Another week bites the dust

Week three: July 1- July 7

The third week of being abroad was definitely the fastest. This week was filled with fun, friends, and a lot of culture.

Here's a glimpse at what happened during the third week:

• We had a sea trip to Sperlonga (The Mediterranean Sea) and its museums and it was both scenic and fun. Sabria and I took a million pictures and I wiped out off a flamingo floaty. We also made half-hearted attempts to catch fish.

• We got to tour the President's Palace and I thought it was even more beautiful than the Vatican museums

• I had the best pizza in the world! It was similar to a flatbread but it was covered in creamy tuna fish and it was delicious. I also tried a pizza with pesto, both were at Pizzeria Romana (note: pesto is a large part of the cuisine in Italy, you'll either love it or hate it).

• For our Mafia class we took three metros to meet Libera, an anti mafia organization and listen to their projects

• After class Sabria and I went grocery shopping and started to budget because we booked our flights to PARIS!

• Note: A list of places I traveled in Europe: Rome, Milan, Sondrio, Switzerland, a cabin, Ostia, Sperlonga, and Paris!

• At this point in the trip I was thanking God every day for allowing me to always have a nice meal and money for leisure activities

• I presented with my group for my Mafia class and took my Italian final

• I had the adventure of a lifetime with the people of a lifetime

• I started really finding closure and working on myself

• The Fourth of July! What a time! Our program hosted an Independence Day celebration for all of us with veggie burgers (note: I'm a pescetarian), fries, coke, and apple pie. We also spent the whole day swimming, playing pool games, and even got to do water aerobics. The whole day was a blast honestly. (note: it's against the law to not wear a swim cap in Roman pools).

• Some of the girls (Niamh and Kiera) complimented mine and Sabria's hair and asked a lot of genuine questions

• I remembered that the man in the Palace was tickled pink that my last name is White and I am Black

• Then we went to Mafia class and ate a lot of pizza (tip: try the nutella pizza in Rome, it is very sweet and delicious)

• I'm also 99% sure that I saw Fiona's ex Ford from Shameless the night Sabria and I went to the grocery store

• We also had the opportunity to speak to Tulane representatives about our program and then we had midday apperitivos and I tried real cannolis (note: cannolis are native of Sicily but they are a must-try dessert!)

• I spent part of the day talking to Maddie and Susana (Susie) about all the places we've been; our life goals; Thailand; Botany; the Peace Corps; becoming park rangers; and an app called 1 second a day.

• My roommates and Lara went to see the sunset in Villa Borhese and then the play A Midsummer's Night Dream (note: it was in Italian) and it was wonderful and the actors were clearly devoted to their craft (tip: it costs 1,50 Euro to rent a cushion if you have floor seats and I recommend it 100%).

• We also took a late night walk through Villa Borghese after the play and joked about our "tethered" coming after us. We ended the night with McDonald's and everyone else packed for a weekend in Florence. Sabria and I prepared for a weekend in.

• Sabria and I spent this Saturday lounging around and catching up on Mafia homework

• One of my tan sandals broke after walking nearly 10 miles a day

• I binge watched Stranger Things season 3 and cried like a baby all day

• I realized how relaxed and confident I'd been feeling throughout the trip

• Sabria and I went to the Zoo in Villa Borghese and saw all the animals! I also ran into a boy from my college all the way across the world. He probably wouldn't have said anything but I was wearing school merch and his sister pointed it out (note: my school is pretty small and I don't know this guy, but my mom swears that's going to be my next love).

• We got free hugs in the park on the way back to our apartment from a cool organization.

Author's note: This third week was jam packed with interesting activities. I still remember that guy from the zoo, and I'm curious to see if we'll run into each other again when school starts in the fall. I was beginning to dread having to return to the states and I couldn't stop telling my new friends how thankful I was for them, how amazing they are, and how I'll remember them for the rest of my life.

Ciao, bellas!