MEB in the Adriatic Dream

Highlights Touring the city with a 90 year old Firenze local and his daughter who interpreted his stories The search for the perfect gift Stroopwaffles and pink cake in the Amsterdam airport for my 12 hour layover! Learnings Might want to book a hotel instead next time Must return to Holland - soon! There is an expandable portion of the suitcase for good reason - more things to fit!

Highlights Leaving Rome early to have more time in Florence was a large A+ Trying to buy jewelry from the thinking it was 25€ when it was 250€ oops Going through the tomb of Cathedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore Stumbling upon an OBEY art installation while exploring the Medici secrets About one million other things Learnings Buy it now not later... you’ll never find it again Don’t leave your sketch book in your bag Eat as many croissants as possible before leaving this magical place

Highlights Not having a plan and just letting go Standing in the presence of giants Rain! Learnings Always bring the robaxacet Yes, it is a trap, stop being nice! Bring the backpack just in case - carrying bags sucks

Highlights Getting off the damn boat  Rerouting my entire day  Sleeping in a bed Learnings  Travelling alone is awesome  Don’t be polite - reverting - just make your own call  Don’t make plans on travel days I drift into consciousness thinking with our late start and not moving until 3 that we wouldn’t get to Bari until closer to noon - turns out we were supposed to arrive at 8 and we ended up getting in at 10 which was surprising to me, but I mean it must be normal for it to take some time for the boat to actually leave - once they get the people in there were still all the vehicles that needed to be loaded. Although surprised the trouble was still very much a reality - my train ticket booked for 9 was now null - no idea how to get a refund on that since the website and all forms are in Italian... and since my time was going to be short in Rome I had booked an excursion for the afternoon to get a jump on my time... so that was also garb...

Highlights New friends: Adam and Katie from UK Eating a 5 course meal like a star Generous offers with red flags Learnings Don’t travel here in August ever again Reapply the sunscreen Be patient

Highlights Wishing Lisa a Happy Birthday thinking I had missed her birthday - realizing I was up past midnight... Croatian time. The lovely Zelinka - my Airbnb host Korčula - the Adriatic’s best kept secret Moreška sword dancing Learnings  Things along the coast have changed from when my mother and grandparents travelled here  Always take the locals advice  Continue being nice - they actually do like it here The girls in my hostel also had to be up early but for a flight so we figured it would work out well to motivate each other although I planned to leave a little later than them - I ended up leaving before them lol women.  Getting to the ferry early is always a good idea (as I’ve learned) and today was no different. Me and Boris still together... arrived about an hour early and got into the already long line up. What I didn’t realize is that there is a small cafe in the boat - fresh baking and COFFEE. I’m saved. I get a traditional apple pastr...

Highlights Just, The Wall New friends: Sharen and Claire from the UK Pirate dinner  Drinks which cost more than any meal I’ve eaten  Learnings  I thought I knew what sweating was  Dubrovnik IS much more expensive  Sorry American Girls - I think I’ll stop having Gelato for now - but in Italy, I promise to try again.  The alarm goes at 730 and the wall opens at 830. Big nope for me getting up - snoozed until 9 actually. Mistake? Not sure - it’s already over 30 degrees at 8 in the morning and apparently crowds can happen but - when don’t they? Sleep is important I decide and with not much else planned I figure, I have all day.  I’ve been warned of the stairs here so I gear up for the day in some super duper active attire. Pack up my shoulder bag and head to the wall! Easy right? Well kind of - not really. There are only a few entrances since you pay to be on it and my friend last night kind of told me where the nearest one was ...

So, I’m a little behind on posting. As some of you have taken me seriously regarding reading this to ensure I’m still alive, I’ve decided at the least I will post my highlights and learnings each day. Then later I will update with the notes. I keep thinking I’ll get caught up, but then, I still think it’s better tha I’m not... that means I’m enjoying the adventure right? Highlights Ferry adventures Laundry Love Mail Fail and Boris Learnings I don’t want to complain about the heat - but since the locals do - good lord it’s hot It said get to the ferry 30 mins before - being an hour before was best especially for the long ride Take time to draw, or write, its these little moments that there is actually time to see and enjoy what’s all around you Alright - I’m on a train to Florence right now - and Canada is asleep so I’m hoping I can sneakily update my blogs.. I’m now - 5 days behind - oops. Not like anyone but my mom is reading this anyway xo Love you mom. #1 fan.  ...

Highlights: Elena - tour master extraordinare  New friend: Brian from Denver Finally! Pig Roast! So I had the lamb Learnings: Live the moment - put the camera down Next time - bring your mother  Sweating is eventual - please stop thinking you can wear your hair down Ok so, bit of a tumultuous morning here. First I have to clean my flat, ugh, and pack, uugh, and I still haven’t mailed this damn box uuugh. Meeting the group at 7 ish this meant I had to be up really early and getting in late the night before, ‘past’ Meagan figured sleeping was more important than figuring her life out so the morning wouldn’t suck. Past Meagan is an idiot.  I did it though, got to the marina, got my things in storage for the day, and tried to find the damn meeting location. This should be easy... anyways I won’t get into the details. I made it. That’s all. Present Meagan still wondering why the hell past Meagan didnt do a better job of organizing herself.  L...