Author: Bella

Oct 18 2022

I spent the afternoon with my dog, Bonnie, at Daniel’s Gate Park reflecting on one week at home since G and I’s travels through Europe. In all honesty, the adjustment back has not been so easy. While Colorado will always be home, I feel I have left pieces of my heart in other parts of the world. A big thank you to all of our friends and family who have followed along with us on our journey; we could feel the love from thousands of miles away. We are so lucky and gratfeul to have had the opportunity to explore a world outside of our own. Here is my final blog on the lessons I have learned over the past month.

London taught us that walking around mindlessly helps you achieve things quicker and with more ease. Backpacking forces you to not be occupied by all of the head noise of every day life. You are so focused on being present that you completely forget about your never ending to-do list. Our first days walking around the city with our 25-pound backpacks made us quickly realize the reality of our journey.

Wrong trains, nutty hostel mates, and missing hairbrushes are just a few of the ugly truths of traveling. However, things that seem like such a big deal in the moment are minuscule compared to all of the wonder and joy you experience. London was the perfect first stop to open our hearts and minds. G and I learned to navigate a foreign transit system, made our first mates, and became accustomed to each other as company.

Greece reminded us to never take life so seriously. There are moments where you will have to do things that you don’t want to do, and that’s a part of life. The world doesn’t revolve around you, so you must move with it as one. While this may come off as motivational or inspirational, it is as matter of fact as it gets.

I found myself in conversation numerous times coming to the conclusion that human beings are animals and behave as such. Humans, like animals, fall in love, exhange goods and services, grieve for their dead, and communciate with one another using rich vocabularies. We long to love and to be loved. Greece’s ancient history and culture placed us in a space of understanding oursleves as animals in the human experience.

Those who have been following along know how important presence has been throughout our journey. I want to reiterate how presence is a commodity – something more precious than time. When we are constantly focused on setting deadlines to achieve more, we risk not being happy in the present moment. One of the hardest parts of being home is maintaining the same level of presence we had while away. G and I are already setting plans for our next adventure and are beginning to lose a part of the biggest lesson we learned. When we wait for life to change or be better, we forget to celebrate what’s in front of us. Life is short and tomorrow is never promised.

The week in Italy spent with our Aussie’s gave us memories and stories that we will share and hold on to forever. G and I created relationships built on genuine connection, laughter, and love. Amidst all of the chaos, Jesse, Michael, Callan, and Dane felt like home. Home is simply a place where you feel wanted, loved, and appreciated. It is a space where you get to be yourself. Our days with the boys were something we may not have been prepared for, but something very much destined to be.

We fell in love with life. G and I found a passion for travelling, became more in tune with our wants and needs, valued advice from others, and shifted our focus to what is individually important to us. We started to become grounded in who we are and who we are becoming. There is so much more love in the world than most of us choose to see. Love is the people in our lives and the experiences we encounter. Love is compassion and admiration.

My final lesson I learned is that there is no better travel partner than your sister. This has been the most time G and I have ever spent together. And while she has always been such an important person in my life, she has become my best friend. G knows when I’ve had enough, calls me out when I’m being a drama queen, and loves me for who I am. We are very similar, but also very different. G has taught me to not worry about what others think of me and challenges me to be the best version of myself.

Much of my life has been centered on pleasing others and achieving things for recognition and approval. G has always been one to be unapologetically herself. She says exactly what she feels, treats others as she is treated, and lights up moments of darkness. There is no other person I would rather have had by my side.

Oct 10 2022

G and I have officially completed our three week adventure across Europe. The past 96 hours have been a lot to process. We spent a short 36 hours in Barcelona, flew back to London, visited with our English mates (Mungo, Hugo, George, and Tom), and traveled 14 hours back to our home in Colorado. To say we are exhausted is an understatement. I have not been able to come to terms with this being the end, and have decided to give myself some time to reflect. So, for now, here is a recap of our last couple of days.

After parting ways with our beloved Aussies, G and I arrived in beautiful Barcelona. Both of us were still upset about leaving the boys and had a very quiet night in. We tried to make the most of our first night by admiring our hotel’s view of the city and venturing for some classic Spanish food. We shared starters and cheesecake at a restaurant called La Pepa, and sang along to all the Bad Bunny tunes.

We made sure to take advantage of our only full day in the city. We went mega tourist and bought tickets for the “Hop on Hop off” city tour bus. We were able to explore plenty of historic sites. Most notably, the Arc de Triomf and La Sagrada Familia. G and I really enjoyed cruising around the city and learning the historical contexts of each special landmark.

The Arc de Triomf is a triumphal arch built as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The frieze overlooking the Passaig de Sant Joan depicts Barcelona welcoming the nations. The frieze facing the park shows the city presenting medals to the exhibition participants.

The well renowned La Sagrada Familia is definetly all it is hyped up to be. La Sagrada Familia is in the city of Barcelona and is currently the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Atoni Gaudí devoted his life to this project and did an immaculate job at combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. G and I were unable to go inside the church, but admired it’s outer archiectural design.

While there is still so much we wanted to see, we headed back to our hotel to prepare for an iconic night out in Barcelona. One bottle of Merlot later, G and I were out on the dancefloor of Pacha nightclub until four in the morning. We tried to enjoy every minute of it. It was our last night out and I could not let my years of Spanish classes be put to waste. The night ended with a walk on the beach under the moonlight.

Five hours of sleep later and we were on our way back to London. On our train ride over, G and I started to feel reality kick in. Luckily, we were able to spend our last hours with some of our first friends of the trip. We spent the night with our British mates eating Chipotle, sharing stories, and watching the classic British film, Hot Fuzz. It felt really good being back to where it all started – a wonderful full circle moment. We arrived safely back home earlier this afternoon and are preparing to start work again. I will be reflecting on our journey in the coming week and cannot wait to share all that I have discerned.

p.s. Chipotle in London does not have Queso.

Oct 07 2022

It has been an incredibly emotional 72 hours. Today, G and I had to say goodbye to our Aussie’s. Jesse, Michael, Callan, and Dane became four of our best mates throughout this trip. We spent almost every minute together over the past three days. The six of us shared lots of laughs, drank plenty of drinks, and even shed a couple of tears. G and I both feel eternally grateful to know each of them and will miss their “mad” banter and sweet hearts.

I want to thank each of these boys, especially Jesse, for helping me fall in love with life again. I went through a really difficult breakup about a year ago and have struggled to trust new people that come into my life. Heartbreak is a form of grief. It is edged by the fear that joy has forever escaped you. Being in love is not just about lust and physical intimacy. Love challenges you to completely open up your mind, body, and spirit. It is one of the hardest, but easily the most beautiful, human emotions.

My week spent with Jesse allowed me to open my heart up and feel. Jesse enjoys going on runs around the world, eating chocolate, and travelling with his best mates. We spent our days laughing, bickering, and walking hand-in-hand through the streets of three spectacular Italian cities. We scootered around Rome, recharged in Naples, and grew together in Positano. I think Jesse and I are very different people, but balance each other well. I am someone who is very chill and go with the flow. Jesse has a sense of urgency that pushes me to learn more about the world around me. He is honest (sometimes too honest), goofy, and considerate.

I wish I had more words to express how much our relationship really means to me. I am overwhelmed with emotions. Because although our little story seems like a fairy tale, it is very much real. Jesse has become one of the most important people in my life and I will cherish each of our perfect moments together forever.

While this part of G and I’s trip has looked a little different than the rest, it has been some of the best days of our lives. We will never experience something so magical again. The tears that have been shed in the last 24 hours are evidence of the joy that has filled our hearts. One of the saddest parts about traveling is leaving people that you grow to love. My friend, Alex, said that “love is freedom”. The freedom to express yourself, to be vulnerable, and to live life with intention and presence. As we near the end of our trip, we feel the love grow deeper. Next stop, Barcelona.

Oct 05 2022

Positano is like nothing I have ever seen before. The cliff side village is located on southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast and is lined with narrow streets, boutiques, and restaurants. Our hostel has an incredible view of the coast and is a steep walk from the pebbled beaches. Jesse met up with three of his mates from Australia and G and I have been enjoying their chaotic company.

On our first night, G and I had a sister dinner at a restaurant called Cafe Positano. Our meal literally brought us to tears. We had a cute little table outside and watched the sun set over the Amalfi Coast. The food was more pricey than we were used to, but it was worth every penny. We shared bruschetta, G had a fettuccini bolognese, and I had the potato fried sea bass. For dessert, we indulged in a chocolate soufflé with vanilla gelato. The dinner was a needed (and deserved) break from our Aussies.

We met up with the boys for some drinks at our hostel bar and headed down to the village’s iconic night scene, Music on the Rocks. The disco club is located in a cave that is carved into a waterfront cliff. The DJ did a killer job at keeping the crowd alive. I met a sweet man from Mexico City named, Alex. Alex invited me to his bottle service table and we had the time of our lives drinking rosé and dancing.

Yesterday, we spent the day on the beach in Capri and boated around the coast. Almost all of our phones were dead after not charging them the night before. While it was a slight inconvenience not having google maps, it made us all enjoy each other without distractions from the outside world.

Capri is absolutely beautiful and I’m so glad we were able to spend some time there. Our boat ride was out of a dream. I swear I pinched myself a few times, trying to grasp the most unforgettable experience. The weather was perfect and the water was completely clear and blue. It was a once in a lifetime ride and a day I will remember for the rest of my life.

Our boat docked at a port near Sorrento, so we went for drinks and dinner there. I really love Sorrento and wish we had more time to explore it’s town. We attempted to go back out to Music on the Rocks after cabbing back to Positano, but the universe called for a night in. Cab fare’s are out of control here and we ended the night in an argument with our driver over being ripped off. However, I think it was best we all went to sleep after a long and eventful day. We have decided to spend some more time in Positano and are currently enjoying ourselves on the beach. I am taking in every moment. This is our calm before another night on the rocks.

Oct 03 2022

I am sitting on the train to Sorrento struggling to recap the past 48 hours. G and I have spent our days walking through the streets of Rome and Naples and have become completely captivated. We can feel our Italian roots come to life. The incredible food, precious history, and sophisticated culture has never made us more proud to be Scipione’s.

On day two, we visited Parco degli Scipioni. The Parco degli Scipioni is one of the smallest and most intimate parks in Rome and was named after the discovery of the tomb, Scipioni, built by Lucio Cornello Scipione Barbato. Scipioni is a branch of the famous Corneli family, dating back to 1614. G and I wandered around the beautiful park and reflected on our family name and it’s history. We thought about how content our grandpa would be sitting in the park. Our grandpa, Robert Scipione, was the embodiment of a true Italian man. He enjoyed reading poetry, playing his piano, and delighting in exquisite food and wine.

Grandpa taught us many lessons in life as kids. He taught us to treat others with respect, encouraged us be curious, and showed us the importance of presence. To be present, you must treat challenges as moments. In a world that is becoming more isolated, presence is now a scarce commodity – something more precious than time. We have to choose presence because time only matters if you’re fully there to enjoy it. Standing in the Parco degli Scipioni reminded us of this. We know Grandpa would be completely present, absorbing the park’s beauty around him. G and I can feel Grandpa with us and won’t forget to choose presence for the remainder of our trip.

We trained from Rome to Naples yesterday afternoon and are now in Positano, near the Amalfi Coast. Naples included a trip to Pompei, massive pies of Napolian pizza, and some new tattoos. The eruption of Vesuvius left the city of Pompeii a catastrophe. Buildings were destroyed, the people were asphyxiated, and the city was buried beneath a blanket of ash. Today, you can walk through the city and explore historically lavish villas, all kinds of houses, and an amphitheatre.

Our long day of traveling called for a quiet night in. However, we are traveling with an Australian now, so there’s always something you cannot expect. Jesse, G, and I found a local tattoo shop in Naples and all got some permanent ink to commemorate our time in Italy. G got the words, “non ti preoccupare”, meaning “no worries” in Italian. I got a small triangle symbolizing challenge and adventure. We will be in Positano for the rest of our time in Italy and cannot wait to swim in one of most beautiful coasts I’ve ever seen.

Oct 01 2022

Ciao da Roma! Today’s blog will be short and sweet. G and I have officially arrived to our homeland, Italia. Italy is everything I expected and more and most definetly feels like home. The air is fresh, the streets are clean, and the people are beautiful.

Yesterday was a bit of a chaotic journey from the airport to our hostel. Our entire plane’s luggage went missing and we were stuck in the airport praying for our backpacks to show up. Over an hour later, the bags rolled down the carousel and we made our way to the train station. My explorer skills were apparently not at their best as G and I ended up on the wrong train headed toward Bologna. Luckily, I realized before we ended up too far out and caught a taxi to our hostel. We are staying at Alessandro Palace and Bar and it is, so far, a lovely time.

We got settled in our room and went for some traditional Italian cuisine. Florian’s Café made all of our dreams come true. G and I shared some incredible salmon bruschetta with avocado cream. I had the Cannelloni, baked macaroni stuffed with minced meat and cheese. G had Gnocchi di patate rosse al pomodoro. Both of our dishes were exquisite (as our Grandpa would say) and set a great precedent for our upcoming eats. In my most unbiased opinion, Italians definitely do it best.

G and I spent the rest of our day preparing for our first night in Rome. We knew it was going to be one for the books, and indeed we were right. The hostel’s rooftop bar started the night out with cheap drinks and more new mates. I always get a little socially anxious before we mingle in a new place, but the vibes were great as soon as we stepped foot outside. We headed down to the hostel’s second bar for some karaoke and beer pong before making the treck to our first Italian club, the Alibi. Europeans love the song, Mr. Brightside by The Killers and it is so funny watching people from all over the world sing classic American tracks. I am happy to share that I am still reigning beer pong champion and owe it all to my Omaha days at the Lot and Jones street. The rest of the night is a bit of a blur, but that’s how you know it was a good one. Today we will be doing lots of site seeing, so stay tuned for some ancient Roman history lessons.

Sep 29 2022

Kythnos was a dream. G and I arrived on the island early yesterday morning. It is located 56 nautical miles from the Athenian harbor of Piraeus and is 38.68 sq mi in area with a coastline of 62 miles. When I was planning our trip I wanted to find an island that was more underrated than some of the other Greek Cyclades. Kythnos was the perfect match.

We rented an ATV and drove through the island’s bald hills and dry-stone walls to reach our hotel in a village called Loutra. Loutra’s laid-back atmosphere and elegant architecture made us feel immediately at ease. The people of Loutra seemed surprised to see two Coloradan girls walking around town, as we were asked many times how we ended up on the little island. We had an incredible meal right on the beach at a restaurant called Sofranos. The sea bass ceviche is Peruvian inspired and is absolutely to die for.

After our routine nap we got dolled up for a photo shoot and sunset cocktails. Our server, Stathis, not only recommended the most delicious mango martini, but engaged with us in some pretty deep discussions. I’ve put a lot of thought into these discussions and will definetly be reflecting on them in the days to come. G and I went for some calamari, were gifted numerous shots of Tsipouro (traditional Greek vodka), and returned back to Stathis’ bar for some more good vibes. Stathis let me show off my bartending skills and I whipped us all up some green tea shots.

We met a beautiful man named George who works as a scuba diving instructor on the island. George and I have a shared perception of the world we live in and it felt refreshing talking with someone so intelligent, kind, and genuine. George set a good reminder that we should never take life too seriously.

This morning we enjoyed breakfast at our hotel and decided to visit George for a scuba diving lesson. G has a little cold and was unfortunately unable to join me on my finding Nemo adventure. I had never been scuba diving before and was extremely nervous at first. However, George was, of course, a brilliant instructor and made me feel safe as we dove under the Mediterranean Sea. I eventually became adjusted to breathing under the water and entered a state of pure tranquility. This was, hands down, the best first date I have ever been on.

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore” – André Gide. This quote may seem a bit cheesy but is one of the major themes of our trip. G and I both have a passion for helping others and are in search of answers on how to effectively do so. I have spent the last four years in school learning how to promote the social change, development, and empowerment of people and communities. I have been taught about the ways in which we can help those most vulnerable but still struggle with finding an answer as to how to truly make a difference. We cannot understand the needs of others without understanding the deepest parts of ourselves. By losing sight of the shore, we step outside of our comfort zone and are forced to experience a world different than our own. While there still is so much to learn and explore, I am confident in where the rest of our journey will take us. Next stop, Rome.

Sep 27 2022

Today marks one full week of our travels. While the week has absolutely flown by, it feels like we have been here for months. G and I have met more people and seen more of the world than I could have ever expected.

We finished our last day in Athens at a small beach off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Our friend, Steve, is from San Diego, California and has been living in Athens for the past month. He has become accustomed to life in the city and showed us some of the area’s hidden gems. We spent the afternoon sun-tanning, swimming, and enjoying each other’s company. The restaurant, Alkyonides, sits right on the beach and is the perfect spot for some delicious sushi with a view.

The drama with our hostel mate that I mentioned previously escalated when we returned. I am not usually one to cause a scene, but decided it was best we moved rooms for the rest of our stay. G and I rested up and headed back up to the rooftop bar to enjoy one last night with our new mates. I was still exhausted from the night before and struggled to keep up with the rest of the party. However, bartenders, Theo and Leo, made sure to treat me right and even let me pick out a few songs if I pinky-promised not to tell anyone else of my special privileges.

We woke up early this morning to catch our ferry to Kythnos. Long story short, my extra ten minutes of snooze caused for a change of plans for the day. We missed our Ferry by just a few minutes and watched it sail away as we arrived to the port. G and I were obviously disappointed but took advantage of the day to catch up on rest and recharge our social batteries. We were also running low on clean clothes and were able to use the laundromat right next door to our hotel. The town, Lavrio, is a cute port town and we took delight in a quiet night with a good dinner and yummy gelato. Kythnos will see us tomorrow.

I would like to take the rest of my time to reflect on something that has been weighing on my heart for the last 6 months. Six months ago, my friends and I lost our dear friend Mary Kate in a tragic car accident. Mary Kate, MK, was one of the most beautiful souls that has ever been apart of my life. I was lucky to know her for only a short two years but treasure every single moment and miss her deeply. MK had a passion for life like no other. She lived every moment like it was her last and made the people around her feel loved, valued, and safe. A huge part of my decision to travel around Europe is inspired by Mary Kate and I feel her in the pink skies and colorful artwork.

I saw a quote in London on our first day that said, “grief is the price we pay for love”. I have thought about this every day since and find some true meaning behind it. Losing someone we love is probably one of the greatest things that challenges our sense of self. We grieve because we love. And the deeper we love, the more profound the grief will be. And while it is important to mourn the lives of those we lose, it is also important to celebrate it. I do my best everyday to wake up and celebrate the life of Mary Kate along with all others I have lost. Love exists all around the world around us and I am incredibly lucky to feel it and experience it with my sister on our adventure of a lifetime.

Sep 26 2022

The past 36 hours have set quite the precedent for our travels throughout Greece. We are staying at a beautiful hostel, Athens Hawks, in the central city of Athens. Athens is at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. The city is the perfect combination of illustrious history and urban innovation with a vibrant rhythm of life. We have completely immersed ourselves in all things the city has to offer.

G and I spent the day yesterday touring the infamous 5th-century BC landmark, Acropolis. The Acropolis is located only 15 minutes from our hostel and sits on a rock that rises 490ft above sea level. The citadel contains the remains of numerous ancient buildings with astonishing architectural and historical significance. We hiked to the top of the rock and were in awe. In awe of not only the “open air museum”, but the thousands of tourists (many of them in some questionable walking gear).

We ended our little historic field trip with some traditional souvlaki and shopping. G and I’s desire for retail therapy has been one of our greatest downfalls. We made the mistake of packing our backpacks to the brim, leaving little to no room for trendy new pieces. Nonetheless, a couple of dresses shouldn’t take up too much space. 😉

Our eventful day turned into an even more eventful night. The hostel’s rooftop bar is the spot to be. We met more friends than I can count, from places all over the world. We now have friends from Australia, Germany, Colombia, Greece, and Canada. Bartenders, Theo and Leo, set the tone of the night with plenty of Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. I am 2-0 in beer pong, and have plans to keep it up as reigning champion.

One euro happy hour shots and five euro cocktails will definetly make for a good night. The night later led to me guiding a group of 15-20 people to a club called Lohan. I’m not really sure how I became the leader of the pack but it was quite an honor. We enjoyed dancing for hours in the club’s vibey and retro atmosphere. There is no question that the people of Athens know how to party. Our night ended in some drama with one of our eight hostel mates. I find it best I don’t go into much detail but promise it makes for a pretty funny story. We have plans to visit the beach today and I am definitely looking forward to relaxing near the Saronic Gulf.

Sep 21 2022

Today marks our first official day. G and I arrived safely in London early this morning and attempted to fight off the foredooming jet lag throughout much of the day. We are staying a few miles outside of the central city of London and enjoying navigating the city’s public transportation system. We are amazed at the diversity and classiness of the locals and got our first taste of UK’s culture and society.

After getting settled in at our quaint little hotel, we walked around Westfield shopping centre and grabbed a snack at a local pub. Tip #1: don’t order the nachos. Our decision to order the nachos was questionable, we were hungry and people make rash decisions when they are hungry. G asked if she thought the “salsa” was a little sweet and we concluded that the “salsa” was really ketchup. I have inserted a pic below.

Following our afternoon-snack debacle, we got some rest and headed towards downtown London to start exploring the city in the night sky. Our first site-seeing attraction of the trip was St. Paul’s cathedral. We were in awe of the building’s size and architecture. Consecrated in 1697 (325 years ago), the cathedral reaches 365 ft tall and 246 ft wide across transepts. St. Paul’s cathedral is truly rich and extravagant and I am looking forward to discovering more of London’s antiquities.

G and I ended our night at a restaurant called Caravan and reflected on our day over cocktails and smoked-salmon bowls. We are learning to appreciate and embrace the different ways in which humans interact with one another cross-culturally. While it is too early for me to articulate particular differences, today served as a reminder of the light that surrounds the world we live in. Radiancy exists within conversation, individuality, and togetherness. We are all different, yet all the same and I am eager to discover more of the peculiarities that make up the human experience.