Tomorrow the unthinkable is actually happening. We are leaving London and our study abroad experience is over. You would not believe the amount of crying that has been occurring in this flat at the thought of leaving. London has become our home now and I never want to leave. It is absolutely my favorite city in the world. In my opinion London is the most global and culturally diverse city in the world. There is so much to do and the city always looks beautiful. I am in love with with London. My tear ducts don't work very often but they might as I pack up my stuff and board my plane back to America. I'm going to miss you Primark. I'm going to miss you Brick Lane and Spitalfield Market. I'm going miss you Tower Bridge. I'm going to miss walking along Waterloo Bridge every day and getting one of the best views of the city. I'm going to miss British accents and British politeness. I'm going to miss their obsession with tea. I'm going to miss getting lost then just finding the London Eye in the horizon and know that's home. I'm going to miss how easy it is to travel around Europe. I'm going to miss living in the most central location possible on the South Bank of the River Thames. Most of all I'm going to miss my crazy group of study abroad friends and the adventures we had. This semester I had the time of my life and I'm so happy that I did this program. I loved every single second of it. I know it sounds corny but studying abroad truly has changed me for the better. I have become a little less reserved and more open minded. I have grown to love people who I never would have been friends with before. It helped me discover who I want to be and got me out of my comfort zone. It has made me love life and live life more. I wish this experience could last forever but I guess goodbyes are inevitable. I'm not going to say bye to this city though because I will find myself back here someday, it is my home after all.
Rome was amazingly beautiful and I was having Lizzie McGuire Moments all weekend! I'm going to try to keep this post short because I think the pictures can speak for themselves. For anyone thinking of going to Rome, Tivoli is an absolute must. They are hands down probably the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. The Colosseum was cool in a historical sense but it was pouring rain when we went so we were a little miserable. The Vatican was interesting and we got to see the ever so famous painting in the Sistine Chapel done by Michelangelo. My favorite part about Rome was probably getting gelato by the Trevi fountain. For anyone who knows me you probably know the love I have for gelato. Combined with my love of the Trevi Fountain it was an awesome time. I also loved all the food on food on food. It was all yummy in my tummy except when we had a $10 cup of hot chocolate that was straight up a melted chocolate bar. Pretty sure we weren't supposed to drink that but use to dip cannolis and stuff in. Oops. I'm going miss that city so much. It was a very bittersweet experience because it was our last trip of our study abroad experience so I felt extra sad to be leaving. Before any of you ask, no I did not find a less douchey version of Paolo although that would have been nice. We just walked around singing "This is What Dreams Are Made Of" without him lol. I could probably stay in Rome for at least a week and still be amazed by its timeless beauty. Rome really is the Eternal City, full of old time charm and forever beautiful.
For all you losers who haven't seen the Lizzie McGuire movie http://youtu.be/eIm8g4IA_1Y
