Tuscany, Heaven on Earth

Last week we had a week-long field trip to Tuscany. Monday we went to San Gimignano, Volterra, and spent the night in Siena. Tuesday we toured and shopped Siena and went on to Florence. We stayed in Florence through Thursday afternoon. Here are some pictures from the week.

San Gimignano


"The town with towers"







Volterra


This is an ancient Etruscan gate, Porta dell'Arco, at the entrance of the town. It dates back to 3rd-2nd centuries B.C.






Ancient Roman Amphitheater


Volterra is known for its alabaster sculptures.

Siena


Mary Hester and me at the Piazza Del Campo


The Chigi family is from Siena and this is their palace in their hometown.


Me and Pope Alexander Chigi




The Siena Duomo




The Piazza Del Campo is famous for hosting the Palio horse race.


Madelin and me

Florence


The Florence Duomo


Ponte Vecchio bridge


There are many locks on and near the bridge. The act of attaching a lock to a bridge and throwing the key into the river symbolizes the unbreakable bonds of true love. Today, there are fines for being seen throwing a key into the river.

On Wednesday, we saw Roberto Capucci's exhibition "Art in Fashion—Volume, Color and Method" at the Palazzo Strozzi. The dresses were unbelievable.





Our next stop was the Galleria dell'Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David. The pictures don't do it justice - it's amazing.


"David said, 'The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you!' " -1 Samuel 17:37

Scuola del Cuoio is the world famous leather school. We were able to watch a few demonstrations of leather-product making.







Salvatore Ferragamo Museum was our first stop Thursday morning. It was awesome. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures.




Ferragamo's Shoe Color Wheel

After seeing Capucci and Ferragamo exhibits, I will have to dedicate an entire post to them later on. I love Italian fashion!

The Uffizi museum has some of the world's most incredible artwork. My favorites are Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Allegory of Spring.





Oh, and of course we went shopping!


Madelin and me at the Leather Market

“[In Italy,] all the way to heaven is heaven.” -St. Catherine of Siena

Seeing Beauty

Seeing the Beauty and Goodness in Front of Us
by Henri Nouwen

We don't have to go far to find the treasure we are seeking. There is beauty and goodness right where we are.


Chattahoochee River, Georgia


Sunset in Auburn, Alabama


Sculpture of my cousin, Corinne
(My favorite sculpture in the world)

And only when we can see the beauty and goodness that are close by can we recognize beauty and goodness on our travels far and wide.


The School of Athens by Raphael in the Vatican


Pietra by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica


The Roman Forum

There are trees and flowers to enjoy, paintings and sculptures to admire; most of all there are people who smile, play, and show kindness and gentleness. They are all around us, to be recognized as free gifts to receive in gratitude.


My wonderful family


My YoungLife team


Mary Hester, me, Meaghan, Jessica in Cinque Terre, Italy

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Real Pottery Barn

A couple weeks ago we had a field trip day to Deruta. Deruta is a small, hilltown in Umbria famous for its pottery. We toured the warehouse where they make pottery and shopped in the town (of course). I loved all the designs and bright colors. It was so much fun!











































"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:6-7