Eat, Pray, Love.

My European adventure has finally come to a close. It feels like just yesterday I was sitting at Angelo's in Little Italy with my mom for my final dinner and holding Bren's hand as we landed in Paris. And now almost four months later my bags are packed and I await for our 3 AM bus ride to the airport.

I can't explain everything that has happened during my time here and how much this experience has changed my life. By far living in Europe is the most daring, fulfilling, and worth while decision I have made. And during my time here I have learned so much about myself; my limits, my values, and above all else who I am. I still can't wrap my head around the idea that one day I will be telling my kids "That one time when I was nineteen and lived in Paris, Rome, and Seville and travelled through Europe". And through this journey I have had my two best friends by my side, while creating new friendships that will last way beyond just this trip.

When I first started this blog I didn't know what to call it. My mom had the cheesy idea "Jordan is A-broad" (Very clever though Mom!) but that just didn't cut it. But then it hit me- My Own Eat, Pray, Love. And during my time here I did just that. In each of the three cities I lived in for five weeks one of these applied more so than the other, but all three carried through my trip. Praying in Paris, Eating in Rome, and Loving in Seville.

Pray;

“There’s a crack (or cracks) in everyone…

that’s how the light of God gets in.” 

- Elizabet Gilbert, "Eat, Pray,Love"

I have visited countless churches throughout Europe, more than I can count on both hands! Each had a different element that is unique and sticks out in my mind. In Paris the campus ministry of campus was phenomenal and really went above and beyond to highlight the beauty in the churches in the City of Love. We went to a different church each week (By far my favorite was Sacre-Coeur!) , and I often attended. Even though I did not understand it gave me time to reflect and just have a moment with myself. But it goes beyond just the attending mass and the churches. The easiest way I can explain this is by telling you a story during my spring break trip while I was in Vienna...

. . .I had been in Europe for three months and I felt tired and had to pull myself together to realize I only had a month left and I eventually I'll make it home. I was missing my family tremendously and all I wanted was to be at the dinner table with the Bouchie Bunch. The idea that everyone was home celebrating Easter only made it that much worse. So in Vienna we walked into the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral. Even through the gaudy gold and extravagant stained glass windows there was something so level-minded about the church in my vision. I went over and lit a candle while Praying. Praying for my family back at home, and for a safe trip back home so I could finally be in their arms again. I thanked God for all I have been blessed with and for the experience of traveling the world as I had so many times before in the masses and while visiting all of the different churches and cathedrals. But in just those few minutes, even with complete strangers around me, I felt like it was all coming together and I was okay.

Eat;

“I am a better person when I have less on my plate.”  

-Elizabet Gilbert, "Eat, Pray, Love"

Oh, where do I begin with food?! I can't even begin the explain how good the food was in Rome. It really is such a big part of the culture and some of my favorite memories of not only my time in Italy but my whole European time is going out to dinner. My favorite night was when my mom and Ry visited and we went out to dinner and then ended in Piazza Novona (my favorite place in the whole wide world!) and shared dessert and a bottle of wine. It are the times when you sit with those people you love and enjoy the company of those around you. All of us students have brought up how nice it is not to have our cell phone and while sitting at a restaurant talking to one another rather than being typing away to someone who wasn't even there. I had crepes in Paris, pizza in Naples (from the same place as "Eat, Pray, Love"! What a surreal moment!), paella in Spain, kebassi in Prague- but nothing beats the pasta in Rome! With Ry and my mom we found a little gem called "Da Tony's" that I have mentioned multiple times. The food was just so delicious! The pasta was what you expect while you're in Italy and the bread is fresh with vinegar and oil, and you were to be sure to end the meal with chocolate, ice cream, or lemoncello on the house (or in some cases all three!). I know for sure that when I come to Rome next (since I threw my coins in the Trevi Fountain I know I will be back!) that Da Tony's will be my first stop for a big bowl of pesto pasta and chicken parmesan!

Love;

“I think I deserve something beautiful.”

-Elizabet Gilbert, "Eat, Pray, Love"

That silly thing called love. It had always been an on going joke with my friends that I was going to find my European lover and be whisked away and never come home. Did that happen? Not quite, but came pretty close one night in the Seville Hospital. But my "love" part of my trip has been much more than that. During my trip, especially in Seville, I realized more than ever how much my family and friends mean to me. With Brett doing so well in baseball (watch out Yankees, you're going to have a new pitcher in a couple years!) and Emma already going on her eighth grade trip to Washington D.C and keeping me updated with things going on at home (Yes Brett, I know about your movie date thanks to her! We'll be talking when I get home!), and mornings I wish Ry was there so I could tell her about something crazy I did the night before even if I know it will only mean playing the twenty questions game from there out- my heart is longing to be back with my siblings! And my relationship with my mom and dad, being as independent from them thus far in my almost twenty years (even though I will forever be financially in debt to them, oops!) has grown as well. I can't thank them enough for allowing me to do this trip and supporting me 100% through it all. Now I value my friendships even more than before. (Linds and Adri- thank you for putting up with my countless facebooks messages and my ranting and raving about my trip. I cannot wait to be home to catch up! Bren and Kimm- This trip wouldn't have been the same without you. Having you two by my side through the thick and thin has been the best thing that happened to me.Without you girls my head wouldn't be attached to my body.) And to all my friends and family that have been following my blog, thank you so much. It means the world to me that you take the time to share this experience with me. And on top of it all, I have a special place in my heart for the seventy three new friends I have made here. It's unlike any bond you can have between a group of people, sharing such a life changing experience like this. But above all else, I have strengthened the love for myself as an individual. I can't even begin to explain what goes through my head on a daily basis taking all of this in. But the mere fact that I have had this experience and learned so much about myself has meant more to me than anything.

So this chapter is closing. Tomorrow I will be snuggled up in my bed in the U.S.A and this will probably all feel like a dream. I have visited eight countries (France, Ireland, England, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Prague, Vienna), twelves cities (Paris, Dublin, England, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Venice, Florence, Seville, Barcelona, Prague, Lagos), three in which I can say I called home. But I have so much to look forward to; being reunited with my family and friends, a jam-packed summer, the start of my junior year of college, being a plunge leader again in the fall, and returning to the city that never sleeps- It is hard to leave but there is so much more I have in the future. Au Revoir, Ciao, Adios Europe, you've been too good to me, I'll see you again one day.