Sorry for the Delay!

For those of you who regularly check the blog, I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Four words: End of the semester.  As soon as I get this schoolwork under control there will be lots of new updates, including my recent trip to Paris, as well as what's going on as my semester in London is drawing to a close. But for now, back to the books.

Tour de Italy

Italy was one of the countries that I knew I wanted to experience during my travels. The food alone is enough of a reason to go there. So back in mid-October when I hatched this crazy plan to go on a self-organized tour through Italy I never thought it would really come to be. Due to reading week in almost all of my classes (the week when your lectures are canceled so that you can work on upcoming reports and essays) I only had one lecture scheduled. I could skip it. I couldn't let this entire week of travel go to waste. I remembered a friend from Mizzou is studying in Rome this semester, and then through a friend here I met someone studying in Florence who offered to show me around. The tour was starting to take shape. But then I couldn't find a travel buddy. I asked all my friends, and no luck. So what was I going to do? I was going to go. I said before that I wasn't going to let anyone keep me from experiencing what I want to while I'm here, right? So I booked my ticket. I kept holding out hope that someone would change their mind and join me, but five days before the trip I knew it was time to give up. I was going to conquer Italy solo. 

Verona

My first Italian meal.

When I arrived in Verona I got a little turned around. After a bit of wandering through the streets I found my accommodation, and it was worth the wait. Since I couldn't find a hostel in Verona that didn't look sketchy the cheapest option had been a B&B. The place was absolutely lovely! I had the most beautiful room that was immaculately decorated, complete with my own balcony. Everything in the building looked that it had been renovated within the last couple of years, but it still had the old Italian charm the area is known for. After dropping my bags I went to dinner at a little pizzeria. The pizza was amazing! And so was the wine. At first I felt awkward by myself, but then I decided, who cares? I'm obviously a tourist, all someone needs to do is look at me, and when they hear that unmistakable American accent there is no question. So I stopped caring what the other people in the restaurant thought. Maybe it was courage, maybe it was confidence, maybe it was the wine, I'm not sure. But I pulled out my travel book and my map and began planning for the next day. 

Statue of Juliet

The next day was muggy and wet, but I only had one day in Verona so I was going to make the best of it. I didn't waste any time, going directly to the Arena. The Arena di Verona is a Roman Amphitheater famous for the large opera performances that have been given there since it was built around AD 30. It's one of the most well preserved ancient structures and is still used for performances today. After the Arena I went to Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet's House. The tourist attraction is the fictional home of the character Juliet from Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. In the courtyard there was the infamous balcony, of course, as well as a bronze statue of Juliet. There was also a graffiti wall covered in messages to Juliet and love notes from thousands of tourists. Anyone who visits can't help but get swept away in the romance of the place. I even stopped to write a little note of my own.  

Graffiti Wall at Juliet's House

I don't known Italian other than the greetings I learned during my time in Italy, but I did recognize the word "photography" when I was looking at my card and deciding where to go next. So I gave Fotografia Scavi Sealigeri a chance. The International Center of Photography Scaligeri, as it's known in English, is an archaeological site that hosts themed exhibitions. As I'm learning more about photography I could appreciate and really enjoy the contrast between the photography of urban Berlin skyscrapers that were being featured and the ruins of ancient Verona were it was being shown. My next stop was Teatro Romano, or the ruins of the Roman Theater that also houses a Roman artifacts museum. On my way there I stumbled upon the river. What a sight! (see below) After taking it all in, as well as tons of pictures, I went across the bridge to the theater. It was interesting, because the museum was at the top of the theater built into the cliffs. I enjoyed the artifacts, but the view at the top was best part. It was a picturesque scene of the entire city and the small towns beyond. 

Above: Views by the river and from the top of the theater.

By this time I was starving, so I went to a little restaurant I had noticed along the way. It was pretty much empty so I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere at a table for one. I ordered the lasagna, which was wonderful! Then worked out my plans for the rest of the day. I decided I wanted to go to the top of the tallest tower in Verona, Torre di Lamberti, located in the Piazze Errbe. It had a breathtaking view of the entire city. At the very top by the bell I decided to write the date and my name, as previous visitors had done. My final stop was Museo di Castelvecchio. It was a museum located in the ancient castle in Verona. As beautiful as the art was, tt had been a long day filled with lots of art and history, so I didn't spend very much time there. As it was starting to get dark it was time to say goodbye to Verona and catch a train to my next stop. Florence! 

View from the top of Torre di Lamberti. 

Florence

Since I had never taken a train, especially one in Italy, I went to the ticket booth to purchase my ticket to Florence. I explained to the man what I needed, but somehow he sold me a ticket to the wrong station. I didn't realize it until it was too late. I arrived in Florence, with no idea where I was. Talk about an awful feeling when you're traveling alone! I managed to find some Italians who spoke English and finally, after over an hour of being lost in the city, found my hostel. It was like my little refuge in that moment. I've never been so happy to see a youth hostel in my life! 

Michelangelo's David

The next day started off much better than the previous one ended. I met up with Anne, who I was introduced to through a mutual friend who's also studying in London. We went to the Galleria dell' Accademia first. There was a lot of wonderful art there. However, when i rounded the corner and saw Michelangelo's David at the end of the long gallery I was in awe. It was ten times bigger than I imagined and, like so many others, I lost interest in the other art in the room. I couldn't keep my eyes off the sculpture, and for those of you with your minds in the gutter, it wasn't for that reason. It was just that he was almost...majestic. And the stance of humility, yet the powerful and commanding presence that Michelangelo was going for is obvious. I couldn't help but sneak a picture. Oops! :) 

Next Anne and I headed to the market for lunch. After a quick bit we decided we were going to climb the dome of the Duomo. Over 400 steps later, we reached the top! It was worth it. The view was everything you could imagine. And we were so high! The view on the inside of the dome from that high up was amazing as well. We felt that such a workout deserved a reward, which in Italy means gelato. We walked across the Bridge of Gold, the most beautiful bridge in Florence where the gold merchants are located, to a less touristy area and found a cute shop there. I got the carmel flavored gelato, which was a good choice. 

At the top of the Duomo!

The Duomo

Our amazing pizza.

That night Anne and one of her friends I had previously met, also named Ann, and I went to dinner. They had heard of a pizzeria that was supposed to be absolutely amazing. It definitely lived up to the hype. I ordered the mozzarella with spicy salami and I will forever refer to that as the pizza that changed my life. You might think this is over-exaggerating, but I eat pizza at least once a week, and I have never had anything as wonderful as the real-deal in Italy. I'm pretty sure it just served to further my love affair with food. Actually, who am I kidding? My entire time in Italy did that, but this pizza was the best of the best. Ok, so now that I have you thinking about food and your mouth is probably watering I'll continue :)

New friends!
Me, Anne and Ann at dinner.

The next morning I went to the Galleria degli Uffizi by myself. The Uffizi is home to some of the most famous art in the world, including da Vinci's The Adoration of the Maggi and Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. There was so much to see that I got a bit overwhelmed after awhile. It was time to do something completely different--leather shopping! Florence is known for its handmade leatherwear, so of course I had to have a look and maybe even buy a thing or two while I was there. When I had spent all the money I could afford to, I took a bus a short ride outside of the city to visit Anne and Ann at the villa where they live and are taking classes while abroad. It was the stuff of fairy tales. We all agreed that it's like the Secret Garden, which was one of my favorite movies growing up, so I obviously enjoyed my time there. Plus it was fun to see a part of Florence outside of the city center. But it was time to go on to a much bigger city. Rome was waiting.

The garden behind the girls' villa.

Rome

Rome, the last leg of my journey. My sorority sister Lucinda offered a place to stay if I ever wanted to visit and I decided to take her up on that offer. On the first day there we tackled the sites together. Our first stop was a cliff that overlooked the city. It was an amazing panoramic view of Rome. (I realized going somewhere with a view seemed to be a theme to this trip, but it made for some awesome pictures!) I didn't realize it, but I guess I picked to visit Italy during the rainy season, so it was another muggy day. We still managed to see and do a lot, despite the weather. 

Overlooking Rome

We went to the Pantheon first. It was completed in 126 AD and is still in use today, making it one of the most well preserved Roman structures. It definitely is a beautiful structure. After spending some time there we went to get gelato at a place Lucinda recommended. I like to think I eat about as much ice cream as pizza, but this gelato didn't even compare to any ice cream I've had before. It was delicious! I ordered the Bailey's and tiramisu flavors and they put whipped cream on top. So yummy! 

The Pantheon

Lucinda and I on the Spanish Steps.

But there was so much more to see. We headed to the Spanish Steps next. It was starting to get dark and they were really pretty with all the lights. Next we headed to the Trevi Fountain, which was beautiful at night! Of course we had to make our wishes and throw a coin in the fountain. Then we met up with Alyssa, another Sigma who's studying in Rome for the semester. It was so great to get to spend time with Mizzou friends. 

Making my wish at the Trevi Fountain

The next morning I got ready to see Rome on my own, as Lucinda had class. My first stop was the Vatican. I went on a guided tour of Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano, or St. Peter's Basilica. The basilica had me in awe! Everything was gold and marble and so large and grand. And I learned a ton about the Biblical history and architecture of the place through the tour. It was fascinating to learn about stories from the Bible in this way. It was just a different perspective that I really liked. 

Next I went to the Musei Vaticani, or the Vatican Museum. I took my time enjoying the art with my little audio guide, which was incredibly helpful. There was so much to take in that I did have to start skipping some things after awhile. Plus, I was ready to see the Sistine Chapel. And it was amazing! I found a seat, which were hard to come by, and listened to what the guide had to tell me about the chapel. I think the added context helped me to appreciate it more. It's amazing how much Michelangelo understood and revered the Bible. The way he told its stories and spread its message, he was a bit of a theologian in a way. I might have snuck a picture of the David but I wasn't brave enough to try to sneak a picture of the Sistine Chapel. 

Exit of the Vatican Museum

St. Peter's Basilica

The Colosseum at dusk.

After the museum I found a little restaurant and got some tortellini for lunch. By this time it was pouring, but I decided my trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Colosseum. Unfortunately, I arrived a little too late and the gates were closed so I didn't get to go inside. It was an absolute downpour, but I still had to take some pictures of the beautiful building that holds so much history. I couldn't help but be a little disappointed, but then I thought of all the wonderful things I did get to see during my time in Italy and it put things in perspective. That night Lucinda and I had dinner, more pizza, which was a great way to end a fantastic trip. 

The end of an amazing adventure!

Looking Back

Part of why it took me so long to blog about my Tour de Italy is partly because it was a marathon of a blog post (you've almost made it to the end!), but mainly because I've still be reflecting on it a little bit. A full week of traveling by myself in a country where the primary language is not English is something I would have thought impossible before. I know I joked in a previous post that I might be the one planning a solo trip in the future, but to be honest I never really thought I would. In retrospect though, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I learned so much about myself and what I'm capable of during my Italian adventures. I feel like traveling alone forced me to grow up in a big way and see myself as an independent young woman. I'm twenty-two, with graduation and the real world staring me in the face; there is no better time to learn how to step out of my comfy, safe-zone and stand on my own two feet. Traveling alone increased my confidence and helped me to gain some street smarts, something I've probably been lacking. 

It also taught me that I'm not ever truly alone. It's important that I'm sure of myself, but it's more important that I realize I have the ultimate Protecter by my side. At times I know I'm guilty of relying on myself and my friends and family too much. I think that's why traveling alone scared me in the first place. But I faced my fears head-on and I was reminded that there's no need to be afraid because 

God's got me every step of the way. I gained a lot of memories and amazing stories from my travels in Italy; but even better than that, I learned how to be a strong single traveler and a strong single woman. 

A Day with the Stars

As my course workload picks up I've gotten worse about keeping up with the blog. I apologize to those of you who regularly check it for my lack of posts lately.

The day after I returned from Scotland a group of friends and I went to Madam Tussaud's. For those of you who aren't familiar with Madam Tussaud's, it's a museum featuring wax figures of celebrities, famous politicians, athletes, etc. There are ones all over the world, but I must say, the London location is quite impressive! You might not think posing with wax figures for cheesy photos would be a good time, but you'd be surprised. They are so realistic looking, and it's easy to get into it, be a little silly and have fun! So I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures of the day. Hope you enjoy!

Look, it's RPatz! 

Hmm, Daniel Radcliff is slightly shorter in "real life."

Trying to keep it classy with Marilyn.

Ready to fight like Ali.

It's still possible to marry a prince. Harry's single :)

Gotta love Princess Di.

Just hanging out with two of my heroes: MLK...

...and Obama!

Scotland: An Unexpected Adventure

I got a lot of advice before I came to London. One such piece of wise instruction was to not turn down any opportunities that come my way. Last time I blogged I mentioned that my friend Sam invited me on a bit of a spontaneous trip to Scotland. Well she and her friends Kelly and Brian decided that they wanted to go see Edinburgh, but on a budget...just my kind of trip! So when she invited me those words came to mind. Don't turn down an opportunity.

Edinburgh Castle 

Last Wednesday night the four of us boarded a night bus to Edinburgh, Scotland. We arrived in the city bright and early at 7 a.m. The bus ride was a little rough, but totally worth it! After dropping our bags we didn't waste any time. Our first stop was a tour of Edinburgh Castle. It was fascinating to learn about how far the Scottish history stretches back. It reminded me how young of a country the United States is. I have discovered during my time abroad that I'm a bit of a history nerd. I find the past captivating and have developed a new appreciation for it through my travels.

The Café where JK Rowling wrote much of the first Harry Potter. 

After the castle we got some lunch and then joined a free walking tour of the city. It was run by a company that gives walking tours based solely on a tip system all over Europe. I was skeptical at first about a free tour, but it was great. I definitely discovered things about Edinburgh that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. We explored the history of the Royal Mile, the Grassmarket area, and we even learned some things about the castle that we hadn't been told on the tour. We even heard a bit about the writing of Harry Potter and got to walk past some of the areas J.K. Rowling used for inspiration for the series. It was three hours chock-full of the history of the city and surrounding areas, so I obviously enjoyed it.

After the tour we attempted to hike up to Arthur's Seat, the highest point in Edinburgh with a view of the entire city. I definitely wore the wrong shoes for that, so less than halfway up my knees and ankles were not happy with me. It turns out we went the wrong way up the mountain anyway. I tried to encourage the others to continue up the right way and I would just wait, but they felt bad leaving me. I felt bad being a Debbie Downer, but when we took in the view from where we were none of us could complain. It was beautiful!

Hiking to the top.

What a view! 

Yummy! 

After we finished that we found a nice pub and got a traditional Scottish meal. I had beef stew with a flaky pastry on top served with mash and veggies. Yum! I wasn't feeling adventurous enough to order haggis, but I did try a bite. It was surprisingly pretty good. After dinner we checked into the hostel, got freshened up, and decided to go on a pub crawl led by the same company as the free tours. It was a good time and we got to see a lot more of the city.

We woke up early the next morning and went on a tour of the Highlands and Loch Ness. It was easily the best 41 pounds I've spent since September. It was absolutely stunning! I've been blessed enough to see a lot of really amazing sites, but the Scottish Highlands is definitely the most breathtaking place I've been. The mountains are massive and majestic, the water is stunningly blue, the sky is gray but somehow still perfect in its gloominess. As Brian said, there were a lot of God moments to witness there.

The Highlands

Our tour guide told us so many stories about the Scottish clans and the battles in the Highlands. Unfortunately I don't remember much of it, it was almost information overload. But I did still learn a great deal and really enjoyed myself. The tour took basically all day, so we had time to get back, grab our bags, eat dinner and get on the night bus back.

MORE of the Highlands

In the remains of a castle in the Highlands.

It was a whirlwind of a trip, but we accomplished everything we could have possibly wanted to in that amount of it. Needless to say, I'm very thankful for those wise words to go, say yes, take every opportunity that comes your way. I will definitely be passing that advice onto future travelers.

Amsterdam, Bruges, and More!

Last weekend I went on my first weekend trip to Amsterdam and Bruges with my new friend Sam. Those weren't places I necessarily had given much thought to visiting, but when the offer came up it couldn't have been better timing. Last weekend was also the 100th Celebration of Homecoming at Mizzou and I couldn't help but be a little sad that I was going to be missing it. Plus, I'd been here for a month and hadn't gone on any exciting trips yet. So I thought, why not? When we planned to go Sam and I had only spoken a handful of times, but now I consider her to be one of my really good friends in London. I think traveling has the potential to do that to even complete strangers.

On the Canal Cruise 

We woke up at 4 a.m. last Friday to start our journey. After about 12 hours of traveling by coach and ferry we arrived in Amsterdam. We got directly off the coach and onto a canal cruise. The city of Amsterdam is built around a series of canals which were historically built for trade, giving it the nickname "Venice of the North." It was a great way to see a lot of the city and a great way to start the trip. After a quick stop at the hostel our tour guide took us on a tour of the Red Light District. It was so...strange. I mean, we were standing three or four feet way from legal prostitution with a pane of glass separating us from the women. Another very unusual thing to me was the coffee shops we passed. You just walk into these places and order cannabis like you would a double shot expresso. I guess it's all just part of the Amsterdam culture.


Saturday we got up bright and early and headed to Zaanse Schans, a touristy area outside of Amsterdam. We got to experience how Dutch cheese and wooden shoes are made, as well as lots and lots of windmills.When we got back into Amsterdam we went to the Anne Frank House. I can't say it was fun, but it was definitely something I'm glad I did. It was a solemn experience to stand where she and her family lived for all that time. There was a place on the wall that had marks of how much Anne and her sister Margot had grown during their time in hiding. All of Anne's little pictures were still glued on the walls in her room. It was surreal. After a quick lunch we decided to check out something else very much a part of the city...The Heineken Experience. Amsterdam is home to the Heineken company so they have a museum where you can learn about the history and see how the beer is made. I've been to a winery, but not a brewery so it was neat to see how it's done.

Sam and I at Zaanse Schans

Anne Frank House

Heineken Brewery

The next morning we got up early and left for Bruges. It was a completely different feel than Amsterdam: quaint, more of a quite city, with an older tourist crowd. Our tour guide walked us through the city, pointing out the sites. When we had free time our first stop was to get Belgian waffles. They were delicious! Topped with chocolate and whipped cream, they were more like a dessert than the Americanized breakfast version. After we were full with our sweet treat we went to Musea Brugge or the Bruges Museum inside one of the oldest churches I've ever seen. Our original reason for going was to see the Madonna and the Child, a sculpture by Michelangelo of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. It was beautiful. The whole museum was beautiful and very humbling. We spent the rest of the time just meandering around the charming little city. On our way back to London we ended our tour with a trip to a Belgian chocolate factory. Yum!

My delicious waffle!

Michelangelo's Sculpture

When I got back to London I had a lovely little surprise on Facebook from my wonderful Mizzou family. My friend Kassie knew how much I wanted to be at Homecoming so she made a cutout of me in my Mizzou gear and took it to some of the Homecoming events. She even gave it to the Summer Welcome Leaders so I could be at the Summer Welcome Reunion reception. It was a sweet and thoughtful gesture that meant so much to me. Who would've thought I could be two fabulous places at once? I guess I can say I got the best of both worlds that weekend. :)

Homecoming with some of my favorite people! 

Celebrating 100 years with my SWamily!
(You can see teeny tiny me in the middle.)

And More! 

So this last week I didn't do anything really interesting, just tried to catch up on my schoolwork. (Ok, it's hard to focus when you have all of London and half of Europe to explore. Give me a break! tehe) But I did plan for several upcoming trips. Paris has been planned for a few weeks now, but I recently decided to take advantage of several days off of school in and go to several cities in Italy at the beginning of November! Also, on the fly, Sam convinced me to go on a trip to Scotland this week with her and another friend. Oh, and I have much much more of London to explore. Basically, look for a lot more fun blog posts to come!

The Reality of Things

It's been a little over three weeks since I arrived in London and the newness is wearing off. It's starting to feel less like a vacation and more like the realization of being here for the semester is kicking in. I'm really excited about that! But there are a few drawbacks...

Have you ever been to a store, looked at a shelf and not seen a single brand you recognize; then, when you finally find something familiar, it tastes completely different? Have you ever said a word or phrase that seems normal to you, only to discover that everything you are used to saying in casual conversation means something completely different where you are? Have you ever wanted to share in the excitement of  a close friend's engagement, but when you reach for the phone you remember you can't call her? Have you ever been looking forward to a special occasion several years in the making, then had to watch it take place miles away without you? 

This is what homesickness looks like. It's missing your favorite chocolate, only to find something similar looking that doesn't taste similar at all. It's having to change your everyday speech even when the people you're talking to speak the same native language. It's congratulating a friend on the biggest event in her life via Facebook, instead of being able to see her and give her a hug. It's missing the 100th Anniversary of Homecoming your senior year at the university you call your home. 

This is what homesickness looks like.

I wouldn't trade my time here for anything! But with the ups come the downs. Life can't be all royal palaces and VIP birthdays and exciting traveling adventures.  Your have to pay a price to gain all of that. And for me that price is not having the little things that make home special. But most importantly, it's missing out on spending time with the ones I love. But I guess that's just the reality of things. 

Ridin' Solo

I've always been a planner and an organized person, it's kind of something I strangely derive enjoyment from. Or rather, I would forget which way was up if I wasn't working from some sort of list. As such, I have developed two lists since arriving in London: the first is of all the things I want to do in London, and the second is all the places I want to visit in Europe. At the top of the first list is a tour of Buckingham Palace. I read in my handy dandy travel book (I told you, I'm a planner) that it was an amazing experience. I've always had a nerdy fascination with the history of castles and royalty, so it  seemed like an opportunity I couldn't miss. Staying true to form, I did my research. I found out that tours of the castle ended on October 3rd...on September 29th. One of my friends and I decided that we better go before we missed our chance, so we made plans to go October 2nd. We knew we'd have to get up incredibly early in order to "queue up," as they say here, for tickets.

My day at Buckingham Palace

So Sunday morning I actually woke up at 7 a.m. excited, which for those of you who know how much I'm not a morning person, isn't normal. As I was getting ready my phone rang. My friend couldn't come. She woke up feeling really sick. My initial reaction was disappointment that I wasn't going to be able to cross Buckingham off my list. But then I thought back to a girl I had met a few days before who was going on a weekend trip to two different countries, on her own. She wasn't going with friends, meeting friends there, or planning on making friends on the way. She just really wanted to go on this trip and decided that she was going to go, with or without anyone else. I thought that took a lot of courage and if she could do that then I definitely could go on a day trip within London by myself. So I decided I was going to Buckingham Palace. This was something I really wanted to do and I was going to go, with or without anyone else.

The view on my walk to the Tube.
You can see Wembley Stadium in the foggy distance. 

I got dressed, packed up my camera and walked to the Tube station. It was a beautiful morning on Westminster's campus, which made me even more excited for my day's adventure. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. I'd only lived in this city for two weeks, and here I was venturing out solo, but I was also really elated by that knowledge. When I walked through Green Park and saw the palace for the first time I knew I had made the right decision. It was beautiful, even better than in the pictures. I went to queue up for my ticket. That's when I started to second guess my decision. There were couples, families, groups of friends, large guided tours...and me. Or at least that's how it felt. "Ticket for one, please." As I returned to the front of the palace I thought, why are you regretting this? This is an awesome experience! Enjoy it! And that's what I decided to do.

Buckingham Palace

I took a million pictures. Of the palace, of the fountain, of the gates, etc., etc. I started to relax into being alone. It was nice having the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted to. It was also a great time to practice my new photography hobby! After taking more pictures than probably anyone there, I found a spot to view the changing of the guard. I enjoyed the ceremony, but it was a warm day so it seemed extra lengthy to me. I got a call from my friend Alyson and we met for lunch. I had my first mozzarella, basil and tomato sandwich. Yum! Then it was time for the grand tour!

Unfortunately, they don't allow photography inside the palace, so I don't have any amazing interior photos to show. But let's just say that the memories will last for a long, long time. It was beautiful! Everything I could have imagined and more. Everywhere I looked was so lovely and alluring, even the ceilings were stunning! And the dress, ahh the dress. There was a display featuring Kate Middleton's dress and accessories from the royal wedding, as well as the wedding cake. It was unbelievable to get to see it all up close and in person. The entire experience was one of a kind, and I wouldn't have changed anything about it.

The Palace from the garden.

As I was leaving, and snapping some last minute photos of the back garden, I was so glad I had decided to go that day. Maybe it wasn't as I had planned it, but I couldn't have planned it any better. In fact, it might be the most fun day I've had in London thus far. It's at least at the top of that list.

Someone told me before I left home that once I studied abroad I would be able to do anything. Now I know what he meant. That Sunday was a baby step, but it was something I would have thought impossible a mere six months ago. Venture through the huge city of London alone? No way! But I did it, and I've done it several other times since then. Who knows what's next? Maybe I'll be the one packing up for a solo trip to another country. We'll just have to wait and see.