wish you were here

• laurarchristensen

Somehow, when I left home in September, I imagined that I would have plenty of time during my travels to keep a blog. I think the date stamp on this first post demonstrates the accuracy of that prediction.

Travelling alone is perhaps the busiest and most full-time endeavour I’ve experienced. When I’m not searching for my next accommodation or meal, I’m researching cities’ history and culture, registering for tours, purchasing train, bus, or plane tickets, trying to start conversations with anyone I hear speaking English, or actually exploring the places I’m visiting. Every moment brings a new decision to be made, and there have been precious few when I’ve felt relaxed, however, the adrenalin from the adventure and uncertainty (and, currently, the Italian espresso) has kept me moving forward.

I’ve been surprised but the things that have made me homesick:

  • Wishing I could just cook myself a meal with the groceries I would normally buy for the prices I would usually pay at the grocery store near my house at home
  • Getting an email from Starbucks announcing the arrival of the holiday red cups
  • Running out of sunscreen and not being able to buy it ANYWHERE for less than 18 Euros (about $25 Canadian).
  • Being completely unable to read a Greek street sign.

I’ve also been surprised by the things can make me feel totally at home in another country:

  • Seeing waves crash on any beach or rocky coastline
  • Drinking a café latte
  • Seeing an Esso station in Italy
  • Having a stranger, who doesn’t even understand the problem, going far out of his or her way to help.

While there certainly have already been high points and low points, the high continue to far outweigh the low. I’ll attempt to catch you up on my last several weeks, and hopefully, keep you updated on my coming ones.

I love nothing more than hearing from home, so please comment freely!

xo

Laura

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14 thoughts on “wish you were here”

  5. Hi Ms.Christensen! I miss you so much! Happy belated birthday… how ling are you in Italy for? Where are you in Italy?
    Hope to see you soon! ( I mean on Skype with the class) Bye

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  8. Hi Ms Christensen! Happy belated birthday (I sent u a happy b-day on ur school email). It’s so crazy that sunscreen is $25 canadian!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. Wow – $25 is a LOT more than $freefromdad’sdermatologyofficeforourentirechildhood!

    Nice pic, Laura! I hope most of all that people are getting your name right out there. If they’re having trouble, let me know and I’ll come beat them up for you. Love you!

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