My last few weeks in Italy.

Sorry I got so behind on my blog, I was really busy at the end of the semester!  I'll start where I left off, which was the weekend after Ashlee and I went to Salzburg.  That weekend, April 15-17, two of my close friends, Elizabeth and Allie, visited Rome.  They are both studying abroad in Spain and they were spending their spring break in Italy, starting with a few days in Rome.  I had so much fun showing them around "my city" and using my limited Italian.  Even though I had only spent a few weekends in Rome, I still felt like I knew my way around and enjoyed being a tour guide for Elizabeth and Allie, which also allowed me to see all of the sights again!  We had a great time and they left Rome loving the city as much as I do.

The next weekend, Easter weekend, Ashlee, Lexi, and I went to Bari, Italy.  Bari is on the east coast of Italy, a nice city on the Adriatic Sea.  Our plan for the weekend was just to relax, go to the beach, and celebrate Lexi's birthday, which fell on Easter.  We had great weather, got some sun, and had a very nice last weekend trip.  When we returned to Rome that Monday it was sad to think that it was the last time we'd be flying into Rome this semester.

April 29th-May 1st was my last weekend in Italy.  Finals started on Saturday the 30th, so naturally everyone was stressed, not only about finals, but also about packing and doing everything they still wanted to do in Rome before going home on May 6th, if they were taking the group flight like I was.  One of the dorm hallways was full of things that students had to leave behind and donate in order to ensure their bags were under 50 lbs so they didn't have to pay additional fees.  I definitely contributed to the pile of things to be donated, it's amazing how much stuff you accumulate in 4 short months!  After finishing finals, we had one free day before leaving on May 6th.  The weather was beautiful and Laura and I went out in the city, seeing everything for one last time.  I couldn't believe that the semester was over, it seemed like yesterday that we had stepped off the plane in Italy for the first time.

Allie, Elizabeth, and I at the Trevi Fountain

In Bari

Ashlee and I at the end of semester banquet

In conclusion, my semester in Rome was absolutely amazing! I really did experience "la dolce vita" and I will never forget my travels in Italy and the other countries I visited.  Italy, and Rome specifically, will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope to return someday soon.  I learned a lot about myself this semester, lessons I will take with me as I continue to grow and change throughout the years to come.  Of course, I can't thank my parents enough for making my semester abroad possible!  I'd also like to thank my extended family and friends for their support and interest in my travels because I wouldn't have made a blog without all of you to read it!  Thank you so much for reading, it has meant a lot to me!

Ciao,
Allison