Even though my time in Italy is drawing closer to an end, there have been so many meaningful moments I can look back on and feel positively about. A specific memorable trip that left a positive impact on me was my solo trip to Crema and Verona, Italy. On all of my previous trips I had traveled with friends but I knew that I wanted to step out of my comfort zone during this experience. This was the first time I’ve ever done a solo trip so I was nervous about many aspects including navigating the train systems, finding a place to stay, and planning out what I was going to see. While this was a bit of a nerve wracking process, it was one that filled me with excitement! 

Arriving in Crema, I felt like I had gotten a taste of what a smaller Italian city felt like. Crema varied largely from Florence in that there were almost no tourists and everyone there was speaking Italian all the time. I enjoyed getting a feel for the city and walking around the shops and cafes. One of my favorite parts of the trip was sitting at the park and reading my book. It gave me a chance to relax and enjoy the nature. The next day, I continued my trip with a stop in Verona before heading back to Florence. Verona felt more like Florence, it was a lot more touristy and there were many sites and shops to visit. I really enjoyed seeing the architecture there, specifically the arena. 

This experience was impactful because it taught me a lot about independence and how to navigate uncertain situations. During the train ride from Crema to Verona, I ended up at the wrong station at one point and had to figure out the way back on my own. While stressful, this taught me a lot about problem solving and staying calm during unfortunate scenarios. Since this trip, I’ve felt more willing to go on other solo trips in the future and try out new experiences even if they seem intimidating at first.