Pros versus Cons

Undoubtedly, the hardest thing about being overseas is being away from friends and family. Not only that but those moments that you aren't there to share with them. The various rites of passages, graduations, birthdays, ground breaking news flashes and anniversaries. It can be somewhat depressing to hear about front page news through written text, an SMS, an email, a Facebook update. It's almost as impersonal as reading about the escapades of a celebrity on the front page of Entertainment Weekly. In the end you can only congratulate them or share your salutations and express with deepest regret that you weren't there. In the end you just hope that these momentous sacrifices are not all in vain.

Ruing the fact that I am due to miss two upcoming weddings I made it a mission to make the most of being overseas. Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull had wrecked havoc on EU flight paths potentially derailing this trip. Also, it would be my first Ryanair experience. I desperately wanted to get on this flight if only to justify why I was overseas.

Finding people to travel with to this destination was a mission in itself. Majority of people that have been to Europe, let alone those living in Europe have toured through the Tuscan region of Florence and Pisa. Keeping it short, managed to tick off all the iconic items. The Leaning Tower, Pasta, Gelato, Florentine Steak and Michaelangelo's David. The highlight would be riding a bike through the narrow Florence streets and the Sunday Lunch consisting of take away pasta eaten on the steps of an old church.