thats all I was able to see.

Following the breathtaking view of the grand Canyon, we spent the night in Flagstaff and in the morning we made our way to our final destination. After being on the road for 7 days, LA seemed like it was just around the corner. A few of hours later, and we made it! My long journey came to an end as I checked into my dorm and began to unpack. Though it has taken me a while to write this blog (grad school id really keeping me busy), the memories of this trip are still as fresh as ever. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to make it Los Angeles from Birmingham safely, that I was able to create so many new memories with my friend Brenda and that I was able to experience and see so much of America's treasures. While I hope to not be on as long of a road trip anytime soon, I can't wait to continue exploring my new home Los Angeles, and truly all that this world has to offer!

A large part of my identity is that I am a Black woman. I take pride in that, but I’m also very aware of my identity at all times. I wasn’t sure how that would combine with my study abroad experience, but I learned a lot about myself, and others, throughout the process.

I studied abroad through Academic Programs International (API) in the Fall of 2018 in Florence, Italy. Coming from the University of Alabama, I already understood how my identity impacted me at home, but I wondered how it would change in this new foreign country. I’m typically an optimistic person, and that did not change in this instance. In fact, I did little research surrounding Italian’s cultural views on women and African Americans. I’d been told by friends that Italians love Black women and that was enough for me to not be concerned.
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And I had an amazing time studying abroad in Italy! But there were certain instances where my race came into play that are worth mentioning. 

For one, I was the only Black person in my study abroad program. The group was mostly Caucasian women with a few Hispanic and Asian women as well. This wasn’t a huge problem for me, as I am very much used to being in these types of situations. But, this definitely speaks to the lack of diversity in many study abroad programs and it sparked my interest in advocating for such experiences for all.

While I was never discriminated against or treated differently by any of my fellow students, my blackness and womanhood often came into play while walking the streets of Italy. Most of the people I interacted with were able to tell that I was American once I opened my mouth and spoke and that identity became more prevalent that any other as I was deemed a tourist. But for those who did not hear me speak, a question of my identity was often brought up. While walking through the streets to class, vendors and salespeople would often call at me specifically to get my attention. They would say things like “Africa? Ethiopia? Somalia?” or any other African country they could name in an attempt to learn where I was from. In the beginning I would retort back, “American,” but I soon found it was easier to just ignore them since they were really just trying to get me to buy their products. Once, someone even called me Beyoncé, to which I was flattered, but also annoyed at the generalization because I truly look nothing like Beyoncé.

Honestly, this was more of an annoyance than anything else, as I have been catcalled before in America and this was just another version of that. It was interesting to see my friends’ reactions when they witnessed it. A few of them got really upset that this was happening and wanted to find a way to show those individuals what they were doing was very ignorant. But, as someone who has experienced real racism in America, these subtle passes of ignorance were relatively harmless to me.

Another relevant factor in my experience is the current political climate of Italy. While I was there, the country was dealing with an overflow of refugees from African countries and this had sparked a sort of negative image towards Black people. So, it’s no wonder why I got a few dirty looks or long stares, but the overall tone was much less tense than I imagined. One of my professors actually told us about an incident where a refugee had been murdered by an Italian man for ultimately no reason and the subsequent uproar it caused among refugees. There was great tension during that period of mourning, but she expressed that many Italians did not have prejudices against Black people and that greatly aligned with my experience.

My experience outside of Italy was even more stress-free. I traveled to 13 countries and over 20 cities while studying abroad, and I can’t recount any other instances where my identity played a role in a negative experience of mine. In fact, I was almost as unaware of my identity while traveling as I ever have been. There were even comforting moments like when I was traveling through Paris and stumbled upon a district full of other Black people advertising hair braiding and barber services. Frankly, I hadn’t seen that many people that looked like me in a long time and that was an exciting and heartwarming coincidence for me.

Also, speaking of hair care, that was a big concern for me as I prepared for my time abroad. As someone who spends a great amount of time, money and effort on maintaining my hair and skincare, a lot of my suitcase was devoted to these products. But I probably should have done more research beforehand because shortly after arriving, I stumbled upon a few city blocks owned by Black people and catered toward Black people. I was able to find a hair braider, natural hair care products, African food, and so much more within Florence and it not only made my experience easier but spoke to the growing trend of diversity and inclusion throughout the world. In fact, there was a great bit of diversity with many Asian restaurants and even a section of Florence called China Town!

Likewise, most interactions surrounding my race dealt more with intrigue and curiosity than hatred. I spoke to a few Italian students regularly while in Florence, and they were always very interested in learning about my experience in America and my different perspective. As well, by the end of my trip, my Italian sounded fairly authentic and strangers simply assumed that I was Italian, like them. The direction of the world is leaning towards greater inclusivity and understanding, and my study abroad experience for the most part affirms that.

Unfortunately, there is no real way to avoid being discriminated against, and luckily, I did not have to deal with any prevalent and impactful racially motivated incidents, but simply being aware of that possibility is important. Of course, being aware of your race in America is common place for most, but there are other countries that are far more progressive in their stance on diversity and many that are far less accepting. Being aware of all this can be incredibly helpful when planning a trip abroad, and in this way you can get the most out of your experience, just as I did. 

My time abroad has come to an end! Nearly 4 months spent in Italy and I am feeling more than blessed. I visited 12 different countries and around 20 cities during my time abroad, and all while immersing myself in Florentine culture. Truly, I couldn't have picked a better city to study abroad in. 

Since I have given you all plenty of reading material throughout the semester, I'll keep this post pretty short. Florence is always going to be like home to me. Living there for 4 months will do that. Walking to class with incredible monuments such as the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery became a part of my daily routine. In fact, it wasn't until November that I actually got to explore the tourist attractions of the city. I climbed the Duomo and was able to see all of Florence. I visited the Academia Gallery and saw the statue of David. I even walked through Palazzo Vecchio where members of the Medici family temporary lived! 

While seeing these amazing and historical sites was surely a great experience, even more meaningful was just engaging with Italians during ordinary life. Walking into a local shop and greeting employees by saying, "buongiorno!" is something that I'll miss. Even struggling to have a conversation in Italian while locals kindly help me along is something I'll treasure forever. My kind teachers helping me along with assignments, particularly my oil painting professor guiding me through my paintings, is unforgettable. Truly, the memories I have made will live on with me forever. I experienced so many different cultures, and further opened my mind to differing perspectives. My outlook is now more diverse and understanding and I truly can't wait to explore the rest of this world!

Talk to you soon!

To finish out my semester full of travels, I headed to Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg to get a deeper taste of east-European culture. Having visited Berlin earlier in the semester, and knowing how great of an experience I had there, I was sure that Hungary and Austria would be great! My friends and I planned the trip for the last weekend in November, in order for us to also visit the famous Christmas markets in Austria. So, we made our way on our cold, yet exciting, trip!
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I was incredibly excited for this last trip of mine. However, there were a few circumstances that lessened that excitement. For one, I did not have a winter jacket, as I left it in America so as to not waste weight and space in my suitcase. I had been narrowly getting by in Florence by layering up, but it was fully winter in both Hungary and Austria. In fact, I had borrowed my friends winter jacket when i visited London and Dublin, but I didn't have that same opportunity for this trip. Luckily for me, I volunteer at a clothing and food drive, and the program manager allowed me to take a winter coat for the weekend I would be gone! 

The other factor that was lessening my excitement was my clear and utter exhaustion from traveling all semester. Hungary and Austria would be the 11th and 12th countries that I would be visiting while studying abroad, and all of that traveling was catching up to me. Simply the process of packing, riding buses, boarding planes and all the other works that comes with traveling began to wear me out. So, with me knowing this was my last trip, I was stretched a little thin, but also excited to be finishing out my travels strong.
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After a long and uncomfortable 12 hour bus ride, we made it to Budapest! We dropped our bags at our hostel and then made our way on a walking tour of the city. On that tour I learned a bunch of interesting history and fun facts. One fun fact I learned was that Budapest is actually split into the Buda side and the Pest side, and they are separated by the Danube river flowing through them. We also learned that our tour guide is a stunt double for popular HBO shows when hes not enlightening tourists with the history of Budapest!

After the tour we made our way to a local market where we got some traditional Hungarian food. I had beef goulash with rice and it was nothing short of amazing. We strolled through the market looking at trinkets and souvenirs before returning to our hostel to warm up. Did I mention how cold it was? It was well below freezing, as it was a whopping 30 degrees Fahrenheit while we were there. I think living in the south has definitely weakened my ability to deal with the cold!

Once we had properly warmed up after spending hours outside in the cold, we made our way to the famous thermal baths! It was such a cool experience! The dynamic of being in a hot communal bath while it was incredibly cold outside was so different than anything I'd ever experienced. But it was relaxing, almost like being in a huge hot tub! After the baths we cleaned off and went to an all-you-can-eat dinner at a local restaurant. With traditional dishes and inviting staff members, we truly had a great time. We finished the night by getting a chimney cake, a dessert made of roasted dough with sugar on top. All in all, Budapest was great. People were friendly, the food was amazing, and I can't wait to return some day.  
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After getting some sleep in our hostel, we woke up early the next morning to make our way to Vienna. Once there, we briefly walked the city, passing though the historic streets of Vienna. We then made out way to the long-awaited Christmas markets. With tons of vendors, Christmas decorations everywhere and lots of smiling faces, I was ecstatic to be there. The first thing we had to do was taste the food. Our tour leader recommended a kasekrainer, which is a cheese-stuffed sausage, wrapped in a baguette and topped with mustard and ketchup. Yes, it was as amazing as it sounds, and even writing about it right now is making me want another. We washed it all down with some traditional mulled wine, which also helped to keep us a bit warm, and then we strolled the market looking at all the products being offered. 

We briefly stopped back at the hostel to freshen up and again warm up after being outside for hours before heading back to the Christmas market for more food and to see all of the Christmas lights. It's beautiful in the day, but it's even more gorgeous at night. We listened to Christmas songs played by local artists, watched the lights flicker in the night and enjoyed more traditional food and drinks before returning to the hostel to rest for our last day. 
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Our last stop on our adventure was to Salzburg, which might ring a bell to fans of "The Sound of Music." The classic and famous movie was largely filmed in Salzburg, and I got the opportunity to take a tour of some of those well-known sites. Admittedly, I had never seen the sound of music until the bus ride to Salzburg. How that is possible, I'm not quite sure, but I'm glad I was able to see where such a  legendary movie was filmed. We saw the gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang to each other, the lake where Maria and the kids fell into the water, the house where the von Trapp's lived and much more. We even got to go inside the church where Maria and Captain von Trapp got married. The church was located in a quaint town where we had some of the best apple strudel with vanilla sauce. I even got to enjoy another kasekrainer at this local towns's Christmas market. It was a rainy and cold day, but it was a heart-warming experience. 

All in all, this was one of the best trips I have been on. Even given the cold temperatures, it was an experience of a lifetime. I'm glad this was my final trip as I ended my travels on such a high note. With friends, good food, lots of culture and memories galore, Hungary and Austria were a great way to end my semester of travels, and I can't wait to make my way back. 
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A presto! (Talk to you soon!)

When I made my list of cities and countries that I wanted to visit while abroad, London ranked pretty high. So, when I realized I had a free weekend to travel, I instantly looked into a trip to London. I figured it would be much more expensive to travel to London since I would have to travel by plane rather than train or bus like I had been doing all semester. But, to my surprise, I found some pretty cheap flights! I even found direct flights from Florence's tiny airport to London, then from London to Dublin! With that in mind, I figured, why not get the most out of this weekend and hit both London and Dublin! I booked the flights and the hostels and excitedly waited for the trip to come!
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I had been traveling with friends the entire semester, but this was my first time that I would be traveling alone! As hard as i tried to find friends who would be willing to travel with me, everyone had other trips booked or scheduling conflicts. But, when would I get another chance like this? I had to do the trip by myself -- which i was honestly a bit excited about because traveling with others can sometimes require a lot of compromise and patience!

I packed my belongings into my backpack and headed to the train station to take the shuttle to the airport. Quickly passing through security and boarding the plan, I made my way to London. Having gone through my travel experience when I went to Santorini, I was aware of hidden costs that quickly add up, such as transportation to and from the airports. I truly did plan it all out though as I booked a train that lead a few blocks away from my hostel! As I made my way through the streets of London, I instantly felt at peace. It was dark and I didn't know exactly where I was but for some reason I felt safe, and happy, and thus began one of the best trips I've taken to date. 

That evening, I was exhausted from traveling so I simply got some street food then settled in for a good night of rest before the long day ahead of me. The hostel I was staying at offered free tours through Sandeman's tours. My friend who had traveled alone a lot throughout the semester said they were some of the best tours she went on, so I was excited to join the tour the next day. The beauty of these tours, is that they are completely free, and the tour guides make their money through tips, which incentives them to give tourists a worthwhile experience! On the tour, we made our way to many of the notable London landmarks over a matter of 3 hours. This was super helpful since I had planned to hit many of those locations over the two days that I would be there, and the tour greatly cut down the list of places I wanted to see. We saw Trafalgar Square, Big Bent, Westminster Abbey and even Buckingham Palace among other sites. We even saw a few royal family members going to and from Buckingham Palace! As well, since our guide was a real Londoner, he was able to give us a thorough and interesting history lesson that enhanced the tour even more!

On the tour, I actually meet a few great people! There was Amelia from Toronto, Rainey from California, and another guy from Texas whose name I unfortunately can't remember. I had planned out my days in London pretty much by the hour and after the tour I had booked a ride on the London Eye. Somehow, I convinced my new friends to come with me, and we all enjoyed a cloudy sunset (in true London-style) on the London Eye. There actually happened to be a Christmas market right by the London Eye, so we enjoyed some mulled wine and other treats as we walked through the market taking in all the Christmas cheer! Rainey had to leave and meet up with some family friends, so the rest of us made our way to a local pub to further immerse ourselves in the culture of London. Then to calm our hunger we ironically decided to get Indian food, and it was actually pretty great! After such a long day, I made my way back to my hostel to prepare for my second and last day in London.

The next day, I had to see the rest of the landmarks that I hadn't seen on the tour the previous day. I started out by visiting St. Paul's Cathedral. Since I've visited a cathedral at almost every location I've been to, it was becoming a fun part of my travels. Being able to compare the architecture and design of each location, as well as the history behind them, was pretty amazing. I actually ended up spending almost three hours in this cathedral! It's interior is pretty huge, plus there's a climb to the top of the dome where you can see all of London! Unfortunately pictures are not allowed inside of the cathedral, but trust me when I say it is breathtaking. 

After the cathedral, I made my way to the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. While I was thinking that the London Bridge was the famous bridge you seen in pictures, I was wrong. The Tower Bridge, is the actual landmark many come to see. I strolled along the river Thames taking in all of the sites and then I made plans to meet up with Amelia at the Camden market. 

Since London is pretty huge, it took me a while to get across the city where the market was located, but when I got there I was in awe. There were vendors everywhere, tons of food trucks with every food imaginable, local art and so much more. I found Amelia and we went on our quest to try as much food as possible. We had some amazing Chinese food, some delicious nachos and we finished it off with chocolate and caramel stuffed churros! We then wandered through the markets enjoying all of the products being offered. My friend was actually in town for a few days so I left the market to meet up with her for a quick dinner (even though I was stuffed from all the food at the markets) before making my way to the airport for my flight to Dublin. 
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I got into Dublin late in the evening, so I simply settled into my hostel to get some rest. I only had one full day in Dublin so I had a lot to cover in only a little bit of time. Fortunately, Dublin is much smaller than London, and everything I wanted to see was within walking distance. So, I took another Sandeman tour in the morning and knocked off many sites that way. On the tour, I learned a great bit about Dublin's history and Ireland's struggles with independence. It was on this tour that I realized how limited my knowledge of European history really is. We rarely discuss smaller countries like Ireland, but I was glad to learn more about the kind individuals who reside there and their stories.

After the tour, I made my way to the Dublin Castle for a guided tour. I was able to see the original structure of the castle and the remains of the moat and castle walls. We then walked through the beautifully decorated rooms of the castle with amazing architecture and art being present throughout. I found out that St. Patrick's official color is actually blue on this tour as we entered the royal blue room dedicated to the saint! After leaving the castle, I walked through the campus of Trinity College, breathing in the fresh air where legends such as Oscar Wilde and Johnathan Swift studied before making my way to my next stop.

To follow suite with my visits to cathedrals all over Europe, I set off for St. Patrick's Cathedral. As mentioned earlier, blue is the actual representation of St. Patrick, and this is reflected in the colors within the cathedral. The architecture is much more Gothic than other cathedrals I have seen, yet it's beauty is still evident. In an ironic turn, my next stop was at the Jameson Distillery to undergo a whisky tour! While at the distillery, I had the opportunity to learn more about the history of Jameson, how their whisky is made, and then I was able to taste it relative to other whiskies to compare. Jameson's whisky is distilled three times and has many dynamic undertones, which I was able to better appreciate at this tasting. 

I finished off the evening by getting a bit of traditional Irish cuisine. I went to a local pub and got a beef stew with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Since I hadn't eaten all day, I scarfed the food down! But it was so good that I wish I could go back and savor it more! After this hardy meal, I made my was back to my hostel to sleep off the food and prepare for my early morning flight the next day. 

Overall, this has to be one of my favorite trips I have taken. London truly stole my heart. It reminds me of New York, but less chaotic, and messy and I would honestly consider living in London at some point. Additionally, ending my trip in Dublin only further heightened my experience. The people in this city truly pushed it over the edge with their bubbly and friendly personalities shining more light on the historic and beautiful city. I truly do plan to make my way back to both cities, and I hope that I'll be able to explore more of each country one day. 

A presto! (Talk to you soon!)

Being highly anticipated, my trip to Rome was even better than I was expecting! After traveling to other Italian cities such as Milan, Cinque Terre, Venice, and more, I was excited to finally make my way to the ancient city of Rome. This would be the longest trip I would take with my study abroad program, as we would be spending a little over three days in the city so we would have enough time to cover everything -- or at least close to everything. So, the time finally came. We hopped on our coach bus and began the 4 hour ride to Rome!

I had briefly experienced Rome already, since my friends and I flew out of the Rome airport on our way to Santorini, Greece (and I have a blog about that trip, check it out here). In my short time there, I was able to see just how large Rome is! Nonetheless, we set out on our three days of adventure by beginning our first day with a walking tour of the historic district of Rome. While there we made our way to Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and more. It was incredible to simply be in these spaces that I've always seen pictures of. And, for those who grew up watching the Lizzie McGuire movie, I'm sure you can sense my excitement when I reached the Trevi Fountain and got to throw my coin in. 

After this tour, we made our way to our hotel, which was lovely, and settled in before finding a restaurant to eat dinner. Interestingly enough, Rome is known for their spaghetti alla carbonara, and other similar dishes. Carbonara actually originated in Rome and consists of egg yolks, cheese, pepper and guanciale (pork cheek; it is very similar to fatty bacon). Needless to say, this was the majority of what I ate while I was there, including that first night when a few friends and I grabbed drinks and dinner at a local restaurant. Following dinner, we lounged around before heading to bed to get a good night of sleep before our next day of activities. 

The following day, we awoke early, ate breakfast, and then departed on our bus tour through the city. We were able to cover a lot of terrain and see the famous Arena and even the Colosseum from a distance. We ended the bus tour at Castel Sant'Angelo where we were able to explore the castle grounds and enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city. There was even a rooftop where we were able to see the main Vatican City monuments from a distance. 

After the tour of the castle, we had the rest of the day to explore the Vatican City. I actually learned while here that the Vatican City is its own city-state, which means it is its own country! So, that means I can add one more country to the list of those I visited! Of course, we made our way to the Vatican Museums to enjoy the beautiful artwork and maybe even see the pope too! After making our way through the large museum, my friends and I made it to the Sistine Chapel where we were able to see the famous and noteworthy artwork of Michelangelo. Though pictures inside the chapel were not permitted, the ability to simply stand in a room filled with such beautiful artwork created by legends is amazing. Visiting the chapel is certainly a high point of this trip!

Following the viewing of the chapel, I made my way to St. Peter's Basilica. The basilica is truly beautiful. Not only is it huge, the architecture and decor is jaw-dropping. Another jaw-dropping attribute is that there are deceased popes on display within the basilica that have been preserved with wax or bronze coatings. I was unaware that they were actually real, until I looked it up and was stunned that the wax figure I thought I was looking at was simply a well preserved very real body. It made me a bit uneasy, but those who knelled for prayer around these popes seemed content and that was nice to see. 

We concluded the night by heading back to our hotel and grabbing a bite to eat at another local restaurant. Another fun fact about this city is that Romans eat dinner very late, usually beginning around 8pm. So when my friends and I showed up at a restaurant at 7pm we got quite a few strange looks! Nonetheless, we were served great food by kind and friendly staff and then we returned to the hotel to prepare for our last day in Rome. 

On our last day, we were able to physically walk through the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We walked up to the Colosseum and enjoyed a brief history of the structure from our guide before making our way inside. Actually, in the gallery of photos above, you can see the photo of the Roman emperor who they believe to have been black. As our guide said, his feature make it very clear of his heritage, however I didn't quite see it (leave a comment below and let me know what you all think). Anywho, we made our way inside and began to climb through the Colosseum. Believe me when I say that it is huge! The fact that it was man made thousands of years ago is incredible and shows the genius and dedication of the Romans.

After taking a few pictures in the Colosseum, we made our way to the Roman Forum, which is where citizens would go to hang out with friends and socialize. We were able to see the local meeting points and walk where the Romans walked. Following our stroll through the forum we enjoyed a nice lunch and a cup of gelato before making our way back home to Florence.  

All in all, this was one of the best trips I had taken. Rome is full of such a long and impressive history, and being able to experience it for myself was amazing. Not to mention, I loved being able to say "when in Rome," an unreasonable amount of times because, well... when in Rome! Truly, Rome is a city I would love to see again, and hopefully for a longer period of time, so that I can get a better grasp of all the city has to offer!

A presto! (Talk to you soon!)

Last week, I took the trip I had been highly anticipating all semester! During my Fall break, I traveled to Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Barcelona -- all in 10 days! It was exhausting to say the least, but it is hands down one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. Seeing the East Side Gallery in Berlin, the beautiful canals of Amsterdam, the gorgeous architecture in Brussels, the glimmering Eiffel Tour in Paris, and the lovely beaches of Barcelona, all while being surrounded by great friends, is definitely one of the biggest highlights of my year!

We began our 10 day trip with a 16-hour-long bus ride from Florence to Berlin. With the help of lots of sleep and plenty of Netflix, we made it to Berlin in a semi-sane state! After dropping our bags off at the hostel, we jumped right into our activities with a walking tour of the city. Since we had such an amazing tour guide, we were able to cover many of the city's most famous points while we learned a great deal about the city and its vast history!

After the tour, we headed back to our hostel to freshen up after our long trip before getting ready for our group dinner at a local restaurant. The group dinner in Berlin was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip The atmosphere was so lively as the restaurant was full of singing locals, delicious foods and drinks and fun music! When in Berlin you have to enjoy traditional German foods, so I had a pig knuckle, and I must say, it was pretty amazing! We settled in that evening to get a good night's rest before finishing our sight-seeing the next day.

The following day we went to the famous East Side Gallery where we enjoyed some amazing artwork. The renovation of the Berlin Wall into the East Side gallery is truly a great representation of creating something beautiful out of a dark past. We then spent the rest of the day enjoying schnitzel and fries before adventuring on a pub crawl in the evening. We went to 3 different bars and a club to finish the night off and a striking theme of Berlin night life is the city's love for techno music! Overall, Berlin was full of beauty, diversity and I'll be leaving with more than a handful of great memories!

After an early morning departure from Berlin, we made it to Amsterdam by late afternoon. Having the rest of the night free, we grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading to an ice bar! The ice bar sounded much better in our heads, but after standing in the -9.4 degree Celsius room for just 10 minutes we had had enough! Nonetheless it was still a fun activity and we cooled off with waffles while we walked the streets of the city. 

The next day we began with yet another amazing walking tour! On the tour we saw local markets, traditional architecture and the beautiful nature and foliage that Amsterdam offers. Living in a city like Florence, we don't often see trees, or anything green for that matter! So, being in Amsterdam where everything is so lush was incredibly comforting. After our tour we made our way to the Vincent van Gogh Museum where we were able to see the evolution of his work. Though his most famous paintings such as "Starry Night" are certainly masterpieces, there are other works of his, such as is drawings, that are definitely overlooked.

After the museum we saw the famous "I Amsterdam" sign before grabbing food at a local restaurant and enjoying the beauty of Amsterdam. That evening we made our way to the Red Light District, which I was very hesitant about. It was actually accidental as we had eaten nearby and saw red decorative neon lights along a street. I jokingly said, "Is this the red light district?" and it actually was! It was a strange, yet necessary experience and I now understand why previous visitors say, "It's just something you have to see for yourself." Though it made me uneasy as the concept is so foreign to me, and the normality of it is hard to comprehend, I can check it off my list of things to one day do!

Overall, Amsterdam was one of my favorite places I have visited thus far! The general vibe of the city is amazing and comforting. As soon as we entered the city I just felt warm, like I was home away from home. People are friendly, the city is beautiful and I can't wait to visit again!

After leaving Amsterdam, we made a short stop in Belgium to quickly see the beautiful city and taste their amazing food. Luckily for us, most of the famous sites in Brussels can be seen within about 3-4 hours, which is exactly how long we had to visit the city. We saw the beautiful Gran Place square filled with golden covered architecture, the Manneken Pis statue and some awesome street art along the way. And of course, I can't forget the delicious fries and tasty waffles! Truly, Brussels has the best fries I have ever had and I would definitely go back just to enjoy them again!

Oh Paris, where do I begin! I'm so glad I made it to this wonderful city! After getting into the city late, we got a good nights rest before visiting the Palace of Versailles the next day. After a short bus ride to Versailles we were able to walk the hallways and see the beautiful art and history lining the walls. Visiting art museums is one of my favorite things to do, so walking the halls of the palace were like being in heaven. With artwork dating back centuries, the vast amount of culture and history that I was immersed in was unbelievable. I cant forget about the beautiful gardens either! If I had more time, I could've spent hours in the palace and even longer walking the acres of gardens outside. 

After leaving Versailles, we got dropped off in the city center of Paris where we got to take a quick look at the Arc de Triomphe. We then grabbed a quick lunch before making our way to the Eiffel Tower. It is truly breathtaking, and seeing it for the first time up close in all of its grandness was a moment I will never forget. We walked around the surrounding park and took in the view before heading over to the Louvre Museum. After visiting the Louvre, we headed back to our hostel to rest up before going back to see the Eiffel Tower light up that evening. We made our way back to the city center just before the Tower was set to sparkle as it only does so for 5 minutes at the top of every hour. With a few minutes to spare, we quickly took pictures before the Tower began to gleam and glimmer lighting up the night sky. 

The next day we made our way to the Luxembourg Gardens were we ate lunch and snacked on some delicious macaroons. There's a moment during every trip I take where I am able to be fully present in the moment -- sitting in those gardens with close friends and good food, I was able to do just that. After leaving the gardens, we made our way to the Notre-Dame which is absolutely breathtaking. Following that, we found a local flower market nearby where we truly able to stop and smell the roses. To finish out our day, we headed to to Sacré-Cœurr, a truly breathtaking cathedral with a view of the city. Paris was a treat, and I am so glad I got to witness all of its greatness. 

Our last stop was Barcelona, and though it was cloudy and rainy during most of our time there, the city did not disappoint. After an overnight bus ride to the city, we started our day with another walking tour. During the tour we were able to see the Barcelona Cathedral, explore the Gothic quarter and enjoy some traditional empanadas on the way. We learned a great deal about the history of the city and its populants before we were sent on our way to explore for ourselves. After the tour, we made our way to the beach where we enjoyed some sun and sand. We then grabbed a bite to eat at a great Portuguese restaurant nearby. The bus ride from Paris to Barcelona had been rough for my roommates who barely slept, so they went back to the hostel to rest while I continued exploring the city on my own. 

There was a fair amount of sights I wanted to see while there, and the following day was forecast to be full of rain. So, I had a lot to cover in the 6 hours of free time before our night out at a local club. My first stop was the Arenas de Barcelona. While I imagined that it was an old structure dating back centuries, it was actually very modern and the inside was renovated into a beautiful mall! Close by was the Fountains of  Montjuïc, which was as breathtaking in person as it is in pictures. This beautiful building and the stunning fountains leading up to it were definitely worth the trip. Then, the sun was beginning to set, and though the Park Güell requires tickets to view the famous mosaic walls, the rest of the park is free. So, I hopped in an Uber and headed to the  park. Although I missed sunset, I was still able to see the beautiful and worthwhile skyline view of Barcelona at night. 

Unfortunately for me, my phone was at 5% as I was leaving the park, my portable charger was dead, and my Uber account had stopped working. That left me stranded about 3 kilometers away from my hostel, and with no other option, I was forced to walk back using the limited directions I had while rationing each percentage of my remaining phone battery. The silver lining in all of this is that I was able to see so much more of the city than if I had simply rode home. Due to the high rate of pick pocketing in Barcelona (I mean, super high rate -- 4 people on our trip got their phones and/or wallets stolen!), I had to be super aware of my surroundings. But, this allowed me to be fully present and appreciate the city for all that it is.

I finally made it back to my hostel, and after a quick and much needed nap, we got ready to go to the famous Opium club. The night was full of laughs, lots of dancing and great memories, and we slept comfortable in our beds that night before finishing out our last day in Barcelona. The next day, we had tickets to visit the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Though it was cold and rainy, we were eager to see the beautiful cathedral. Of all the cathedrals I have seen in these past few months, this Basilica is unlike any other. The Gothic architecture and the colorful stained glass windows make it uniquely beautiful and an amazing place to visit. Later that evening, we had another group dinner at a local restaurant where we got to taste traditional Spanish foods and drinks. Enjoying great food with even better friends was the perfect way to conclude this trip!

After a 14-hour bus ride back to Florence from Barcelona, I was nothing less than exhausted. Hitting 5 countries in less than 2 weeks is no easy feat, but it was an experience I will never forget. Being afforded the opportunity to be studying in Italy, and to further be able to travel all over Europe has been amazing. I am so appreciative of all the cultures I have experienced, all the memories I have made, and all the friendships I have created. My love for traveling only grows with each trip, and I cant wait to see where I'll go next!

A presto! (Talk to you soon!)

It's been a minute since my last blog post, so we have a lot to catch up on! I mentioned that traveling to other countries while studying abroad is high on my to-do list, but I also mentioned how important it was for me to immerse myself in Italian culture. In the past few weeks I've traveled all over Italy and I can't wait to share my experiences. So, strap in, we have a lot to cover! (P.S. We have seven cities to cover so feel free to skip around!)
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In a two day trip I was able to experience the history of Pompeii, the culture of Sorrento and the beauty of Capri. Each city is special in it's own way and this was one of my favorite trips I've taken thus far. I started my journey by meeting a Lorenzo de' Medici Professor (who was our guide/guardian) and all other accompanying students at our bus to start on our six hour journey to Pompeii. Once we got  to Campania, the neighboring city of Pompeii where Mount Vesuvius is located, we learned why Pompeii was devastated by the volcano while other neighboring cities were not as harmed. On that day, the wind was blowing northwest instead of its usual southwest direction which caused the volcanic ash to blow directly toward Pompeii completely covering the city. Once we arrived, we were guided through an extensive tour of the city, where we learned a great deal about what happened on that historic day.

Residents in the region were not actually aware that the volcano was, in fact, a volcano. They were blind to the warning signs, and when Mount Vesuvius erupted, they were so caught off guard by the whole event that they didn't know what to do. Many evacuated, but some hid in their homes in hopes that they would be safe there. Nonetheless, Vesuvius erupted with such force spewing tons of hot lava and volcanic ash, destroying much of the Roman city. Coincidentally however, the volcanic ash is what has preserved Pompeii so well. When the hot ash covered the bodies of those remaining it immediately burned and destroyed all human matter except for bones. But, this created a sort of vacuum of air in the shape of the people's bodies it covered which is how the plaster statues so famously seen in Pompeii were created. 

On a brighter note, the city has some great history. Before its devastation, it was a popular vacation spot for wealthy Romans and it also has some amazing pieces of architecture. Interestingly, the sidewalks were raised as the city apparently flooded often. Raised stones across the roads offered safe passage for pedestrians over the flooded streets. As well, Pompeii's amphitheater is one of the oldest surviving remains of Roman architecture. It was built so well that it is one of the only structures in Pompeii that did not need to be rebuilt. The roof, of course, caved in from the ash falling on top of it, but the walls managed to withstand the other detrimental effects of the tragedy. Additionally, the Teatro Grande and the Basilica withstood much damage, but were crafted so well that they were also resilient to the natural disaster. 

​After visiting Pompeii, I was able to spend a few hours in Sorrento. While that is not nearly long enough to truly enjoy the whole city, I enjoyed a taste of some traditional dishes from the Sorrentina Peninsula and sampled some local lemon-based products. After our traditional dinner, we walked  to a local factory where we got to taste a few of their different flavors of Limoncello. Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that is mostly produced in this region, so being able to enjoy the product from the source itself was amazing. We concluded the night by walking through the streets of Sorrento where miniature flags of all different countries hung before resting in our 4 star hotel and waking for Capri in the morning.

Of the three cities I visited in this trip, Capri was by far my favorite. The Italian island is truly breathtaking! With its beautiful caves, flush foliage and delicious lemon-based products, it is a must see location when visiting Italy. Upon arriving, we were guided through a boat tour around the island. Though we weren't able to go into any of the caves due to the high tide, we were able to get pretty close due to our talented captain. Following the boat tour, we had an amazing lunch with a great view (and might I mention I had some of the best spaghetti alla  carbonara in Italy there). We topped the trip off with some yummy gelato and a stroll around the city before embarking back to Florence. 

My next trip around Italy was to Venice and Verona. Unfortunately, it was a cold and rainy day when we visited Venice, but it was still a great experience. After a long bus ride and a quick boat, we toured the city learning about the history, culture and significance of Venice. After our tour we were able to explore the canals and streets of Venice. We had some tasty food, visited the Basilica di San Marco, and of course enjoyed a gondola ride through the canals. In this case there's not much to say -- Venice's beauty speaks for itself and it was incredible being able to appreciate its wonders. 

The next day, we made our way to the city of love: Verona. Verona is the city that the famous  Shakespeare play "Romeo & Juliet" takes place. A popular tourist location is visiting La Casa di Giuletta, where a replica of the famous balcony that Julie called out for her Romeo is placed. There are plaster walls leading up to the courtyard where tons of people have signed their names in a romantic gesture. Though this is mainly what the city is known for, Verona is quite a treasure, nonetheless. With trees lining the streets and foliage everywhere, it was a nice change of pace from busy city life. It did, however, offer a city feel with a touch of rurality that made it quaint and easily one of my favorite cities I have visited in Italy thus far (I even rank it about Venice!) 

To conclude the trip, we made our way to Valpolicella for a wine tasting at a well-known family owned winery. The route of the name of the city actually comes from the words "valle," "poli" and "cellae" meaning "valley of many cellars," as the area is full of wineries. Once we got to Gamba Vineyard and Winery, we sat down and tasted a 2017 red blend, a 2014 red blend and a dessert wine, each paired with a complementary bite of food. We dissected each wine pondering the undertones, spices and basic flavors of each, and how the corresponding food paired well with each wine. After our tasting we were given a tour of the vineyard where we saw where the grapes are grown, dried and left to ferment until the wine is ready to be bottled. Winding down with friends with a beautiful view and a nice glass of wine was the perfect way to end this weekend trip. 

Traveling is actually quite exhausting, and since arriving in Italy, I have yet to have a weekend where I stayed in Florence! I was expecting to finally have a break last week, but then I had the bright idea to take a day trip to Milan right before midterm exams! It sounds irresponsible, but since it is so easy and fairly cheap to travel within Italy, I figured a quick trip to the fashion capital was in order. It was absolutely worth it as the Duomo di Milano is breathtaking. Aside from the architectural beauty, Milan reminds me of a less crowded and much cleaner New York City. Being located in northern Italy, it is a central point for many international train routes, and due to this the Milano Centrale train station is absolutely huge bearing great similarity to Grand Central Station. But, once you leave the city center, the surrounding area is lush with greenery and absent of the hustle and bustle of city life making it incredibly charming and liveable. 
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Though I could have rambled on about each city, I hope that my anecdotes are enough to convey how wonderful Italy is. With incredible traditions, history and culture varying between each city and region, traveling throughout the country has been one of my favorite activities while here. I'll be able to check Rome and Pisa off the list when I visit in November, but hopefully I'll get the chance to discover even more gems while engulfing myself in Italian life.

A presto! (Talk to you soon!)

Visiting Santorini was high up on my bucket list of travel locations, and I got the chance to do it this past weekend! It was definitely quite the process of getting there, but it was an experience of a lifetime. Being in charge of getting 7 girls to and from a small Greek island definitely tested my travel skills, but after hours of searching for the cheapest and most trustworthy options, I figured it out! 
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