We can't seem to shed the Big Apple. We're using this as a transitional shirt.

The moment Perrin and I stepped out of the Venice train station a perceptive Pakistani vendor informed us we did not love New York anymore.  But was Venice so different?  We were on an island and spotted street meat carts, photo-snapping tourists and inflated prices (€2.90 for a Pistachio cookie??).  Manhattan comparisons were not such a stretch.

To ensure we were still in Italy we stocked up on some gelato and pizza and walked on.  At least for 10 minutes until I spotted a gondola and ushered everybody aboard.  I have no problem playing the corny tourist here.  We rocked the boat, knocked on doorways and requested songs from the unremitting gondolier.  The 25-minute ride was worth every bit of the €15 Euro we each shelled out.

We tipped too hard and actually thought for a moment that we were on our way into the canal.

(more…)

When you have lived somewhere for four years it’s emotionally draining to say good-bye to friends and logistically exasperating to transport your life elsewhere.  But between canceling your cable service and buying International traveler’s insurance, make sure you enjoy your time in the US as much as possible before you go!  Five tips:

1.  Make a Bucket List

• I made a Google doc of all the things I had always wanted to do in New York but hadn’t made time for yet.  My friends went in and added their names next to activities they wanted to join me for so I got to see my friends and try new things!
• My list ranged from seeing a Broadway show (“Rock of Ages” to be specific. I’m still singing Here I Go Again and smiling to myself) to trekking to Harlem for the infamous Dinosaur BBQ (overrated!) to seeing my rockstar friend Sean Bradford perform his own show at Joe’s Pub (only in NY!)

2. Enlist men to help you move

• Perrin and I both had strong men load our stuff into SUVs and vans.  We’re no damsels in distress but mattresses are really heavy!
• I live on a six floor walk up with tight turns on the stairway.  Since I didn’t document my own move I’m sharing this strikingly similar experience from “Friends.” PIVOT!

(more…)

Perrin and I are sitting in our parents’ living room questioning our delicate situation.  We are surrounded by mattresses and dressers, which makes this stay seem more permanent than we are comfortable with.  We leave for Italy this week but at the moment we appear to have voluntarily moved back home.  As we question what burst of insanity provoked us to leave our friends, apartments and jobs in New York we thought we’d make a list of those things that we won’t miss:

1. Tourists wearing “I <3 New York t-shirts”.  Our friends wearing I <3 NY shirts” and pretending to be tourists at the Times Square Olive Garden is awesome though.

(more…)