I learned a lot, a lot, a lot. By the end of our stay in Italy (from Saturday, Oct. 6 - Sunday, Oct. 14), I was under information overload mode and ready to sleep in my bed back in Vienna.
Our itinerary looked a bit like:
10/6 - overnight train to Rome
10/7 - walking tour of the Ancient Roman Forum and Colosseum
10/8 - visit to Catacombs of San Callisto
10/9 - visit to San Pietro in Vincoli & Musei Capitolini
10/10 - Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius day trip
10/11 - tour of Florence, visit to Medici Chapel & Accademia
10/12 - visit to Bargello National Museum & Galleria degli Uffizi
10/13 - Siena day trip
10/14 - travel day back to Vienna
The day that impacted me the most spiritually was October 8th; this was our visit to the Catacombs of San Callisto. There were over 1/2 a million Christians buried in just this one catacomb from the 2nd to 5th centuries. I loved learning of all the things Christians did in honor of their dead. They lit candles in oil lamps by the graves that they always kept lit - this symbolizing eternal life. Personal prayers and the term "rest in peace" were put on many of the tombs. The fish (Greek word: hectus) was also put on many tombs as an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God the Savior"; also appearing often on tombs, was a dove, as a symbol of peace. "Irene" (how we would say it in English) is the Greek name the means peace.
It was so humbling, convicting, and overwhelming to be in such a sacred place where Christians buried their loved ones who were persecuted in terrible ways for boldness in their faith. It was uplifting to hear that all day every day there are still mass services held in the catacombs in celebration of all of these martyrs. At the end of our tour, our Lipscomb group remained in one of the tomb rooms underground and sang "Holy Holy Holy." I could hardly sing the words due to the tears that effortlessly flowed from my Spirit in awe of God's assurance and faithfulness throughout all of time. Those martyrs possessed the same powerful Spirit that is within us. I am so thankful that I live in a place and time where I can freely live out my faith in God. However, I wish I were like these martyrs too, completely dependent on God because they had to be. It was God who gave them the boldness to profess and glorify His Holy Name in the face of evil. What will it take for us to be bold and experience the power the of Spirit the way they did??
"My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you." Psalm 42:6
"But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Psalm 102:27
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
Help us put our trust in you, Oh God.
Give us boldness to bring your kingdom
to this earth so that your name
will be lifted high!
Amen.
ROME
The Victor Emmanual II Monument... aka THE BIG WHITE BUILDING
The Pantheon.
THE COLOSSEUM
Sending letters from the Vatican City!
SISTINE CHAPEL. oh michelangelo oh.
Michelangelo's Pieta in St. Peter's Bisilica
A beautiful sunset in a beautiful city. Something funny about this blurry picture above: upon jumping up on this ledge to get this picture, I underestimated my strength and the width of the ledge and ALMOST propelled myself into the river below. Thankfully, "my reflexes are sharp and I'm crazy agile". (thanks Hot Rod).
WISHING away the Roman way at the TREVI FOUNTAIN with Kels!
SAN PIETRO in VINCOLI, ROME.
Displayed to the left are the "chains" that St. Peter was bound by when he was imprisoned in Rome. Above is Michelangelo's Moses! Michelangelo is by far my favorite artist. He made that out of a block of marble.. mind blown.
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
1 Peter 4:12-14
1 Peter 4:12-14
ITALIAN CAPPUCCINOS.
**Here is a recommendation: if you ever find yourself hungry at the top of the Spanish Steps, take a right and check out the "Ristorante - Trinita De' Monti"and eat the most expensive meal that goes by the name of "pasta with truffles" (or something like that). Regardless, it's the 35 euro dish that you will most likely immediately look over and move on, like I did, and try to find something cheaper. My advice: DON'T. This home-made pasta with white sauce blended in with tasty truffle mushrooms and all presented in a fired bowl of parmesan cheese, is the most amazing Italian food that my mouth has ever experienced. Thank goodness we had one among us brave enough to try it and she did NOT regret it! Plus their cappuccinos ROCK!
Perched up on a ledge above the Spanish Steps to watch the sunset! Poor Rachel (on the far left) lost both her black flats off the edge.. Naturally, we went shopping for more and found that some new Italian, suede loafers would suffice.
PIAZZA DI SPAGNA (view from the steps)
Pompeii is a partially buried Roman city near modern Naples,
Italy. Pompeii was partially destroyed and buried under 13 to
20 ft of ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in
AD 79.
The picture below reveals the uncovered remains of a temple in the ancient, ash-covered city of
Pompeii.
We rode a bus up Mount Vesuvius and hiked up the remaining distance to get to the very top! To the right is a picture of the crater in the mountain. Mt. Vesuvius is still an active volcano and is actually predicted to erupt in the near future! That was a little nerve racking when we were up there and saw that there was smoke rising from this crater in one place!
Worries aside, the view was breath-taking - as you can see behind me in the picture below!
BENVENUTI A FIRENZE
WELCOME TO FLORENCE
Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore
Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower
Below is the Piazza della Signoria where famous artists found fulfillment when their sculptures were put on display outside in this square for everyone to see. It is an outdoor museum. Piazza della Signoria keeps many of these original statues to this day to honor the original purposes for them by their makers centuries ago.
Well... we couldn't take pictures of Michelangelo's flawless David that was in the room behind me (inside the Accademia museum). Thankfully, Hans Peter Feldmann made this version for me to show you all!
the gucci museum.
the gucci sugar.
the gucci cappuccino.
= 4 euro well spent.
I introduce you now to the famous Florentine dish called by the name of "RIBOLLITA". I realize that is looks like mush; and the texture pretty much is mush. However, it's a vegetable soup/much something and it's DELICIOUS! I miss it.
leather. leather. leather. You can assume that I bought some leather gifts in Florence... I did. I also bought awesome leather boots!! ... along with every other person on the trip pretty much haha.
PONTE VECCHIO
the famous bridge in Florence.
Legend has it: if you buy your wedding ring here, you'll have an everlasting marriage. *better keep that in mind LU sweethearts ;)
Looking over the city from Michelangelo Square
a day in Siena, Tuscany, Italy
This is Daniel. We have Daniel to thank for starting the Lipscomb in Vienna program! Daniel became a tour guide after attending college at the University of Vienna. He was visiting a friend in Tennessee when he decided to check out Lipscomb University wondering if there was any interest in a global learning program. He met Dr. McVey in an elevator on LU's campus, and look where we are now - 17 years later, is it?? Daniel is awesome. Thanks for being awesome, Daniel!
Goodbye for now Florence!
Love,
Lacy
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