This trip feels different. It’s not necessarily a ‘holiday’
as such, the kind where I’d normally seek the nearest beach and plant myself on
a sun lounger with a Pina Colada all day. It’s a strange feeling taking the ego
out of a holiday; I’ll be returning without even a tan to show for it - but
that’s fine. Because this trip feels different, it is different. I think that’s
what separates a trip from a holiday. I’ve done this for me, my own peace of
mind, and not only to absorb all of the beauty and culture that Italy has to
offer, but just to understand that there is more out there for me.
As mentioned in my previous post, it’s easy to become stuck
in a rut when surrounded by the same people, and trapped in the same environment
for a long period of time. It can become hard to see the wood through the
trees. I’ve gone from waking up to seeing nothing but a busy main road, rows of
street lights and the same man – vacant expression always – going to get his
morning coffee, to the sight of rolling hills stretched for miles, picturesque
countryside surrounded by tiny hilltop towns, and a crisp air that almost takes
my breath away when I open the door to the balcony every morning. It’s magical.
I’m currently in Macerata, a province in the Marche region
of central Italy. Up in the hills and with a beautiful historical city centre,
my Uncle said that Macerata is considered to be a hidden gem of Italy. Tourists
usually flock to Milan or Rome to experience Italy’s cultural vibrancy or
notorious historical landmarks, but places like this, hidden away in the
hilltops, are almost untouched by tourism. It’s the perfect way to find the
peace and serenity I’ve been craving for so long, and to really immerse myself
in the true Italian way of living.
It’s currently Thursday, so I’m not even half way through my
trip yet. But I already feel like I’m achieving what I came here to do. It’s
the most frustrating thing having a mind consumed with thoughts, feelings,
ideas that I just haven’t been able to translate into words. Writing is what
I’ve been studying at University; I’ve been planning to make it my future, my
career – so why haven’t I been able to put pen to paper and let the contents of
my mind spill out onto a page? At home I felt crushed by the things going on
around me, it was never part of the plan. Writing my thoughts would mean it was
actually happening. But as I sit here, writing away, listening to music, my
uncle dancing around the room to music of the world…it feels right. I forget
everything else when I write; I was told that if you lose track of time when
doing something then that thing is a passion.
I’m writing again and it feels great. It’s something I would
strongly recommend for anyone in a sticky situation in which they can see no
escape. Open a notebook, or a Word document and just write, anything and
everything. Nobody has to see it but yourself, and it’s something I’ve
definitely found difficult. As a student currently studying Journalism, an
audience is something always on my mind so it’s a challenge writing for myself.
But after I’ve done it, it feels like a weight off my shoulders. I still have
documents I wrote over a month ago now and I read them back and don’t even
recognise the person I was back then; it’s the best way to track progress or
put into perspective how far I’ve come.
I feel like I’ve come so far in a short space of time. I
don’t know what the next week or so has in store for me, but I’m starting to
feel myself again. Not the old me who was so easily caught up in everyday
mundane problems, but a freer, happier person, humbled by the skies I’m under,
and simply appreciating the day without fear of the next.
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