I have always loved to travel, and have wanted to go to Italy my whole life. But with the trip quicky approaching, I am having the pre-departure jitters that come with planning a whole month of your life. Strangely enough for my personality, on the top of my list is what clothes to pack. I've never been a person of fasion, but I am about to enter one of the fashion capitals of the world and will be sure to stick out like a sore thumb in my usual jeans and t-shirt. I've also been checking that I have enough spending money, camera supplies, and that my passport is all ready to go.
I don't know what to expect when I get there, as it is up to me to get myself from the aiport to my Milan campus via taxi in a country that I don't know the language and have never visited. I do expect to get lost and to have some of my most amazing memories come out of taking a wrong turns and having welcomed bumps in the road. Experiences like these aren't right if they are clean cut and follow the itinerary. I believe the story of this trip lies off the beaten path set before me. I have to allow my comfort zone to be left behind and to explore beyond the tourist sites and experience how a true Milanese sees their city everyday and for what it is, not what a travel guide tells you it is.
I hope I can look back at my daily accounts and feel appreciation and accomplishment of what I have gained through my travels. Until July 1st, arrivederci!
