Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's perfectly acceptable:

• to laugh at myself when it dawns on me that I'm sitting on the bus wearing a floral skirt, tights and boots...and then, as if in a divinely planned moment, Ace of Base's "I Saw the Sign" comes on my iPod, and I realize that I have reverted back to the 90s. 

• to introduce my good friend Lainey (who is visiting at the moment) to London with a drink called the Porn Star and a shot of prosecco on the side. That's a proper introduction to London, right? 

• to act bipolar in the span of 24 hours; i.e., have a major pull-out-your-hair freak out when you leave your lap top on the bus. Then to do a happy dance when the next day you find out it's been turned in, ready for you to pick up. SO MANY EMOTIONS. 

• speaking of emotions, it's SO VERY ACCEPTABLE to miss a place before you've even left. I'm in a glass case of emotion!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

source

Around London Town

There won't be too much more of this series left (tears!). In my last few weeks in London, I've been:

Having as much tea time as possible! This is a jasmine/lily blend. 

 Visiting Bridget Jones' apartment (above the Globe). 

 Looking at as much rad architecture as possible! This is Leadenhall Market. 

 Visiting Windsor Castle (not in London, but just outside). The Queen still resides here! William the Conquerer once resided here...IT BLOWS MY MIND. 

And heading to the park...

 To have fancy picnics with old and new friends...

Cheers, London! There's not too much time left now, and I will miss you dearly!

The Sad Life of an Adventure Seeker

I've come to terms with what I am. I'm an adventurer.

It's why I love traveling, why I yearn to live in new places, why I'm addicted to doing and seeing new things. This is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I actually do things, I don't just talk about them. A curse because I feel like I'm never content with staying in one place. Is this just a product of youth? I'm not that young anymore, so I'm unsure I can use that excuse...

As I am wrapping up my year in London, I wonder...will I like living in San Diego again? Will it be too small a place for my now expanded mind? Will I be happy to be with sunshine and family? Or will I still have the urge to jump on the next plane flying to an adventurous location?

I just hope one day I'll be happy to stay in one place. But maybe that's not really the life for me. The best I can do is move back, not think too much, and just feel it out. In the mean time, I'll enjoy every bit of London before I depart!

Conversations With English Flatmates (Volume 3)

Me: What do you call those again? *points to a stroller*
Flatmate: A pram.
Me: hahaha! What?!? That is the most ridiculous word!
Flatmate: What do you call them?
Me: A stroller.
Flatmate: Ha! As if you are going on a stroll?
Me: Well, yes. Exactly.
Flatmate: Well you can go on a stroll with your pram.
Me: !!

***

Me: Want some of this leftover chicken?
Flatmate: Sure, I'll just ping it.
Me: Excuse me? What are you going to do to it?
Flatmate: Ping it, in the microwave. Y'know...when it's done...ping!
Me: Oh, you British!

***

Flatmate: I can't really imagine living without you. It's gonna be sad...
Me: So it was alright having an American flatmate, eh?
Flatmate: Yes!



...and my work here is done. I'm leaving in about 3 weeks, and I can't handle all the emotions that come with it! 

Epilogue to Italia

Italy was my favorite trip that I've taken this year.

Chillin' like a pro in Capri. 

It comes down to the people. I know this is an overused saying, but ain't it the truth? I already covered this in my Preface...but Italy changed me a little. After just one week there, the culture actually changed my thinking. This is the kind of experience that travelers live for. There's just something about that country, and I'm itching to go back! I keep thinking in my head, how can I live in Rome for a little while? When you start thinking thoughts like that, you know you're done for!

And here's the funny part: I am going back! It wasn't part of the plans, but Turkey tickets were far too expensive this year (I was gonna end the year with Turkey). Since one of my besties from California is coming over, and still wanted to see one more city other than London. In about 3 weeks, we're going to...

...Venice!

I better be careful, I just might end up staying. Or, someday, find a way to get back there for longer than a week. Such is the burden of a traveler; I thought my year in London satisfied my wanderlusting cravings, when all it takes is one new love to awaken them again. 

Fun Little Italian Day Trips

Sorrento was close by bus/train/boat to three places you might consider visiting: Positano, Pompeii and Capri.

First up, Positano. I don't know why a town set up aside a mountain is so damn charming, but honestly, Americans just eat this stuff up!

I suppose it's hard not to be flabbergasted by such a dramatic drop! 

This man is the most bad ass bus driver there ever was. I had to stand next to him for the crowded bus trip. At one point, Shaggy's "Angel," circa 2001, came on the radio. The driver turned up the song full blast, looked at me and nodded his head. That's my homie, right there! 

***

Next stop, Pompeii--the site of the volcanic eruption and supposed preserved bodies. There's some controversy over whether these bodies are real. I will say, wandering to the back of the site, I did see some molds, giving me the impression that some bodies may have been fabricated...who knows? I didn't take a lot of pictures of Pompeii, because well, it bored me a little. I know some people that absolutely love it, though! After seeing the colosseum, it just wasn't so special for me...

***

Last day trip, Capri! My mom was excited I went on this day trip, because apparently the movie stars from the 60s used to hang out on this island. 

 Capri is definitely worth a visit, and if you can figure out a time to get there when the weather is hot, it would be the perfect beach getaway! 

 I was particularly interested in the Grotto Azzura (pictured below). The water lights up like this naturally...I haven't edited the pictures. If it had been a bit warmer, I would have paid to swim there (something you can do after 5pm). Still, a boat ride in this little cave is pretty cool and a unique experience (you may not like it if you're claustrophobic)! 

If staying in Sorrento, I would recommend Positano and Capri as good day trip options. Pompeii wasn't my cup of tea, but hey, I can't really complain about any of it...I was just enjoying being in Italy! 

Sorrento, Quite the Peaceful Getaway

After the hustle and bustle of Rome (which, GOD, I adored!), it was nice to move onto the second half of my trip, the beach/seaside getaway town of Sorrento.

Sorrento is quite small, so it's very easy to explore your way around and find all the secret passageways...

...and subsequently stumble upon hidden spots where you basically get your own balcony, complete with the most fabulous cappuccino and a smashing view of the sea:

I mean, I really didn't get tired of that view! 

Or this view: 

 Or any of the views! 

 It might sound too kitschy a term, but Sorrento is just so darn cute. It's everything you want out of a little Italian town: 

It's got that European flair. 

 The prettiest little benches you've ever seen. 

 Adorable bridges.

 10th Century mills that you accidentally run into on your morning walk.

 Beautiful art you find under the archways.

 Vines growing up the sides of buildings.

And the right kind of simple summer foods. 

 It's even got a tiny speck of night life...

 Where the bartenders give you free drinks (um, if you're a woman, I assume). 

There's not too many bad things I can say about Sorrento...

And gosh, what can I say when the day ends with that infamous view? That view...