Wow- I’ve fully finished two new cities now and haven’t had a single second to sit down and write. So I’m writing as I ride the train from Florence, Italy to Venice.

I ended up making friends at my hostel after our game night on the floor in our dorm. You aren’t allowed to bring your own drinks into the hostel so we all agreed to sneak it into our dorm room and play games for a bit to save money. This boy from across the room and I kept making intense eye contact. It was an immediate connection before words were even formed. I forget the name of the game we were playing, but you have to whisper a “most likely to” question to the person to your right & they have to point at someone in the room and then you flip a coin. Heads you share the question and tails you don’t. The girl to my left, Maria, asked me, “who are you most likely to kiss in this room?” and I pointed at the boy across the room who was making eye contact with me. Thank God it landed on tails so I didn’t have to share with the room. Fast forward to later that night, we went downstairs to our hostel bar. The boy’s name is Chris. He bought me and our hostel mate a drink. Later in the night, I returned the favor. He was standing next to Maria when I came over to hand him his drink. She turns to me and says, “I knew he was a player” and then leaves the bar. I obviously had no idea what was going on. But her departure left Chris and I to talk and get to know each other. We traded Instagram handles and I went back to my dorm and went to sleep. 

The following day, I still wasn’t feeling great or like myself. I was still trying to rest and take it easy. I spent some time writing in the workspace room and just walking around the city site-seeing. In the evening, I took a 45 minute bus ride down to a neighborhood in Rome called Trastevere. It’s a little “local” neighborhood with tons of outdoor restaurants, live music, and good vibes. I found a super cute restaurant and sat outside to eat and people watch. I then got a ring made for my mom homemade from one of the craft stands they had everywhere. I can’t wait to give it to her! I found some incredible gelato and walked back to the bus station to catch a bus back to my hostel.

While I was sitting at the bus stop waiting, a man walked over to me and introduced himself as Casear. He was from Peru originally but had lived in Rome now for over 15 years. His English wasn’t great so we spoke in Spanish for our entire encounter. He told me a bit about his journey here, what he does for work now, and how he spends his free time. We bantered back and fourth for a bit before he asked me to go out for a beer. I politely declined, saying I was very tired and ready for bed. He accepted this and asked me out for a date the following night for dinner and drinks around 6:30pm. I accepted his offer and gave him my WhatsApp number. He was a handsome guy. Most of the men in Italy are incredibly handsome. They’re tall, dark, fit, tanned and have an accent. Perfecto. I don’t see men like this in America so I enjoy the views while I can. When the next day was here, he was messaging me asking if we were still on for the evening. He called me back to back while my phone was silenced when I was trying to nap and this made me so annoyed that I never responded to him or showed up to meet him. Who calls someone back to back like that? Serial killers, that’s who. Not happening today my guy.

On the bus ride back to my hostel, I got off at the wrong stop because I missed mine. When you’re on the bus, you have to physically press the red “stop” button or they will not stop for you. I got off at the next stop and was immediately regretful. I had just landed in Rome’s homeless neighborhood. They were a group of people screaming and fighting at the nearby park. It was so dark. There were men walking around and pacing the streets. People were sleeping on top of cardboard boxes lining the streets. I was out of my element and scared shitless. My phone was also at 13%. I quickly pulled up Maps to find my way back to my hostel. A 16 minute walk away. In this place? Great. I wasn’t sure if I was going to survive this. I walked for a few minutes. I couldn’t stand it. My adrenaline was going and my senses were through the roof. Why were there so many men pacing alone on these streets? Like they weren’t even going anywhere. They were just pacing. I turned around and walked back towards the bus stop. The next bus was coming in 4 minutes. I could hopefully survive for 4 more minutes. I was just going to stare into the men’s souls when they looked at me and give them a look that says, “I will literally kill you if you come near me.” Ten minutes pass and the bus still didn’t come. I couldn’t wait there anymore. I downloaded the Lime app and found the nearest bike to me. I hopped on and sped out of there so fast I didn’t even know my legs could cycle that quickly. I couldn’t believe I survived that. That kind of stress and adrenaline was not good for my heart. 

When I got back to my hostel from Trastevere, my room was filled with people. Germans, Australians, English, and Austrians. Oh, and of course Chris. I walked in and they immediately were excited and trying to feed me tequila shots and beer. I kept declining, saying I was very tired and ready for bed. One of the Germans made a deal with me that if I lost the bet, I’d have to take a shot. I agreed and guess who lost? Me. Shot taken and suddenly I was no longer tired. They waited for me to shower and get ready quickly and then we went back downstairs to the hostel bar for karaoke night. We sang karaoke for a bit which was really fun. There was Chris from the UK, Miguel from the US, Ben from Germany, and Phillip from Germany. 

My girlfriends from Ireland who I met in Naples arrived in Rome that day so the group and I then took some scooters to meet up with them at an Irish pub. I was so excited to see them again! I rode on the back of Chris’ scooter through Rome and it was so cute and romantic at night with all the street lights and buildings lit up. We quickly became inseparable. He walks me through crowds, always makes sure I feel safe, holds my hand, gives forehead kisses, plays with my hair, walks on the traffic side of the sidewalk, and opens doors for me. When other women are around, he doesn’t notice. It doesn’t matter what they look like or what they’re wearing. He has no wandering eyes and I appreciate this so much about him after my last relationship. We never even talked about this so I know he’s just doing this out of respect on his own. Of course we had already kissed at this point. I just feel cared for and important. He also actually really listens to me when I talk or tell stories. Like he’s genuinely intrigued about my life and getting to know me. He is in the Army in England and he’s just a respectful man. 

I think about nothing from the past at home anymore. I have no more triggers. No more cares about what’s happening at home except for how my family and friends are doing. I don’t question things anymore or let my mind wander. I don’t even have to try to not think about certain people or situations. It’s like only this version of me exists now and who I was three weeks ago is a stranger. I don’t even feel like my old life is real. That’s how different everything is now. How different I am now. I never want to stop living this life on the road. Even on the stressful days.

I was finally reunited with my girls again and I was over the moon. We connected immediately when we met in Naples and were just attached as humans. It felt as though we had been friends my entire life. I couldn’t wait to see them again after a few days of being apart since they went to the Amalfi coast for a few days. Leah had met a local Italian man and I was so happy for her. We all decided to walk down to the Trevi fountain.. It was already 3am at this point. The Trevi fountain was beautifully lit up at night. Actually unreal. It just felt powerful. There was barely anyone else there. None of the crowds I’d experienced the day before. Peaceful. We took photos and just hung out on the Trevi fountain for hours. We had so much fun just chatting and goofing around and admiring the fountain. I couldn’t believe my life. It was 5 am and I was hanging out with the most incredible people from all over the world who I haven’t known long but loved anyways. I was also being kissed by a handsome man from the UK under the Trevi fountain. After riding our scooter around the city. I was living my best Lizzie Miguire life.

Phillip and Emilie were goofing around by the fountain where he pretended to dip her into the fountain (he wasn’t really going to), but the cops immediately started yelling at them in Italian and pointing towards the back of the cop car for them to come with them. They were shaking their heads no. They were not going with the Italian police. They finally dropped it and let it go. We all had a nice laugh later about almost getting arrested in Italy at the Trevi fountain. 

We walked the half hour back to our hostel and said goodbye to the girls. I got into bed after 6 am while the sun was rising. What was my life? I woke up before 10 the next morning so I started the day exhausted, wishing I could sleep more. Chris was supposed to leave in the morning to go to Venice and Phillip was also supposed to leave to go to Florence but they both decided to extend their stay so we could have extra time together. Chris and I walked to meet the girls for brunch and then we all went to the Colosseum together. It was unreal. Massive. The inside was astonishing. I couldn’t help but imagine what life was like for them back that. I wished I’d had a time machine and could go spend the weekend with the Romans and watch some of the entertainment at the Colosseum. I just know they knew how to party. There was so much history. Emilie ended up getting sick so her and Leah walked back to their hostel for a nap. Chris and I moved onwards and checked out the Roman forum. Once again beautiful and full of history. We rented scooters and rode back to our hostel for a little nap. Everyone was exhausted and it was so hot outside. 

Chris and I walked to meet the girls for dinner at a pizza place after our nap. Of course we had pizza and wine. That’s all we eat. Pizza, pasta, and gelato. I’m so serious. We all decided that we were going to have an easy night since we were out until 6 am that morning. We were going to have dinner and call it good. Phillip ended up meeting us out at dinner as well. We had the most perfect tiramisu. So, so good. After dinner, we decided on one more drink before bed. Why could it hurt? We ended up finding outdoor seating and having a few while playing “never have I ever”.  Leah’s Italian man came to pick her up on his moped to see the city. How romantic! Next thing you know, we are riding scooters around town. Me on the back of Chris’ scooter and Emilie on the back of Phillip’s. Phillip really likes Emilie at this point and they enjoy spending time together. We find an Irish pub and spend time hanging out there for a bit. We walk home and ended up not getting back until 5 am once again. I am once again questioning my reality. I said a final goodbye to Emilie and it broke my heart. I love that girl so much. We just vibe so perfectly. I can’t wait to go see Ireland and meet up with her and Leah again.

I was leaving in the morning to go to Florence, Phillip was as well, and Chris was heading to Venice because he was already in Florence before Rome. We weren’t ready to say goodbye yet. He decided to book three nights in Florence with me. I had already booked a train there but I skipped it because Phillip drove his car down from Germany and said we could ride with him. We stopped in Siena, Italy for lunch. I had an amazing pesto pasta dish. We continued onward and I was so tired I could barely function and I didn’t feel good. 

We make it to our hostel in Florence and immediately crash for a couple hours. We got ready and went outside where the hostel was throwing a party and we commingled and met a bunch of other people to hangout with. 

The next morning, I had a doctor’s appointment for a follow up check up after my incident in Naples. My EKG looked great and vital signs were perfect. The doctor’s office was literally in her home. It was crazy to see a local’s house and just be in there with her. She was fantastic and reassuring. I explained to her that I was having nightmares ever since my incident being hospitalized in Naples. When I’d try to fall asleep, I’d jolt awake because I felt like my heart was stopping. I’ve also been struggling to get on trains and the thought of flying or riding a ferry scares me. This all started on a train and I get anxious that it’ll happen again and I won’t be able to get off. She wrote me a prescription for a bunch of lab work to be done the following morning at a different clinic in Florence.

After I arrived back from my appointment, Chris, Phillip and I walked to have some lunch and see the cathedral in Florence. It was magnificent. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We walked around exploring the city and Phillip went back to the hostel for a 4 pm pool party. Phillip is hilarious. I think he has ADHD. He doesn’t think before he speaks and sometimes I can’t believe what I’m hearing but he makes me laugh so much. He is so German. Like when you think of someone from Germany, you think of Phillip. He lets his intrusive thoughts win a lot throughout the day and can be quite the trouble maker, but we really love him anyways. 

Chris and I moved on exploring the city ourselves. We saw the bridges and canals. We stopped at a wine window and it was the coolest experience. You knock on this tiny door that’s placed in the wall of a building and they answer and take your drink order. Then hand you your drinks. We each got an aperol spritz. We kept walking around and found a place that was serving happy hour. Had a few more spritz. We then found an outdoor photobooth that was 2 euros for 4 photos. We waited in line and took our photos. It was really adorable. We walked around a bit more and found our way back to our hostel sharing a scooter once again. We met up with Phillip again and hung out for a bit with him and our other hostel mates and I had to call it an early night because I couldn’t stay awake any longer.

Yesterday morning, Chris and I said goodbye to Phillip as he goes back to Germany. It was another sad goodbye. The goodbyes seriously get so tough. Chris and I booked a train and took a day trip to Bologna. I really wanted to see Bologna, plus Ben was there and we were so excited to see Ben again. We got to Bologna and has some authentic original Spaghetti Bolognese. Or as Chris says the UK calls it “spag bol”.  We walked around and explored the city a bit and then met up with Ben for happy hour. We sat outside for hours just chatting and trading stories. Ben is incredible. He’s also from Germany. He is brilliant, has a good head on his shoulders, and is the kindest, sweetest soul. He’s also an EMT so we got to bond over that which was really fun for me. Chris and I had a train booked for 7 pm to ride back to Florence. We spent so long with Ben that we looked down at the time and realized we were running late. We had a 20 minute walk for a train that departed  in 16 minutes. We ran down the streets and down the escalators. Ben hugged me goodbye while we were running next to each other and we promised to see each other again someday. It broke my heart to say goodbye. Chris and I had JUST made our train as they were closing the doors. I still can’t believe we made it in time.

We arrived back in Florence, found a scooter quickly, and rode together to watch the sunset at the top of the city. We walked to the top, grabbed a beer, and watched the sun set over the entire city. It was incredible, beautiful, and romantic. A man was playing the violin in the background. You couldn’t ask for a better night. We grabbed dinner and a bottle of wine after and just chatted.

We got back to our hostel. Chris and I decided we once again weren’t ready to say goodbye so we decided to go to Venice together next. We sat at a table and booked our train tickets last night and booked an Airbnb. We walked downstairs to the club to watch people sing karaoke and then called it a night. We were exhausted. 

We woke up this morning, had a chocolate croissant and an iced coffee, and checked out of our hostel. We are now riding the train to Venice and I’m really looking forward to our time there together. I’m enjoying getting to know Chris on this level and I think he’s really a fantastic human with great morals. 

We are almost to our stop now so I’m logging off. I’m so excited to spend a couple of nights in an Airbnb and away from the hostel life. The noise and constant socialization gets exhausting. 

I miss everyone back home so much. Thank God for Facetime.

Until next time.

Xo,

Kals