Current location: Poetto Beach in Quartu Sant’Elena with a bottle of white wine, a stick of incense, and Bob Marley playing from my iPhone.

I’ve been in Cagliari for three days now. A little stressful in the beginning as I don’t really know exactly what I’m doing here… However now it seems like everything is coming together, slowly but properly.
I spent my first night in a hostel in the marina of Cagliari. The city truly is a gem. This whole island is so different from the rest of Italy. I love the differences; it’s nothing like I’ve seen here before. Cagliari, similar to as I found in Sassari, has a Greek, Spanish, Arabic vibe. It’s winding, narrow streets enchant you at every corner; new sensations tempting you to continue strolling mindlessly.

I tried extending my hostel reservation a second night but they were completely booked, so I took a bus to Quartu Sant’Elena and I’m staying in a lovely Airbnb for two nights. Quartu Sant’Elena is a small town just north of Cagliari, walking distance to Poetto Beach, and I’ve been spending my days here; almost entirely at the beach.

My hosts are wonderful! I’m sleeping in a private room in the house of Monica and her mother. As Monica works during he day, I encounter her mother most. She doesn’t speak a word of English, so I see her face brighten when I speak Italian with her. I imagine how difficult it can be when English-speaking tourists stay. This morning we had breakfast together and spoke about family, soccer, and politics; the essentials of Italian conversation I suppose. I’m still learning, however I’m becoming much better with my comprehension of the language! This is exactly the sort of practice I was hoping to get during my travels in Italy.
I’ve reached out to a few Workaways in Sardinia to pass time with minimal expenses and I’ve gotten a promising response so far. A hostel in Ogliastra is waiting to hear back from another Workawayer. I would work there for two weeks, then meet my parents in London in the beginning of October.

Shortly after arriving in Cagliari, my friend who I came here to visit told me she couldn’t meet this time as she’s taking a last minute trip to Romania. It’s unfortunate but hey, Sardinia isn’t the worst place to be stuck for a few weeks!

My time at Monica’s Airbnb end tomorrow and I’m debating what I will do next. There is a part of me that wants to travel north… But we shall see. I will decide tonight.

Written 9.21.17

Photo Gallery