Of Church and Nutella

Each day, when a man awakens, something new is born. New ideas, profound discoveries, unknown knowledge, and new experiences come into being. Traveling to a foreign land heigtens occurence; it stretches that phenomenon. In a new country diverse ideas, cultures, and personalities exist. The traveler is changed.

I am such a traveler. Italy is the place of my sojourn. This fantastic land is stretching me in many manners. For one, I see a different rhythm of life. Each culture strides to its own rhythm. Americans move to a faster beat. Italians, though, take life more slowly. In the afternoon they have a two hour siesta. At seven o'clock they have their dinner. This is an event that can last for a couple of hours. For me, an American, this pace of life is counterintuitive, yet I find it relaxing. It is relieving to know that I can sit down for dinner and not be expected to rush; I can enjoy the fellowship of my fellow diners.

The sights of Rome have expanded my vision of life. Just walking to church this morning I saw such fantastic landmarks and shops! In one trip I passed La Piazza di Spagna and the Bernini Fountain. The church itself was considerably close to major clothing stores like Gucci and Coach. In fact, Armani was right next door! Its a positive change to see that so many diverse institutions can exist adjecent to each other.

Italy is also teaching me to enjoy the company I have here. While eating dinner we had an intellectually stimulating discussion on the uses of Nutella. We discovered that it can be used as a facial cream, food, motorcycle wax, or mud bath substitute. It is encouraging to build a community in a place so completely unknown to me.

How much will be born of my experience in this beautiful land is yet to be known. I know, though, that I will return to America different than when I left. So far I have been changed by a simple walk to church and a jar of nutella.