Bella Scipione

I’m writing this final blog entry of my 3-week journey from my favorite coffee shop in London. These last five days have been the most enchanting and fulfilling way to conclude my first solo trip. I’ve made lifelong friends who inspire me and remind me to embrace my true self, unapologetically and without fear. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of humanity and our capacity to accept and love one another, regardless of where we come from. It brings tears to my eyes knowing there is so much hate in the world when, at our core, we are all the same. We are all capable of giving and receiving pure, genuine love if we take the time to accept it and listen to those different from us. When we do, we realize we are not so different after all.

I have countless stories from the past five days and feel overwhelmed about where to begin. As I reflect on the dozens of photos in my camera roll and listen to my favorite Odesza album for the 100th time, I find it hard to decide what to share. While I’d love to dive into the details of sneaking into the Hilton or pretending to be on the hostel version of Love Island, it’s the people I met and the lessons they taught me during this short span that I truly wish to share.

When I arrived in Palma de Mallorca after spending 20 hours in Barcelona, I messaged my friend Molly with photos of my insane hostel, complete with a rooftop pool, gaming room, and other great communal spaces. I told her I was hoping to meet cool people since you never really know the vibes. With good faith and positive energy, I met three girls named Kaylah, Milla, and Ruby in my 18-bed dorm room. Their outgoing energy gave me the courage to ask if I could join their plans for the night. Without hesitation, they said yes, and within minutes we were getting ready, sharing clothes, dancing around the bathroom, and drinking pre-cocktails. I learned that Kaylah and Milla were birthday twins, with their birthdays on July 14th, just a day before mine on the 15th. As surprising as this coincidence was, it felt fitting given the magnetic energy that comes with being a Cancer.

Two more girls, Violet and Victoria, joined us in the room before we met up with some guys from our hostel for drinks and a night out near the marina. I ended up heading back early because I felt my energy draining and wanted to be well-rested for the rest of my time in Mallorca. I spent the next day with the girls hiking through the woods to reach the Hilton on the other side of the island. The girls had met two American guys the day I arrived, who were staying at the Hilton and invited us to relax at the luxurious hotel perched on a hill, overlooking the island. Oh, how I love being a woman, enjoying the perks without having to give much in return.

The next day, the five of us girls decided to go our separate ways for a bit. I joined four of my other hostel mates – Torben, Kristina, Shi, and Natalia – for breakfast. Later, Violet joined us, and we all headed to the beach for the day. This was probably my favorite day of the trip, as it was nearly perfect. Despite a few clouds and brief bursts of rain, our group enjoyed every minute, lying on the rocks, listening to music, playing cards, and swimming in the warm Balearic Sea. Maybe it was the margaritas and tequila shots that kept the good vibes rolling, but I didn’t have a care in the world as we marched around the beach with my speaker overhead, playing Bob Marley, the Bee Gees, and other classics. Everyone on the beach joined in with smiles and little grooves of the hips. Music truly feeds the soul.

With a good day under our belt, we got ready for one more night out by the marina. I had originally booked a flight back to London to leave the next day at 7 am, but with some encouragement from my new friends I decided to change the flight and enjoy one more day in Mallorca. Without the stress of having to wake up at 4am the next morning, we ended up at an Irish pub called Shamrocks, where we met even more new friends and sang along with the DJ and live band that filled the bar. It was a night to remember, making me even more sentimental about leaving the friends I made.

It’s hard to explain how close and connected you can feel to people you meet in just 72 hours. It might seem silly or unimaginable to some when I share that I know these travel companions can become lifelong friends. The friends you meet while traveling are different yet similar to those from other parts of your life. Each friendship is unique, incomparable to the next, yet every connection you make with another soul brings out aspects within yourself that are healing and nourishing in its own way. At the core of each relationship is simply love, which bring me to the story of my tattoo and the title of this blog, “Amore duro”. “Amore duro,” meaning “love hard” in Italian, is now tattooed on my right arm, serving as a reminder to love deeply, intensely, graciously, and without fear.

We are taught many lessons in life that make us question who we are, who we want to be, and who we choose to surround ourselves with. Life often bombards us with loneliness, grief, and fear. We struggle with tackling life’s hardships, constantly battling our internal demons that bring anxiety and sadness. We are angry at the world because it contains so much injustice and despair. How can we fully embrace our privileges when so many around the world struggle to live lives free from suffering and unjust political upheaval?

I don’t mean to sound preachy or existential, but I want to explain why love, and loving deeply, is so important. The time I spend with each person I meet during my travels and in my life continually reminds me that the most meaningful thing we can offer one another is love. Not advice, not questions about our choices, not suggestions for the future – just love.

As I travel and navigate life, I aim to learn more about myself through the people I meet. This encourages me to share the wisdom that highlights the power of love and its radiance. Love is an action, not just an emotion; it is the energy that powers our shared universe, an energy that persists beyond our physical existence in the world. It’s always clear to me when I meet people who embody this energy and have found love within themselves. This love is pure, radiating from within. When you dissolve into love, your ego fades away. You’re not thinking about loving; you’re simply being love, radiating like the sun that shines equally and undivided over us all.

Therefore, as we acknowledge our personal struggles, we recognize their broader significance. We should use our privileges to advocate for change, support those around us, and love courageously and unconditionally. By facing challenges – both personal and global – with empathy, we come to understand that love is the force that unites us and drives progress towards a fairer, more equitable world. It anchors us to the values of community and solidarity.

I am grateful to everyone in my life who embodies these values – family, friends, both new and old. Thank you for sharing your energy to make this world a better place. If Bella’s Blogs teaches anything, it’s to always live your best life and “amore duro.” I encourage those who join me on this journey to embrace this mindset. Whether in small gestures or significant actions, nurture self-love and draw strength from the love of others to lead a life marked by bravery, kindness, and compassion. Spread love, create change, and embrace who you are, because you are worthy.

With love and until the next adventure,

Bella