missing and loving

I am at the half way point. I've been here about 2 weeks, and in exactly 2 weeks, I'll be home. I decided to make a list of some of the things I love in Italy, and some of the things I miss about home.

What I miss about California
My roommates
My church family
Church
Kairos kids
Ability to call/text/email at any given moment
Media (tv, etc) in English
AIR CONDITIONING
Getting water for free
Choices in type of food (not Italian!)
NOT being in humidity
Being completely myself with people who know me well
My car
Being able to have full conversations where both people are fluent in the same language


What I love about Italy
Being away from (most) of my responsiblities and stresses
Free flowing spring water fountains (not in Florence though)
The constant contrast of modernity and ruins
The wealth of art, beautiful archetecture and culture
Hearing all sorts of languages at any given moment
Gelato- on every corner, and any given time, in any given flavor
Being called "Bella" all the time
Having kisses being blown at me everytime I pass the pizzeria by my house
Having conversations, and having to stop in midconversation due to inability to communicate in the same language
The beauty around me, all the time
Being in places that I've heard of, read about, and dreamed of.
Being immersed in such rich, long standing history

Venice.

My roommate and I took the train up to Venice and stayed the night in a hotel there.

Venice is very different from Florence.
1. It's made up of a bunch of little islands, and people literally travel by foot or by
boat. No mopeds, bikes or cars here.
2. The men are stunningly attractive here. Yep. I said it. I mean, strikingly hot. I think it's all the work in the sun, and the mannal labor of carting around imports or steering a gondola. Plus they have unique tattoos, almost tribal like.
3. A gondola is a cool experience. I even got to steer one for a second.
4. Venice is defineately a day trip spot. It was really cool, but there isn't THAT much to do. Well worth the trip, but no need to stay for a long time unless you're really into art and want to explore museams and such.
5. Glass work, lemons, and limoncello are the pride of Venice.
6. Limoncello is disgusting. It's like drinking lysol.
7. Nightlife is NOT like Florence. Everything sort of shuts down except for a few sketchy bars. No one is really out and about like Florence. And, we saw a HUGE rat. Eww.
8. Venice maps are confusing. We got lost one billion times.

Research.

I recently emailed my professor who is overseeing my research project. I told her that I am having trouble doing research for two reasons:
1. It's hard to navigate through things in another country, esp when you don't speak the language. I've gotten very discouraged.
2. This place is breahtaking, and it's hard to study when you're like Alice in Wonderland!

She recently emailed me back telling me to take notes of what I learn here, and worry about the paper when I get back. That way I can soak up my time here, and when I go back to the US I can write a paper and she'll help me publish it! YIKES! Simultaneous relief and pressure!!!

Today I finally got to visit I Ragazzi di Sipario.

I held back my tears. I met with one of the owners and talked to her about their resturant. Basically it started with a Christian movement that owned a resurant and got ready to close the restuarant. 3 families that have adult children with special needs saw an opportunity. They opened their doors in Novemeber 2007.

They employ 11 adults with special needs whom are also shareholders in the restuarant. They also partner with a high school vocation program in which 10 students come to learn how to cook and/or serve food.






I'm honestly very excited about the doors this encounter may open. She is going to try to connect me with educators she knows. Their group also has a group for adults that was to do art and even a television show. I'll visiting that program next week.

When I asked her if there were any other programs in Florence like theirs, she said no. She said that there are some that involve doctors, but they are differnt. She said, "We didn't want to have docotors. Our lives have had doctors, psychologists, and therapists; art therapy, music therapy, theatre therapy. But life is not about therapy. We want them to have happy, joyful, satisfied lives."

Beautiful don't you think?

I still don't know what to write about exactly, but for now... I'll keep playing Dora the Explorer in Italy.
Ciao!

Romans, churches, and glory.

I often wonder how God penetrates an area of the world where the gospel does not have a strong presence. I've gone to the most ornate, gorgeous, expensive churches. As I walk though, amongst tourists from all over the world, I ask the Lord,

"What do You think of this?".

"When those huge pillars of marble were cut, were the hearts of men focused on glorifying you?"

"When gold was etched into the paintings of Jesus, were you honored?"

"What was in the heart of the artist who carved the gospel out marble?"

So many factors interplay-- religious practies of catholicism, politics, talent, pride, veneration of saints and Mary, and worship of Jesus.

"And Lord, what about all the tourists? In a place built to honor You, can they experience You through the layers of tradition and history?"

I have many questions.

I wonder how God reveals Himself amidst this rich backdrop of art, culture and religon.

Ive been reading through Romans in the Bible (seemed fitting). I'm encouraged that God has a way of reaching people, that His truth is embedded in all our hearts. Romands 1:19 says, "For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has out this knowledge in their hearts.". This verse has brought me great comfort whenever I travel and feel overwhelming sadness at the lack of healthy Bible teaching churches and communities.

Well, these are the thoughts I think along the streets of Italy. Ciao for now!

Lucca

The same day we went to Pisa, we also went to Lucca.

Lucca is a small town, known for it's Olive Oil. The city is also encircled by a wall, which has a dirt rode.

We got to ride bikes for a few hours. We circled the wall twice and rode through the streets. This is one of my favorite travel experiences.

Pisa

Last week we had a tour of Pisa. So many fascinating facts...

This is actually a bell tower of a cathedral. It was built on soft ground and because of the weight and small structure it began to lean.


This the cathedral.



We had to cover our shoulders out of respect.



Pillars made of solid marble.




Women would sit upstairs.



Front of Church.

Alter and patron saint of Pisa (yes, his dead body).



Cemetery of Catholic leaders. Dirt was brought from Golgotha (where Jesus was crucified) to symbolize death and resurrection with Him.




Baptistry (to baptize)



Within the baptistry

Don't judge me.

A few hours ago I went out to attend to my daily beckoning to gelato. I went to Gromo, my FAVORITE, all natural gelato, but this was the line:



So instead I went to Festival de Gelato for some yummy Cantelope and Chocolate Gelato. LOVE this place.

The streets were poppin with LOTS of Americans, tourists, and street preformers. Here's a little Charlie Chaplin:



It's kind of like Vegas, minus the sluttiness... or maybe like NYC. Lots of people, and tourists out everywhere day and night.
Ok, I have a confession. I did three shameful things today.

1. I ate non-Italian food. I had French Fries at McDonalds. I'm not even a big french fry eater, but I was at the train station and it was there and I wanted it. Funny, here you can put paprika powder on your fries.



I also ate at a Kebab place. Yep. Greek in Italy. I can only take so much pizza, pasta,
and panini.


2. I bought stuff from two stores that we have in the states: H & M and Lush. But it's "saldi" (sale) time so things are good deals and I needed a few things for life here. I didn't spend very much at all.




3. Ok, don't laugh.... But me and my roommate bought birgenstock (sp) type sandals.
Everyone wears them here which I didn't understand at first. But now I realize that it's a must to have good comfortable shoes. I can't wear tennis shoes everyday! I walked a lot when I lived in Hawaii but nothing like here. Plus the cobblestone streets mixed with cheap shoes was killing me. So, we are totally going to rock them like a European, and maybe I'll start a trend.


I like them, so whatever!

I better go pack... we're going to Venice, Milan, and Cinque Terre this weekend!!! Check my facebook for more pictures. I'll blog more in a few days.