Two Incredible Friends, Ten Short Days
In three weeks I will have approached the one
year mark for my journey abroad. In the scheme of things, a year is a
relatively brief period of time. However, a lot can happen in a year –
relationships can change, lessons will be learned, and experiences had.
I was just mentioning the other day how 2012 and
the beginning of 2013 seemed to stubbornly drag on. That period of my life was
certainly the peak of my restlessness. I was neither happy nor sad; I was
simply numb to the world, wanting to fill a void.
Now that I have decided to
put my heart and goals first, life has been a whirlwind. For someone never
leaving the United States before, I have been to eleven new countries within
eleven months. I have evolved from who I once was, and have stripped my layers
to reveal who I truly am.
Before I left the states, we – along with a few
other close friends – were living in Farmington together, so meeting for happy
hour, girl’s night, or a shopping trip never had to be thought twice about. I
have never taken those days for granted and I absolutely love my life abroad,
but there have been times where I wish I could meet them at Grants for a
cocktail or to cozy up on one of their couches for TV and girl talk. Thankfully
technology today has eased the sting of these long distance friendships – we
are only a Skype call, iMessage, or Facebook Chat away from each other. More
importantly, our friendships are strong enough where time and distance hold no
influence.
So Allie and Lauren arrived in Italy for their
third time to share their vacation with me and fill it with incredible sights,
rich gelato, and delicious wine. Our
trip began in Rome where we reunited in the lovely Fiumicino airport. Hearing
my name called out and hugging them both brought me immediately to reality yet
I couldn’t shake the surreal feeling that they were actually here. My friends
and family from home have adopted the ‘phantom limb’ syndrome – I always feel
their presence, yet am unable to physically see them.
We immediately jetted off to Sicily to spend a
long weekend with Lauren’s relatives. I was not surprised to find that Lauren’s
family is as generous, lighthearted, and loveable as she is. We were welcomed as family and treated as
royalty. I fell in love with Sicily, the village of Sortino, and my gracious
hosts.
We returned to my home in Florence, eager to run
off the pounds we gained, shop the local markets, and enjoy true Tuscan delicacies.
Midweek we headed to Verrazzano Vineyard in Chianti Region for a wine tasting
and to spend a night in a small villa. This was my second time at Verrazzano
Vineyards, and although the tour is excellent, the best part of this small trip
was sitting on lawn chairs outside our villa overlooking the rolling hills of
Tuscany and later in a small hole-in-the wall restaurant in Greve. Here, we
were finally on our own and able to truly catch each other up on our lives.
The strength of our friendship and our history
together catapulted us into our own world. Time no longer existed and we simply
reveled in one another’s company. We are comfortable in silence and animated in
conversation. The three of us all come from very different backgrounds and have
lived very different lives. We are on separate paths with separate goals. Yet
this diversity fuels our bond. We share insight other friends may not know. We
encourage one another when others may dismiss. Our friendship is honest,
supportive, and loyal. Sitting in those lawn chairs we shared our new hopes,
fears, and desires. Around the table in that local trattoria, I bared parts of
my past that I have kept locked away for quite some time. There was no judgment
or pitying; only understanding and love. We do not belittle one another or urge
each other to follow a specific path; we simply offer advice and accept each
other’s journey.
Their visit concluded with a trip to Cinque
Terre. Even though this was my second time there, the towns and views were no
less spectacular. I met them in Riomaggiore after my work day and we
immediately went up to the cliff that overlooks the crashing waves and faces
the falling sun. We toasted to our friendship with local wine and watched in
silence the sun gracefully bow behind the clouds. I have experienced quite a
few memorable sunsets in my life and this was one of them. The sky’s colors
were continually changing and the clouds glowed around the sun as if they were
a halo. Whenever I see something naturally beautiful and untouched by man’s
harsh hand, I immediately feel aware of the fact that I am part of something
greater. That my life is connected to the souls around me and to the energy in
the beauty I see. A sunset forgives the day of its wrongs and erases any worries with its promise to rise again. So in that short period of time while I watched the sun
conclude another day, I felt such extremes of serenity and thanks - and there
were no better people to have at my side.
We left Cinque Terre the following day, after
hopping from village to village and digesting the panoramic views and charming
shops. All of a sudden, our vacation was over and it was time to return to our
regular lives. Their departure snuck up
on us and felt too abrupt. Where did the past ten days go?
Yet as we said
farewell with tear sodden eyes, we knew this goodbye will not be forever – as
they never are. Our hugs communicated and reinforced the words our voices tried
to say.
I am forever thankful for these strong,
intelligent, and kind women in my life. They inspire me daily and I admire them
for who they have become and the lives they lead. Their love and support encouraged me to leave
the states, start a life in Italy, return to Croatia, and will carry me to the
next chapter of my tale – where I will truly chase the summer and see the other
side of the world.
Hello Amelia, I like your blog a lot! Right now I'm a uni student thinking about teaching english abroad, so will definitely check it again for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteNatalie
I love this one!! Miss you girls!
ReplyDeleteHello Amelia, I am amazed at your oppurtunities travel abroad. I am living by Chicago IL and am thinking about going to TEFL International as you did. However I am still pursuing a BA do you have any advice on what major, univeristy, or what you studied to give me some guidance? I have thirst for knowlegde, travel and my wanderlust has taken over I just want to be able to do it right. Any information that you can give me would be appreciated. I just want to be at peace with the world and find myself as well. Thank you and happy travels.
ReplyDeleteSarah
snerad85@gmail.com