It all started with some soap

Today I opened a new bottle of Burt’s Bees body wash in a scent I haven’t used before. Now that on its own rightfully doesn’t seem like anything a normal person would blog about. But when I opened it, the first smell was so strong, familiar I was immediately taken back years ago to Italy. I’m not quite sure why — I don’t know if I used a similar soap there, or if it reminded me of the Aperol Spritz or some other staple during my time there. But I couldn’t get past it.

It’s amazing how senses can bring you back to other places. I’ve been sentimental a lot on this blog, particularly for my time in college, but I don’t think I’ve really reflected on my time in Italy.

Two years ago, I packed a suitcase and a backpack and got on a very long, extremely turbulent flight to Italy. A cappuccino or two and a long bus ride later, we arrived in Urbino, a beautiful historic town nestled in the mountains of Italy. I climbed what truly felt like 50+ stairs with my luggage to my dorm room and made myself at home. For the next month, I spent time with old and new friends exploring the area, working on my Italian and chiseling away at our journalism assignments. While it was a short study abroad, it was one of the best months in my memory and I imagine it’ll stay that way.

I think of it fairly often, but I haven’t thought so vividly of it in recent memory until today. Of all things — it wasn’t gelato or wine or fresh bread that brought me back to the piazza, but a new bottle of citrus and ginger soap. It’s amazing how the mind works. One thing’s for sure: I don’t see myself getting tired of being reminded of Italy any time soon.