Last month, we traveled to Italy to compete at the International Dance Talent Competition Italy, where we stayed for a lovely couple of days before visiting Venice and Munich. Leaving for Italy, I was anxious to compete in a couple of days and just didn’t know what to expect. Since the only part of Italy that I had ever seen before were a few pictures from the internet, I could not wait to witness the beautiful views and beige building walls myself ;) That is, in addition to eating tons of pasta and gelato. After the long plane rides, it was so nice to have been greeted by a kind tour guide and a beautiful sunset. In other words, I was truly unaware of the magic and warmth that I could witness in the few places we traveled to.

The first few days were spent in Mesagne, with a little bit of an unusual schedule compared to being in the US. With restaurants closing midday, and then reopening for dinner until very late at night, we somehow managed to match their times to our own exhilarating schedule, tasting what a different restaurant had to offer each night. Everyone there was so calm, and the Plaza was filled so many stores, restaurants, and one exceptionally cute gelateria. Our hotel was also very aesthetically pleasing and comforting to live in, with the kindest workers who were eager to help with all our troubles. And one of the most eye-catching parts of this particular hotel was its pool that greeted us every time we walked through the entrance. Especially on those hot summer days after our rehearsal or competition, jumping in was all we could think about (which we absolutely did on the second day!). The afternoon after our rehearsal, which I thought was really strong and confidence boosting, we journeyed to Ostuni, otherwise known as the White City. As Ariel searched for more wind turbines on our way there, I took an abundance of silly pictures of all the girls. The views were incredible, and I enjoyed learning about its history. The morning of the gala, we had a private photo shoot with photographer Clarissa Lapolla, who was easy to work with and had great ideas for us. After a clean sweep at the competition, shooting with Clarissa was a thrilling and rewarding experience! Later, on our last day in Mesagne, before we went to the airport that afternoon, we rode on our bus to a nearby beach, called Punta Prosciutto, had lots of watermelon, and met the sweetest cat, Muscea. Having that beach day with the girls was a relaxing and blissful way of spending some of our leisure time.

Then, vacation mode was activated. We quickly made it to Venice, where the water taxis were exhilarating and the alleyways were like mazes. The morning after we arrived was our photo shoot with distinguished photographer Pierluigi Abbondanza, and throughout those couple of days, we also had some sessions with Paolo Galli, who has done pictures for many of our annual shows! Whether it was during early morning or when the sun was about to set, we went to numerous scenic locations that were perfect for our shoots. Watching sightseers stop to take pictures and observe our skills was really encouraging too. Knowing that we, as dancers and entertainers, could catch people’s attention not only in theaters or studios, but also in public, made it particularly gratifying. Beyond the professional photography, there were, needless to say, a good number of feasts as well. :) Though we sometimes over ordered “as a group,” we were all determined to finish what was given to us. The apricot pies, might I add, were exceptionally delectable, as Emma would put it. Not to forget, as the trip went on, one of my favorite things to ask for at restaurants were Shirley Temples (the drink, naturally). Despite having success at only one location (our hotel in Venice), the reactions and responses we got were hilarious. Don’t worry, the actress didn’t show up on any waiter’s command. In addition to stories of food and drinks, our trip to Murano is surely one that I should emphasize. Getting to see their workers craft handmade Murano glass in their factory, it was no doubt that we each wanted to get our hands on our own pieces to gift for family and friends.

As enjoyable as all of those mini excursions were, our last night in Venice was probably the most unforgettable. After spending the afternoon riding the gondola and definitely unintentionally posing for our candid shots, we walked a long way to find our restaurant for the night. Even though I shouldn’t explicitly say that we got lost a couple of times, I can say that even Google Maps was confused. As we almost went through the wrong entrance, we finally found our location and got comfortable. Because I started off the trip ordering risotto the first night in Mesagne, I indubitably had to order it again on our last day in Venice to truly wrap up my time in Italy. And, though I knew that I would share it with Jessi, what I did not expect was a boat full of risotto and spring vegetables to end up in front of my eyes. Nonetheless, paired with our olives, it was the optimum amount for us. That night was so high-spirited; singing (or more like shouting) “Part of Your World” as we walked to get our second gelato of the day was undoubtedly a highlight of the trip :) After all these years, I finally learned the proper way to eat my ice cream on a cone, which, to be clear, is to aggressively lick it, while twirling it around in a circular motion. Madame does it best!! At the end of the night, gelato was definitely the perfect way to bond our team.

Our last stop of the trip was to Munich, Germany, where we specifically visited Munich’s National Theatre and the Viktualienmarkt. Though we only had one day to walk around and visit this beautiful city, Madame gave us our very own little tour and led us to some of her favorite locations. In addition to the nice weather, the Viktualienmarkt was a wonderful sight to see. Plus, the fruits there were so fresh and juicy. I would unfortunately say that they were juicier than our rond de jambes, which is a little disappointing for us. And despite arriving late for our tour of the theatre due to traveling that morning, Madame and her magic still got us a view of their studios around the corner. Everything there was unique and astonishing, especially the architecture and the lively environment, but, for me, the most breathtaking building there was obviously going to be the theater. The feeling of inspiration reached beyond its maximum, and I am so glad I was able to witness someplace so wondrous with my friends and my teacher. Of course someone else might add that the periwinkle smart cars were the things they were most starstruck by… To sum it up, the market and the theater were both charming places to visit, and the food was mouthwatering and supremely made.

I most enjoyed getting to spend the entire trip with our chaotic little group, who have made it all extra entertaining and memorable. No matter where we were, the energy was unmatched and the laughter was incredibly contagious. Every lunch and dinner spent with them was so special, especially the ones that made Ariel say that she never wanted to eat dinner again. We connected over those scrumptious apricot pies, “Italian fries,” and cups of little green olives, though this time, “chicken in a cup” was unfortunately never repeated. Buying gelato every day was such an enjoyable necessity in our daily routines that it honestly feels a little odd without it now! No matter if we were licking the gelato or slurping it like Emma, it was definitely a bonding experience like no other. The whole experience helped me feel a deeper understanding and personal connection with each of the girls. The competition, which could never be forgotten, was also a momentous event during our time in Italy, where I think we all successfully represented ABA with our performances and accomplishments. Now that we are home, we have a lifetime’s worth of memories to look back on, as well as newly formed goals to reach for for the new, exciting school year!


Publish Date: 08/23/2023