Playing Catch-Up
I know I haven't been posting about my travels for a while now and I apologize. It's difficult actually sitting down in such wonderful places, opening my laptop and spending precious time in front of the computer screen. That isn't to say that I haven't been writing, though. Here are some excerpts from my reflections I wrote while I was in Milan, Paris and Barcelona these past few weeks.
Viva Milano:
Hot and full of life, Milan thrives on full-fledged, direct interaction between its inhabitants and visitors. Whereas Parisians rely on the subtly of the messages between the lines, the Milanese enjoy reading them out loud to anyone they took under their wine as a bedtime story. In a way, it felt like being a part of one big family with a massive language barrier. It kind of felt like home. Everywhere we went, we were greeted with smiling faces and open arms beckoning us to eat our weight in pasta, prosciutto and gelato.
Au Revoir Paris:
Paris, you've changed me. I'm an entirely different person since you've welcomed me into your wonderful arms and everything that I have experienced thus far abroad has molded me into who I am right now.
I cannot even coherently explain what I've felt and what I'm feeling right now. Paris is truly magical. I don't know how I could ever go back home and assume the daily routine after all of this. How am I supposed to assimilate back into what I previously considered "normal" life? How do I repel the idleness of home without losing everything I've gained? I suppose the real question is how do I retain Paris and the mindset I've developed?
I don't have the answer as of yet, but for now I'll keep the image and memory of the Eiffel Tower at twilight with my closest friends in my mind and know that for that moment, I was in Paris and it was perfect.
La Vida Barcelona:
The lack of agenda during my time here was time well spent, despite my not going to any major sites, museums or anything of the sort. In fact, I was happily content wandering La Rambla and lazing around on the shores of Barceloneta for hours. While the lack of productivity may seem like a waste of time and money to some, I believe that my not having a set itinerary provided me the amount of time I needed to reflect upon everything I've done this past month -- especially as my trip winds down to its within the next few days.
But this carefree atmosphere doesn't entail that Barcelona as some sort of sleepy beach town similar to Santa Cruz -- it's the exact opposite. Everything that this city has to offer screams life and vitality. From the rich food, gorgeous weather, friendly Spaniards and, of course, the nightlife, Barcelona was the perfect way to transition out of Paris.