RopinRita'sGrowingBucketList: Check, Check, and Check!

In case I hadn’t mentioned it earlier, I am currently travelling and performing with Disney On Ice, World’s of Fantasy, and as I continue on with my journey around the world, I seem to keep adding to my ‘bucket-list’. I find something new to see or do in each new city I travel to.

For example, while our show was in Tel Aviv, Israel, they were celebrating their New Year. On this occasion, it is forbidden to drive a vehicle for a day. On that day, the streets were filled with families walking, running and bicycling. A number of us joined in on rented bikes and cycled through the streets of Tel Aviv. That day I decided to add; “ridding a bicycle in the middle of a freeway” to my bucket-list, let alone in Israel! What an amazing experience that was! However, I was able to check off pre-existing adventures off my list as well; Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. Float in the Dead Sea… Check! Write down a wish at the Western Wall… Check! Walk through the Old City, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, have dinner with my Mom on the beach in Israel… Check, check and check!!! Oh, did I forget to mention my Mom was able to work my flight to AND from Israel? Well she did, and she spoiled us all very much during the long flights!

What’s next? Oh yes, have a Thanksgiving dinner(s) in Canada with the family… Check! After Israel, our show was on break for three weeks. For the first time in three years, I was able to be home for Thanksgiving, which I was very thankful for! While I was home, I was also able to not only attend, but be a bridesmaid in Rebecca's wedding in Warren, PA! We were on Toy Story together my second year on tour. Kathryn also came to the wedding, creating a small Toy Story reunion. It was so much fun!

With that said, Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Friends!!!

Okay, next on the Bucket List, Athens, Greece. What a beautiful country. Unfortunately we only had a couple days off to go exploring. I would have absolutely loved to check off Santorini from my list, so I’ll save that one for the future. My parents however were lucky enough to see the Island! Mom and Dad decided to treat themselves to a Mediterranean cruise, of course, planning the trip around the dates they knew I would be in Athens. On the last day of their vacation, they de-boarded the ship that morning, and saw a performance that evening. Short and sweet; a wonderful visit as always J.

After Greece, we were off to Belgrade, Serbia for a week. Another very different city, yet surprisingly charming and full of character.

Needless to say, I was really looking forward to Italy! Having been to Rome with my Mom and brother several years ago, I already knew how much I would love the country. For the next three weeks we performed in Milan, Turin, and Rome. We were fortunate enough to have a Friday Opening in Turin, meaning we had four days off to explore! Many of us took side trips across the country to Venice, including myself. Venice, Florence, and Pisa… Check, check, check! Absolutely enchanting cities, a piece of history on every corner. We did all the ‘tourist must-dos’, including a Gondola ride in Venice, and a photo of myself trying to hold up the leaning tower of Pisa. Of course, the ‘tourist must-dos’ list insisted on indulging in all of Italy’s culture too… their food and wine. Well, we had to right? Pizza, pasta, gelato, red wine, white wine, eggplant, caprese salad, etc, etc. Let’s just say, I’ve been spending a lot of time at the gym recently!

I absolutely loved Italy. The food is so fresh and delicious, the language is beautiful, and the scenery is spectacular. I would love to go back one day to explore outside the large cities. I think an ‘Italian wine tour’ was just added to my bucket list J.

I am currently sitting inside a Pub in Dublin, Ireland (how appropriate). A Christmas song just came on over the speakers and there is a large Christmas tree set up at the front door, sparkling with flashing lights. I feel right at home. We are in Dublin for the week before heading to the cold weather in Poland. I look forward to bundling up for the winter weather, and even more so, to seeing snow for the holiday season.

I’m enjoying a Bulmer’s Apple Cider, and get this; the coaster my drink is sitting on had a quote written on it. Ignoring the fact that the costar is advertising a beer, it read…

“Experience. It’s what you do with it that counts”.

I thought that was very fitting for my blog.

That’s it for my bucket list for now!

Keep travelling on! J

xox