I’ve been back in the UAE for 48 hours now.
Being at home here in my nice, comfortable, familiar room, with all my old photos and paintings on the walls, somehow makes the last 3 weeks feel like they had never even happened.
All that I have left to convince myself that I’ve really just gone on my dream trip are a bunch of tickets, metro passes, maps, and cards that I’d haphazardly stuffed into my pockets; the weirdest tan lines on my feet (from my comfy walking sandals) and shoulders (from my day pack and various tank tops); the thoughts I had been recording in my journal; and over 4,100 photos, which I’m now half-heartedly sifting through.
These things don’t even come close to describing the incredible adventure I’ve just had. I don’t even know where to start. But I’ll try to, anyway.
I’m still so immensely grateful to God for the opportunity to enjoy such wonderful and interesting places, each one with its own distinct flavor and charm. It’ll probably take me the next few months to organize and write down everything in my muddled brain.
I can’t put into words what it’s like to sit and read quietly on the hill in Boboli Gardens as the sun goes down, cool breeze rustling through the trees, as the bells in the nearby church tower ring in melodic harmony. I can’t quite describe the joy of smiling at the lady sitting next to me on the curb outside La Carraia Gelateria as we both realized that we were eating the best thing in the world. I’m not a good enough photographer to show you the rapture of that first glimpse of the azure waters of the Cinque Terre from the hiking trail high above it. I can’t make you feel the same emotions that I felt when I first came close to the brushwork created by Van Gogh’s own hand, or gazed up at the stories of Christ depicted in the colorful windows of Sainte-Chapelle, or sped past the softly lit facade of the Colosseum at night from the back of a scooter.
Words and pictures just aren’t enough.
I encourage you all, don’t take my word for it. Experience traveling for yourself. If you have the means, don’t spend it on stuff. Don’t miss out on experiences that you’ll cherish for a lifetime, in exchange for things that you’ll tire of in a year.
You’ll meet interesting people. You’ll taste fantastic food. You’ll experience crazy and unexpected things. You’ll see sights that will bring tears to your eyes.
And oh, you’ll fall madly in love with it all.
