"The measure of love is that you love without measure" in Bologna

Whenever people hear that I'm living in a foreign country the first question is always "So you have family there? Or friends?". They're always wildly confused when my response is I moved here alone and had to build my community after moving here. (Yay book club!!)

But just because my family and friends aren't here, doesn't mean I don't find out ways to include them in the adventures I'm on as they're happening. Although I have some friends and family already planning their trips out here, I recognize it's not always possible for people to come visit me and be part of the experience. So... how do I keep them involved in my life?

Well technology is a beautiful thing. In the time leading up to my move, I heard everyone's bucket list of places they'd like to see. Also, just knowing my family's interests over time I can be part of an experience and know "okay, this person would love this". For example, with my grandfather I knew he really wanted to see Harry's Bar in Venice and would be totally into seeing the Churchill War Rooms in London. When I went to Liverpool, I shared in the experience of the Beatles Tour with my uncle who I know is also a fan. When I toured the Manchester United stadium I tried to share as much as I could with my sister. When I was in Istanbul, I thought of my mom's friend that teaches global history and would really appreciate the artifacts I was seeing from the Ottomon Empire. While exploring Bologna and all of it's rich history I knew my father would love all the random facts I was learning. So... I shared it with him through texts throughout the tour. In the picture below, there's a square in Bologna for a saint that my brother and father share a name with. I made sure to share pictures of the statues and square named for that saint with them. It made me miss my brother so much!

Other things I do will include facetiming my grandmother once a week. I also send my mom videos or text messages daily. Technology has made the world much smaller, and makes it feel like you're able to make those impossible dreams possible. I share emails with my other grandmother, my mentor, and my uncle. I also send mail the good old fashioned way with post cards for a small group that include my little cousins so it inspires them to travel one day too!

At the end of the day, I recognize how lucky I am to have the experiences I'm having. I know people who have spent their whole lives wishing and hoping to see the places I'm seeing for those dreams to never be fulfilled. So I try to take it all in and share the experience as much as possible. This lesson was on my mind a lot today. I'm so thankful and appreciative that I get to share the experience with those that appreciate what it all means the most.

If there's anything you feel I should check out in my next visit to Bologna you would like to share with me - let me know at hieatexplorelove@gmail.com !