“A truly stunning sight to see.”
It's days like today that remind me of how lucky I am simply to be alive and well. Today we went to Capri, an island located off the Bay of Naples, famous for its beauty. It quite possibly could be one of the most beautiful places in the world. We started out the day visiting the Blue Grotto, which I have been “pinning” on Pinterest for 7 months. The Grotto is a cave located inside a cliff, and can only be accessed by going through a tiny hole in the side of the cliff. The magnificence comes from the way light refracts up through the water, illuminating the walls of the cave with a beautiful aquamarine color. As boat men paddle through the cave in row boats, different melodies of opera songs are hummed, spinning around, trapped but in no hurry to escape. The Cave is rather magical in its mystery, and radiates a specific purity. It’s something that no matter what will keep doing its thing for ever. It was a truly stunning sight to see.
— N.B.
“One of the most amazing and profound experiences of my life.”
The visit to the refugee center on our trip was one of the most amazing and profound experiences of my life. These are people who have left everything behind and are being given so little in the way of help. I talked with one guy name Najib who didn’t know what a rainbow was, but drew one with me anyways. I played the line game with Amir, who was very smart and good natured. No matter who won tic-tac-toe, he laughed and smiled.
— R.N.
This trip has been very eye opening and educational for me; I have learned that I am capable of more things that I knew or realized before going on this trip.
— Avery Duncan, 2017 Trip Participant
“Community through food.”
When you’re at a Roman meal, you usually think of dinner because whether you’re at a table of friends or enemies, that disappears, leaving only community through food. While you dine on the best food in the world, you are surrounded with laughter and jokes and just an aura of friendship. I think that I would enjoy having these meals in the USA in order to replace the fast paced lifestyle of our culture. I don’t get the same experience I do in Italy.
— A.B.
“A real treat.”
This was my favorite day. I loved Vatican City, so this was a real treat. We got to see the catacombs underneath the city and saw all of the hidden ancient artwork that was hidden to the public.
— H.B.
“This trip was truly inspiring to him and changed his path for his young adult years....”
“Truly life changing.”
Our son's experience of traveling in Italy for 3 weeks with Uncommon Odysseys was truly life changing for him. He was able to see first hand so many of the historical sites that he had spent the past 4 years studying in Latin. He also gave back by volunteering his time in Rome to the needy. He was able to see many of the original pieces of art he had studied in art history. This trip brought so many years of schooling to life for him. But what's more than this, he was given the space and freedom to take in another culture on an everyday basis. He learned to navigate his way around a city where he did not speak the language. He learned to observe the locals and blend in. He learned to appreciate a very different way of living. He learned that there is a whole other world out there that goes beyond our borders with different values, habits, food, architecture, etc. From this trip he found that he loved the European lifestyle. He came home very curious about attending college overseas.
Fast forward four years and he is living that dream in France studying at the American University of Paris. While it is challenging at times having to take care of yourself in a foreign country so far from home, he is getting a much bigger life experience and learning so much as he goes along. I owe a lot of this to his experiences of traveling with Uncommon Odysseys. His experience in Italy gave him the confidence to make this leap and live out his dreams of integrating into a European lifestyle.
— M.M.
“Using Latin to understand..., I have spoken Italian.”
I have read Latin I never would have thought I would/could comprehend, I “went adventuring” in a large city in a foreign country using public transportation and a map to navigate rather than using my phone. Using Latin to understand the Romance languages I have spoken Italian and Spanish to the locals and ordered off a menu. I have cleaned my own room and learned how to do laundry and keep up my personal hygiene. When you told us at the beginning of the trip to blend in and not stand out as American, I listened. I have noticed/observed more of Italian culture because of my willingness to be more observant.
— A.D.