7 Days, 7 Cities, 7 Moods

Pisa

Milan

Monaco

So my wotless ass managed to backpack to seven different cities in seven days during a break between my first and second quarter classes. Accompanied by two other spirits of black excellence we left Rome at 4AM and ventured off to Pisa, Bologna, Milan, Venice, Nice, Monaco and Florence. The trip was exhausting but in the best kind of natural high way.

Naturally, I had a blast but also had several different moods and thoughts throughout the trip and I hope they give the most accurate depiction of backpacking possible.

1. MAKE SURE YOUR MONEY IS NOT GOOD BUT A1

Dining out for every meal + Travel expenses (trains and Ubers/taxis) + Housing (hostels) + Entertainment (shopping, museums, bars, clubs) = DEBT

Kidding, it's only debt if you're charging everything but I took out cash before hand because it made everything easier for me. Also when you swipe, especially abroad, you not only get charged a conversion fee but also a charging fee because well.. your ass ain't in Kansas anymore.

2. MAKE SURE YOUR SQUAD IS ELITE

By elite I'm talking about Dream Team elite, you don't want to travel with people who have planned out everything if you're a wing-it kind of person. You don't want to travel with people who don't have the funds. (If they have money issues at home what makes you think they'll have it together once you travel to another zip code?) Just make sure that the people you're traveling with reflect the same kind of attitude as you do when it comes to entertainment and down time because no one likes making moves with a grumpy kitty :(

3. GET COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

Traveling is not only about seeing new things but learning new things about yourself and everything around you. Get used to not having your way at all times, eating stuff you didn't even know could be digested and sharing time with the locals (they have the best connects with entertainment and info).

4. YOU'LL BECOME MORE PHOTOGENIC

I for one am not a photogenic person but because I had some amazing scenery and experiences I made sure to take pics with dope concepts and flooded all my social media accounts with them. The flex is not only for you to show off how you're living but indirectly challenge people to do what you're doing, it's all fun here.

5. HAVE A THEME/MANTRA

My crew and I kept saying #Backpacking2016 every time there was a great or shitty moment. The purpose of constantly saying it was low-key a way for us to check in with each other and our surroundings. Okay, getting caught in the rain wasn't ideal but we also got to see how the Leaning Tower of Pisa wasn't leaning too hard.. more like a baby slant.

6. BE PREPARED FOR THINGS TO GO WRONG

On our way from Rome to Pisa we got on the local train instead of the express which only gave us 45 minutes in Pisa. On our train from Monaco to Florence we got on the wrong train again and ended up in some place that started with a "T". All we could do was take the L and refocus because once you start to sulk you'll dwell on what messed up and not the potential come-up. Glass half full people, half full!

7. LET A MOMENT HAPPEN AND MOVE ON

We met great people who wanted to spend time with us on the rest of our trip and though it sounded great it would have ruined the momentum and spontaneity of the trip. Yes I loved spending a gondola ride with you in Venice but do I really want to see you in Monaco? Nope. OMG yes it was fun getting drunk and discussing hip-hop in an Irish bar with you, but do I want to meet up with you for breakfast in the morning? No gawd.

SO GO OUT THERE AND BACKPACK, ROAD TRIP, TRAVEL,

DO IT ALL AND FOLLOW MY ADVICE OR NOT, BELOVED.