I'm back!

A little jet-lagged.

Still digesting all the beautiful things I saw.

We've been home about four days now and I'm very thankful that I live with one of the girls that was on the trip. Otherwise I might have been going through withdrawals.

I'm getting to the point where I can begin looking back on the trip; I've had to let distance develop to think clearly. As I get settled in back here at home (though not too settled; I move out in less than two months) I'll begin writing up the trip here on the blog to share with you all. Pictures will come....eventually. I took tons. Over a thousand. And have the tiniest smidgen of memory on my computer. So it may take me a while to figure out how that's going to work.

But look for a walk through of the trip soon!

When in Rome...

I look like a frickin' tourist!

But thanks to the giant group I'm with and the wonderful Target bag I have, no one has even tried to pick-pocket me.

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. This city is huge. I suppose I'll write up a summary of our trip thus far -- it would be logical to do so in chronological order.

VENICE:

Was nice. Small. Very touristy. (That gave it minus a few points) But in the evening, when most people had gone back to their cruise ships and it was cooler, the city was wonderful. My favorite was the water front. A cool breeze, great gelato, and lots of laughs. It was the perfect place to start with because you can never really get lost. I mean, you're on an island.

FLORENCE:

Oh. My. Goodness. My favorite city so far. The place reeks of history, art and Michelangelo.

*sigh*

Can I go back please?

We saw Michelangelo's David. I cried. Honesty.

ROME:

Get me out.

Okay, so the ruins are cool, the coliseum was neat. The Sistine chapel was beautiful, but I was jaded from the museum by the time we got there and couldn't fully appreciate it. The Vatican was beautiful, but again, I was tired. What made that trip was getting to see Michelangelo's Pieta (through bullet proof glass...). I teared up. (Can you tell I'm a fan?)

If I was here with perhaps one other person and we had more time, I would like Rome. But in this heat and large group I just get tired and feel dirty.

Get me to the Italian coast please! Which is where we are going tomorrow. Thank goodness.

Dear Mom, Dad Rick, Dad Mike, and Jen,

I am having a wonderful time in Italy. The art is beautiful, the people mostly kind. I think I like the smaller towns better here, but it is all a wonderful experience. I promise I am being safe, I'm even remembering to put on sunscreen. I am having the best food of my life and am planning on trying to recreate it for the rest of my life. I am also seeing beautiful art that is completely changing me. I'm gaining new ideas, knowledge and am eager to be back in a place where I can work on my own art. This trip is creating in me a thirst for learning I've never had before. I am quite disappointed that next year will be me senior year. I feel like I am just getting started. Thank you for always letting me peruse what is in my heart and supporting me in what I choose. I love you all; tell my sisters the same.