People & Places

Have you ever taken a quick 3 hour trip to Amsterdam and ran into your high school friends on a side street? I have. However, this was just weird. What were the chances that I’d run into Maddie and Kent (friends of mine for the past 15ish years) as I was strolling past a quiet Amsterdam canal? That’s the beauty of travel – it never ceases to surprise me as every corner brings another unexpected discovery.  As you wander through the winding streets, gawk at the famous sights, and relax at the quaint cafes, you are exposed to a blend of history and culture that leaves an everlasting impression.

For the second time in the past year, I travelled to the Netherlands last week in order to visit Knut at his school in Rotterdam. As you know from my last post, we spent the majority of my trip in Italy. However, we did spend a few days enjoying meals with friends in Rotterdam and making the always exciting trip to Amsterdam. The last time I went to Amsterdam, it was 40 degrees and raining the entire time. Luckily, this time it was 75 and sunny and I could not have been happier. We spent our quick afternoon in Amsterdam visiting the classic tulip market and walking by the Rijkmuseum, then grabbing coffee and a bite to eat at what has come to be our favorite Amsterdam cafe – Café Hans en Grietje. Although in November we ate upstairs and had a fabulous view of the canals (yet still enjoyed the warmth of being inside), this time we were seated outside and were directly across from a canal. Needless to say, it was amazing.

Hans & Grietje 

Classic Amsterdam Cheese Shop 

Later, as we were walking through Amsterdam, I commented on the name of the “Victoria Hotel” that greets all who exit Amsterdam Centraal Station. Knut responded, “You know, you’re a little obsessed with names.” And he’s right. I have this strange fascination with what I consider to be the most important word we ever speak – our names. I’m constantly wondering what people’s names are, why they were named that, and what that name means. I suppose it stems from a deeper interest in people, fueling my desire to travel.

On that note comes the most enjoyable part of every trip. More than the food and the sightseeing and the relaxation, I appreciate the people. Rotterdam has not proven to be my favorite city in the world, but the people I’ve met there are some of the best I’ve encountered while traveling. Twice now Knut’s good friends have invited us over for a home cooked meal. This time, I jokingly said I expected a 4 course meal – and they didn’t disappoint. We walked into Melvin, Joep, and Thomas’ apartment greeted by a candlelit dinner, a relaxing “fire”, and three 20-year-old boys preparing the most elaborate meal I’ve seen college kids execute. Thousands of miles away from Easton, I felt comfortably at home in the Netherlands. 

I think that’s what’s so interesting about travel; whether you run into your neighbor from home on a side street in Amsterdam or share a meal with some people you’ve only met twice, there’s a feeling of mundane normalcy in every foreign city. The language and the sights may change, but every city is just a place filled with interconnected names; names that become faces and faces that become people who come to define our experiences.

Travel is about more than checking off a list or posting cool photos on Instagram (though I admittedly have a wish list and post what I think are cool photos), it’s about experiencing the world and the people in it. They say the well traveled are wise, and that wisdom comes from a greater understanding of humans that is obtained through exploring this amazing world and its abundance of cultures. Although I’m nowhere near that yet, I know it’s somewhere I’d like to be. 

♡jmd

Ciao, Italia

Hi! Sorry that I’ve been a bit MIA, but with travel it’s not always easy to fit in time for a blog post. As for the past 2 weeks, I’ve been busy having the absolute time of my life.

Thanks to Knut, I’ve spent the past year exploring so many amazing parts of the world. From Norway to the Netherlands and now to Italy, I’ve been able to immerse myself in the different lives of various peoples and truly experience culture. This past trip to Italy was more tourist-oriented than immersion-based compared to my other treks to Europe, but it was equally as enlightening as I learned about the life of a traveller – bouncing from city to city, lodging in hostels, and getting lost in the wonder of adventure.

This post will take you through our trip to Italy as we traveled from the busy city of Naples to the calm fisherman’s town of Procida to the picturesque Amalfi Coast and finally to the history filled streets of Rome. Expect good food, hospitable people, and way too many photos of me posing alone.

Naples

On our first day in Italy, Naples greeted us with sunny skies, aggressive street vendors, and passionate couples. We began our 3-day stay with a pizza lunch on the Bay of Naples, paired with a Peroni for Knut and a limoncello for me. Although I stuck to red wine and prosecco for the remainder of our Italian travels, I highly recommend every tourist trying the classic lemon flavored dessert liqueur. When in Naples, be sure to walk through the many different neighborhoods from the classic main street, Toledo, to the Centro Storico to the Quartieri Spagnoli. Each neighborhood brings its own unique feel, adding to Naples’ undeniable charm.

Naples, Italy

As for the evening, our favorite dinner restaurant was Nennella. Tucked into an unassuming backstreet just a few minutes from Toledo, Nennella threw us into our most Italian experience of the trip. A restaurant frequented by tourists and locals alike, Nennella is a must-see in Naples. Fortunately, we arrived 5 minutes to 8:00pm on Saturday night and were seated within minutes. Throughout our meal, the line formed to at least 30 people waiting for a coveted table. Nennella offers a 4 course meal plus more than enough wine for €15 per person. Unable to read the Italian menu, we asked our waiter to choose for us. Meanwhile, the entertainment ensued. The waiters orchestrated more of a circus act than a dining experience as they placed plates down in front of people only to grab them away just as their forks grazed the antipasto plate (they subsequently delivered them to another table). The hectic restaurant had a hole-in-the-wall vibe and forced guests to sit back and simply take in the peculiar environment. After we took our last bite, we were playfully, yet seriously, ushered to get up and leave, along with the other guests who had arrived when we did. Beware, those who prefer order to chaos will find themselves reaching the edge of their comfort zones (me). But with the right attitude, it could be your best time in Italy. If you’re not already stuffed from the carbo-loading marathon at Nennella, stop by Cafe Infante for some delicious gelato on your way home (I HIGHLY recommend the peanut butter flavor).

Nennella

Cafe Infante

Naples, Italy

People say that Naples is an unclean city, but I think that they’re being too harsh. It’s no Amalfi Coast, but it has its own appreciated charm. Neapolitans are warm and welcoming – in fact, we felt more comfortable at Hostel of the Sun in Naples than at any other place we stayed. Greeted with genuine delight as “Norwegian man and Jordan” whenever we entered the brightly colored lobby, we both thoroughly enjoyed staying in Naples. As Luca, the desk attendant, said: Naples doesn’t treat foreigners as tourists, but rather as treasured guests in their beloved city.

Procida

Our second day in Naples spontaneously became a getaway to the smallest island on the Bay of Naples, Procida. A quiet fisherman’s village with wonderful views, Procida makes for quite the enjoyable day trip. Winding your way through the island’s calm, colorful streets and enjoying breathtaking views while sipping an afternoon coffee from a seaside café is the perfect way to sneak in some relaxation and escape from the more popular, tourist-filled Italian destinations. With a beautiful hour-long ferry cruise that transports you from the bustling city of Naples to this little fairytale town, a trip to Procida offers a spectacular seaside experience.

Sorrento, Capri, and Positano

Before I left for Italy, I was told time and time again about how absolutely beautiful the Amalfi Coast is. I must say, the rumors are amazingly true. Sorrento – just an hour train ride from Naples, and the home base for the second half of our trip, was nothing short of breathtaking. Acting as the most city-like town on the coast, Sorrento is filled with beautiful cobblestone streets, dozens of bustling restaurants both in the city center and along the coast, and countless shops. Though more populated than the other towns on the coast, Sorrento was much quieter than Naples. Our favorite part of this city was watching the sunset two nights in a row, once from a seaside table at the Marina Grande and a second time while enjoying gelato from our favorite gelato place in Italy, PURO, at the Villa Communale Park.

Marine Grande, Sorrento, Italy

Marine Grande, Sorrento, Italy

The second town on the Amalfi coast that we visited wasn’t actually a part of the mainland, but rather it was the enchanting island of Capri. Despite a weather forecast for storms, we braved the ferry from Sorrento and arrived in sunny Capri for one of our best days in Italy. Expecting the “yellow line” blue grotto tour, we stepped off the ferry to find that the Blue Grotto was closed for the day – something that frequently happens. Luckily, there was another boat tour adapted for the choppy sea conditions and so we still got to experience the beauty of Capri from the sea. Following the boat tour, we took the cable car up to the top of the island and spent the day getting lost in Capri’s narrow streets. A highlight was stumbling upon the Krupp Gardens, which offer a fabulous view of the cliffs we boated through in the morning. Despite Capri’s extremely touristy feel, it provides such unique natural beauty that fitting it in is a must.

Finally, we ended our Amalfi Coast exploration with what came to be my favorite excursion – Positano. From the moment we stepped off the Sorrento-Positano bus, I was in love. From the crystal clear blue water to the brightly colored houses that line the cliffs of the coast, Positano is picture perfect. After enjoying the view from the top, we began to make our way down – stopping by countless charming shops and pausing to take in the breathtaking views. Once at the bottom, we enjoyed a delicious lunch by the sea and then laid on the beach for a much needed afternoon nap. Walking up and around Positano’s rocky coast, I was absolutely enthralled. Winding through the crooked streets, I couldn’t stop snapping photos of everything – hoping to ingrain the beauty of the town in my mind. If you’re planning on going to Italy soon, Positano should absolutely be on your list.

Rome

Our final day in Italy was spent in the old, historic city of Rome. Taking the train to the Trevi Fountain stop,  we began the day tossing a coin over our shoulders (right hand, left shoulder…yes, we had to Google that) in order to ensure a return to Rome. The Trevi Fountain was even larger than I expected, towering over the buildings around it. We loved the view so much that we had lunch near the fountain, then returned later in the day to enjoy our final gelato on the fountain’s steps. Throughout the day, we made our way through the classic Rome landmarks – the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. Knut and I couldn’t get over how everything has been preserved so well. It’s truly unbelievable to think about how the people who built that city made it so sustainable that it’s still around today. As we wandered through the city’s streets, we could feel the historical significance of them. Rome’s draw is so much different than most European cities, making it that much more enchanting. Our 6 hours in Rome were short, but a perfect end to our little Italian getaway. We left Italy that night with full stomachs and unforgettable memories.

Italy was my first true “trip” to Europe, as the others have been visiting Knut in his home country of Norway and his school’s location in the Netherlands. Exploring a new place together that neither of us had been to was occasionally frustrating, but mostly exciting. We enjoyed the adventure thoroughly and cannot wait for the next.

♡jmd

P.S. Stay tuned for a post about my second stay in the Netherlands in the next few days!

 

We’re not in *Easton* anymore

I’ll never forget that first report card. I was 9-years-old and in Mrs. Hassle’s 4th grade class. I waited with anticipation for my very first real grade report. I knew I was pretty smart – I’d get all As. There was that one C I received during a test during the first week, but that surely wouldn’t affect anything. It wasn’t even a test on a class lesson – it was an assessment of one of our summer reading books. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I despised that book. It didn’t even make sense. Reading was my passion, but I preferred the Anne of Green Gables or Judy Moody kind of adventure. Not some situation happening way beneath my world. I mean, it was in the ocean – that’s not even real life.

“Jordan DeTar”

Mrs. Hassle called my name and I quickly scampered to the front of the classroom. She handed me the mustard yellow envelope and I grabbed it with pride. As I made my way toward the door to leave for the day, I was already peeling it open. I pulled out the stark white piece of paper too quickly, ripping an edge. I scanned the report.

Math: A
Science: A
Social Studies: A
Language Arts: C
Art: A
Gym: A
Music: A
Computer: A

I choked back tears and forced a smile. “How could this be happening?” I thought to myself. English and grammar are my strong suit. It didn’t make sense. How could one book about the useless ocean ruin my entire grade.

“What’d you get?” a classmate asked. I looked around as the rest of the students were cheering about their first report card grades.

“All As” I responded. I’d never let anyone know the truth. It was humiliating.

From that day forward, I vowed to never get a C again. And I didn’t. In fact, I never even got a B after 5th grade. For 7 years (6th through 12th grade), I never once got less than an A on my report card. I was (and arguably still am) the ultimate perfectionist, and I wouldn’t let my grade report be anything less than perfect.

Throughout school, I remember friends complaining about their parents putting pressure on them to do their homework or badgering them about starting a paper. I could never relate because I did that to myself. I forced myself to sit down and study. If I didn’t understand something, I’d study harder. I’d teach myself until I got it. Memorizing the motions wasn’t enough. I had to truly know it.

Today, I’m officially a college junior. I’ve received my 4th grade report from Vanderbilt, marking my 4th semester’s completion. I’m halfway there. But it’s not quite the same anymore. I don’t get all As. For the first time since elementary school, my grade reports are not perfect. And I hate it.

I know I’m in a completely different league; I’m surrounded by incredibly intelligent people who worked just as hard as me throughout school. In class, I could be sitting beside the next Bill Gates or the future president. But somehow, it feels the same. I don’t feel like I’m at a top 15 university where everyone is smart. I feel like I’m still in that 4th grade classroom and the pressure I put on myself to get perfect grades has not gone anywhere.

This past semester was my hardest semester yet. I anxiously awaited my grade report for days, refreshing the “Academic Record” page by the hour. I warned my parents that my GPA might fall. The funny thing is, they weren’t concerned. They knew I had worked hard and figured whatever grades I got were good enough. It wasn’t them, it was me. I was the one who wanted perfection.

Even though I know in the back of my mind that obtaining a 4.0 for 8 semesters at Vanderbilt is virtually impossible, I kick myself for not achieving that. I study for hours and hours for tests that are not that difficult and edit papers many times more than necessary. I skip birthday dinners and Thursday nights out because I believe that one or two extra hours of studying will truly make the difference.

But I’m not in elementary or middle or high school anymore. Tests are more about application than memorization, and sometimes you just can’t process any more information. I become frustrated with myself for not getting an A, yet I don’t feel as if I could’ve done more. I find myself realizing that I really did do my best. So why can’t I just accept that and move on?

Well, it’s not that easy. But after two years of college, it’s definitely getting easier. I’ve found that grades matter, but as long as you have the cutoff GPA, you’re fine. It’s me who is going to land me that dream job, not a number or a letter. Two of the worst test grades I have received at Vanderbilt came during the same week that I landed a spot at a sophomore conference with Deloitte Consulting and reached my $200,000 goal for Dance Marathon. My dad calls them “Probably the most significant accomplishments of your life thus far.” How’s that for you? My worst grades and my greatest successes in one 7-day span.

I’m not saying that we should all stop caring about getting As and should ignore the relevance of our GPAs – I couldn’t even do that if I tried. But there’s more to college than grades, just like there was more to 4th grade than that C. Sure, I never forgot it, but I also never forgot the Fourth Grade Play or winning the local basketball league’s “championship game.” It’s time to relax a little, and I know it.

Here’s to 2 more years of anxiously refreshing the “Academic Record” page and a lifetime of despising 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

♡jmd