As a child, I always envied people who traveled, from Florida and Hawaii to Australia and Mexico. Everyone would go on magical vacations to places so far away from home, yet my family was always traveling in New England. That all changed, though, when my family took a vacation to Ireland -- the magical land of leprechauns, Guinness and shamrocks. Not only had we left the country, but we traveled across the ocean to a land full of documented rich history that had an added benefit of being my heritage. Being a child, I was not able to fully appreciate the trip at the time because I was so young, but the trips that followed would change my perspective.
Exploring heritage was the main reason my parents took us out of the country. The year following our trip to Ireland, we embarked on an adventure in Italy to discover the land where half of my family is from. Italy left me with this desire to see more of the world: the ruins, the art, the customs and the food. The spark that ignited in me was lit by the people I encountered -- most importantly, was my tour guide Zio Gus, who treated the children of the tour group like his own (I got a lot of ice cream for free and the Murano glass horse I won). Leaving Italy hurt because it felt as though I would never experience Italia again. But I returned in 2010, during Christmas, and added many new experiences to my list -- including mass with the Pope and meeting La Befana.
Traveling to Ecuador is probably the most rewarding trip I've taken. Ecuador was not a luxurious place. I spent my days in the thorns and dirt, literally, as I volunteered. Ecuador was my home for a week or two over the course of three years. Helping those in need was truly amazing and I met so many people, including my best friend. It is weird to say that my best friend and I originally did not speak the same language, but it is true.
My parents, being the reasonable people that they are, do not just send me away to countries when I ask because -- let us be real, here -- that would be expensive and ridiculous. So when I gave them the paperwork for a summer camp in China that would be paid for by the Chinese government, my parents were pretty excited. The flights were covered by my parents and I was sent away to study the language and culture of one of the largest countries in the world.
After China, I was prepared to settle down for a bit and take on the end of high school and college, but life was going to play out differently. During my senior year, I applied to study abroad in Italy for my freshman year of college. By the time graduation rolled around, I was booking my tickets to study in the land of pasta and freedom.
Going to Italy was probably the best choice I made in terms of learning cultures and languages. Not only did I get to learn Italian, but I also learned a few words in many other languages. As for the cultures, I experienced life in Germany, Greece, France, England, The Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Spain and Morocco. Plus, I got to spend time with new friends, my family in Italy, my family that visited and my friends that visited.
Traveling is not for everyone. But for those few that are touched in the soul by the miraculous events that occur abroad, traveling is life. From horseback riding in the Andes mountains, climbing The Great Wall, seeing where Anne Boleyn lost her head, sneaking onto the ice skating rink at 3 a.m. in Amsterdam or walking amongst the freaking Parthenon, travel is about the moments that could not possibly occur anywhere else. Travel is about trying those weird foods that you might possibly regret later but have to try in that instant (do not have street octopus in China). Or those random tourists who are just as lost as you and need directions, or buy you drinks. Perhaps it is about seeing the sun rise and set in a new location, saying that you lived a day in the life of someone across the globe. I travel for the thrill and excitement found in every new location, and the bragging rights to say that I have been there and done that.
