Back in 2014, I traveled across the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. I was excited, nervous and sleep deprived on the way there. I had just finished my first semester of my junior year of college. I decided to start my vacation on the last day of class instead on the last day of finals which was a two week difference. I was left with a pile of last minute work, end-of-term papers, and finals that were rearranged to fit my schedule (Thank you professors!) On top of that I was working in a restaurant as much hours I could just so I could afford my 3 week trip to Europe and help pay for my sister who was already studying abroad for three months in Prato, Italy. I was sleep deprived, strung up on caffeine, and worn down with stress. Never again will I put myself through that. I barely ate and I ended up having a panic attack on the last day of class because I handed in the wrong paper. Never had I experience an panic attack...lesson learned.
My flight to Europe had multiple delays, but hey, thats what I get when I choose to travel in December where most countries have winter. I had a layover in Frankfurt where I got my first passport stamp. Arriving at 5am didn't give me a chance to try German food like I planned, I ended up at the only place open: a little food counter. I asked for the most traditional thing and they handed me a rice bowl. I had a 5am lunch while watching planes fly out.
When I got to Florence, I took a taxi and spoke to the driver with the few Italian words I knew. He drove me to my destination, a 30 minute drive to the quiet town of Prato. I arrived at my Airbnb and lovely coupled showed me into my little apartment. I had to climb up some stairs through a hallway to the back of their building, down a spiral staircase. It was my first time in Europe, I wanted to look my best so I overpacked in an oversize suitcase. That suitcase did NOT go down those stairs easily. The tiny apartment I was staying in was literally in their backyard. They gave me a key, showed me inside and left me be.
I was suppose to bring the suitcase up a winding staircase to the room. I had no energy left, I unpacked down stairs brought everything up separately and then brought up the suitcase. I took the longest hot shower ever and got ready. When I headed out I left the stairway light on because I didn't want to return to an dark apartment by myself. I headed early to the Piazza of Old Prato where I was suppose to meet my sister at 18h00. I found a little cafe nearby and ordered an espresso with my broken Italian. I took the tiny cup outside, sat at one of the patio tables and people-watched. I took a sip, and my soul literally died. It was one of the most bitter and strongest things I have ever tasted. I left it cool down and threw it back like a tequila shot.
When my sister Leeza arrived, it was like no time had passed. We caught up and grabbed dinner. She showed me this kabob place that literally changed my me. I didn't know that I was missing Gyros from my life and it will never be without it again. When we finished devouring our food with the promise of coming back, Leeza's friend met up with us. We walk to the train station to get to Florence for a night out. On the Prato platform, we met an Australian. We sat together on the train where he proceeding to tell us overexaggerated stories, how the girls go crazy for his accent and kept smiling with green stained teeth. How his teeth got like that I'm not too sure, what I am sure of was that all three of us couldn't stop staring.
While we were leaving the Florence train station he told us about this really cool club he was heading too. He gave us the address and we parted ways. We headed to a club that Leeza has been to before. On the way there we passed by cute little bars with well dressed people socializing while sipping their vino. When we got inside the club Leeza and her friend headed straight to the dance floor, I, ignoring my sister plea about not being alone, headed to the bar. I was still very sleep deprived and only had energy to drink. I pushed my way through the overcrowded bar and tried to get the bartender's attention. While standing there, I felt someone push up against me. I assumed it was someone that got pushed into me and had no room to move. I took a few steps to the side so he wouldn't have to be touching me. Not even a few seconds later, I felt that same pressure but this time feeling all the bumps and lumps. I turned and looked at this guy, I stepped aside this time at the bar giving him room to order whatever it was he really wanted and couldn't give me personal space for. Within a few minutes that same familiar feeling on my backside crept in. Annoyed at this point, I turned around and faced him. I said to him "SPACE" and did a separating motion with my hands, hoping that he understood me. I turned back around waiting for my change from the bartender. I felt that same disgusting pressure again, I lost my patience. I whipped around and shoved him. I was so mad, I didn't realized how hard I pushed him, the kid went flying backwards and fell. I walked away finding a wall where I can lean against and have my backside safe from any repeating actions. My sister soon found me and I told her about the incident. She asked if I wanted to go, not wanting to ruin one of her last nights partying with her school friends I said no. We hung out for bit, talking to other tourist. We soon headed out looking for a new adventure.
We found ourselves at that club the Australian mentioned. We headed inside and it was nothing like we expected. It was a dark and dingy. Every corner we past had a picture of a naked girl. When we got to the dance floor which seem like it was in the basement of this building we spotted the Australian. We went up to him to say hi and he introduced us to his friends, who were twice his age. Just being with them for a minute we had started to feel a creepy uncomfortable vibe from them. We left to go to the bathroom which took a while to find because it was so dark. When we left the bathroom we decided to leave. We headed back up the stairs and the Australian followed us up asking us where we were going. We said our goodbyes and he gave us his winner smile before heading back to his friends.
By the time we left we had missed the last train back. We had to wait till 05h00 for the next train. We headed to McDonald's like the rest of the Florence night crowd. We ate our nuggets and headed back to Prato. All I could think about was getting into bed and sleeping as much as I could. We got back to Prato, my sister and her friend went to their dorm room and I headed back on my own to my apartment. I walked along the empty dark streets watching my step on the old uneven cobblestones. I loved every part of that walk; The cold air that seem so foreign to me, the ground that was worn down with history, to the echo that my heels made bouncing back to me from the unique Tuscan buildings with clothes line across the windows. I got to my apartment and walked in realizing how dark it was. The owners had walked in and turned off the light. I felt a little sting of annoyance. I am very private when it comes to my living area. I climbed into bed and fell asleep immediately. I woke up less than half an hour later. My nose was as cold as a dog and I couldn't stop shivering. The December cold had gotten to me and I could NOT figure out how to work the plug-in heater. I would fall asleep and wake up every half an hour or so freezing. I knew this was going to be a long morning as my hope of catching up on sleep slowly faded away.
My first time in Europe has its up and downs that are funny now because much time has passed. But the next day in Prato is definitely one for the books. Stay tune for my next post!