Goodbye, Bologna

How does one begin to sum it all up? To put it all in perspective, to look at it from the outside and appreciate it as a whole… I simply can’t. I’m part of the whole. I can leave and try to start anew… but I am this past nine months and it is me. I will always be in Bologna and the city, SAIS, the people, the food, the laughter, tears, panics, and hopes will always reside within me.

There are more stories, pictures, experiences and lessons than I could ever cover in these silly postings.

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At the top of the tallest tower in Bologna
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So I try to give snapshots but in actuality I will always fall short. To all who read this, I wish you a period of your life when you forget all the rules, when you throw caution to the wind and see what happens, when you let yourself be absorbed by all Italy and its wonderful people offer. Find your Italy and it will stay with you all your days. I can’t but smile though my heart rips into pieces as I leave. I can’t but say thank you to God, to Italy, to SAIS and to each person who made each day brighter than the last. I had no idea life could be this good or that I could be this happy or that I would ever let myself be this happy but now all I can do is smile and know I have found peace.

I remember the girl who flew here so many months ago. She was lost and terrified of the super intelligent people she’d be among and all her habits that didn't fit into the Italian lifestyle.

She’s dead. I ate her.

Oh, and she’s still lost… but she’ll figure it out.