Today I went to Sienna and San Gimignano, which are both beautiful places. We were able to go inside more decadent cathedrals and climb a tower overlooking the city of Sienna…I got some great pictures of from the tower. The tour was a lot of fun but my favorite part of the day was reading a book that I found left behind in my apartment…
A few days ago, a roommate and I discovered that the dresser our tv sits on is filled with books. The books were mostly travel books, language books, and quite a few novels. Sitting on top was a book I have always wanted to read…”Eat, Pray, Love”. This book is incredibly fitting for numerous reasons, the most obvious being that the main character begins her journey in Italy. Tonight I was able to sit and read about the beauty and wonders this woman encounters in Italy. It sounds silly that I would want to read about Italy while I can easily go outside and experience it… but tonight this book was what I needed. I needed to read the words of a woman that knew she had to go to Italy and made it happen. Someone kinda like me. I discovered this book at the most perfect time, right when I had begun to become desensitized to the marvels of Florence. This book reminded me that there are goals I have set for myself while I am here…and I may add and subtract goals as is fitting. For now, a few of my goals are as follows:
Experience the food: Learn to cook the food, learn to enjoy the food, and learn the culture of the food.
Slow down: Whenever I feel rushed of stressed, I must make a point to sit down wherever I am and look at something amazing. Like the Duomo, the accordion player down the street, or the Arno River.
Be Fearless: Go down streets I am unfamiliar with, talk to strangers in Italian, and live like a local.
Remind myself everymorning… “I made it to Italy. It’s already an amazing day. Go enjoy it.”
It sounds like you found the perfect travel manual for your trip. Or, it found you. Or, maybe both. I love the goals you've established. They aren't just, "go, go, go", "see, see see", "do, do, do", they are goals of consideration. How interesting that you noticed a certain desensitization setting in. How heroic that you've decided to counter that desensitization. All of your goals highlight one attribute, courage. Io vi saluto!
ReplyDeleteGail
Reading a good book set in place where you are is the BEST way to enjoy both, I think. I love how focused you are on remembering why you are there and that you are learning how to make the best of the experience. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHugs! When I get back we should get coffee, it has been a few years too long.
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