Reflection.

Currently, sitting in the library while articles, a half drank Coke and untouched research books surround me.  I have two papers and a presentation staring me in the face and all I can think about is how fast this semester has gone.   How fast I have developed friendships, memories, experiences and how abruptly they will end.  I have 26 days left for me to spend in Perugia, Italy.  Twenty-six days to make the most of my time here and truly appreciate it.  I think when I decided to come here, I prepared myself for leaving everything in the States behind.  It was easy, no offense towards anyone.  It just was because I knew I was coming back, or at least my plane ticket said so.  What I didn’t prepare myself for was the attachment and love for this new place and people I would develop. 

Let’s take today for example, Bethany, Sarah and I went to the open air market, which is held on the first Sunday of every month.  It was beautiful seeing the craftsmanship and passion each artisan put into their work.  After, we attempted to grab lunch at Pizza Musica, a pizza shop tucked into the back alleys of Perugia.  To our dismay, it was closed, but we were pleasantly surprised at what wandering the back streets we hadn’t discovered in our three months being here.

It chokes me up that I’ll ever have to leave this place.  Perugia will always hold a special place in my heart, always.  I thought that ignoring these thoughts would help me enjoy my last days here.  You know, really live it up and not let anything get in the way.  But without reflection, what can we appreciate?  And if someday, I decide to come back to Perugia, it will never be the same as it once was.  The people, they will be gone.  And although the beauty of this city will only become greater; those who made my experience will not be there to make it that much more beautiful.  This moment, this experience will forever be frozen in time and can never be recreated.  That is the saddest and the thing I will cherish the most about this city.

Ci vediamo, 

Rae.

{pictures will follow.}