Living abroad ignites a powerful and all-consuming fire within your very bones; one that cannot be quenched by sitting idly by in your sleepy and familiar hometown. It is a fire that rages, sometimes silently, yet sometimes so mightily that you feel you might combust if you don’t get up and go….somewhere.
Five years ago (has it really been that long?!), this mighty fire was started within me. It began on a cramped plane, flying from Amsterdam to Rome, sailing over the bright and fluffy clouds, seeing the monstrous Alps defiantly poking their way through them. From the second we touched down, the fire began, and it’s been blazing ever since.
We spent the majority of our time that semester in a quiet town called Citerna: population (roughly) 400. Most evenings consisted of the sun spilling behind a neighboring hill with artistic splendor, creating a vibrant and breathtaking sunset. Every day that I was able to sit by myself with my journal in hand, I fell madly in love with the bright green grass, rustic rooftops, and majestic mountains that stretched high and wide in every direction. The nights boasted their own beauty; sitting atop the fortress walls watching the stars peak out of the darkness and appear to close that they seemed within grasp. It was there, nestled on the line of the provinces of Umbria and Tuscany that the fire grew; fed by trips to impossibly beautiful places such as Siena, San Gimignano, and Arezzo.
Words fail when describing the immaculate beauty God displays in this part of the world. The villas, the hills, the olive groves, the sunsets! Each direction you turn reveals a sight more glorious than before. Simply walking down the marbled roads exposes freshly bloomed flowers and greenery around every window. The enchanting atmosphere whispers romantic notions into your ear: with the calls of nature, the bustling of the townspeople, and the melody of the thick and rich Italian language engulfing your open and excited mind.
And the food!!! Our Maker designed us so wonderfully–so detailed–that we even have tastebuds, no doubt only given to us so we could enjoy this world in which we live. Italy provides the best of the best for your tastebuds: the creamy gelato, fresh mozzarella, and pasta you cannot wait to sink your teeth into. This magnificent stretch of God’s handiwork is as rich with detail as the paintings you’ll find as you travel to her illustrious and renowned cities.
Indeed I have been blessed, not only to visit such a God-rich place, but to call it home for a short stint of my life. It was truly an eye-opening experience; for many reasons, yes, but mostly because it opened my eyes to the splendor of God’s glorious creation.
