Date: July 24, 2024
Location: Venice
Blogger: Anneliese Medrano ’28
Hometown: Cypress, Texas
As we wrap up our last day in Italy, you can see the different moods in our group. Some of us decided to get an early start at the beach, while others, like me, slept in to gear up for the long travel day ahead. By noon, we all started coming together for lunch in Venice before heading off to tour the Doge’s Palace and Museo Correr.
Lunch was quite an experience. The food was fantastic, but we were running out of time, so we ended up playing a bit of a guessing game with the waiters to see if we’d get the check before we had to leave. Once we finally settled, we rushed back to Saint Mark’s Square to meet the rest of the group and kick off our self-guided tours.
After the tours, we had some free time to explore Venice one last time. We got back together for dinner, which was pretty special. The food wasn’t anything to write home about, but the company was what made it great. We shared a lot of laughs and felt really connected, especially when we all recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge together.
Post-dinner, our leaders gathered us for a final briefing, focusing on the importance of balance in life. Remember, don’t just fill your pickle jar with golf balls; add pebbles, sand, and water. It was a good reminder to appreciate all our experiences and moments on this trip.
Some of us walked on the beach for our last bit of free time. We enjoyed being in the moment, listening to music, and appreciating the friendships we’ve built. It was a perfect way to end our Italian adventure, surrounded by good friends and great memories that we’ll carry with us.