Bella Scipione

I’m writing to you from the train station in Nice, on my way to Genoa, Italy. The past 72 hours have been a whirlwind of events, and things have taken some unexpected turns. Initially, I planned my next blog post to be a recap of the cities, landmarks, and natural spots I’ve encountered on my journey through France. While I’ll still include some photos of these remarkable places, this post will serve as a personal reflection of recent events.

On Monday morning, I chose to part ways with Jesse and embark on the rest of my adventure on my own. Without getting into the details or dwelling on the past, I’ve decided to move forward and focus on what lies ahead. The outpouring support from friends and family around the world has been unimaginable, urging me to persevere and embrace life to the fullest. My friend Clancy’s words resonate with me deeply: much of life’s magic comes from the unexpected moments we could never have prepared for. In the short span of three days, I’ve experienced many of these magical moments, and it’s these that I wish to share in today’s post.

To spark magic in your life, you need to surround yourself with inspiring, magical people. My love and desire for human connection is at the core of who I am. I deeply admire those in my life and draw the courage to pursue my passions from their support. Simultaneously, I stay present, always seeking new individuals who can teach me how they give and receive magic in their unique ways. An art exhibit in Aix-en-Provence that I visited relayed this same message, connecting us beyond our consciousness.

The exhibit featured immersive installations of colorful threads, resembling intricate networks that materialize the links between beings and things in a dreamlike, poetic nature. A collection of dreams, hopes, and gratitude revealed the many feelings of people that keep us connected. “Although we may not share the same experiences, we are able to connect through sharing emotions. All lives are filled with happiness, suffering, disappointment, and gratitude. We all think that we go through life alone and that we are the only ones with these certain thoughts and feelings in our heart, but we are connected in many ways,” said Chiharu Shiota. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the magic of human connection, showing how our shared emotions and support systems create the tapestry of our lives. We are not solitary beings; we need human connection to thrive.

Last Friday during a night’s stay in Montpellier, I met two boys, Cole and Luke, from Northern Ireland. We spent the night drinking pints of Guinness and watching the start of the EuroCup football tournament. We learned that we would all be in Nice at the same time together and made plans to meet up once we were there. When I went my own way on Monday, I felt extremely discouraged and went back and forth on whether or not I should just return to London. After conversations with many of my close friends and family, I made the decision to stay and it was most encouraging knowing I had friends to meet with in Nice. Things worked out for the best and on Monday night, I found myself meeting up with Cole and Luke, drinking more Guinness, making more friends, and dancing to live music on top of tables until 3 in the morning.

Cole and Luke’s Irish spirit lifted me up, turning a bad day into a great night. Dancing away the negative energy, I rediscovered the magic within myself, knowing that more great nights and even better days lay ahead. I’m grateful for the positive vibes of Monday night and look forward to seeing Cole and Luke again soon.

Yesterday, I slept in until half-past twelve, waking up feeling emotionally exhausted. I took myself on a picnic to the beach, soaking up the sun and allowing my mind and body to find peace. I headed back to my hotel, showered, and got dolled up to explore Monaco for the night. Just a 20-minute train ride from Nice, Monaco Monte-Carlo amazed me with its perfection. I wandered around, taking photos, and marveled at the wealth radiating from the luxurious cars, buildings, and impeccably dressed people. I was a bit humbled with my backpacker wardrobe, but embraced the experience nonetheless. Without spending a dime, I returned to Nice and treated myself to ice cream before calling it a night.

Tonight, I will be staying in Genoa with no plans for my next destination. While I miss having my sister as my favorite travel partner, I’m ready to continue my journey, flying solo. Traveling without G has been challenging, as she was always there to share wonderful, beautiful thoughts. Despite being my younger sister, I have always valued her wisdom and mind in both good and bad times. My parents did an incredible job raising five children with curious minds, independent spirits, and kind hearts. I miss them all dearly and often find myself in tears of gratitude for the life and mindset they’ve given me.

As scary as solo travel may seem, I feel a sense of calmness within me. Everything happens for a reason, and I know I am on a path to discovering a new version of myself. I end this post with openness and eagerness for all that remains to be explored. “Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly, but to be lived boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, and magically” – Mandy Hale.