The end!!!

The main purpose of this last blog post is to express my deep gratitude to everyone who made this trip the amazing and wonderful adventure it turned out to be. This trip literally would not have been possible if it hadn't been for the extreme generosity of everyone who opened their home to me and took me in. I stayed with friends, families of friends, friends of friends, a few complete strangers, and I did not have a single negative experience. People were kind and hospitable beyond my wildest dreams. All of my needs were graciously met--beyond just the basic shelter and food and showers and a place to do laundry, I was hooked up with a camera/cell phone, a winter coat and gloves, a phone charger, reading material, rides and access to various events, and much more.

I know for sure I would have run out of money early in my trip and I wouldn't have had nearly as fun, pleasant, pleasurable or comfortable a voyage if it hadn't been for all of you. I can only hope that one day I will be able to (if not repay) at least pay it forward and be as good a host to future wanderers and guests.

I am also grateful to everyone who read this blog or kept up with me in some other way while I was traveling. It was remarkably meaningful to me to know I wasn't forgotten about, because I certainly missed all of you. I'm sorry if I was true to my word and a little on the loquacious side. I hope you found my tales amusing.

I wish I could offer some great insight gained from this trip. But the fact of the matter is that it was pretty short, and I didn't really go to Europe to "find myself" in the first place. I went because I am a restless person full of wander lust. I love traveling, and don't get to do it enough, and I figured I should grab an opportunity when it seemed I had nothing better to do. I also haven't really had that much down time to reflect, since my life has remained fairly crazy since returning to the US.

Here are some condensed reactions and reflections. I am always happy to elaborate upon request.

-The world is a big and beautiful place. The more of it I see, the more I want to explore. It was a good reminder not to let other stuff get in the way of taking/making this kind of opportunity.

-Traveling by myself really increases my sense of self-confidence and competence. I'm pretty damn good at it.

-Came away satisfied. Had lots of fun and adventures. Even if I didn't write as much as I thought I would. Few regrets. One of which is losing three essential things from the list of six and another is not shelling out 8 euros to see Michaelangelo's David and da Vinci's in Florence. Also, there are still so many places I didn't get to go and still want to, but I see that more as deferred gratification than regret. Also, I wish I could have eaten more pasta in Italy. Or more in general.

-Got to see old friends and make new ones. :)

-Being abroad for 3 months changed my perception of being home. Although I missed the ease and comfort of being here while I was away, I felt sort of removed upon returning. I've been especially tuned into the commercialism and different quality of food. Food here really is much sweeter, saltier, richer and more intense than in Europe, in general. And there's more of it.

-Traveling hopefully renewed my excitement and energy for my real life and college too. We'll see.

-All my pictures are up on facebook. Hurray!

-I'm excited to see you and catch up! And I can't wait for the next adventure to begin.