Memories of a summer which I gained so much from (outside the lecture room), fought so hard for (appealed against my university exam result-which I won!) and lost so little to… A wonderful summer.
As if you haven’t already noticed, autumn has well and truly crept in! The streets are paved not with gold, but the yellowish brown leaves falling from the trees laying a crisp golden carpet to walk on. The sun is playing ‘pika boo’ behind the silver-lined clouds. I breath in deeply… The air is mild and fresh with an undertone of mixed scents; sweet apple blossom tangled with the pollution from the traffic makes a contradicting concoction. This is autumn in London!
And I’m back into the swing of things as though I never left… As though summer never visited… As though she never left me without saying goodbye…
So I’m thinking back to my summer trips starting in June with a first time visit to Mallorca for Gerry’s 50 shades of blue ‘burning man’ theme birthday; and ending in September for some autumn sun in Sicily with my sister! … Not forgetting everything else in between; Piemonte village Rodallo trip for Festa del Pesce, Dominican Republic and Haiti volunteering trip and Puerto Rico con el corrillo (ayeee)!
Milton Keynes, England
My summer officially started when I opened the invite to attend my Aunty Lou’s wedding in May… What’s summer without a wedding after all?! Mama Lou’s Big Glorious wedding was joyful event from beginning- the sun showing its full face, to end- I caught the bouquet!
Mallorca, Spain
My first time in Mallorca and my first 50th birthday bash for Gerry’s ‘50 Shades of Blue‘! The Burning-man theme made me an equal amongst Gerry’s elite crowd of friends. Plus a road trip around the island was the cherry on top of this trip… Even if Pacha wasn’t!… My summer was just beginning!
Rodallo, Italy
I had the pleasure of visiting my favourite Piemonte village, Rodallo, for its annual ‘festa del pesce‘. I also accompanied Alu and Gena to their summer camp where I got a geography lesson on the map of Italy by the kids… Quite useful!
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
When I booked a British Airways flight to the Dominican Republic, little did I know what I’d discover on the island of Hispaniola.. My journey stared by landing in Punta Cana- Resorts only! Staying at the Bavaro Beach Resort would satisfy most people’s definition of a holiday, however after the second night the novelty of an ‘all-inclusive’ was lost on me and I was ready to leave and meet real locals!… But not before I meeting the lovely Boricua Vivi on the dance floor of the disco… That would be the start of a great friendship… And another adventure in Puerto Rico later on!
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo offers a radiant charm I find extremely attractive in older cities; Zona Colonial! This historical part of the city has so much to offer; from affordable accommodation options to sunday strolls exploring something new on each narrow bend of the street. Leave the guild book in the safety of the hotel and have a local show you around like I did with Nicaury! Or find yourself a new read by checking out something you won’t find in the guidebook; Biblioteca libre! And whatever you do, don’t forget to bachata, merengue or salsa to the live music played every sunday evening (weather permitting) in the ruins of San Francisco… Surreal!
I volunteered with Good Neighbors Dominican Republic directed by Ms Hyang Cho. It was a great way to do something helpful and get to experience the Dominican culture first hand… And discover Korean culture thanks to fellow international volunteer Soo. I also got a chance to practise my video-making and editing skills using my iphone! Thanks for the experience GN Dom team!!
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Haiti has always fascinated me. From the country’s history as the first Black Republic to the preservation of the the Voudun religion. I can never hide my fascination when I meet someone from Haiti! Three years ago when the country was struck by a devastating huricaine, I knew I wanted to help in some way. Three and a half years later I got the opportunity in the least expected way; by volunteering at the Sathya Sai centre in Port-au-Prince. The centre which is co-ordinated by Shanti Poudel and Carlos Suarez, provides freshly cooked nutritious meals to needy children living in camps across Port-au-Prince. Haiti was full of unexpected surprises, comforting fulfillments and small accomplishments… Leaving Haiti was leaving the best of my summer behind… I found myself in more ways than one.
The funding for the food program is drawing to an end. If you’re able to help in some way for the children to continue to receive a meal each day, please contact the co-ordinator Shanti Poudel omsaishanty@yahoo.com. Thank you
San Juan, Puerto Rico
From meeting Vivi on the dance floor of a holiday resort in DR to a week full of activities hanging con el corillo, Puerto Rico was everything I was expecting… And then some!
Palermo, Sicily
Once again, I return to Italy for the second time this summer… But this isn’t just Italy, it’s Italy with a distinctive island feel! I chose the perfect location and time to travel with my sister for a couchsurfing adventure in Sicily. And we really couldn’t have asked for a nicer, understanding host (I don’t know many who would put up with sisters constantly bickering!)- grazie Giuseppe!
Socking up the warm autumn sun while sunbathing on Sampieri, discovering the meaning of ‘indulgence’ in Modica by sampling the world-renowned chocolate in Antica Dolceria Bonajuto… And biting into a scrumtuous cannoli as though I had died and gone to… Well, Italy! A truly blissful way to end my summer…
And now, here’s to a wonderful autumn!…
I’m back to school until the next trip… because students travel too you know- on a student budget! 😉
What are some of your memories of a wonderful summer?
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