Bests in Belgium

This past weekend, I travelled to Brussels and Brugge, in the beautiful land of Belgium. I was fortunate to be amongst my best friends, weaving through narrow streets and tasting fine chocolates, in a landscape speckled with fall foliage. The elegance and warmth of the scenery was a perfect complement to the company of my best friends. We convened in central Belgium, which became our anchor point for the weekend, although the majority of our time was spent in Brugge. Only an hour by train, Brugge was an intimate town of immense character. Delicate, sugar dusted waffles, heaping piles of warm fries with mayonnaise, and morsels of fine, marscarpone infused chocolate pleased my palate throughout the entire day. We were also able to sit down in tea shoppes, enjoy Christmas shopping and laugh as our silly, silly selves.

Conversing about our differential experiences develops my knowledge about how my  friends new homes have been transformative, as well as reminds me how much I appreciate my temporary home of Parma. Learning about Molly and Bridget’s host mom, the paella that is her staple dish, and the intricacies of the flamenco dance class that takes place on Monday evenings. are the small details of the conversation that give me a glimpse into life in Seville, even if I will never visit or life there. Rome occupies a completely new space in my mind when I learn of the places and experiences Krista has had while living there over the past few months. Despite the variable nature of our experiences, a common thread remains embedded in our desires; to enjoy the company of each other, return for our next semester at B.C. and continue to grow throughout the duration of this experience. 

Ciao for Now

For all those who have been following my travels, I thank you for your interest. I will continue to update my blog in the following weeks to come. This week has contained an abundance of examinations, commitments and experiences that have not been typical of my routine so far. I am excited to share the weeks to come, which will also feature travels to Brussels, Amsterdam, Athens and the Alps! Ciao for now!

Home for Halloween

This lovely weekend was spent in the locality of Parma. My home for the semester. the place where I belong. Amidst my trips and travels, I have truly cherished the chance to explore Parma and develop an enhanced sense of familiarity with my gravitational axis for these three months. Parma is unlike anywhere I have previously been. The nooks and crannies filled with numerous paninoteccas and handmade jewelry shops are truly unique- they comprise the authentic Italian setting I have craved to inhabit throughout my study abroad experience. So as I dance from one pananinotecca to the next, deliberating on whether I would like prosciutto crudo or cotto, my preoccupation about the revolving door of internships I will circle through when I return to Boston dissipates. Here, I am where my feet are, concentrated on what lies before me. The present dominates my thoughts. I am liberated from the past and future ; I am anchored to the immediate.

Halloween evening was much different than the traditional American celebration that occurs back home. With recent globalization patterns, American tendencies have transmitted to Parma, prompting acknowledgement for the holiday but a diminished prevalence of dressing up. Thereby, Halloween is not the focal point of the weekend. Rather, All Saint Day takes precedence; all stores and shops suspend activity for the day and families are able to convene in honor of their lost loved ones. Even so, I was able to carve a pumpkin with my little host brothers, Leo and Lo. The Jack-O-Lantern was quite spectacular, I must say. It even required an implant. The second tooth was mistakenly removed. With a tooth pick addendum, we managed to reconstruct the facial identity of the pumpkin. All restored, the carved masterpiece sat tabletop during our dinner.

After dinner, we managed to pump up the tunes. Ranging from Macklemore to the Beach Boys, we covered the spectrum. Queen was also included. The missing element was a song described as “duh-duh----duh-duh-duh-duh – HEY” by Lorenzo. A Shazam attempt to discover the tittle was unrewarded. However, I was able to decipher the beat-box of my little bro and pick up on the song as “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons. I am now officially cool on account of the little brothers. If the nerf gun fights didn’t impress them, this cemented my awesomeness in their perception. The impressionable moments like these are the things that authenticate and create my experience.  When I am dancing around the kitchen table, carving pumpkins, jamming to the Beach Boys, and eating Parmesan cheese, I feel on top of the world. 

Live, Louvre, Laugh

My adventures in Paris were spent in a great city with even better people. Giggles and pastries trumped any tribulations of my travels, which consisted of many more transfers than I had originally considered myself capable. My days in the beautiful city were spent with my best friend, Krista Veikos, and many more people that made the experience so incredible.

Our first destination was the signature landmark- the Eiffel Tower. The 301 meter masterpiece was well worth the glory it had received. Winding through the intricate pathways of the tower brought excitement, more giggles of course and also appreciation- for this unique experience I have been afforded. In the midst of these adventuresome days, I am still in a stupor of disbelief that this opportunity has been one I have been able to seize. I am literally with my best friend, prancing up the Eiffel Tower, with my cheeks glowing from either the cocoa covered cappuccino I just drank or the consistent bouts of laughter that emerge from me being with my best friend. Atop the tower, the view of Paris was simply magnificent. The sprawling buildings had an eloquence I haven’t encountered throughout my other travels. I was overwhelmingly impressed, to say the least.

To the Louvre we continued. Gaining free admission with my Dante Alighieri student status, I entered what is one of the most famous galleries in the world, with the objective of seeing the Mona Lisa. Selfies with the Mona Lisa? Sounds good to me.

I will admit that in the span of this Parisian weekend I did make moves to get Chipotle and Starbucks, as unauthentic as those undertakings may be. No regrets. No disappointments. Simply more giggles.

Saturday’s agenda was centered around Versailles. The Chateau was exquisite and  irreplaceable. The gold gated palace was one of a kind, as were the many fountains in the vicinity. The crepes beforehand set the scene for a wonderful adventure. There is arguably no better place in the world to have a first crepe experience. My gorgonzola, ham, walnut and arugula masterpiece fully supports that statement. Supplemental supporting evidence would most certainly be my chestnut and crème infused, cinnamon ice cream topped second attempt at crepe consumption.

What a wonderful world.

Outpost; Originating Experiences, Opening Opportunities

Last weekend was an intermediary step in my abroad experience that proved to be an invaluable tool for reflection, excellent weekend amongst new friends and incredible introduction to Dublin, Ireland. I served as a leader on the retreat Outpost, during which I contemplated the relevance of my abroad experience, how to take ownership of my future endeavors and the method by which I would like to continue approaching the remainder of the semester. Amidst thoughtful conversation, I was surrounded by an outstanding group of individuals with whom I am proud to share the privilege of attending Boston College. The precipitous atmosphere of comfort that descended upon the group was unlike that which I have experienced previously. I was wholeheartedly comfortable being myself and providing a platform for others to do the same.

This trip began with my first stay in a hostel. I have never travelled in this manner, and to be honest, I was slightly frightened upon my arrival. Winding through the streets of Dublin near midnight, I was (forcibly) greeted by many interesting individuals. Continuing on to the hostel, I entered a room where the other Boston College students were already resting for the weekends events, only to find a stranger who thought it would be a good idea to store ham in her room temperature suitcase. Pleasant. When I did awake the next morning, I was able to dine with my fellow leads and enjoy an amazing piece of goat cheese-vegetable quiche. One thing I miss from America is eggs in the morning. That void was most definitely filled by my Irish breakfast. Plus, I needed a jumpstart for the days events ahead. I officially began the retreat activities at Boston College Ireland around noontime, where I gave the polished version of my Expectations speech. Enveloped by a sea of red (maroon) colored carpets and walls, while in the company of many BC banners and flags, I felt an instant sense of belonging in this alternate home away from home.

Onward to the retreat destination, Kippure Estate. The beautiful grounds of Kippure Estate are located approximately one hour outside of Dublin, allowing the retreat participants to move beyond the chaos of a city environment and be at peace with their surroundings in the gorgeous countryside. Mingling and mixing amongst group members, faculty and staff proceeded, until around 8:00 when I delivered my talk. To kick of the lecture series, I described my experience with expectations abroad, from the apprehensions, to the bouts of excitement, disappointment and uncertainty. Elucidating how the most formative parts of my experience where not those that I had anticipated prior to hopping on a plane at Logan Airport, I demonstrated how my preconceived notions were altered when I allowed impressions to be formed based on the happenings around me rather than the archives of my friends facebook pages or another recommendation on Trip Advisor. Getting shot at by nerf guns, sharing conversation over a lovely Italian dinner and hearing another rendition of Macklemore’s Thrift Shop by my little brother Lorenzo proved to be the most memorable moments thus far, far above the swaying of a crowd at Octoberfest or temporary stay in an airport for a layover.

In addition to the organic memories interspersed throughout my everyday experiences, the intentional conversations that took place over the weekend were throughout provoking and transformation. Conversation spurred form the various talks given, which ranged in topic from relationships to personal insights. Many of the participants were willing to be vulnerable, honest and authentic which made the experience more meaningful, deep and personable. The struggles encountered by some of my peers in their abroad experience and otherwise have helped me to retain perspective, considering the difficulties we all face and carry with us throughout our journey. I was also highly impressed with the faculty “sweeps” who volunteered personal information, moments of discernment and acquired insights, which prompted further conversation, reflection and sharing.

Although many moments pertained to more serious topics, we certainly had our fun as well. Thursday afternoon we were able to put on our wellies (rainboots) and hike through a stream in the mountains. As a group, we trekked up the mountain and stood in the gusting Irish winds for about an hour. Being atop the mountain was truly breathtaking. My world was paused, even though the continuum of time kept going. Moments like these are irreplaceable. They aren’t crafted by a detailed agenda, or pre-planned itinerary. They arise when one is willing to be open, receptive and spontaneous. I am perfectly aware that I did not choose to create this seemingly perfect moment on the mountain, but I did elect to subject myself to the possibility of encountering new situations, people and conversations. This mentality  was embraced throughout the weekend. Outpost beckoned the question of how to navigate these opportunities, embrace unknown possibilities, and take ownership of this unique experience. 

Rendezvous in Rome, Visiting the Vatican, Passing through the Pantheon, experiencing Faith and Papa Francesco

A Roman holiday is quite the precise definition for the series of happenings over this past weekend. Although this holiday was preceded by the challenges and struggles of an overnight train, the efforts and exertions were well worth the experiences I was fortunate to have in the capital city of Italy. Departing the train station and taking a taxi to the Trevi Fountain, I gathered my first glimpses of Rome at around 7:00 Friday morning. The infrastructure and personage that spanned the city were unlike that which I had seen in the surrounding Italian towns of Florence, Parma, Pisa, Sienna or Cinque Terre. There was a precipitous change in surroundings, from graffiti covered concrete to that of ancient Roman style.

A whirlwind of an entry was nothing in comparison to walking next to ruins, entering the ancient forums, or standing in front of the Coliseum, which occurred later that afternoon. Venturing into the center of the city, I entered into a zone characterized by a blend of ancient history and modernity, which was sharply distinct from any experience I had encountered previously. Crowds of people poured from the direction of the ancient ruins. Buildings, ruins and structures belonging to cascade of historical periods spanning the greatest and weakest moments of humankind. The privilege of walking amongst the center of the greatest empire of all time was incredibly moving, inconceivable and overwhelming.

The focus of the following morning was visiting the Vatican. The artwork, history and religious prominence of this location was evident in the artwork, structural composition and humanitarian fascination that was omnipresent within the confines of the defining walls. I travelled through museums and halls of artwork, moving towards the Cysteine Chapel. Words are ineffective indicators of the impressiveness, magnificence and empowerment of this experience. Correspondingly, my entrance into St. Peter’s Basilica evoked the same response.  Beyond the normal realm of impressively, I also witnessed the ordination of two priests. The scene was incredibly moving; standing amongst strangers yet feeling unified through the fascination with the religious and architectural significance of arguably the most beautiful church in the world was incomprehensible. Ensconced by the brilliance of the moment, I contemplated, absorbed and enjoyed my surroundings.

The destination of the next morning was not originally intended on our agenda, yet it proved to be the most highly anticipated activity of the entire weekend. Waking at 5:40 and staring a pot of coffee for my friends, I prepared to return to St. Peter’s for mass with Papa Francesco, the celebrated Jesuit pope. Entry to mass was permitted through tickets we had received the previous day, in a serendipitous fashion. With the advice from a woman operating one of the gift stores, we found Swiss guards, protectors of the Pope. Exiting the storefront, we turned towards an exterior archway under which three guards stood. They issued us tickets for mass, in a sly and covert fashion. Our elation was not concealed for long, as we erupted with joy, excitement and broad smiles. This continuum of excitement did not fade between that moment and the moment in which lined up for mass. During mass, one portion of the readings was done in five different languages, embodying the universality of the Catholic church and resonating with Pope Francis’s appeal to the masses. The ceremonial ongoing of the mass were absolutely incredible, especially the offerings of peace between individuals prior to communion. The symbolism of the moments captured by that frame of time, as well as the relative significance of my entire weekend, made it not only one of the best times of being abroad, but also within my livelihood thus far.