So Close

There are officially nine days until we are off to Rome. Its crazy. I have no idea where the summer went.

It still doesn't feel like I'll be in another country in a little over a week. We finally received our visas a few weeks ago. They're very official looking, and are even in Italian. Shame my passport picture is so awful looking. I realized I really need to start figuring out what to pack, and how I really won't be able to bring a lot with me. I think I have all of the supplies I need, and I need to tackle my clothes next.

 I have too much stuff.

Living in another country is going to be such a new experience, even in the airport. I'll be surrounded by Italian language and culture, not to mention I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I'll be tripling the amount of places I've seen in a mere four months. I have a train pass for France and Switzerland, and am considering one for Germany as well. I feel like once I get to visit all of these places that it will be hard to leave.

I went to the bookstore the other day and got tour books for Rome and Europe. They seem helpful and very overwhelming. Maybe they're useful, maybe not. I guess I'll find out. I've actually always wondered if what was published in those tour books was how it actually was. I even have an Italian phrase book, but I feel like I'll learn more Italian trying to navigate (probably more like stumble) through Rome.

I don't really have much more to say. I'm scared to death, and really have no idea what I need or what to pack. I'm excited too. I've never been overseas or to Europe before, so the new experiences will start the second I get off of the plane. I'll probably spend the ten hour flight reading as much as I can about Rome.

Nine more days until I am in a new world for four months of my life.