Sweet Italian Romance

When you travel through Europe, staying in hostels is a must, especially if you're young and can handle slight discomfort. It's a must because it's dirt cheap but mainly because of all the amazing people you meet on your travels. This trip to Italy, I went by myself. None of my friends from home came with me. I spent a month traveling on my own but I never felt alone. I stayed mainly in hostels for the whole month with a few exceptions. I met so many people and had a blast. Some of these people I still know today, some are fond distant memories. 

I can't remember what town I was in but I met this beautiful boy from Adelaide, Australia. I'm just going to call him Jake since I'm not still in touch with him and don't think I should use his real name for his privacy. I was eating stale bread and drinking coffee for breakfast at the hostel. He sat down next to me and asked me what I was doing for the day. Because that is what you do at a hostel. You just start talking to whoever you sit down next to. I said I hadn't made definite plans and he asked me to join him for the day. I said sure because that is what you do when you meet someone at a hostel. You just start sightseeing together because why not. Again, I can't remember what town we were in. It was an amazing day and I agreed to hang out again the next day. The chemistry between us was instantaneous. We felt like old friends and, probably because we were young, fell completely infatuated with each other by the end of the 2nd day. We decided we were going to travel to Capri and Sorrento and stay there for a few days together. Not gonna lie, it was a romantic 3 days together. If you've ever been to Sorrento or Capri, you know how dreamy those towns are and perfect for a travel romance.  

Side note: the lemons, in those towns, are literally the size of footballs. I'm not kidding. LOL

One of my 2 images of Capri lol

Back to Jake, we found the cutest Bed and Breakfast with a view of the coast, ate amazing dinners, drank wine, went to Pompeii and just thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. This will sound dramatic but, I was barely 23 or 24, definitely could say we fell in love with each other for those 3 days. Unfortunately, I have no photos of him. I remember coming home from that trip and thinking what the hell was wrong with me? Why didn't I take any pics of him? But then I also realized I barely took any photos of anything while I was with him. LOL I don't have any pictures of Sorrento and 2 photos of Capri and maybe one of Pompeii. I was in Pompeii and only have one pic. What an idiot! (Eyeroll placement here)

That's how infatuated we were with each other. I didn't even think of taking a picture. I know that wouldn't happen nowadays and I 1000% wish I did have a photo of him. But the memory of him and our time together will always live in my heart and head. 

#2 pic of Capri

After our 3 days together, we had to say goodbye. He was meeting some friends of his on some island somewhere on his trip around the world. That's what he was on, a trip around the world. I was still making my way up through Italy. Neither one of us wanted to say goodbye but we knew we had to. If only social media existed back then, who knows what would have happened? LOL

I'm not lying when I say we both cried when we said goodbye cuz we did. Whatever happened between us was real and I am grateful for that experience and think about it fondly always. Even though it was a super short time together and I know it sounds ridiculous but he was my first experience with what it feels like to have someone who really cares about you. Yes, yes I know, it was a short time but get over it cuz this memory burns bright in my mind. I had past boyfriends before but this was different for me. He was different and better than all of them before. And get your minds out of the gutter cuz that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about him as a person. Maybe it's because I was in Italy and young but I don't care. My sweet Italian romance, it's a memory I cherish and am grateful for. He was truly an exceptional person and whoever he ended up with, in this life, is blessed. 

If you are considering travel in Europe and worried about spending money on hotels, stay in a hostel. You will meet a ton of people or just meet one really awesome person. The memories you will create will be fulfilling and warm. I highly recommend it especially if you're young but even if you're not. Hostels offer private rooms for a little extra money which I know is important as you get older. Meeting people and making those human connections are just as important as the scenery and maybe even more so at times.