Heyyo from Roma, world! We arrived safely yesterday morning and have been having the most delightful time.The days leading up to departure from Casa Cares were a slight whirlwind, but it happened and now we are here. Of course I had to get my picture with sign- I will once again miss this place. 

Since the last episode of How I Met Your Neighbor we spent a few more days in Florence which is always a good time. We revisited the Pitti Palace, but this time instead of acting like fools in all the rich interior decoration, we piddled in the Boboli Gardens and took feet selfies.

After that there was copious amounts of gelato, of course, and then we stumbled upon the most charming little pub. They had Jenga and foosball and all sorts of mindless games that one looks for in a true pub experience. Is that an actual thing? A true pub experience? Regardless- it happened. After that, we reconvened as a large group and had a wonderful UAB dinner and then visited a few more pubs in the area. The train ride home was one of the best times of the entire trip aside from the moment that I got yelled at by an Italian woman who asked me to shut my mouth because she was trying to sleep. I'm sorry that my voice is loud- I was born this way (that song just came on so I had to fit it into the sentence. I think I did it well. Hair flip.) Aside from that, it was multo funno. I swear that's a true Italian phrase. Take my word for it. 

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such lively, spirited and genuine people on this trip. Many loves to every single one of you persons. Many loves. 

The next day saw a few seminars in the morning where we began the processing of this trip and how it has effected us, the things we are taking back home with us and how it has changed our outlook on our field. All the feels. As I was listening to people share what they have learned about themselves on this trip and how it has effected them, I was once again reminded how much it renews me to see someone else grow as a person. It is truly one of the most inspiring things in life. When you stop growing as a person, then you stop contributing to the world around you. That's just how I see things- YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH ME. 

I was also reminded how much my life revolves around experiences. I think that as people we are a product of our experiences so we have so much control over who we are and what we become in this life. Filling my life with experiences that enrich my spirit and push me to grow is more than an adventure, it's a passion. Therefore, I plan to always go and do and be. #allthefeels

Yesterday morning we awoke at 3a to head out for Rome on a huge bus. It wasn't the most fun I've had on this trip, but luckily the bus was way bigger than the amount of people to fill it so I was able to sprawl out and go back to sleep. Then we stopped halfway and of course I had to get Pringles. No matter what country you are in, Pringles are always there to comfort you when you're running on 3 hours of sleep and in a purple haze from the night before. Thank you, Pringles for always having my back. 

We dropped everyone off at the airport and then the party really began- navigating our way to our hotel. Long story short our group has deemed me the Godfather and I am apparently in charge of all things navigational and I am the final say on decisions. I CAN'T HANDLE THIS KIND OF STRESS PEOPLE. I AM ONLY ONE PERSON. I ONLY HAVE SO MANY RATIONAL THOUGHTS IN ONE DAY. 

We did successfully navigate the buses and made it to the hotel. 

The rest of the day was pretty easy going- lunch and gelato and walking. Our rooms were not ready when we got back from lunch, so we had to wait a while and I think the receptionist felt bad so she gave us a room that has a huge, stunning terrace. Talk about a nice surprise. We have definitely been making use of it- especially last night. 

We set out for the Trevi Fountain and had dinner right around the corner from my favorite landmark in the entire world- the Pantheon. Seeing it again yesterday was just as magical as the very first time I saw it. I have no idea why or how a building made of stone moves me so much and stirs up so much inside of me, but it does. Every single time. 

Then this adorableness happened:

This morning I woke up and went for a run to the Spanish Steps and when I arrived there was only one person sitting on them and after I sat there for about ten minutes she left and I was there all alone. The only person on the Spanish Steps. Who can say that they've experienced that? I CAN. I spent about an hour there just processing and pulling myself together. I think I needed that more than I realized. 

Look, not a soul in sight

Just sitting there listening to the morning sounds of the city and not having a single obligation or responsibility to worry about- perfecto. Then I starfished right there in the middle of the Spanish Steps. It happened- you better believe it. For those of you who don't know what starfishing is, it's what I call the act of laying down with your arms and legs extended out in a star fashion. You can starfish pretty much anywhere. So this morning with all of my post run sweat and breathlessness I starfished right in the middle of the Spanish Steps and listened to Matt Nathanson sing all of my cares away. 

Moments like that are exactly why I decided to spend my entire summer traveling. 

Today will be full of some more adventures I am sure and I will check in with those at a later date. Gentry is preparing to head this way in the next forty-eight hours or so and I cannot wait begin our 15 year friendship anniversary trip together. Safe travels to you, love. 

I will leave you all with a shot of the last sunset at Casa Cares from the other evening. Stay sassy, America and do a little thinking about your own experiences.