Too much to forget

The months leading up to leaving for Italy, I had so many lists of things I wanted to do, places I wanted see, food I wanted to eat, postcards I wanted to collect. Now that I have traveled to so many places, I'm starting to realize how much I forgot to do while there and how much I did that I will never forget. I wanted to send postcards from every place I visited, yet I haven't figured out how to send one postcard from Florence. I wanted collect one item from every country I went to, and I haven't bought any souvenirs. I was so busy making memories and seeing as much as I could in short periods of time that I forgot to shop. I know that sounds so funny, because that's what you should do while traveling, but I intended on bringing back little memories beyond pictures.

I had a list of people to bring gifts back for, and I wanted to send postcards to friends who sent them to me. But here we are, one month left and a stack of postcards on my desk that have yet to be sent. (side note stamps are 2,50 euro which is ridiculous) I think the moral of this story is it's okay to get swept away in life and caught up in the moment. Sometimes all you need to remember a trip is the pictures and memories. Physical items are cool, but that's not the purpose of traveling. If it was, there wouldn't be a weight limit on luggage. I apologize to friends and family who won't get a t-shirt from Germany or a key chain from Croatia, but I can say every place I go reminds me of those I love.

I have yet to go somewhere and not think to myself of friends and family at home. My dad is constantly in the back of my mind after every beer I drink. My mom would love all this history I've learned in each city. Ashleigh would thrive in this flea market I found in Berlin. My brother would look hilarious drinking a stein in lederhosen. It's hard not to have those I love by my side experiencing all of this with me, but I know they'd want me soaking up every second I'm over here. I've made so many memories and I've learned so much over the last 2 months, and I'm excited to wrap up my semester with trips to Venice, Milan, Dublin, Switzerland, and Budapest. Florence has become home and it's hard to imagine leaving in a month and a half.

This semester has blown away my expectations. Sure there are things I haven't done, but everything I have done makes up for that. I refuse to leave this continent with any regrets, and I'm right on track.