Day Eleven: Up Up and Away!

5/9/2014

I hate stairs. That is about my day summed up. we got up pretty early to get in line to climb up the Dome. I climbed up all 463 stairs. it was really scary. But I've been super proud of myself on this trip. I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone. i feel like I've been doing a pretty great job. I've been trying new foods and climbing stairs. talking to people and doing things that are hard for me like leaving the country. i'm loving every minute of it. Florence is just a beautiful city. It was gorgeous in the morning from the top of the Duomo. after the dome we went through the cathedral. It was interesting to see how ornate the outside is and the inside is a lot more reserved.

 In the main square today there was a ton of security and they roped off the entrance to city hall. We found out the EU was meeting and Italy's president was on his way. We waited and got to watch him walk in, that was neat. We then went to McDonald's for lunch. I know, very American but in my defense, I've been branching out a lot. It was time for some comfort food. And I am also getting a little sick of Italian food. Its all I've been eating for a while. It was interesting to see how busy McDonald's was.
After lunch I went to the Baptistery. It was amazing! I really liked the Mosaic ceiling. They told the story of Joseph in Egypt and the Final Judgement. It was breathtaking!

Later in the evening a group of us hiked back up towards Michelangelo's lookout to go to mass at San Miniato al Monte. I enjoyed this mass much more than the one at St. Paul's. This one was much smaller. Almost everyone knew each other. There was one lady that seemed so sweet and took her time walking over to receive the sacrament. She needed some help to get there but she was determined to take it. Her determination and faith really touched me.   The church we attended mass at is the highest point in Florence. The view from the church was Spectacular!

This doesn't even do the view justice!

I'm sad to leave Italy but excited to see where we go next and what adventures we'll have next!

Ciao Italy!