Goodbye Europe.. see you in an unknown number of months

 Our second day boating was equally as stupendous as the first. All I know is I was getting sad that my goodbyes were getting close. These people are just too good to me to leave this place. 

 We got a little crazy with the photography today. Lorenzo even had a sealable pouch made to put your iphone in, so we could take underwater photos.

 This girl be pazza. But I love her.

 We played some cards... which seems to be mandatory while near water of any kind. 

As the amazing tour guides they are.. they took me to see another Island near where they live. I feel so honored going to these places, because I feel like its a rare occurrence that a tourist (like myself) gets to see these wonderful places. 

This is Tino Island.

 This statue is right next to Tino Island and was purposefully placed there so ships won't hit a wall that naturally stands below the water. 

 All along this island there are many little caves that have light blue (azzurra) water in them. Just beautiful. 

My final day we spent to Corniglia and finally got to go swimming there. The first day I went there the water was too choppy and dangerous. Did a little cliff jumping while we were at it. 

 Lorenzo jumping.. In his new Italia swim shorts he had to purchase there, because he forgot his.

I'm always scared as poo before I jump, but its always easier than I think, and then I like it. 

 And after a little while of coaxing, Cathe took the first leap of the summer. 

Our last photos together. Basically feels like family now. 

 I'm afraid I will forever compare every other coast to this coast. Official last photo together. 

And now for some bloopers and/or photos I never posted from the past couple weeks I was meaning to.

 I'm sure Matteo was saying some smart remark, (Cathe laughed at everything he said)... and my face was most likely a mixture of confusion because it was in Italian, and also me knowing it was something humorous. 

 I'm not sure whats going on here.. but its funny

 The beautiful Martina and I walking the coast at night..

 ...with Lorenzo and Matteo.

That night we went to a huge local pot lock type dinner. Everything Seafood. 

I never know how to wrap up one of these trips on here. In a nut shell traveling is for everyone, and it changes everyone. You learn more about yourself, and your desires than in ANY other setting. You get more addicted to going places.. but most of all you will never be the same after these places.

 If I should be so bold to say, you become a better version of yourself.

And since I can't seem to muster up the verbiage to end this in the perfect way, I guess I'll just say goodbye til my next trip, which should be sooner than later.

 I'm holding my breath.

Beginning of the end.

 The last couple days were spent on the water.. just how I pictured the end of my trip to be. 

It was all a dream. If someone told me 6 months ago that I'd be in Italy on the coast boating with Italians.... i'd laugh at them. I'm extremely grateful with how my life turned out this year. Life changing.. all of this. 

Matteo, Martina's boyfriend, owns a boat that he took us out on. This wasn't a typical lake mead experience.. We were on the LINGURIAN SEA. (near the Mediterranean). Most beautiful water, extremely salty, but we didn't seem to complain much. 

 I hang out with models.. ha

Cathe

 Lorenzo and I

 Matteo, a local Portovenerian, also the most animated hilarious Italian I know. Even when I couldn't understand what he was saying, I knew he was saying something funny, just with how the tone of his voice would get crazy. 

 Riomaggiore .. first city of Cinque Terre, we drove the boat up to the coast and picked up Martina from work, and the rest of the day was spent on the boat.

 Cathe, Martina, and Matteo

 Matteo let Catherina drive us back to their neck of the woods, a little scared, but she did a perfect job. 

 My favorite couple. 

 Before we went home, we went and watched a practice rowing match, in preparation for the BIG race in August. Along the Linguria, there are many villages, all connected, and each of them have a rowing team that compete. Its like their football, they live for this sport, and its a huge honor to the village that wins the big race. 

 Its not a surprise how many people own their own boats, try everyone. The locals come out to watch. 

 Portovenere flag. The village Matteo is from. 

 Marola, and neighboring village to Portovenere.

 I just... uh.. well.. my finger slipped and accidentally took this photo.

 such a unique sport, made for the coastal folk. I enjoyed it very much!

 They love eachother. 

Lorenzo stealing photos.

I hope this video works. Later that night, we watched a futbol match, and Italia took the win, and this was the celebration of the win. Those who know me, know I love people and the love for their sports.

It was as near to a perfect day as they come. 

A part of me hates looking at these photos because I knew there would come the day that It would only be a memory instead of a reality that I was living at the present time. I'm so thankful it happened though, I wouldn't have had it any other way.