Livin' like Travelers

so, as you can guess, its been a busy past couple of weeks. i apologize for my laziness. last week, we were traveling like real backpackers. We went to Sienna, Florence, and Cinque Terre. This was such a fun trip! we all had such a fun time. I had never been to Sienna or Cinque Terre and they both were just breathtaking. I had been to Florence before and i remembered why i loved it. the buildings, the food, the gelato, the history of the city is just magnificent!

Sienna was fun, but not what i expected. we were only there for one night, so we didnt get to see a lot. we ate dinner in the square where the horse races go on. that was really cool to see. all the young people in the city come out and just sit in little groups on the square and talk. we totally felt like real Italiains.

Our next stop was Florence. while we were in Florence, Katie and I (and some other girls) climbed to the top of the Dome! 463 stairs.. that's right. and it was so awesome. as you can see, the view was amazing. it was a hot day but the breeze on the Dome made it even more worth it. we ate lots of good food in Florence, like at a chinese place on a street corner. we were craving something other than pizza. so katie and i split chicken dumplings, sweet and sour chicken, and chicken fried rice. we ate it all. we also ate lunch at the place where Jersey Shore worked this summer! are we Americans or what? I also went to H&M for the first time. i did like it; however, its not all people hype it up to be. but they had cute clothes! i would definitely go back. we visited the leather market in Florence and it was fun! if you dont like being overwhelmed by people and products, dont go here. Dad, i dont think you would like this place. There are people every where and the vendors are always trying to sell you something. i did end up getting a few things for a good price. and while it was stressful, it was such an experience.

We had a little 'war eagle' moment at The David. when i was in Florence 4 years ago with my family, we had a tour guide and her name was Alessandra. She was beautiful and charming and i have never forgot her face. Well, while admiring the David, i see her! she was giving a tour to a young couple. i contemplated saying something because i did not want it to get awkward, knowing she probably wouldnt remember me. but i conquered my fears and said hello. of course, she didnt remember me (i wouldnt either, she gives like 300 tours a year). I told her i was with my school studying abroad and that we all went to Auburn in Alabama. WELLLLL! the couple she was giving the tour to was from Vestavia Hills, Alabama! and the husband had gone to Auburn! it was so cool! we talked for a bit, then of course said "WAR EAGLE!" and they went on their way. I will probably never have another experience like that one. It was awesome, to say the least.

our last stop was Cinque Terre. i really did love Cinque Terre! its so beautiful. our first day there we went hiking up the mountain to another bordering city. it was a 5 hour hike, so we were all tired by the end of it. but the view from the top was breathtaking. we ate a lot, laughed a lot, watched the sunset, shopped, and swam in the ocean. it's crazy that it's october and i was swimming in the ocean! the water here is much saltier than it is in the States. you get out of the water and you can feel the salt on your body. and there is practically no sand. for you sand beach lovers, dont come here. its all rocks and they hurt to walk on. but, you dont get sand in your bathing suit so thats a plus. we had delicious meals. Cinque Terre is known for their pesto so we had lots of pesto: pesto pasta, pesto nocci, pesto pizza, pesto bruchetta, etc. for our dinner one night, we had to pay a 3 euro cover charge just to sit at the table! how crazy is that! but, you dont tip your waiter here so i guess they have to make up for it somehow. it was totally worth the extra 3 euros.

now that i am caught up, i am put at ease. yesterday, we went to The Vatican. i have also been here before. we had a 4 hour tour.. it was exhausting. we learned the history of basically every work of art in the whole museum. the whole time i was thinking about the story in Matthew 21: 12- 13 -

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them,“‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

this is really what it is like. in the church, you have people selling key chains and rosemary. how selfish and greedy is the human race? the same thing that happened 2000 years ago is still happening today. have we not learned anything? it makes me realize my own sin and how my sinful heart always goes back to the same things. God has corrected me so many times about my sinful ways and i find myself committing them over and over again. however, God knew this and that's why He sent Christ.. to die for my sins that i would commit. I am so thankful for His Grace.

I hope you all have a greaaat wednesday! mom will be here in 2 days and im literally freaking out! i cannot wait for her to be here. i really just need a mamma hug. so, mom, hurry up!

til next time.

ps sorry these pictures are out of order