Just a step from the hotel, I smelled the Italian air for the first time. I could almost taste the salt in the air.

The crowd, rushing people and the excitement in their faces made me sure that I was in one of the biggest cities around the world.

We texted in our group chat to find out where the others were, since a flood of people were in the same spot, rushing for photos, including Di.

"Are all my suitcases in the room?" Di asked between poses. ...