My mind. Enhanced.

Zero day. Flip. I shut my passport flat after briefly marvelling at the reflective hologram on my Brazilian Tourist Visa sticker. I imagined all the pieces the universe helped assemble to get me to where I was. Saving up funds, gathering visa documents together, planning where to stay and what to do, etc. Brazil was calling for me. God wanted me to be there. Day one. I landed in Sao Paulo only to discover my checked in luggage had been left in Mexico. After sorting out the paperwork, I was assured it would arrive the morning after. They would reach out to me when the box arrived. I left customs and was greeted by Bruna and Caio, both received me with incredibly warm affection. Bruna handed me some coxinha and pão de queijo. Yum.   After a brief tour of Sao Paulo, they dropped me off at a cafe where I would wait for Tais. Tais arrived shortly after, I saw her and for the first time in my life, in all its entirety, I felt butterflies in my stomach. Day two. I...

Visiting Rome was my childhood dream come true. It was surreal seeing the Colosseum for the first time - a pure serotonin experience. But my experience with the city itself, as an adult, I "glazed" it from a critical lens, and I see things differently now. Day One.  I arrived at Leonardo DaVinci airport hot, exhausted, and a little hungry. The punishing 40C weather in Rome with minimal AC didn't help either. I quickly made my way to the Airport Express train station, got my tickets and boarded. The view from train was surreal. I kept thinking to myself how incredible it was to be here. It almost didn't feel real. Fields of rural and urban life. Small villages, old homes abandoned or sparingly occupied. Ancient ruins, chapels, and small churches. Graffiti. The atmosphere though felt distinctly Italian. Spicy and warm. The train ride was short just 30 minutes. I rushed to the bus boarded and made my way to the hotel luggage in tow. After check-in I turned on the AC full...