My love affair with Italy

I've been to quite a few Western European countries, but there's just something special about Italy that I can't get over. I have a constant desire to return to this beautiful country and rome (no pun intended) along the cobble stone streets, eat delicious gelato, while admiring the beautiful architecture (as well as the handsome men).

My love affair with Italy started last summer when my sister and I traveled around Europe during my last two weeks there. We took a train from Belgium to Switzerland and finally to Rome in Italy. We stayed there for 4 days, which was enough time...but not enough time. My sister and I managed to visit all the touristy spots in Rome but after 4 days, we weren't ready to leave. 

The weather in Rome was very hot in July. During the day, we felt extremely tired walking around in the heat but we pulled through and still managed to visit a lot of the beautiful sights in Rome. It wasn't until the evening time though that we really started to enjoy Rome. One of the most beautiful sights I've seen is the Colosseum at sunset. 

While Rome in the evening is beautiful, Rome at night is quite magically. Most of my fondest memories of Rome occurred at night.The first night in Rome we managed to meet a local Italian that offered to show us around. He led us to the Spanish Steps as well as the absolutely breathtaking Trevi Fountain. Walking around Rome at night was definitely a lot more enjoyable because we didn't have to face the scorching sun.

Cheesin' with the cute dessert

The second night, we went to a nice Italian restaurant. We were served by a very friendly Italian who surprised us after our meal with a dessert plate, that had a flower drawn in chocolate, even though we had decided not to order dessert off the menu. After finishing our little dessert, we asked our server to
recommend us a place to go dancing. He pointed to a place on our map and we headed out to find it. After walking for a while and not seeing it in sight, we gave up and decided to grab a table outside at this Italian pub. We sat there drinking our Italian beers and chattered among ourselves. An hour later we had befriended the two Italians sitting at the table next to us, one of which was the owner of the pub.

The third night out, we returned back to the pub since the owner offered to take us out dancing. We met a few more Italians, one of whom was named Francesco, who was incredibly charming and easy on the eyes. Francesco was honestly so handsome that he'd probably get kicked out of Saudia Arabia if he ever went there for being too good looking. He spoke nearly perfect English and rambled to us about everything from Italian culture to his views of the US. Francesco drove us around the city and we ended up at a karaoke bar. It was such a fun night even though I absolutely detest karaoke.

For our final night in Rome we returned back to that nice Italian restaurant. We were warmly greeted with the charming server we had two nights before. After politely declaring that we would not be ordering dessert, the server surprised us again with an even fancier dessert than the other night as well as limoncello drinks. Our server,who turned out to actually be the restaurant manager, offered to take us out dancing after the restaurant closed since we weren't able to find that place he recommended the night before. We took up his offer and soon headed out to the discotheque (club). Considering it was a Wednesday night, the place wasn't very packed. However, there were enough people there for it to be a fun night. We spent the night dancing away before our 6am flight to Paris. At the discotheque, I met another Italian who was coincidentally named Francesco as well. After an hour or two of dancing, we headed outside to get some fresh air. We walked down the street to the beautiful Trevi fountain. It was still breathtaking the second time seeing it. Now, unlike the other

Trevi Fountain at night

Francesco, he spoke almost no English. So as we stood beside the Trevi fountain, he opened google translate and typed whatever he wanted to tell me in Italian and translated it to English on his phone for me to read. Since I don't know Italian, I took his phone and google translated what I wanted to respond with in English for him to read in Italian. As odd as it sounds, it was probably the cutest conversation I've ever had. An hour later we headed back to dance some more before my sister and I had to return back to the hotel to pack for our flight out of Italy.

I don't know what it is that makes me adore Italy. I suppose it's a combination of beautiful scenery, amazing architecture, delicious food, and locals that are equally charming as they are handsome. My sister remarked that even the Italian police looked like models...

Colosseum

In front of the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine

Spanish Steps

Making a wish at the Trevi Fountain

St. Peter's Square

Castle St. Angelo

Pantheon

Roman Forum

Vatican Museum

Piazza Navona

Just strolling down the streets of Italy

Birthday in the Windy City

Birthday Dinner at Nando Milano Trattoria

Ever since my 18th birthday, I've decided to spend my birthday in a new city every year.

Last year it was Brussels, Belgium. This year it was Chicago, Illinois. Next year? Maybe some country in Europe, Asia, Australia, or maybe New York? We'll see.

I love the thought of spending my birthday exploring somewhere new. What better way to spend my birthday than to do what I love doing most---traveling.

I've spent the last 5 days in Chicago, the windy city, with a friend. The trip there was exhausting as it took 15 hours to drive from Oklahoma to Chicago (with stops in between). I actually had round trip tickets to Chicago booked ...but my traveling companion decided to cancel them a few weeks before the trip in favor of driving. So I had to suck it up and embark on this road adventure. Although tiring, the drive from Oklahoma to Chicago was surprisingly easy. I didn't realize that all we had to do was head north on Route 66 for a little over half a day. 

Driving IN Chicago was not the greatest idea. Why? Parking in downtown Chicago was hell. Free parking was almost nonexistent. Parking garages and meters will basically rob your bank account. Halfway through our Chicago trip, we decided to just park our car at the airport for $5 and take the CTA (public transportation) around downtown. Life was sooo much easier doing so. We managed to see so much more because we didn't waste so much time looping around places trying to find parking. It also came out to be so much cheaper with a $10 CTA pass which allowed us to take unlimited trains and buses. 

Our last day in Chicago really made us regret driving. Since we weren't planning on staying in downtown Chicago all day, we decided to take our car instead of the CTA. We headed out to the Chicago beach that afternoon. So at about half past noon, we pulled against a curb and parked. I went to the pay box and paid $8 for two hours of parking. Fast forward 2 hours later...we headed towards the car and ...well it was gone.

"Dude, where's my car?!" was basically what ran through our minds. Finally found out that our car got towed, as well as all the other cars that parked where we parked, because parking there was only allowed AFTER 1pm. We spent the rest of the day at the Central Auto Pound trying to get our car, which was a rental that was under my brother's name who was in Oklahoma...so we never were able to get back that car. 

Moral of the story: Don't drive in Chicago, just don't. Take the public transportation because it will make your life soo much easier AND your wallet will thank you. BUT if you do drive, make sure you read the signs carefully or you might be out $320 and be left with no car. 

I flew back to Oklahoma this morning, and honestly, I was quite excited to head home. Chicago was fun, but after spending the last day breaking down emotionally at the Central Auto Pound, I was exhausted and ready  to get the hell out of Chicago. I made it home in 2 hours with the plane which was nice because the last thing I wanted to do was face another 15 hours on the road. 

My Chicago birthday trip was definitely memorable.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure I probably gained a couple of pounds stuffing my face with all the deliciously fattening food there. No regrets. YOLO.

We ate all this food...in one day.

Willis Tower: Just staring down 1,353 feet...

The Bean

Chinatown

French Market

In front of Buckingham Fountain

Outside the Shedd Aquarium

Navy Pier

Grant Park

Oak Street Beach