I’ve enjoyed my travels here in Italy. They have really helped to broaden my perspective because I have seen so many new cultures, and a completely new way of life. My travels have helped me realize aspects of my life that I want, need, and also don’t need. What I mean by this is that a change in my way of life (my move to Italy) has helped me realize what’s really important in my life. In leaving Seattle, and my normal lifestyle, I have realized that I can live a more simple life. I do not need so many possessions, and I can basically just live off of what’s around me. I have also realized that removing myself from my normal environment allows me to focus on my surroundings more. I have found that when I’m at home, I have so many distractions. I am constantly worried about all my responsibilities, and making sure that I am involved with all of my friend’s lives. In coming abroad, I have realized that I definitely need to focus on what’s important, and not be so distracted that it hinders my schoolwork and my personal health. I also like what leaving Seattle has done to me. I have been able to focus on learning new things about a new place, while knowing that I can always return to Seattle with new knowledge.
Seattle means a lot to me. I cannot tell you how many times I have felt just a little homesick on this trip because I miss certain aspects of my hometown, whether it is my house, my fraternity, my friends, my family, and especially food back in Seattle. When coming to Rome, I have realized how much I miss these things, and more importantly, what is actually important to me back home. As much as I miss it, I am happy about this experience, because I have never had this type of an opportunity before, where I could leave my home and live far away for an extended period of time. These are my experiences in regards to Seattle, but what I think are even more interesting are my experiences in leaving Rome.
Rome has become my new home, so naturally I have been able to adjust and feel comfortable here. I am definitely the type of person that needs “comforts” around me at all times, whether it be possessions or just a bed to call my own. I know everything is safe here in my new apartment, and I have a place to go whenever I need to gather my thoughts. In this way, Rome is my “temporary” home, but I did not really begin to think of Rome in this way until I left it for the first time. After a little over three weeks of being in Rome, I went to Florence to visit some friends. I had a great weekend, but on the train ride home after 3 long days, I realized that I truly missed Rome because it was comfortable to me, and because it was my home.
I do not think I really had this feeling before I left Rome. This is probably because I still felt like I was on some sort of extended vacation. While I was in Florence, I wished I could sleep in my own bed, like I do when I go on vacation from Seattle. This feeling represented a transition in my trip. It took three weeks, but I finally feel like I belong here in Rome. It does not feel like a vacation anymore, but really like I live here in Rome. As well as having a place to call home in Rome, I have also developed a comfort level in my surroundings similar to how I would feel back in Seattle. I know my surroundings, how to get around, and where to go for what I need. It was hard for me to feel confident in navigating the city for the first few weeks, but now I can get around without any trouble, and know places for food, groceries, etc.
Not only did I get this feeling when I came back to Rome, but on a different level, when I returned to Florence the very next weekend, I felt something similar. After returning to Florence for a second visit, I was familiar with my surroundings, and felt comfortable in the city. When we left Florence for a day, and went to Prato, I felt as if I was really overstepping my boundaries and going to this foreign city. Maybe the reason I felt this way was because Prato was pretty boring, or maybe because it was different from both Rome and Florence, but it seemed like I just wanted to leave and return to a place where I was more comfortable. In coming back to Florence, I didn’t notice a lot being different about the city, but I did go straight to a specific place I knew for dinner, and then went straight to my hotel room to Skype with my Mom. I felt like these were signs of reaching out for something more familiar.
My travels have helped me learn a lot about myself, and what I need in order to feel comfortable in certain situations. I have created a new home for myself in Rome, and this has proven itself every time I return to Rome, and feel like I have returned home. Even though I do not know much about Rome, I feel like I do, and I feel comfortable enough, now, to call this foreign place a second home.
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