EATALY or ITALY

My 6 month adventure all started in Italy. Where my family originated, a country I have always wanted to explore, and where my taste buds sought after true happiness.

I came, I saw, I ate, and I drank way too much through Italy, and at times I wondered if there could really be anything better in life...I mean could there be?

Italy was everything I expected and MORE....I learned a lot about my Italian heritage, how to thrive in a VERY chaotic, unfamiliar, European world, how to eat pizza and I mean a lot of pizza, the art of pasta, how to sip wine with the locals, the proper time to drink a cappuccino (I got yelled at once), how deep Catholic religious roots go, that gelato can be eaten, anytime, anywhere and anyplace, and of course loads of fascinating, ancient Roman history

This post will be short & sweet, because I don't have photos to help navigate through my journey. RIP iPhone

Here we go...I T A L Y...I got wonderfully lost in the beautiful canal lined streets of Venice, and took the water taxi by night to gaze upon the fairytale like city. I wandered about the island of Burano, and gazed upon the glass blowing masters and gorgeous glass pieces for hours, and hours.  In Milan, I strolled along the pristine streets that had been blessed by the fashion Gods, and where  the pretty futbol boys played by day. I sipped Bicerin early one sunny morning, at the stairway of the gorgeous Castle of Valentino in Turin. In Genoa I sat in the port, eating fresh focaccia, watching the colorful Ligurian sunset. The city of Parma delighted my taste buds with the freshest parmesan cheese, and parma ham (my mouth waters just thinking about it). In Bologna, I dined on fresh Mortadella and sipped Lambrusco and then drunkly looped my way through the cities stunning Porticoes. In Florence, I simply fell head over heels, in love with a city. Pisa delighted me with humor, as I gaze on the numerous tourist trying to take the perfect 'Pisa picture', which I found more entertaining than the tower itself. Under the Tuscan sun, I found Chianti, and spent my afternoon at Antinori Chianti Classico sipping on their finest grapes. In Rome, I found a city flourishing with history and beauty, from its people to its ruins, Rome had me at hello. At the Vatican, I had a surreal moment when walking in, a feeling came over me, and I for once was speechless and in awe.  The island of Ischia had me picking lemons, oranges, and taking in views from the Aragonese Sea Castle. Ahh Naples, the city in which my taste buds only dreamt about, for where I could eat gelato by day and pizza by night (every meal, who am I kidding) . Naples also warmed my heart, by getting to speak with family and really get in touch with my Italian roots. Pompeii had me lost in a maze like, forgotten, ancient, Roman city. In Sorrento I sipped Italian coffee, ate fresh mozzarella and just soaked up my views from the mountain, and appreciated where I was, and what I was doing. Sant' Angnello, blessed me with some of the best pasta I have ever had, and really introduced me to true Italian style dining. The Amalfi Coast had me believing I was in a dream, or living in heaven on earth, with its ungodly stunning views. The town of Postiano had me green with envy for the people that live there, with their gorgeous coastal town, stunning views, and fresh seafood. And for the town of Amalfi, you captured my heart in such a way, that made me take a seat and just appreciate the fact that I was in Italy, and enjoying a place that some only dream about visiting.

Dear Italy, thank you.

For the food, the views, the memories, the people, the wine, the culture, and for the extra 5 pounds.

❤