In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself - Frantz Fanon

I find it amazing how I can go on such an extraordinary and life changing experience, come home and within a few weeks I feel as if things are exactly how they used to be. Nothing has changed. Before leaving for Europe I remember people telling me that coming home would be more of a culture shock then going. Now more than ever, I believe that. It's surreal to think that a month ago I was touring Italy with my two best friends, and now I don't even see them. I stayed at my parent’s house for the first week, fearful of going back to my apartment. After the excitement wears off of seeing family and friends I found myself wanting to get back on a plane. I felt lost, unsure of myself and just.. Sad.

My last post was pre-Italy and for the past month I've been meaning to write about it.. But life has taken over yet again. Henni, Lauren and I took off for yet another amazing adventure. This time, we got a stroke of bad luck. The first few days in Venice were wonderful, it truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We walked and walked and saw everything we could.. On our last day we discovered that our Hostel had bed bugs. Lauren, Henni and I were all covered in bites. I can take a lot, but this was something that completely grossed me out. So now, on our way to Rome, in the blistering heat covered in bites. Let me tell you, it was not fun. But Rome is ROME! I think what made me smile the most was seeing Lauren experience Rome, this is somewhere she had never been before and always dreamed of going. So that was something we could share together. Rome is seriously a walking museum. There is so much to see, read about and explore. It amazes me that people actually live there. I swear I would visit the coliseum everyday if I did.

Our plan was to have one last night in Vienna before coming back to Canada, but unfortunately that didn't happen. We missed our train into the Rome airport, thus missing our expensive flight back to Vienna. It was a bad day, with each of us looking at each other to blame. We sat in the Rome train terminal for almost 7 hours, until finally getting on a 10 hour train ride back to Vienna to arrive at 8 am. Lauren and I had just enough time to get the rest of things and head to the airport. This was not the way I had hoped to end my trip. No time for good-bye's, we had to leave. And just like that, it was all over.

Today as I sit at home, trying to figure out the next direction to go with my life, I remember the people that I've met, the words of advice they have given me and all the wonderful things I this experience has taught me. It is so easy to get caught up and forget. I am a better person coming out of this. I'm stronger, more willing to take risks and most importantly, I'm happy. I felt so free while I was in Europe and I said that was the one thing I wanted to bring home with me. No more worrying about the little things. I feel so lucky to see all the amazing countries I did and now I am determined to see more of the world. It was so refreshing to see parts of the world how they really are.. Not how their portrayed to be.

So, this is my good-bye to Vienna, to an extraordinary experience, to Jussi, Henni, Marien, Tony and Alejandro. Friends who will never be forgotten. I have never laughed as hard as I did with you guys. You have each taught me something and I hope that I will see you all again.

Auf Wiedersehen..

A few of my favs: