Reflections

After a ridiculously long and complicated trip home, I cannot express how happy I am to be back in San Diego. In 30 days, I visited 14 cities in 5 countries, and boy was I exhausted by the end. But during my last day in Rome, I was hit with a wave on nostalgia. Not only nostalgia about this wonderful trip to Europe, but for all the wonderful experiences I've had this past year. It was exactly a year ago that I graduated from UCLA, celebrated with all my friends and family, and received the wonderful gift of travelling around the world from my parents. I wouldn't change a single thing about the last year. It passed by so quickly but when I look back, I am proud of how much I did, and how much I learned both about myself and about the world. I am blessed with the opportunity to be able to open my eyes and experience the world. I find something unique and interesting about every city I visit. I can now say I have, successfully, traveled abroad with every one of my family members, and would happily do it again! I have ridden an elephant, gone hang gliding, and visited memorial sites of recent tragedies. I also realized that I have been to more countries than the number of years I have been alive. How many people can say that?!

I am fortunate in so many ways. I want to thank all of you who have followed my blog, my travels, and kept up with my life this past year. It all means so much to me. And once again, I wouldn't be here without my parents. They have been my cheerleaders and my support system from day one, and I am so thankful for them. I couldn't have asked for better parents in my life. As I look back on the past year, I know I am ready and excited to start this new chapter in my life! Hopefully I will still make time to fit in some travelling...

Rome Photo Roundup

Here are the pictures of the rest of our time in Rome. I am sad to leave one of my favorite cities in the world! Everywhere I look, I am struck by the beautiful and unique buildings, and the lively cobblestone streets. Until next time...

The Spanish Steps

A night out in Trastevere

The Pantheon

Pillars of the Pantheon

One of my favorite buildings in all of Rome

Fontana di Trevi at night

Feasting at lunch!

Roman Ruins at the Forum

Gelato

No trip to Italy would be complete without a daily gelato treat! I think my favorite was the Gelateria below, located in a back alley by the river, that a friend recommended. Every flavor was delicious and a scoop was a mere one euro! I ended up getting pistachio and coconut, my typical favorites. The shop was decorated very uniquely also. Here are some pictures and I only wish you guys get the chance to taste their gelato one day...

Ice cream cone trash can!

Capri

From Rome, we took a day trip to the island of Capri, off the Amalfi Coast. This marks the 13th city on my European tour (I think I am ready to come home...)! I came to the island just 11 months ago but I explored the other side of the island this time, Anacapri, which was just as picturesque. We enjoyed learning about the local culture - the island is known for perfumes, limoncello, custom leather sandals, and linen products. I was also hoping to make it to the Grotto this year, but unfortunately the tide was too high. Maybe, my third time will be a charm... It was also my friend Laura's first time seeing and putting her feet into the Mediterranean Sea! Glad I could witness her excitement! 

Boats at Marina Grande

Admiring the view from Anacapri

Laura putting her feet in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time

Map of the island

The blue grotto we were hoping to see

The making of custom leather sandals (I regret not buying one!)

Limoncello

Huge lemons & nutella

Roma Day 1

We had a jam-packed but absolutely awesome first day in Rome! Though I have been here before, I was younger and wanted to see all the sights again this time around. We started early with a guided tour of the Colosseum, then off to the Fontana di Trevi. We then had one of the most amazing authentic meals (details below), stuffing our faces with unlimited food and wine. We got to travel in style to our next stop, the Vatican, on vintage vespas. A trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without riding Italian style! Finally, we got a tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. I still can't imagine how Michelangelo painted the roof of the Sistine Chapel on his back for four years. My neck started to hurt after just a few minutes of looking up! It was an exhausting but perfect way to kick off our few days in one of my favorite cities in the world.

Arch di Constantine

Colosseum

Fontana di Trevi

Vintage Vespas to the Vatican

The restaurant we went to for lunch was called hostaria Costanza, uniquely located under the remains of the Pompeo Theatre built around 60 b.c. First walking into the restaurant, I saw a fresh fish display to the right, an open air fridge with colorful fruits in front of me, and freshly prepared foods like octopus carpaccio and squid salad on a table right in front. We made a left into the dining room, passing an impressive wine display, and enter into what seems like an underground wine cellar. It felt like a cozy cave, even though we didn't take any stairs to go down and was decorated with antique wine barrels and bread machines. The appetizers were buffet style including a fried food platter, and grilled seasonal vegetables. The stand outs for me were artichokes "Giudia" style - a traditional Roman dish where they flash fry the artichoke hearts so the leaves become crispy but the center remains tender - and a chicken liver pate (which didn't have the "smelly" after taste that some pates do) with home made mascarpone cheese. We had an unlimited amount of wine, which added to the already amazing feast in front of us. The main course was grilled strips of beef with mashed potatoes, which I didn't have much of since I was so full from the fabulous appetizers. Finally, dessert was strawberries with cream gelato. Instead of the gelato, we layered the homemade mascarpone cheese on the strawberries and drizzled it with local honey. An all-around awesome meal followed by a fun vespa ride through the streets of Rome...

Kissing a live lobster

Menu for the day, put on by the Pirelli Tire company

Artichokes

Grilled vegetables

Fried zucchini blossoms, fried olives, cheese croquettes, grilled zucchini

Pate, Mascarpone cheese and fresh flat bread

Main course

Strawberries & gelato

My cousin & uncle enjoying the wine