Starting a Blog!

I never thought I would make a blog, but here goes! I left home sweet home last Tuesday for a 7-week trip around Europe. Feel free to follow along as I study abroad in Rome and hopefully survive traveling solo for 2 weeks afterwards. *fingers crossed*

I left Seatac Airport at 9 AM on June 17th, flew to Calgary, Canada, and had a 10-hour layover (my favorite). My next flight was to London Heathrow, where I ran through the enormous airport on a broken foot and arrived at my connecting flight literally as the doors to the plane were closing. I made it to Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday evening. 

Geneva is without-a-doubt the most expensive place I’ve ever been. A tall frappuccino from Starbucks? $12. But it is a beautiful city; I’ll give it that. Just not for travelers on any sort of budget.

On Friday the 20th, I flew to Nice, France. Incredible city. Delicious cafes and restaurants everywhere, live music and dancing in the streets, awesome public transportation, a beautiful beach and boardwalk, a huge central park, and a mountain for hiking literally in the middle of the city. New favorite city? Very possibly. I also took a day trip to the 2nd smallest country in the world: Monaco. I went to the famous Monte Carlo Casino, started with 10 Euros, and walked away with 20. Mama better be proud. 

Two days ago, I arrived in Rome to begin my month-long study abroad program. Finding my apartment was an adventure in itself. I took a train from the airport, a tram from the train station, and then walked aimlessly for two hours searching for Via Agostino Bertani. When I finally found it, my key wouldn’t work, and my phone was dead, so my lovely (elderly) neighbor let me use her phone to call the landlord. Got into my room at 10 PM and collapsed.

I started classes yesterday and came to the realization that I am STUDYING abroad. Do I actually have to study? There are 23 other students in my program, and we’re already a family. We had our first group dinner last night at an authentic Italian restaurant with a 4-course meal and unlimited wine. I can feel myself falling in love with this city already.

Heading off to dinner now. Pizza for the 8th day in a row? I think yes. Until next time, Arrivederci!