I have a story I want to share with you guys. In April of 2010, while I was studying abroad in London, England, I decided to spend my four day spring break in Italy, alone. My parents encouraged me to take a trip alone, telling me that travelling by yourself is one of the most spiritual journeys you can take and so I figured what better place to go then Italy? I spent a day in Venice, two days in Rome and one in Florence. I did not speak any Italian, know anyone in Italy, nor was I able to book any transportation between cities before I got there (Italy is a little lagging technology wise); which for me just meant it was going to be one big adventure. Of course I was a bit intimidated but I was brought up to be pretty independent and I knew I was going to be just FINE. (If you want to read about my day to day activities while I was in Italy click here).
I was running a little bit late on my way to the airport, Italy-bound, and right when I got onto the tube on my way to Gatwick it hit me like a ton of bricks – I had forgotten my camera. My prize and joy. All of my friends in London were used to walking off without me because I was always in the back taking pictures. ALWAYS. I took my camera everywhere, every little thing had to be documented. And now here I was – going to three of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and I didn’t have my camera. I literally almost fainted in shock, but there was nothing to be done.
I landed in Venice, managed to figure out which bus would take me to the bus station right outside of the city (no cars are allowed in the actual town) and decided to buy myself a few disposable cameras. I couldn’t NOT take any pictures and I figured I could make do with a disposable. I bought a total of four disposable cameras and told myself I was only allowed to take one whole camera worth of pictures (26 exposures) a day.
Of course Venice was gorgeous and I spent the day getting completely lost in its small alleys and beautiful waterways. I was carrying all the clothes I needed for the four day trip on my back and luckily it was cool enough that I did not die of heat. I had no maps in Venice and no real agenda – I just walked and walked. From Venice I took the red-eye train to Rome. Rome is as different as Venice as orange and apples. I was in a bit of a shock at the noise and pollution, the mopeds and the Italian couples displaying more PDA than I was ever accustomed to. And yet, I fell in love. I wanted to take a picture of every nook and cranny of this place. I wanted to capture EVERYTHING.
In Venice I did not struggle with the 26 exposure limit because the town is pretty much the same everywhere you go. After a day you get a good gist of it and although very picturesque, all the pictures start looking the same. But Rome – oh how I struggled. Everywhere I looked I wanted to take another picture. Bear in mind, I was alone and had no friend to compensate in the picture department. I remember vividly standing on the Victor Emmanuel Monument (next to the original Capitol Hill), looking at Rome and crying hysterically. Big fat tears fell down my face as the beauty of the city overwhelmed me and I had to rely on a dingy camera to capture it. 26 exposures is NOTHING when every street is unique and I was used to taking hundreds in one day.
After my mini tantrum, I took deep breaths, composed myself, and kept on walking. I made the best of the situation. I swore I was going to remember every moment of this trip – camera or no camera. By the time I got to Florence, I realized my lack of camera was really a blessing in disguise because since I was no longer occupied at the pressing need to take pictures, I was able to really SEE my surroundings. To LOOK at the architecture and admire the Italians bustling around me. To sit and breathe the Italian air, listen to the language and be fully present. To enjoy my gelato and how it tasted in my mouth instead of worrying if the lighting would document exactly the way it looked. The last night of my trip, as I was walking around the Duomo with some friends I made in the hostel I was staying in and I realized I had ten exposures left and no idea what to do with them! I forced myself to take some more pictures, but in all honesty I was having too much fun appreciating the town to be bothered with the camera.
After my four day lonesome but delightful adventure, I felt transformed. I went back to London feeling relieved I could speak the language and order what I wanted without sign language. But I also felt more present. I was no longer hiding behind the camera but actually LIVING the picture.
The reason I bring this up now is because this morning I was thinking back to my time in London and out of all the places I went; France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, England’s countryside, Czech, Austria, and Spain, the country I can recall most vividly and with all my five senses, is Italy. Which just goes to show you the importance of being PRESENT. Not hiding behind your iPod, your camera, your electronic games, your Nook, or whatever other gadget we have created to escape the moment. To just BE. Now, almost a year later, I hardly look at the 5,000 pictures I took while I was in Europe; but I remember with my inner camera all the gorgeous monuments I saw in Rome. The sunset over the Vatican. The fierce wind ruffling my hair after I managed to climb all 320 to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica…
Never underestimate the power of the now.
Namaste.
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About Teeg
Yoga teacher and budding health coach living life happily & organically. Forever student of my meditation cushion, amateur photographer, and lover of words. Sharing my light and love to all, I have faith the universe will provide all I need at the right time. Except for chocolate... I can never get enough chocolate =)
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April 14th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Your trip looks beautiful!! and so brave of you to go alone. My mom and I went on a similar trip a few years ago. You are so right, all our Venice pictures look alike while there were soo many different things to see in Rome.
April 14th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I love this! Its so true, we spend too much time looking through a lens or focusing on so many little unimportant things, instead of just enjoying what is around us. I can't help but think of that John Mayer Song 3×5, in which he expresses that he is just going to enjoy the journey, the sunset, the world past the lens.. big hugs lady!
April 14th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Love the post. we often forget to be mindful in the moment, and we miss a lot of what we could be experiencing and learning because of that. I loved seeing your pictures as well- Rome is beautiful and I love it there!
April 14th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
I have always dreamed of going to Italy and hopefully someday I will get my chance. Your post makes me want to go that much more!! The pictures you posted are also beautiful and I understand that initial need to have the camera with me. I spent three weeks in Eastern Europe in 2007 and took about 1000 pics. Crazy eh? Do I still look at them now? Yes, occasionally I take myself down memory lane, so I am glad to have the pics. But there were some places or instances where I just put the camera down and enjoyed the moments around me – Pariser Platz in Berlin is GREAT for this! And you're right, being in the moment is really wonderful!!
April 14th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I absolutely loved reading this!
Because my parents lived in Italy before having me, I have always dreamed of visiting one day after listening to their wonderful stories of it throughout the years. This post was beautifully written and so very true! Sometimes being in the moment and really taking in everything is one of the most wonderful feelings ever. Sometimes when I go on long runs, I like to leave my ipod at home and really just take in the sounds of nature! 
It's a great feeling!
April 14th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
How often we miss the little things when looking at the big picture in the view finder. I love taking photo's and on the rare times I take any now I try to step back from the tripod and look around and absorb the beauty around me.
April 14th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
oh I LOVE this post…I'm a huge Italophile, and always look forward to heading back over. Beautiful really…and I can really feel how you felt seeing all these things!http://www.eatpraymove.com
April 15th, 2011 at 1:11 am
great point. I think we tend to pay more attention to what we think are extraordinary moments and want to skip over the mundane. I know that I have been trying to cram way too much in a moment, lately. As usual life is putting me in check..hehe. Lovely post.
April 15th, 2011 at 1:15 am
perfect point. I'm exactly like that and never leave home without it. I've realized at times, and this might sound RIDICULOUS, I prefer to not even go out without one. Last night, as I was having dinner at a nice restaurant, where I always take pictures, I take my camera out and click on. It turns on and then says "Battery DEAD". I almost died myself. I was about to eat food I couldn't take a picture of! hahaha, this sounds sooooo ridiculous as I type it. I'll stop.I promise to live more in the NOW. thanks for the focus!
April 15th, 2011 at 4:31 am
I love this post! We do lose site of reality with all the electronics we are surrounded by. There are times I have to remind myself to put the phone down….Hugs,Terra
April 20th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
LOVE this story!! I've never gone on a trip like that alone and would love to (and would also be terrified to do so)!I love how you turned around your camera issue and used it to learn to be present. I feel sometimes that I find behind my camera too and miss "seeing" anything.
April 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
oh I LOVE this post…I'm a huge Italophile, and always look forward to heading back over. Beautiful really…and I can really feel how you felt seeing all these things!http://www.eatpraymove.com
April 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
I have always dreamed of going to Italy and hopefully someday I will get my chance. Your post makes me want to go that much more!! The pictures you posted are also beautiful and I understand that initial need to have the camera with me. I spent three weeks in Eastern Europe in 2007 and took about 1000 pics. Crazy eh? Do I still look at them now? Yes, occasionally I take myself down memory lane, so I am glad to have the pics. But there were some places or instances where I just put the camera down and enjoyed the moments around me – Pariser Platz in Berlin is GREAT for this! And you're right, being in the moment is really wonderful!!