Florence

Florence was a BEAUTIFUL city to visit.  Florence is known for a host of things but some of the most important is Michelangelo began his works here, the Medici family lived here, the duomo, and leather is produced and sold here.   Here we got to visit Michelangelo’s burial site and some of his sculptures and paintings.  One of  his most famous sculptures that I was able to see was the David.  To actually see it in person opposed to see it in a book or someone describing it was an indescribable feeling.  So massive, compared to myself, was my first thought.  As you get closer you see the details and how well thought out it was.  I began to think that Michelangelo made David so huge as a way to symbolize David defeating Goliath.  Once he won the battle he then became the giant.

I also was able to visit the leather market.  Which had different type of leather goods.  Coats, shoes, purses, belts, any and everything you could think of leather they had it.  It was a fun exercise for myself as I bargained and negotiated prices for items.  Before I would go to the market I would come up with new strategies in hopes of getting cheaper prices.  Most cases I’d get what I want for my asking prices and others I’d have to walk away and go to the next booth in the market and redo my negotiating strategy again.  This was a wonderful lesson on negotiating that I’ll be able to utilize in the future.

I walked up 463 stairs to the top of The Duomo to see a great view of the city of Florence.  One of the most exhausting yet gratifying moments of my life.  All of the pain was worth it.

 

The Vatican City Tour (Museum, Saint Peter’s, and The Sistine Chapel) May 31st

The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.  It is surrounded by Rome.  The Vatican City is where the Pope lives and he is basically the president from my understanding.  Some of the places we visited were The Sistine chapel, The Vatican Museum, and Saint Peter’s Basilica.  In my previous posted blog you’ll see a massive building that The Pope is sitting in front of you’ll also see another picture of a building by itself which both are pictures of Saint Peter’s Basilica.  This is one MASSIVE church.  Full of art and sculptures.  Filled with marble and gold.  Pope Francis currently still holds masses at this church.  Children are able to be baptized here and couples are able to get married here as well.  There are smaller chapels on the sides where services and other things are held.

(Pictures are posted below)

The Vatican Museum is BEAUTIFUL.  It houses some of the most famous pieces done by Michelangelo and Raphael.  It was really a site to see.  Throughout your life this is one tour you must take.  The details of how everything within a sculpture or painting exemplified something made me look at art completely different.  I now look for the hidden meanings and how I can apply to myself.

The Sistine Chapel was created for the Pope to hold private mass.  Back in Ancient Rome time one of the easiest times to kill a Pope would be when he was alone.  During mass the pope would be with no security and in a room by himself.  Therefore the Sistine Chapel was created to allow security on the premises and for the pope to have a secure place of whorship.  The Sistine Chapel is still used but for other purposes such as electing new cardinals.  The Sistine Chapel is also known for the mural on the ceiling by Michelangelo which depicts Gods creation of the the world, Adam and Eve, the Last Judgement, and other biblical events.   (Pictures within The Sistine Chapel are prohibited but I’ve post pictures that were outside on the board and a screenshot from online to give you a feel of how it looks.)

Ceiling of the 16th chapel
Ceiling of the 16th chapel
Ceiling of the 16th chapel
16th Chapel

Pope Francis and Service Day May 30th

POPE FRANCIS

The experience alone was an exhausting graditification.  First we had to leave at 6:30 that morning after having a long day the day before.  Once we got to the location (Saint Peter’s Basilica) we had to wait until 9:30 for the Pope to arrive and make his grand entrance.  So that’s where the exhaustion was.  The gratification came once the Pope road around in his “popemobile” which was white and open so that the public is able to see him.  He’s known as the people’s Pope.  His presence alone speaks of humility.  Previous popes shield themselves within a thick glass where Pope Francis took the thick glass off of his vehicle to interact with the people which is a huge sacrifice in itself because it leaves him totally vulnerable but it also shows his faith in god knowing he’s guarded with his heavenly armor.  SPEAKS VOLUMES!!!!

The sermon was spoken in mainly Italian but had certain parts where it was translated in different languages.  Although it was spoken in another language I still could understand  the meaning of Gods love, we are all gods children, and we are all one race the HUMAN race.  Also due to me being of  Lutheran faith I was able to respond to some portions of the sermon because they were the same as those I practiced.

There were so MANY nationalities there.  Those that came from all over the world who believe in god and to hear him speak of Gods will.  There was even a performance from the Chinese doing Taekwondo to Ave Maria exemplifying peace, love, hope, and unity.  At one point I cried due to how powerful this moment felt.  I began to look at this big crowd and notice how much of an influence one person can have on tons of people who don’t know anything about each other,except the stereotypes being throw out about them, to make them come together to worship.  POWERFUL!!!

This is what leadership is.  The way you carry yourself, your humility, and the charismatic approach for those around you.  The hopes I have for myself within my own leadership roles.

SERVICE DAY

After the wonderful service we headed to the soup kitchen to to prepare food to feed those that stayed at the facility on site shelter.  Most people there were homeless due to substance abuse, lose of job, mental illness, and a host of other things. I did find surprising that in Italy there’s really no safety net for those who lose their jobs and most people that lose there jobs are of older age so most of them end up homeless.

Just being able to put a smile on their face and within a small moment give them a sense of hope was a great feeling.

Take the Challenge!!!

Just to be clear I am “STUDYING” abroad so of course there’s a lot of work to be done in the mist of visiting these wonderful sites that correlate to the outlined goals that are set out for us to complete.  On average we’ve walked about 4-5 miles PER DAY and some days more.  So, yes exhausted is a great way to put it.  Sometimes after exhausting trips we still have personal assignments and group projects to complete.

I am also dealing with culture shock.  Trying to understand the language, the people, and directions is a lot to process and can be overwhelming.  I find myself going to the American breakfast spot as a small reminder of home.  I took this opportunity as a way to push me out of my comfort zone in which it definitely has.  Everyday I’ve learned something new about myself.  I’ve spiritually and mentally grown more than I thought I would.

I cannot stress to you how important studying abroad for students is.  It should be a requirement!!!  The impact it has on a students ability to understand cultural differences, learning how to approach different personalities with those you are sounded with, getting out of your comfort zone, being quick on your toes to figure

out solutions in a place you know nothing about, and the list goes on and on….

Take the challenge STUDY ABROAD!!!!

 

Catacombs of St. Callixtus

The catacombs from my understanding is a burial site for those who were of the Christian faith. During ancient Roman times people were unable to openly express their faith of  Christianity and if so they would be slain.  It is where some of the great Popes, martyrs, and Saint Cecilia were buried before being moved to city churches for security purposes.

Today all of the body remains have been moved to other sites or further below ground so that they are not accessible to tourist and those who may try to steal remains.

My first impression walking in was just how much thought was put into the makings of this place.  First you get chills: 1. Because it’s so below ground the temperature drops.  2. Because your below ground at a burial site where people was once laid to rest.

The thought of being killed due to your belief in God is a hard pill to swallow for me.  Imagining what they went through all for the sake of faith.

I now have a new perspective on what we call FREEDOM!!!

Due to us being unable to take pictures during this tour I uploaded pictures from their site.  Below you’ll see Saint Cecilia and some of the burial sites.

 

 

Week 1 Reflection

This first week has definitely been an eye opener for me.  I’ve realized just how much God is really working within my life.  This trip has become bigger than educational I’ve seen connections spiritually grow everyday with me being here.  Learning about the different emperors, popes, artist, and biblical leaders has REALLY changed my prospective on life.  This is the FIRST time where I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone to become a better me and a stronger leader.  This is an educational and transformational journey that I know and can feel is making me a better person.  I’ve realized that there is so much that I don’t know but I want to find out.

Check out the pictures below of some the beautiful sites I had the pleasure to learn about this week.

 

FANTA (Pop)

Let’s talk about this real quick then I’m going to bed.  For about 30 minutes I stared at this pop thinking “Hmmmm This is the orange color I’m use to”.   If you look at this label there is NO corn syrup and NO dye.  Just about everything here is fresh, no GMO, no pesticides, or no chemical alternatives.  Really makes you wonder what is really being produced in our country and how it can affect our bodies.  The taste of this pop was very different as well. It reminded me of a lightly carbonated fresh orange juice.

 

First Day in Rome

10am-  After departing the airport our first stop was our living quarters.  (I’ll post pictures of that later).  We had a tour and choose or rooms and roommates.  We later went to the nearby supermarkets to gather food and household items for laundry and cleaning.

2pm-  We had a tour, with Edgar, of The American University of Rome (AUR) campus where we’ll be attending classes over the next 3 weeks.

3pm- 7pm- We walked the neighborhood visited local coffee and pizza shops.  We also visited our first church (Saint Cecilia in Trastevere).  The highlight of my day.

7pm- Lastly our welcome dinner where we enjoyed Roman Pizza (Delicious).  On the way home we rode the train for the first time.

 

Flight to Rome

Where do I begin!!!!

Well for starters our flight was delayed an hour and a half.  Which made the long flight and sitting even longer.  I would suggest bringing a comfortable pillow because this is a 9 hour flight and the pillow they provide just isn’t comfortable enough.

Make sure to sleep during your flight so that your body can adjust to the time difference.

Overall the flight isn’t expected to be that comfortable unless you purchase first class seats but for economy seating with United Airlines it wasn’t that bad.

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