Roma Retrospect

Over the past five weeks abroad, I have bared the record breaking heatwave that spread across Europe. This heat that I experienced everyday was dry and brutal. Daily I would pass by fountain after fountain unable to take a dip (if you take a swim in an Italian fountain you owe the government 500 euros). It was such a tease; I eventually adapted to the Italian lifestyle of embracing your sweat stains.

The two first weekends I was able to make it to the coast to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. Ever since I can remember I have been collecting seashells. It was a family tradition for my grandparents to take the whole family to the beach and I would walk for what seemed like forever collecting shells to take home and admire until the next year. I was exited to continue this tradition on another countries beaches. But to my surprise, there were no shells in sight. In fact, there wasn't any sand. The beaches were pebbles and instead of shells, sea glass took its place.

I spent my time on the Italian beaches collecting as many pieces of sea glass and pebbles that I could fit in my hands. I have never seen sea glass until this summer. It is beautiful to me that a piece of trash that has been polluting the sea turned into this treasure for me to keep.

These keepsakes will always remind me of my Italian experience and all of the amazing people that I came across. I will admire these treasures until the day I am able to make it back to Italy and collect more. These pebbles and such are a reminder to myself that I can and will make it back to the country that gave me so much in the past five weeks. Italy, you will be missed. But I promise to make it back to you. Until then, ciao!!