Weekend in Pictures {Paris}

Friday: We arrived in Paris in the evening of February 14th {Happy Valentine's Day to us!}

First stop: The Lourve

Group of friends traveling with me!

Saturday: The next full day we walked all around the city.

Luxembourg Gardens 

Notre Dame Cathedral 

Love Lock Bridge over the Seine River

Sunday: Our flight did not leave until the evening so we had another full day to explore!

Brunch in the Latin Quarter {one of my favorite spots}

The Eiffel Tower

The Palace at Versailles 

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend. Paris won me over! I love this city, and one weekend was not enough for me! Hopefully I will be back soon!

Week at a Glance

This week has been interesting. We had Monday off but headed to Pompeii on Tuesday. I had my hopes really high for Pompeii, and was dissappointed. I hate to say it. I liked seeing Mt. Vesuvius but the town itself is very touristy. Also, during all my years of Roman history, not one teacher mentioned that Pompeii was a very umm risky city. I won't go into details but let's just say it was graphic.

{Mt. Vesuvius and the Pompeii Ruins}

That night we came home exhausted but celebrated my dear friend's 21st birthday!

{Happy Birthday Friend!}

Yesterday was a full class day, which included Italian class, philosophy and history of Roman life. But my favorite was cooking class! Hopefully I'll return to the States with a knowledge of Italian cuisine.

Today was lovely! Despite the fact I was so tired this morning and a little cranky, the day turned out wonderfully. And it was all because we went to the gardens at Villa d'Esta.

{Villa d'Esta Gardens}

{View of the Gardens from Above}

I can't even believe what I get to do tomorrow... I am heading to Paris! France has always been my dream country. I feel giddy knowing I will be there tomorrow! I will take lots of pictures :)

Cultural Differences

When I arrived in Italy, there were certain cultural differences I did not understand. One was that despite having a grocery store they also have a separate butcher, deli, bread and fruit & vegetable store. It bothered me at first.

Yesterday during Italian class, our teacher made us split into groups and order something from one of the shops. I was assigned the butcher, which was the one I did not want because of my fear about the potent meat smell.

But to my surprise I really enjoyed my experience. I met the butcher and ordered my meat. He knows we are from the study abroad program and would not let us speak in English to him so that we could learn. Now I have a connection with the butcher in town.

Earlier that morning, I went to my favorite coffee shop. It's owned by this sweet middle-aged couple. We finally decided to introduce ourselves, and it has made all the difference. Instead of walking up to the Starbucks counter at home and ordering from a stranger, I know the owners of this quaint cafe.

Italy is very intentional about customers and shop owners having a relationship. I love that. Instead of our Americanized one-stop-shop, I will know the person behind the counter. It makes me excited for the weeks to come, and the simple relationships I will build with the locals!

Grand Tour Day 2

Today was all around breath taking. We started the morning at the Non-Catholic cemetery and ended in the Vatican City. I did not have much expectation for this day. I thought the cemetery would be creepy and the Vatican would not interest me.

I thought I might be a little bored but I was totally wrong about both.
Both are beautiful and hold so much history.
I kept walking around with my mouth open and my camera glued to my face.

The best part of the day was climbing the copula, and looking over the Vatican City. Seeing Rome from that height brought me so much joy. The city from above takes on a different type of elegance than it does on the ground.

Non-Catholic Cemetery: 

The Vatican City:  

The Grand Tour Day 1

We've been learning in class that during the 1800s, European young adults would travel across the continent to further their education. This was called the Grand Tour. Italy was considered the most important country, and  Rome was the pinnacle of the journey.

They said on the Grand Tour that these young adults would enter Italy as children, with wide and unknowing eyes, and emerge as adults. I love that. I hope my personal journey in Italy will develop me into a more full version of myself.

Anyway, our program creates a 3 day excursion to Rome to have our own version of the Grand Tour. Today was day 1, and we hit the ground running!

Literally running. I am so tired right now in the best way possible. We walked all over Rome, which was extremely exhausting but also rewarding. Seeing those sights are amazing. And the sun was finally shining! So thank you Jesus for that!

Here are some pictures from Day 1:

{First stop was the Colosseum!}

{Inside the Colosseum with some friends}

{The Roman Forum from above}

{Inside the Pantheon}

Something to Check Out

For one of our class assignments, each girl has to write a blog post for the program's blog. I had to write the first one, which was a little daunting. But if you want to read it or keep up with the program blog in general here's the link:

http://wp.auburn.edu/italy/

Sunday Evening Service

Across the street from our home is a beautiful Catholic Church. My good friend on the trip is Catholic so I decided to go with her. I've never been to a Catholic Church but have always been curious to see what it is like.

It would have been interesting back in the States but it was even more interesting in Italy. I didn't understand anything the priest said because he spoke Italian. I sat there as an observer rather than an active participant. And I was fascinated.

As I was sitting in this stunning church, I kept thinking that despite our differences, we are still worshipping the same God. It's simple but it was an interesting moment. 

This semester I am experiencing Jesus in a different way than usual. I am out of my comfort zone in many ways. It is hard sometimes to figure out how He fits in this adventure.

During the homily, I was praying (mostly because I didn't understand the language) that I would not put God in a certain box. He is so much more complex and grand than I can fathom. I don't know what that will look like as I continue this journey but I am curious to see how He moves in that way.

Isn't the church beautiful? I can't imagine what it would be like to worship there each week!