Bad Things Happen in 3s

Austrian Alps!

10-28-10

God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.
The Alchemist

My day started off with my favorite boots breaking. No more than two hours later, I realized my purse had ripped and my hat that I just bought had a huge tear in it. Whew! They come in threes. Well that’s what I reminded myself the rest of the day at least. I’m lying in bed so hopefully that is it for the run of bad luck!

Traveling always brings unexpected adventures. To have them more often you have to be open to anything. Watch for signs and simply be open.

This trip presented itself to me in the most opportune time. Holly asked me to join her and her cousin Trevor on a 10-day trip to Europe. I said if I’m going to do this it has to be done correctly. After thinking about it for a week, things started to fall in place. Trevor said he wanted to travel with me for 6 months (although he fell through last minute). The date we left was September 14th. My contract date for my job in Austin was Sept 3rd. My apartment lease and cell phone contract ended Sept 1st. The signs kept adding up. This was what I was supposed to do. I listened to them.

Once we got to Europe Trevor decided to leave after the first 10 days, but looking back that was the best thing that could have happened! I was pretty scared and angry at first. Again, things started to fall in place. The guy I met 2 hours before my flight in Atlanta offered to let me stay with him in Nurnberg. Traveling alone at times has made me so much stronger and confident. I have been able to meet up with friends traveling here… Nick Vivian, whom I met on the side of a mountain in Alaska while climbing the face of a rock mountain on all fours with no trail at 11pm at night. We had a great time hiking in the mountains of the Czech Republic! Kyle Sewell, who is a dear high school friend. We had a great time roaming the streets of Prague. Then, the next weekend we met up in Munich, drove to Innsbruck and had more epic adventures in the Alps!


Face book is awesome! Because of it, I have been able to connect with so many random people throughout my life.

Tuscany! After wine tasting! 

This week in Florence I have met interesting people. Again, being open and positive about life will get you far. Everyone has a story to learn from. Everyone. While washing clothes, I met a guy who moved there 8 years ago from the states. Cool guy who said the life suits him and couldn’t think of a better life. My hostel I’m staying at feels like a big family. We have dinner together every night that Lorenzo (the owner) cooks for us, complete with box wine! Every night has been different. The first night I arrived, I put my stuff down, and then was invited to sit down, drink wine, and play cards. They said… “Ahhh, we will deal with money tomorrow. Now let’s have a good time.” Hostels are a fun way to meet all different types of people from all over the world!

Yesterday I met two guys on a conference here. Something about media art (basically something over my head) and borrowed one of their badges to get to see some of the art. Cool stuff, I still really don’t understand it though. Then had some people to get to know and site-see around town with. My night ended tonight with Indian food in Italy! Good times! Tomorrow I go to the countryside of Tuscany with another hostel and some friends I made at the hostel I’m staying at! I can’t wait!!

Being open to anything and anyone… with caution of course! Not everyone in the world has good intentions.

I’m headed to Spain to see some of my sister’s husband’s family this weekend. Then, meeting a friend there and on to Morocco for 2 weeks. So unless I get the chance sooner, a big update will come in November!

Open to the world… and I find the world will embrace!

Tuscany wine cellar!

(I put pics up on Facebook, but can't figure out the web address to put on here)

And the Adventure Starts!

Cinque Terre, Italy!

9/18/10

“When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.”

-The Alchemist

Sometime over the past year I wrote this:

Which Bird Will You Choose

End your innocents. Leave. And take.

Open your eyes to a journey you will never forget. Take your heart and set it to the birds. Be the choice and take the blue owl on the left. Next to the wing, grip the lucky feather. Hold on to the small feather that will take you to your extravagant odyssey. The key: fly and let everyone see you. Not to boast, but spread the know they too can be free and choose the out. Bird, open the door to your house and fly out of its iron walls.

Staring at the door key when they are staring at you

Push back the curtains, be naked, let them see

Hearts will show the bloodshed hole

Open sores, gapping deep love, scars of the only melodies of life

Staring at the door key when they are staring at you

Embrace the mountain that moves your soul the most

The hills of the earth will set a test, a test that in the end will shoot down the bird

It will bring white morning glories awaking journeys in far reach

There in the moment of years

Too late to take the two fingers

Too late to be what you need

Too late to be your manufactured seed

Staring back at the door key when they are staring at you.

My Dadders taking me to the ATL airport to start the adventure!

Driving into Atlanta for the last time my heart was racing looking at the buildings of familiarity. Realizing soon I would be in Europe for three months to a year and possibly by myself. Every time that thought entered my mind I was hit with a wave of nausea. As dad gave me a tight hug and snapped a quick picture together my eyes welled up as he said, “Be careful, I love you”. Dazed with excitement and fear I went through security finding my seat on the plane. As I was peering out the window watching the trees turn into a blur my adventure began!

My friend Holly, her friend Zach, and her cousin Trevor began in Rome. The four of us were in awe over the many attractions Rome has to offer. Rome is full of old places and tourists. After a day there and being a bit overwhelmed with the crowds we left on a train to Florence!

We were hoping to spend a day drinking wine in Tuscany, but the tour wasn’t offered that day. Instead we roamed the city talking to locals and taking in the quaint town. We met a petite older lady who lived right outside of the city. As we were introducing ourselves I told her my name was Kat. She looked puzzled and pulled out a Time magazine with a cat on it. She said, “like this” pointing to the picture. As I nodded my head yes she broke out into hysterics. She proceeded to laugh more than what was appropriate. Then turned to Zach and said, “Who is he…Dog?” Then we all loss control laughing at the cultural differences!

Cinque Terre. At hostel overlooking the ocean!

We arrived in Cinque Terre on a rainy yet still beautiful day. We settled into our hostel then quickly made friends with two girls who had been there for a couple days. They took us out to the cemetery on a bluff next to the ocean. We all sat on the cliff blissfully peering at the moon light up the ocean and city far below. Watching the waves crash against the rocks they belted out the most beautiful rendition of Ava Maria I have ever heard! Sitting there in awe I realized there may be hard and lonely times in this journey, but times like this one make it all worth it!

The Vatican.

Now further north to Switzerland….

Holly and I at the Vatican! 

The original 4 in Florence. They stayed with me the first ten days
and we had an absolute blast!!