Being a tourist is not something I strive to be. A person being immersed in local culture and taking in all a city has to offer is what I long to do. Although the camera around my neck and pamphlets from here, there, and everywhere tells another story, I enjoy roaming the streets of new cities and soaking it all in. My travels have taken me to amazing cities. I fell in love with cities I had never been to before, and I am looking forward to falling in love with new cities all over again. I generally do not like the feeling of being lost, but there are a few exceptions to the rules I set for myself. My sense of directions is practically nonexistent, so being let loose in the streets of Venice was nothing short of daunting. Not that I was left to navigate on my own or anything, I just did not want to veer too far from the well-traveled path. That particular day, we went to the Peggy Guggenheim Art Museum. It seemed like we walked forever in the rain, and that is not an exaggeration. I aimlessly followed behind the navigating group, observing the people, looking all around, and trying to keep warm. With every twist and turn, I thought we were surely lost, but I did not feel uneasy. Venice is a beautiful city, so being lost did not seem like the worst predicament to find ourselves in at that moment. We successfully made it to the museum, and it was a hidden gem. It was an afternoon well spent in Venice. Somehow I ended up towards the front of the group coming back to St. Mark’s square to meet up with the rest of our travelers. It must have been a European miracle that I did not get all mixed up, considering I get turned around in my own hometown sometimes. This day in Venice gave me the courage to venture out and know that it was okay to feel lost in a new town. For the rest of the trip, I was more inclined to see more sights and enjoy the town as if I was a town regular. Towards the end of the trip, my roommate and a couple of other friends went out after dinner for gelato in Dublin. Since the night was still young, we felt we needed to experience Dublin in its truest and richest cultural form. We were on the hunt for authentic live Irish music. Our adventuring took us down O’Connell street, and rather than turning right to the touristy Temple Bar district, we turned left and began our quest. We poked our heads in a couple of different businesses, but none were what we were looking for. Farther down the street, a door opened and the sound of music came flowing out, and that was all we needed to know that is where we would end up for the night. As it turned out, it was the locals’ favorite place in town, and with it being tucked away on a dark street in Dublin, tourists were not usual. Lucky for us, we were a small enough group and did not stick out too much (other than our Irish accents were lacking). The hours we spent at The Celt were hours we spent singing and dancing like the Irish. Had I not felt comfortable roaming the streets of Dublin, I would have missed a memorable night with friends. I have this to look forward to all over again. This coming year, I have the opportunity to discover new cities and experience the cultures firsthand. I already love the cities I have not met yet, and it excites me to see them in person. I cannot wait to get lost in the sights and sounds of these cities and have the feeling like I belong. Collecting these memories are priceless to me, and with each passport page that is filled and journal I complete, I know each page holds the memories of me being lost in my thoughts and feeling as I wander with wonder. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2016
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