The Project Continues

As I delve into this month's goal of trying new experiences I am actually surprising myself. It is amazing how much more open the world feels when your mindset changes from "Oh, I don't do that." to "Oh, I have never done that but sure I'll try it." So far, I have found an olive I actually like, I've tried sea urchin (tasted kinda like Sea World to me.), had my first visit to a many new to me restaurants in Philly and realized I love the Godiva dark chocolate and raspberry bar. All things I haven't had before and am loving it!

The big experiment is rapidly approaching though. It is only a measly 3 days until I leave for Italy. I am nervous, excited, in shock and ecstatic. It is always a little strange to have something you have wanted for so long to finally come true. I am hoping it lives up to all the expectations in my mind. I am finding it a little bittersweet to be spending the majority of the time solo. While I am excited to be able to be flexible and not have to compromise on anything I want to do, it is weird to know I am by myself. I won't have anyone to make snarky comments to or who can help me read the map.

As I think about these things my mind drifts to the memory of my grandmother. She traveled the world alone. My grandfather died when my father was still very young and she choose to travel in her retirement. I would always be so excited when she would come and visit with new goodies from across the world. I am sure in Albany, New York we may have been the only family with a zebra skin stool from Africa and a fur panda from China, stacking dolls from Russia, Tibetian temple rubbings and Asian vases. She would bring home some little trinkets for me and my sisters and I would imagine how amazing her adventures were. My grandma, my own flesh and blood, a world traveler! It seemed so exotic and unattainable. I vowed that when I grew up I wanted to see the places she saw. I know if she were still here she would be so proud of me for doing this.

I think about these things as I begin to pack. I just reassure myself that this is a dream come true. I am going to see the things I learned about in all my Art History classes. When I return, I too will know what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel or how the light reflects off the Ponte Vecio Bridge at sunset. I will have these substantive memories of things I have imagined for years. I am so excited for all the things I am lucky enough to be able to do. It will for sure be an adventure and that is what I am in search of.