So it has finally begun. I have been packing and preparing for days and finally on Friday morning I will be departing on my first ever trip to Europe. I’ll be studying in Ireland at Maynooth University right outside of Dublin and I luckily have two of my very best friends in the world embarking on this same journey. I cannot wait to explore Dublin, which I have been researching and reading about all summer. I read historical fictions of the history of Ireland titled “The Princes of Ireland” and “The Rebels of Ireland” by Edward Rutherford. They were completely immersive, knowledgeable, and worth every hour of my time. They painted a wonderful picture of the ancient pagan and Celtic traditions as well as the more modern sentiments of different citizens of every social class.
However, before I begin this amazing adventure on the western island I will be spending the last eight days of my summer in the eternal city. Alone. Completely, utterly, on my own in Rome. An adventure and a gamble to say the least, but one of my own invention and that has me on the edge of my seat until my flight leaves Friday morning. I’ll be staying at a hostile in the heart of the city and have been in contact with the family that owns the place. They seem to be normal functioning adults but I still can’t believe I was able to convince my normal functioning adults ( i.e. parents) to undertake such an endeavor. Could it be, that by chance, I might be becoming an adult and leading my own life? Possible, but still highly unlikely.
Thanks to my superb planning skills however I have given myself and itinerary including the coliseum and roman forum, day trips to Tuscany and Florence, a tour of the Vatican City, and lunch with a new acquaintance of my ever helpful grandparents.
It’s unclear what the next few months hold, but I know that the opportunity of a lifetime has been placed at my feet. I intend to run with it.
Shaina