To Go or Not to Go?–That Is the Question

A little while ago I made a list of all the things I want to do before I die. Some of the things (like trying sushi) were more feasible than others (like taking a literature class at an Ivy League university). Of course, my practical side often overpowers my dream-chasing, risk-taking side, making it that much harder to check of some of the things on my list. That’s exactly why, a couple years ago, I decided not to go on a school trip to Italy and Greece because of what it would cost, even though traveling to Europe was something I’d wanted to do since I was a child.

When I read the blogs written by the travelers and saw the beautiful pictures taken by some of my friends who had gone, I felt a sense of remorse and decided that if the opportunity to go on a trip to Europe ever arose again, I would take it.

Sure enough, this year I received the opportunity to go on a 10-day trip to Italy. Despite my previous resolution, I went through much internal debate. I’m graduating in May! my practical side said. You need to save as much money as possible. You can always go to Italy when you’re older and have more money.

But you won’t ever get an opportunity quite like this again! said my dream-chasing side. What if you never get an opportunity to go to Italy EVER?

So, I made a few pros and cons lists, decided not to go, doubted my decision not to go, reaffirmed my decision not to go, and then threw practicality to the wind and turned in my deposit a few days shy of the deadline.

Oh, well… said my practical side. Maybe this trip isn’t so impractical. It is part of my education, after all.

…Besides, who doesn’t want to go to Italy?!