After Pompeii we took an hour bus ride to Mt. Vesuvius and were able to hike to the top. It was a pretty steep hike, but thankfully there was a nice breeze and cooler weather. The views were AMAZING!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Mt Vesuvius
After Pompeii we took an hour bus ride to Mt. Vesuvius and were able to hike to the top. It was a pretty steep hike, but thankfully there was a nice breeze and cooler weather. The views were AMAZING!
Pompeii
Pompeii is really one of the most fascinating places I've been to in Italy. Interestingly, Pompeii and it's 20,000 inhabitants were killed in 79 AD in the famous volcanic erruption from the toxic smoke (NOT the lava). Ash and pumice covered the town for hundreds of years before archelogists uncovered this ancient city. The city is really quite fascinating. It had a brillant water system, well developed sewage and street structure, piazzas for the roman gods, brothels, and homes for all classes of people. When archeologists undercovered the ash and pumice, they found an hallow castes of bodies with bones inside. They later filled these castes with plaster making the famous outlines of people we see today... most of whom were covering their faces from the toxic fumes. It's a terribly tragic story... and very interesting. I can't believe I got to walk around Pompeii!
Capri
Capri was breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL! We took a boat tour around the island, laid out on the beach, and went inside the blue grotto. GORGEOUS!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Falling In Love In Italy
Brace yourself for the corniest, cliche blog ever. I won't judge you if you don't want to read it. So don't judge me for writing it!
Being in Italy makes me feel like I can fall in love. Not that I'm a cynical, anti-love type of person in the States. Not at all. Its just that being here makes me feel hopeful. It's almost like that feeling that some women get when they watch a romantic movie, The ideas of beauty, and wonder, and risk. There are lots of reasons why i think I feel like this...
First of all, the country is completely enchanting. Everything is beautiful. I've seen amazing views of nature, the most astounding masterpieces, and brilliant architecture. I mean these are the places that others try and recreate in Vegas, at Disneyland, and Universal Studios. The environment in and of itself is captivating. I marvel at the work of God's hands and the creativity of those whom He created.
Secondly, I am surrounded by people who are in love. There are tourists here from all over the world who come to all the romantic spots Ive been to; Pointe Vecchio, Via D'ell Amore, Lovers Arc, and Bambino Beach (that last one is funny...its a baby making beach, haha). They come with the purpose of romance, and to celebrate their love. I actually thought this would make me a little sad, but it hasn't. It's made me hopeful.
Thirdly, Italian men are something else! Maybe its because I have a pizza man that blows kisses at me everyday, and a gelato man that calls me amor and showers me with adoration. Or maybe it's I get to be called Bella everyday by random men all the time, even when I'm disgustingly sweaty. Its not that I don't get hit on at home, but its different here. Honestly, how many women can say a guy said, "your body is so attractive, that in two minutes,I am going to jump over you and eat you like a fish," in an honest attempt to hit on you? Oh the wonder of trying to flirt in another language.
Fourthly, I am conivnced of God's love, provision, and plan. Everyday, I am grateful that God brought me here. Out of a cloud of impossibility, I ended up here, solely on the wings of faith and Gods favor and provision. It encourages me in the miraculous ability of God, particularly after I came out of a season of such heartache, difficulty, and loss. It encourages me in the great plan of God and the bigger picture of His love towards His people. My time here is a precious gem in the scope of my life, a gift. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights.
Being here has been rich nourishment for my soul, and an encouragement in my heart that there is hope for love.
Being in Italy makes me feel like I can fall in love. Not that I'm a cynical, anti-love type of person in the States. Not at all. Its just that being here makes me feel hopeful. It's almost like that feeling that some women get when they watch a romantic movie, The ideas of beauty, and wonder, and risk. There are lots of reasons why i think I feel like this...
First of all, the country is completely enchanting. Everything is beautiful. I've seen amazing views of nature, the most astounding masterpieces, and brilliant architecture. I mean these are the places that others try and recreate in Vegas, at Disneyland, and Universal Studios. The environment in and of itself is captivating. I marvel at the work of God's hands and the creativity of those whom He created.
Secondly, I am surrounded by people who are in love. There are tourists here from all over the world who come to all the romantic spots Ive been to; Pointe Vecchio, Via D'ell Amore, Lovers Arc, and Bambino Beach (that last one is funny...its a baby making beach, haha). They come with the purpose of romance, and to celebrate their love. I actually thought this would make me a little sad, but it hasn't. It's made me hopeful.
Thirdly, Italian men are something else! Maybe its because I have a pizza man that blows kisses at me everyday, and a gelato man that calls me amor and showers me with adoration. Or maybe it's I get to be called Bella everyday by random men all the time, even when I'm disgustingly sweaty. Its not that I don't get hit on at home, but its different here. Honestly, how many women can say a guy said, "your body is so attractive, that in two minutes,I am going to jump over you and eat you like a fish," in an honest attempt to hit on you? Oh the wonder of trying to flirt in another language.
Fourthly, I am conivnced of God's love, provision, and plan. Everyday, I am grateful that God brought me here. Out of a cloud of impossibility, I ended up here, solely on the wings of faith and Gods favor and provision. It encourages me in the miraculous ability of God, particularly after I came out of a season of such heartache, difficulty, and loss. It encourages me in the great plan of God and the bigger picture of His love towards His people. My time here is a precious gem in the scope of my life, a gift. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights.
Being here has been rich nourishment for my soul, and an encouragement in my heart that there is hope for love.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Chianti Wine Tasting
We got to go to Chianti yesteday to tour through winerys and taste some wine. Wine making is pretty fascinating stuff. I'm still not a wine drinker, but I had some that were ok (in my opinion). We had the most amazing lunch that overlooked the Chianti valley. We even went to the Trebbio Castle (there was a serious scandel that happened there, wild stuff!). Beeautiful!
Rome
Rome was an amazing experience. It was wild to stand in the very places that such historical events occured. I could probably write ten blogs on this, but I'll get highlight a few pictures: the vatican, the collesuem, the forum, sistene chapel, the catacombes,and st. peter's basillica, the trevie fountain, the patheon, piazza neuevo, etc, etc. The Roman's did things in a big way. Everything was huge, and beautiful.
Education, degrees, and heart.
Since I'm here with minimal stress, and responsibility I have a lot of time to think. This can be a bad, as I will admit that often my busyness distracts me from the things I try not to think about. But that's a whole 'notha blog! Having time also allows me to think about things that are really worth evaluating.
Yesterday I interviewed an Italian preschool teacher, and a mother/owner of the restaurant I mentioned before. We were talking about education and the stark contrast between methologies of Italy and the U.S. I have some conclusions, and even more questions from an academic standpoint. But at the end, the three of us collectively agreed that people are the same every where. Let me explain...
We were talking about the amount of education that is required of special education teachers and assistants. I'm a big fan of continuing education over time. Without proper education, how could one possibly understand the needs of a child with special needs? This can be learned from experience, but of course, I am of a proponent of going to college.
But still, a degree does not define if someone is a good teacher or good assistant. This will never define motives and heart of an educator. It speaks of stamina, endurance, and commitment... But never the actual heart.
At the end of the day, to teach someone special, requires a special heart. And this cannot be taught. Anywhere you go, you can find terrible teachers and assistants who do a disservice to their students. They literally rob their students of possibilities, and quality of life. But anywhere you go, there are also the teachers and assistants that are called. These are the teachers that would do anything in a shamelesss, courageous attempt to change the world for one child.... Because that one, very special child is worth it. These are the teachers and assitants who give special kids the tools that improve their whole life and family dynamic. This is the heart beat of a true teacher.
This can be said of any profession; of pastors, doctors, mechanics, engineers, counselors, etc, etc. It is always, ever, only about the heart.
Jesus talked a lot about this, that even if we do all the right things, go to Bible college, have the right stats, and look the part, it is nothing. All of those good things are like dirty rags. He was always looking at the heart. He still is. This makes me also think about this world of Catholicism that I'm emerged in, but that too is for another blog.
At the end of the day, my heart's cry is that my heart us aligned right. Aligned in a way that honors the Lord, and others, and serves the Lord and serves others well.
Yesterday I interviewed an Italian preschool teacher, and a mother/owner of the restaurant I mentioned before. We were talking about education and the stark contrast between methologies of Italy and the U.S. I have some conclusions, and even more questions from an academic standpoint. But at the end, the three of us collectively agreed that people are the same every where. Let me explain...
We were talking about the amount of education that is required of special education teachers and assistants. I'm a big fan of continuing education over time. Without proper education, how could one possibly understand the needs of a child with special needs? This can be learned from experience, but of course, I am of a proponent of going to college.
But still, a degree does not define if someone is a good teacher or good assistant. This will never define motives and heart of an educator. It speaks of stamina, endurance, and commitment... But never the actual heart.
At the end of the day, to teach someone special, requires a special heart. And this cannot be taught. Anywhere you go, you can find terrible teachers and assistants who do a disservice to their students. They literally rob their students of possibilities, and quality of life. But anywhere you go, there are also the teachers and assistants that are called. These are the teachers that would do anything in a shamelesss, courageous attempt to change the world for one child.... Because that one, very special child is worth it. These are the teachers and assitants who give special kids the tools that improve their whole life and family dynamic. This is the heart beat of a true teacher.
This can be said of any profession; of pastors, doctors, mechanics, engineers, counselors, etc, etc. It is always, ever, only about the heart.
Jesus talked a lot about this, that even if we do all the right things, go to Bible college, have the right stats, and look the part, it is nothing. All of those good things are like dirty rags. He was always looking at the heart. He still is. This makes me also think about this world of Catholicism that I'm emerged in, but that too is for another blog.
At the end of the day, my heart's cry is that my heart us aligned right. Aligned in a way that honors the Lord, and others, and serves the Lord and serves others well.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
San Giminano
This is another medevil town, and also home of the official "World's Best Gelato." I had it twice for a total of 6 flavors (chocolate, peach, cantelope, chocolate chip, carmel, and pistachio).
Sienna
Sienna is a medevil town. We went for a day and did a walking tour of this hilly city. The buildings look almost like castles. They are famous for their horseraces which are held in July and August. If you've ever been to medevil times, it's similar. Each section of the city is identified by an animal and color. They are very proud of this identification and are loyal to cheering for their horse and representing their area.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre "5 towns", is famous for it's amazing hike trail. You start at the first city and walk the easy "Via de'll Amore," lover's lane. It's quite romantic. Lovers "lock" their love together here.
This was a long, long hike... ALL day, UPHILL, in the blazing heat. 90 degrees. 1000% humidity. I nearly died like 10 times!
The houses are said to be painted different colors because fishermen would leave for long periods of time. On return, they could easily see their home from the ocean so they could anticipate being reunited with their love. =)
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