Spring Break Recap

April 7, 2024

Ciao! I took a break from the blog last week in order to honor the true spirit of spring break rest and rejuvenation. I thought it’d be fun to recap everything I’ve done the past few weeks but as it turns out, I didn’t actually do a whole lot. I had a fun Easter weekend, for sure, but other than that I didn’t really leave my couch.

The first week of spring break I designated for relaxation. I’m one of the germaphobic people who has designated outside clothes, inside clothes, and in-bed-only clothes — but on holiday there are no rules. I spent two and a half days last week wrapped up in my comforter on the couch reading books and watching movies that have been on my to read/to watch list forever. I rested well. In fact, on Tuesday, three o clock rolled around and I only had 200 steps in, then I realized all I’d had to eat that day was a handful of popcorn and nearly a full package of sour candy. I peaked.

On Wednesday, I spent most of the day doing the same thing (although I ate a little healthier), but then I finally got bored and went on a long walk. (Does anyone feel like when they go on walks everyone else is running, but when they go on runs, nobody is even around to witness it? Or is that just me wanting attention?)

Thursday I had to leave Piacenza at 8pm to go meet my friend Madison in Milan, so naturally, I felt like I didn’t have time to do anything all day because I had to be somewhere later. I cleaned a little, packed a weekender bag, went on a run (which I saw nobody during), and then it was noon. So I spent the whole of the afternoon on the couch once again, reading and watching the clock.

Easter weekend was the best weekend I’ve had in a long time. It was so nice being with Madison, a best friend from college who I hadn’t seen in 3.5 years. There were lots of laughs and a few tears. On Good Friday we went to the Van Gogh Experience in Milan, had lunch at a Michelin Star restaurant, and accidentally walked a half-marathon (no joke). We spent Saturday on Lake Como. We took a ferry to a quaint town up the lake and explored, then headed back to Como to take a little funicular train up the hill to a town called Brunate to check out the view from above. It was a pretty cloudy day, but we still were able to see the beauty around us. On Sunday we went to a Catholic mass for Easger and had pretty much no idea what was going on, but it was still an amazing experience. You can’t beat organs and choir. A woman named Cristina (with no concept of personal space) sat next to me and shared the Easter mass booklet with me, trying to point out where we were and what was happening, bless her heart. We had brunch at Ruby’s with Pauline and Liana (it was Pauline’s first time having a mimosa!), then spent the rest of the day chatting. It was honestly a perfect Easter!

I had high hopes of productivity this week, but unfortunately I was once again forced to rest. Monday was too beautiful outside to do anything inside, so I spent the day tanning on Liana’s balcony, then we watched Princess Diaries when the sun went down.

That night I got sick for the first time while not living with family (and throwing up is my greatest fear), so I spent 8 hours sleeping on the bathroom floor. Thankfully, I have friends here who were willing to bring me Powerade and saltine crackers and all the good stuff, and I was pretty much fine by the next morning. I’ve been taking it easy since then though, since we have a school trip this upcoming week. So, break was good, and I guess rest was needed! Now it’s time for a good spring clean.

This week our class is heading to Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Germany. We will be checking out vineyards, wineries, and other facilities that focus on sustainable agriculture. Prayers for safe travels are much appreciated!