This past May, I traded the familiar for the ancient. I headed to Italy with my parents and my brother, Connor, for a trip that was as much about navigating a new culture as it was about reconnecting as a family. From Naples, to Sorrento, to Pompeii, to Rome, to Florence, to Tuscany, and ending it at Pisa.
Coming from Maine, the sheer scale of history in Italy is a lot to take in. But beyond the monuments and the pasta, this trip was about the four of us navigating the “beautiful chaos” of travel together. It wasn’t about getting the perfect shot—it was about the growth that happens when you’re thousands of miles from home with the people who know you best.
Standing in places that have existed for thousands of years puts everything into perspective. I’m not a photographer, but I found myself constantly pulling out my phone to try and capture the feeling of the old-world textures. It made me realize how much “new media” is actually built on the foundations of old-world art and storytelling.
Traveling with your parents and your brother as an adult is a totally different experience than when you’re a kid. This trip was about us finally being on the same page. Whether we were lost in a back alley or sharing a long dinner, these moments reminded me that family is the only constant, no matter what country you’re in.
