there's no place like home.

So I just got back to the United States and this entire experience feels like a dream.

Castel Sant'Angelo and the Tiber

Last gelato in Piazza Navona

After I got back to Rome from Florence, I spent the rest of the week packing up, going to the sights one last time, and hanging out with my friends a little more. I spent Thursday walking around Vatican City one last time. I went to Old Bridge Gelateria, the best gelato place in Rome. It was so gorgeous being able to walk around one last time during the sunset. I headed from the Vatican past Castel Sant'Angelo over the bridge. I walked down by the Tiber River a little then headed to Piazza Navona before going back to my apartment to pack up my suitcase.

At the Trevs

Friday was my last day in Rome. I spent the morning cleaning up the apartment and making final preparations to leave. After that I headed out with Alex and Katie to go see the sights one last time. We started at the Pantheon then worked our way through Rome to Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. That night we headed to an amazing restaurant by the Spanish Steps for dinner. It was down a tiny alley and was SO GOOD. The pasta was all freshly made, and it was the perfect last meal in Rome.

Once we got done with dinner Alex and I took bottles of wine and sat on the Spanish Steps for awhile just enjoying the night. We worked our way through the sights again at night to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona before meeting up with our friends in Campo dei Fiori. We spent that night getting a couple last drinks and saying bye to everyone from our program.

Last Supper

We headed back to our apartments around 2:30 to finish up any last minute packing and cleaning we had left. I had to leave for my flight at 5:30, so I ended up just staying up until I headed to the bus. The bus ride to the airport was one of the hardest things I've had to go through. I had such torn feelings while leaving Rome. I've been so anxious to get back, but I had the most incredible, amazing experience abroad with a really awesome group of new friends. I can't believe that the experience is actually over.

Nicole, Monet, Sally and I in Campo

Once I got to the airport I checked in and got some food. While I was waiting for my flight, Monet actually walked up. We ended up being on the same flight and sitting 2 rows apart! It was awesome to have someone with me from my program on our way back. Once we got on our flight we both completely passed out for the entire flight. I tried to watch a movie and couldn't even make it through the opening credits. I only woke up two times - once for each meal. The first meal I woke up to a plate of pasta on my tray as everyone else was giving back their empty trays. It was awesome because it made the flight only seem like it lasted around 2 hours instead of 11 hours.

After getting through the customs in Atlanta, I FINALLY got to see my dad! It had been four months since I had even heard his voice, so I was so happy to see him. We headed home from the airport and went to get MEXICAN!!! YUM. Mexican was the thing that I definitely missed the most while abroad.

REUNITED in CLEMSON :)

Now I'm finally back in Clemson, and loving it. I've missed everyone SO much and it's been great being back. This has been the trip of a lifetime, and I've loved every minute of it. I feel like I've grown so much as a person and experienced more than I ever thought possible. I am SO GRATEFUL for this experience... especially to my grandparents, my mom, and my dad for making it possible for me to live in Italy for the past four months. It has been an incredible rollercoaster and an absolutely life changing experience.

Now it's just time to unpack...