Michael's diary - Navigating new beginnings in Italy

After over 2 months of traveling, I had finally reached Italy, the final destination of my gap year. I had taken the train from Nice to Genoa, but something about this train ride had made me uneasy. My mind had come to grasp that I was at the precipice of a new life, and while the endless possibilities of a fresh start were incredibly exciting, they were also overwhelming due to the vastness of this precipice.

My first destination, however, was not as amazing as I expected. Probably because of my unrealistic expectations, Genoa was not my favorite city. That’s what made me realize a really important lesson: I was thinking (or should I say dreaming?) too much about Italy. This was the moment I finally got the reminder that I had to manage my expectations. Yet, my enthusiasm persisted as I moved on to my next destination: Florence.

My second stop-over was, instead, everything I hoped it would be. The city was brimming with rich culture, historical architecture, amazing food, and incredible art. It really left an impression on me that would remain for the rest of my life and serve me well as I reached my final destination.

While in the city, I met two older men who shared a similar philosophy on life despite their different backgrounds. The first was a Balkan man in his late 30s who came to Florence seeking construction work. Surprisingly, he had been very successful, having owned a restaurant, studied and worked in IT, and was a skilled tradesman. When I asked why he was there, he said, “I have to be skilled in many things because the world is asking this from me.” He believed that in a constantly shifting world, having multiple skills is essential, and that, in a perfect world, cities could be self-sustainable. I understood what he had said but it hadn’t resonated as strongly as it would until I met a heavy-set, enthusiastic French carpenter. During our conversations, he echoed the Balkan man’s philosophy, saying, “You have to move in the same direction life is asking of you.” 

The message was received loud and clear as I moved on to my new home abroad, Milan. Or so I thought. As I was taking my very first steps in the city, I felt as if my thoughts and feelings were almost physical. And as I settled in, these feelings only intensified. Alone in my room, I reflected on my journey and questioned, “Is this what I really wanted?”

Time passed and being able to stay in one place for a while was a welcome change of pace. Adapting to the new culture and language was tough, but I got used to it to a degree since I had some familiarity with it. As months passed by, I found myself balancing both study and work as a busboy in a local restaurant. I was picking up the language fast and I had made some friends. For a brief period, I thought that perhaps things could work out, until I hit 30 years old. 

Entering my 30s was frightening, and I felt a huge need to get back to my real life in Melbourne. To me, Italy was a much-needed shift of perspective and a break from the monotony of my life. However, it was time for one last adventure through Italy and then back to Australia.