365 days project 2. Day 84. Milestones

   Today I woke up and the first thing I read on my phone was the news about the latest terrorist attack in Nice. 85+ innocent dead people who were attending a beautiful parade and were enjoying their national day... people who woke up that morning with a smile on their face at the thought of celebrating such a special day and who went to sleep on a street just because someone decided their fate instead. This is one of those things that reminds you how unfair life is sometimes, one of those events that gives you an unwanted shot of utter sadness, anger and fear. I guess that's the purpose, isn't it?

   But if we linger too much in these thoughts then terrorists win. So instead let's think about good things that change your life like meeting the person who makes you grow, gives you wings to fly and loves you unconditionally, then moving in with this person, marrying them and starting a family together. 

   Traveling. It changes you forever. It makes you hunger for more: seeing more, meeting more people, staring in awe at cityscapes and landscapes you only saw in pictures on Google. It's absolutely fascinating how just visiting different cities can bring so much light in your life.

   Your first job. Or being accepted for your dream job. It changes you from a dreamy teenager to a young adult who's starting to figure our what he wants and who understands that the world is his oyster.

   Random people at the perfect time and perfect place. Those people who share their wisdom with you and make you a little bit wiser even if you will never see them again... especially because you'll never see them again.

   Milestones. Things that change you bit by bit either by helping you reach intense happiness or by bringing you down so that you learn how to stand up again. Either way, you need them. So be aware of them and learn from them. We're all here to learn a lesson. Make sure you learn yours.

365 days project 2. Day 76. Travelling with(out) objectives

   Our honeymoon is in 2 weeks and today I reminded myself that I should look into what there is to see in the cities we are visiting: 7 Italian cities in 11 days. Pretty intense, huh? So intense that it seems impossible to actually enjoy those amazing new cities if I make lists of things to see.
   At the end of the day what's best? Having a to do list you found online and leaving home with expectations that will or won't be met, run from one objective to the other and at the end of the day be happy just because you can cross them all out... or just allowing yourself to explore them at your own pace, stop when you am in awe and enjoy the true vibe of the city wherever that might be? Hmmm...

   I never liked having a preset schedule when I went travelling but on the other hand I don't want to be oblivious to the absolutely MUST SEE sights in a city either. So? What's the answer? Probably, just like in any case: a little bit of both:) Yes, be aware that in X city you can see Y, but I don't think you should make it a MUST. If you have time and you really want to see that objective, then go for it, but if you somehow happen to stumble onto something very amazing that takes your time and makes you really happy, there's always next time, isn't it? 

   Life should be taken slowly... and travelling as well. I love seeing everything there is in a new city, but sometimes all I need to do is slow down and just breathe in the whole atmosphere of the city and let it guide me towards its wonders:) Right?

365 days project 2. Day 68. Of travelling and missing Canada

   The world is so much more than your lovely balcony, your wonderfully decorated apartment or your quiet neighbourhood. It's a huge, vast place waiting to be discovered and it's calling for us. It's right there, at an arm's length. It might sound expensive but if you save up and you buy plane tickets early it's all achievable. Really. And once you start travelling you will never be satisfied with just lounging on a chair on your cozy balcony anymore. So many life changing experiences, so many people to meet, so many stories to tell and look back to with utter happiness and that sense of achievement. 

    That's what Canada was to me. A place I only heard and studied about, somewhere far away where the people are very nice and the steaks are delicious. I had no idea it hosts more than 80 nationalities all around the world, that Edmonton would make me feel like I am in Cluj or that the Beaver Creek Farm would be heaven on earth. Little did I know that Jasper and Banff National Parks and their turqoise water and endless, amazing forests would impress me so much, that wild goats and moose would roam freely by the road and that Nelson with all its hippie feeling would make me want to move there. I saw parts of Alberta and BC, I met Oli's cool friends, I found my latest favorite author in an unexpected place, I bought a lot of decorations for my home at a very good price and I attended festivals that will forever be in my memory because of the multitude of nationalities and the colorful vibe I got from them. 

   Canada came when I needed it the most and it forever changed who I am. It made me grow spiritually and it showed me all the greatest things a country can offer: amazing, friendly people, absolutely delicious food, terrific places and unforgettable experiences. As I am writing this the movie of everything that happened for 3 weeks last summer is playing in my mind and I can't stop smiling. They were some of the best 3 weeks in my life right up there to visiting France and Switzerland, Iceland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Venice.

   Ever since I was little looking at the colorful pages of the atlas my dad bought for me was my favorite activity. I was so impressed to read such interesting things about other cultures that I decided that when I grew up I wanted to travel EVERYWHERE.  I was so hungry to travel the world and meet new cultures, learn valuable lessons from them and become more enriched as a person. And now that the process has started I feel very happy and enthusiastic to travel MORE. My ultimate goal in life is to become wise and help the world and traveling is helping me reach that goal.

    I miss Canada terribly but the best is yet to come. In less than 3 weeks Oliver and I will go in our honeymoon around Italy and Switzerland and I already can't wait to discover the beauty of Tuscany and everything Italy and Switzerland have to offer! Life's so exciting!