'I didn't expect to find'

by Ruslana Stepanova (Romania)

I didn't expect to find Italy

This trip turned my mind over. This incident happened to me when I was 20 years old. I just participated in one project in Romania. At that time, I was a volunteer, not having a lot of money. But I had something more than that. A lot of ambition, a thirst for adventure and good friends. With whom I met already in the project, and lived with them. On New Year's holidays, we decided to go to Italy for the first time. Despite the fact that I always associated the New Year holidays with an immense amount of snow, skiing and sledding, after which you return cold and tired to home and warm yourself with a cup of hot tea sitting by the fireplace and reading a book. By the fireplace which is decorated with luminous lights and festive socks. And of course it all happens near the Christmas tree. But not this time and not this year. All the same, this time we chose Italy, a country with a warm climate and palm trees. Having booked tickets, having compiled our approximate route in Italy. And when we already found our hosts in the cities of Italy. All that was left for us was to pack our bags and be prepared for the fact that our three-week trip would not be as simple as it might seem. After all, we went with only $ 150. But of course, it didn’t scare anyone. This is us. We always find a way out of any situation. Optimism is most important. It all started pretty well. Bergamo, Milan, matchless Venice, where we found a new company and cool emotions. The same unusual maze city, built on the islands and washed by the waters of the lagoon and canals. White seagulls that circle in a dance above the water, pink sunsets and a bunch of tourists. Eh ... it was a great time. But then the day came when we arrived in Rome. What I did not expect to find in Rome? So it’s, adventures in one place and a new "friend". What "friend"? You ask. Thief. I did not expect to find a thief in McDonalds in broad daylight. To be the most offensive? I never saw him and did not meet in person. It would be very interesting to see a guy working for the Italian mafia.But the moment when I realized that he was here next to me, happened after I discovered the loss of my suitcase. My suitcase, where all my favorite things were, a hair curler and a paverbank. I was lucky that I did not take a laptop with me. But I remained calm to everyone. Calling the Italian police and trying to explain the whole situation to them. We have been refused. They refused to come, since only we ourselves needed to look for their office and fill out all the papers there. There was a conversation with my mom. And even later again with the police. The feelings of excitement, mixed with surprise and shock were not transferable. After all, this happened to me for the first time, also in a foreign country. How can one not believe in karma after this? I dont know.