My expectations of this trip have been thoroughly challenged.  While I was right to expect to see incredibly beautiful things every day, I didn’t foresee the sheer amount of exhaustion we would all accumulate just by the three-week mark.  Because of this, I have learned that it is important to know myself, and how much energy I can expend experiencing amazing things before needing to recharge.
This past weekend’s trip to Positano was no different.  Let’s just say that when I found out that heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death in Italy, I decided to blame that on all the stairs.  Stairs to go to dinner, stairs to go shopping, stairs to come back home.  It was a bit overwhelming.  However, I got some much-needed “Me Time” by lounging on the terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, re-reading a favorite book.  There was a quiet comfort in it, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, soon replaced by a soft breeze.
 

Now, amongst the hustle of touring Italy, I find small things to be grateful for, whether it’s the increasingly cooler weather, buttered toast (a rare occurrence!), laughter with a new friend, or a shady spot to simply sit and be alone with my thoughts for a while.  Then, I can go and hike Mt. Vesuvius or admire the Amalfi coast from a private boat and truly soak in all the beauty this country has to offer.
By: Olivia Todd