A Girl of the World

Ed Sheeran, dry cereal, stale pastries and a dingy communal table in a run down hostel.. But hostels, they're the best way to travel. You meet people from all corners of the world of every race, age, culture and gender. It's wondrous.
I was studying in Florence, Italy and I knew I HAD to make it to Rome if I were to be in the boot of Europe, but my friends had other plans. So, I hopped on a train by myself. I watched as flower fields flurried past my window and got ticketed for not validating my train pass, but it didn't even matter, I was going to Rome.
At 10 AM I was in the Eternal City. I wandered through the Roman ruins, the ancient and modern coexisting as construction piping laced the inside of the coliseum and new born flowers burst through the cracks of the Roman forum. I walked for ten miles and never bored. I discovered the best view of the seven church domes. I saw a wedding at the smallest country in the world- The Vatican. I even found vegan gelato. And then, I found you.
It was Ed Sheeran, that ginger-headed cupid. His music video played across the table. I laughed. You laughed. We made eye contact and agreed to rent Vespas- classic Lizzie Mcguire style, except we didn't rent the scooters and a wacky Englishman tagged along.
I remember when we had a water fight from the probably sacred fountain outside the Vatican. How it was so hot we swam under the waterfall in the fountain of Popolo Square. Because why dip your toes into life when you can dive in, right?
I guess you could say that this has become a thank you letter. An ode to the beauty of travel and how it leads a wandering soul to others like it.
I still remember when you twirled and dipped me to the live, street music outside of the church while an endeared crowd applauded. I even missed school to walk the empty, night city with you. Remember how the world showered us with rain as we raced to the top of the capital building to see the cityscape? How we later found a dense tree to shelter us until sunrise? I do.
Traveling teaches you to look for adventure and then find it in every day life. It teaches you to know what’s important. I can be a good student any day. But to see the city with someone you were meant to meet, when do you get another chance like that?
So thank you. Thanks for reminding me that there is such a thing as soul connections. And thank you, world, for giving me the opportunity to meet one of mine and the freedom to do so at any edge of this beautiful planet.