Europe 2008

London


Paris


Amsterdam


Venice


Rome


Florence


Pisa


Cannes


Carcassone


Barcelona


Madrid




Europe will forever be a wonderful memory for me. My travels were possibly the best thing I could have ever done for myself in my young adulthood. I learned so much about myself as my knowledge and independence were pushed to the limit. I found myself multilingual in every country, I was a map reader, a metro finder, a bargain shopper and negotiator. I walked among grounds of spectacular history and pictured myself as a gladiator, as a British queen, as a French soldier fighting in La Somme, a Spanish conquistador... I witnessed my own growth and realized that the sky truly is the limit for me. It's just a matter of the determination and effort I make to reach that high. For the first time in my life, I wasn't scared of what the future has in store in me. I could breathe out there, I could appreciate life and what it has to offer. It really was, and please consider this an understatement, the best time of my life. 
Not only did I love sightseeing, I loved the people I met while on the trip. My travels throughout Europe, I believe, is the start of many travels in my lifetime. I cannot wait to see what else the world has to offer. 

An admirable attitude of the Europeans is a general lifestyle that I would like to inherit. When an American is asked what they do, they answer with what they do to make money, what they do to make ends meet and pay the bills. When a European is asked what they do, they never define themselves by their professions. They will tell you that they bike ride in the city parks, they go to discos with their friends and eat picnics with their loved ones. As much of a culture shock it was to me, it was the most enlightening answer I had ever gotten. I don't ever want to be defined by the amount of money I make, nor the square footage of my house, nor my romantic relationships. I want to be known for who I am and who I strive to be. Again, like I have preached before, Europe was the most amazing experience of my life.

I hope you enjoy pictures of some of the cities we visited.