I have always loved the thought of traveling. Seeing new places and experiencing all that the culture has to offer. As much as I have traveled in the United States, I had never traveled overseas until my spring break trip to Italy. Tomorrow marks a week since my return from the country I so quickly fell in love with. The sights were beautiful, the history abundant, and the experience priceless.
My trip went as follows: Naples, Capri, Pompeii, Rome, Florence, and Venice. Aside from the tasty gelatto and the three course meals, each of these places was beautiful for very different reasons, all unique from one another. In all honesty, each place taught me something completely new, something I never had time to think about in my day to day life.
In Naples and Capri, through all the beautiful landscape, I learned about God's creation and I was forced to soak in His greatness. I've never been one to particularly enjoy the outdoors, so this idea was not something I explored at any point prior to that moment. I stood on a mountain looking out at the sea and found myself completely mesmerized at the view.
In Pompeii, I learned something quite different. Here is what I found. The city of Pompeii is known as "the Frozen City" for a valid reason. There is so much information that comes out of the ruins of this city. It amazed me how much historians and archaeologists have been able to learn about the culture and the way of life these people led by just examining these artifacts. Many of the artworks still stand and show exactly how the people worshiped their gods. Rome had a similar vibe while examining ancient ruins, such as the Colosseum and the old town square. In Rome, we were also able to visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museum.
Through this, I learned that human beings are awesome! In my short life, I have come to find that people are naturally hard on themselves. Our minds tell us that we are never good enough no matter what we achieve. Christians also tend to feel that we are terrible when we fall short of the glory of God. I have always been hard on myself, constantly beating myself up for the virtues I lack. During this portion of the trip, seeing so many different works of art showed me that God created us to be creators and we are good at it! After all, the ability to create is what distinguishes humans from the rest of God's creation. These sights taught me that, while we are sinners, we also spend way too much time trying to be perfect instead of creating for the glory of God.
In Florence and Venice, I came face to face with the reality that anything is possible. Particularly in Venice, I was fascinated to learn how resourceful the people were when building the grand city. I mean, they built this city on water! It is true when God says that anything possible in His name.
On the drive between cities, I was unable to sleep because all I could do was look out the window and watch the beautiful mountains pass by before my eyes. God is so beautiful! I gained an appreciation for nature that I never possessed before taking my seat on the plane toward Naples.
Mostly, though, what I learned is that my desire to travel has always been misguided, meaning I've wanted to travel for all the wrong reasons. I always wanted to travel because I simply wanted to see what else the world had to offer outside my young country. While this is usually the reason for traveling, I learned that this view was not the best reason. While overseas, I discovered that I should want to travel because experiencing new cultures and new sights makes me appreciate what I have, not make me long for the things I don't have. I may not have mountains on all sides of me when I drive down the road, but I have seen them and I have gained an appreciation for that beauty. Along with this, I can now honestly say that I am grateful for the sights I do have because God, in some shape or form, designed it all and it just as beautiful.
Although I love Italy and hope to go back one day, I am not exactly unhappy to be back in the states. I gained so much from my travels. If asked if it was worth it, I would say "absolutely," a thousand times over. I imagine everybody's experience traveling overseas has a unique effect on each person, merely because people are so different from one another. Whatever it is that you gain out of traveling, I encourage you to own it and do your best to apply it to your life at home.
