Medley

T-4 days.

Believe it or not, I was able to do what was once thought to be the impossible: pack all my essentials into one check-in suitcase! I did cheat slightly, thanks to my momma, who cleverly bought a swivel Samsonite slightly larger than my previous one, but those extra 3 inches made all the difference. I even have some room to spare, so I’ll be rearranging some of my stuff in the suitcase to try to move my yoga mat to the bottom, just for more practicality and neater packing in general.

I’ve been seeing comments on Facebook about others planning to check in 2, even 3, bags, AND bringing carry-ons and purses. I always said that I would try my hardest to fit it all into one suitcase, mainly because I don’t want to pay the extra $70 to check in an additional bag, but also because I know traveling light is best. I’m responsible for my luggage, no one else, and I’m exercising some girl power, too, by making sure I’ll be the only one to roll/carry my bags to and from my destinations. Sorry, boys, I’ve got enough arm muscle to haul my own bags across the pond, and then some.

I plan on traveling light beyond just bringing only one suitcase. This semester in Firenze will be a time for me to learn what “travel light” really means in all aspects of my life. Over the past two years, I’ve experienced a lot of things that added to my life’s baggage, some of which I had no control over, and some of which I did. Everyone has their own personal devils and personal relationship(s) drama to deal with, and I don’t feel like I’ve been dealing with it in the best way possible. I’m leaving all of that negative energy behind once I board that 9:40 p.m. airplane to Frankfurt, and from there to Firenze. I’ve mediated about it during yoga, I’ve wrestled with all of it in my mind on my own time, and the answer remains the same—negative energy has no place in my life, and I have the power to remove the causes of that negative energy. I don’t expect Firenze to change all my problems and insecurities, but I do hope it will help bring back some of that confidence and joy I feel I lost during the past few years. I’ve been traveling since I was little, and it’s always been a first love of my life; hopefully it can work it’s magic once again, with a little help from me.

My mom has been asking me if I’m excited. I know deep down I am, but, like I keep telling everyone, it still hasn’t hit me yet! It’s definitely slowly hitting me because I’m starting to be unable to fall asleep as fast as I normal can, which is a sure sign something is on my mind. I feel pretty good about my situation, going into this semester with a few trips to Firenze under my belt, two solid maps of the city, and a basic knowledge of the Italian language. I think I’m in pretty good shape, and now that my luggage has been 99% packed, I’m feeling fairly thrifty as well :)

“He who would travel happily must travel light.”—Antoine de St. Exupery