The Leave Taking

“Travel is worthwhile. It minimizes one’s ignorance.”—Unknown

So, here is to the start of a journey. A journey long anticipated, desired, prepared for, and deserved. Here’s to getting a chance to taste "la dolce vita" where its history began. To excitement, adventure, knowledge and pleasure. That I may experience something unforgettable in the magical landscapes and ancient paved streets of Italia.

I guess I am searching for my life’s purpose, and want Italy to help me uncover what I truly want for my future. I have so many unanswered questions about what I should do when I return to “reality”.  Is the foreign service for me? Is Tuscany my soul’s land--the place I should spend my life? Do I pursue travel writing as a career, or settle for annual reports? I’ll have a mere 16 weeks to diligently forge a plan for myself.

All I can do is travel in good faith and hope I will find my way.

Non-academic reasons I am looking forward to Italy...

As I count down my final hours in the good ol' U.S. of A, I have been thinking more and more about the other great things Italy will have--besides the cultural, historical, and artistic aspects I know I will be studying.
Yes, I am going to have the time of my life in a foreign country as I study fascinating subjects and learn about Italian culture, yadda, yadda, yadda. But, to be perfectly honest, there are some very compelling non-academic reasons I am looking forward to my time in the cradle of civilization. My top ten list currently includes the following:


#1 I will be meeting people I can hang out with in Oxford. As a Super Senior, a.k.a. 5th year, knowing some faces when walking Uptown is most welcome.
#2 David by Michelangelo. My life's dream is to see him. The highlight and glory of the Renaissance. Can't wait.
#3 Gelato. Less calories, more tasty according to everyone I talk to. Bring it.
#4 Cinque Terre. Five towns nestled precariously on Italy's west coast, with few (if any) historical artifacts to view. Beaches, cliffs, and hiking will be a welcome change from the museums of Florence.
#5  I can stare at beautiful shoes and fashion designs I would never be able to find in Lexington, Kentucky. Then, after a short, futile mental debate, purchase said products and ignore the total on the cash register.
#6 Knowing that the country produced these guys.
#7 Finding out if Italy produced many like them for my viewing and photographing pleasure. (Why only have a stone David? Why not a country full of live ones? )
#8 Seeing my friend Chelsea who is studying in Urbino. Overseas visitation=too cool.
#9 Being relatively disconnected from technology. No phone constantly beeping, buzzing, vibrating, and ringing to get my attention.
#10 Hearing Italian be spoken, and having very little idea what is being said. Let's my imagination run wild with the possibilities.


--k

Tiptoe Through the Tar Balls...

Orange Beach, AL—Arrived to the Phoenix IV condominium complex June 12. Though the water has been “double red flagged” (a.k.a. Thou shalt not enter the waves), it hasn’t been slicked with oil, smelled like petroleum, or filled with tar balls either. I even braved the waves the other day and swam out into the Gulf a little bit—the water was warm, clear, and entirely pleasant.

It has been fascinating to see the Gulf oil disaster first hand, especially when the media have made it appear so much worse on television. One report showed Orange Beach’s waves propelling oil onto shore, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. I’ve seen some tar balls on shore—they are the consistency and color of brown sugar held together with creamed butter—and they are definitely the lesser of the two evils.

Unfortunately, news coverage has made these harmless balls a bigger deal than they really are. The restaurant owners, condo renters, and other businesses are suffering financially from this worse than they did during Katrina, based on my findings when I asked managers and workers.

Personal opinion—now is the time to head to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. There are less people here, therefore less traffic, less waiting at restaurants, and more personal space at the pools and on the beach. All in all, it’s been a very pleasant weeklong stay on the coast. I’m relaxed and ready to head back to Lexington and spend seven days getting ready for Italy.

Till next time, --kaitlin