By Kitoko Chargois
PearlArts Studios
STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos (SPdp&SS) is going to Italy! While in Italy, we will be teaching and performing at Bac Centro Danza in Pagani, the Art Garage in Pozzuoli, and the Premio Internazionale Di Danza San Nicola in Bari! We caught up with SPdp&SS Dancer Jessica Marino to find out 4 essential must-have items she’s packing for this amazing journey. Keep in mind, Jessica is planning to travel across Italy with only a backpack! Jessica also let us in on a surprise at the end, so read on!
1. No Jet Lag Pills
No Jet Lag Pills are little tabs that are supposed to prevent jet lag. I was reading up on travel blogs and it was a must have item. Supposedly, it’s supposed to help you get through those jet lag symptoms. As soon as we get to Italy, we are working and we’re traveling between cities a lot, so we have no time to be feeling under the weather. Also, we’re representing our company, we’re representing pittsburgh, and we’re representing the united states, so I just really want to be on my A-game and feel like I can be my authentic self and a good ambassador for not only our local region, but our national presence.
2. Plug Adapters
I got some plug adaptors, so I can plug in my phone and my laptop. I’ve not travelled to Europe before, so I don’t know what to expect, but after reading some travel blogs, they recommended that you get these little adaptors. I got them on amazon super cheap, under 20 bucks, and it comes in three. I bring my computer everywhere, whether I plan to do work or not. I’m just compulsive when it comes to work, so I assume I’ll do something, especially being company manager and being responsible for organizing our itinerary, I feel like I want to be able to pop open my laptop and have all my files. On the other side of that, hopefully I won’t be on my computer so that I can just take in all the scenery, enjoy the work, and be as present as possible.
3. A Cute Hat
I got a really cute wide brimmed hat, a little like Carmen San Diego, but black, because there’s a 50/50 percent of rain while we’re in Italy. I feel like it’ll keep me dry, but give me a little look.
4. Dance Gear
I’m taking a water bottle, a tennis ball, my SPdp gear (sweatshirts and pants), my studio pants, and my Apolla socks. I am an ambassador for Apolla Shocks®, socks that are specifically made for dancers, so I’ve partnered with them for a couple years now and I like them because they give you more support than a standard sock would and they also have a compression element to them, so I feel a little more supported then in a regular sock.
BONUS: My Husband!!!
Most Importantly, I’m bringing my husband! Brian and I got married last month on the 24th of November, and we are super lucky and grateful to be able to make this a mini moon. Brian and I are flying out of Pittsburgh to Rome two days before STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos get there, and we’re going to have a great time before the company gets there, but then he’ll also travel with us as a company when we’re working for two more days, and then he will go back to Pittsburgh on his own to be with our family, our little 3 year old son and then I’ll come back a couple days later.
To learn more about STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos, visit us here.