Here are some short pieces based on when I've traveled.
Iceland
It was our second time on a whale watching tour and yet, still no whales. We had suited up in large orangey-red jumpsuits, taken selfies, and braved the sea spray for the promise of whales. The first trip had been unsuccessful, but we had been given free tickets for a second go around so I still held onto some hope. I felt guilty for canceling our other plans so we could go whale watching again, but I just really wanted to see whales in the wild. I thought it would be majestic and inspiring and despite everything going on in my year, I thought it could at least be the year that I saw whales. It wouldn't matter then that my dad was an addict, it wouldn't matter that I didn't know what I was doing with my career, it wouldn't matter that I was single: because I had seen whales. Except, I didn't see whales. I saw birds flock to an area of water which would suggest whales, but they didnt' break the surface (if they were there at all). My friend offered to let me have a moment alone to cry, but that made me feel worse. If she was there, at least she was there and not fretting over me wtih a worse view of the ocean. If she wasn't there, I would be alone, looking over a whaleless ocean.
Ireland
There are so many stories I could tell about Ireland, but I'll just tell a few. The first comes from my semester abroad in Cork. We went to the Drombeg Stone Circle on a field trip. It wasn't huge, but it still felt monumental. As I took in what my professor was saying about the possible uses and symbology of the stones, I felt a connection to the space that I had never felt upon one visit before. I later wrote a piece inspired by this place to help cement that feeling. One thing I don't like to talk about in regards to my time in Ireland was how much I struggled at times. I was writing, making new friends, and taking in the beautiful country, but my self-esteem was on the rocks (and not in the fun way that whiskey is). After coming home, I needed to increase my medication to get back to an easier place. Yet, I think it says something that that has mostly faded from my mind and the good times stand out. One of those good times was going to see some live music and get free whiskey at a pub. I didn't manage to get a glass of the free whiskey and I saw one of my friends sneak off, buy two whiskeys, and then return to tell me that he'd snagged us some free ones. I was so touched by the gesture that it still comes to mind with a smile.
Italy
I have two core memories from Italy. One was in Rome at the forum and the other in Venice along the canals. I went to Italy with a dear friend and one of the first places we hit up was the forum. I was seeing actual ruins. As someone who once had the dream of being an archaeologist, it was just inspiring. I even did a little hop out of excitement. I took more photos than I'd care to say and had trouble deleting any of them--that's how special this place was to me and to my heart. It was as if history, travel guides, and Google searches had sprung to life. In Venice, my friend and I tried to get a gondola ride, but another couple cut in front of us. However, the gondolier said he'd get in touch with someone to come and get us. Now we went in early January so it was cool, but being from Chicago we weren't cold. Also, the cool weather meant that the canals didn't have a strong odor. Soon, the second gondolier arrived and offered us a discounted ride since we had to wait. We happily took him up on it and our ride began. We moved smoothly along the water, looking at the gorgeous, but aging and sinking city. We took in sites included what was described to us as the youngest church in Venice (it was only 250 years old). I felt a sense of peace that I had never felt before and I gazed upon the water and the city.
(Prompt by Eleanor Pratt)
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