Amalfi Coast (Day Two)

 We took a boat ride followed by a boat tour of the beautiful island town of Capri! We thought about exploring the town for about .2 seconds and quicly realized all we wanted to do was swim in the ocean and lay on the beach, so we did!

After a really attractive pink glow had emerged on our faces we were back on the boat to Sorrento! We finished our day with more seafood,  a rooftop bar, mixed company from locals and students from our school, and as always, had a great time :)

Ciao!

Amalfi Coast (Day One)

On Friday morning we ventured down to Sorrento on the Amalfi coast and got to celebrate my 20th birthday! I am no longer a teenager and think I have really matured in the last 3 days :) As far as birthdays go, this was one I will always remember. 

 This is why I love my roommates^^^

It was perfect. It wasn't anything too crazy (see, I told you I have matured) but it was just what I wanted. We watched the sunset over wine and appetizers before having seafood at a resturaunt on a dock, it was pretty romantic, and finishing the night with dessert and an early night to bed.  

Other than being in this magnificent country, it was the people who made this day, or whole week really, extra memerable. Not only did I spend it with one of my best friends, but with two of my roomates, Bailey and Kayla, who I can't believe I have only known for three weeks! We were so lucky to have met them and I am already dreading saying goodbye. 

Thank you to everyone from home who were a HUGE reason this day was so great. You all did a great job at making me feel extra special, loved, and appreciated. It was one of those days I kept asking God how I got so lucky and what I did to be able to experience this life the way I have. I think he got sick of hearing me say 'Thank You' but I hope he got over it becuase I never stopped.

I am so blessed and overwhelmingly thankful for my life and everyone who makes it beyond great. You guys are seriously incredible.

Cheers to maturity!

Cinque Terre (Day 2)

All five towns of Cinque Terre are connected by an underground train, or if you're feeling extra adventurous, hiking trails! My friends convinced me to be adventurous and even though half of the time (or maybe more) I felt like I was going to fall of the cliff/have a heart attack/ or cry, I am so happy I did it. It really is unbelievably gorgeous and unlike any place I have ever been. I would go back in a second. 

 We were only able to hike through the last three towns but lucky for us those were the hardest and longest hikes, yay! Also lucky for us, they happened to have the best views. 

 Sentiero-Town 3 ^^^

Somewhere along the way it felt like we were transported to Costa Rica, and I kind of really loved it.

My greatest testiment to Birkenstocks to date. ^^^

Vernazza- Town 4^^^

Monterosso- Town 5^^^ (I was especially happy when I saw this one). 

We were a little bit tired by the time we were done...

 The sun didn't reveal itself at all during out 4 hour adventure and let me tell you, I have never been so happy to see gray skies in my life. Half the time we had a nice combonation of sweat and rain drops on our face but the rain was greatly appreciated (shout out to the man upstairs for that perfect planning).

 After some lunch, drinks (which we felt we absolutely deserved), and one final swim in the ocean, we were back on the train headed to Florence!  I love everyplace we have visited so much but, I equally love how excited I am every time we make our way back home :)

It really was the best of weekends.

Cinque Terre (Day 1)

 I know I say this everytime, but I found my new favorite place (for this week at least).

It was our first free weekend to travel wherever and whenever we wanted, and after traveling in a group of 100 people, the freedom and tranquility of it all was much appreciated!
We left Friday morning to the smallest of the five towns of Cinque Terre, Riomaggorie, and were greeted but the salty air and big beautiful Mediterranean Ocean we were so anxiously waiting to see.

After spending a few hours laying on the beach and finally getting to swim in the ocean it was time to embrace our salty hair for a relaxing evening.
We spent the night getting some dinner in town (and by town I mean one long uphill street), devouring our Nutella Gelato, Sipping Sangria's by the beach, and watching the ocean engulf the sun in a beautiful sunset; talk about romantic!

 Then we had to go to bed early to brace ourselves for the adventure in store for us on day two...