Final Thoughts…

For my final travel blog post, I decided to do a retrospective this-is-what-I’ve-learned type entry.

First, going on vacation was somewhat of a foreign concept for me.  It’s not something I’m exactly used to doing.  We took some vacations as kiddos, but my mindset for the past umpteen years has been that every minute counts and that vacation involves wasting time that is not available and money that I don’t have.  I suppose that is how the cycle of not taking time for myself started.   Throw in the uber competitive, crazy nature of medical school and it has the makings of a personal breakdown (which didn’t happen to me, but I could certainly see how it would).  So, when my mom said to me, “Emily take a vacation,” it was a shock.  Really? Me? What in the world would I do?  Thankfully, my brother-in-law is handy with a computer and logistics; over the course of two days we devised this going to Italy plan.  The prospect of travelling abroad, getting a passport, navigating, etc. etc. etc. was overwhelming.  But, I did it.  And in the process I met a group of amazing people and got to see and do so many new things.

Italy, I’m not even sure where to start on the subject.  I loving being an American and living in the US, but it is great to see a different way of doing things- I love Italy.  The thing I love the most about Italians, to generalize, is the manner in which they speak: there is so much emotion and excitement.  I love the care taken with cooking and eating.  Outside of Milan, I didn’t see a fast food restaurant during my entire time in Italy.  At several restaurants we went to a little elderly Italian woman would come out of the kitchen and greet us, particularly when Charlie would order seconds or take a picture of his lunch.  I love the energy conservation efforts: the windows have metal shields that are pulled down to block out the sun, the hotels have cards that turn off the electricity when you exit a room, the cars are tiny (although this might have more to do with navigating the streets than energy), and you can get places by walking or biking.  I love the history: thousands of years of history.

Biking.  I’ll keep this subject brief.  Taking a cycling vacation was the perfect way to travel.  Instead of zooming past the countryside, I was able to enjoy it at slower pace and take in the beauty of all of it.  Cycling is special to me in its own regard as well.  There was a time when I thought walking was not going to be a possibility (13 years ago I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, was in a wheelchair, and had exhausted medication options).  Thankfully, due to advancements in medications my life has dramatically improved and I discovered cycling as a low impact sport.  Every day on the bike is a good day for me.

People.  Perhaps the best part of this trip.  Everyone on the trip was so unique and interesting.  I loved hearing their stories, what they do, how they started biking, where they live, where they’ve been.  What a group!!

That was one hell of a vacation (my mom tells me not to swear) one awesome vacation.  It really was an amazing experience.  I hope to keep in touch with the people that I’ve met and keep the memories for as long as I can remember them.  I have learned that it’s important to take time for myself, to stop and breathe, and to remember everything that I am thankful for.

Ciao Italia, until next time!