Southern Italy: June 9-16

Monday night we took a charter bus then an overnight train to Villa San Giovanni where we arrived Tuesday morning. On Tuesday, we went to the Reggio Calabria Acheological Museum. The museum's main attraction is the Riaces Bronzes. These were bronze statues found in the bottom of the see off the coast of Naples. It was amazing to see how they had survived after years in the salt water. We then took a ferry to the Straights of Messina and and checked into our hotel in Taormina. After getting settled in, we went and visited the Greco-Roman theater at Taormino. We then headed for the beach where we layed out and jumped of a cliff about 15 feet high. Wednesday was the first relaxing, do-nothing day we have had since we arrived at HUF. We began they day by tanning, then decided to jump off the 30 foot cliff into the water. it was so much fun, but it also hurt! Two of our group were stung by jellyfish (the sea was swarming with them). After a lunch overlooking a bridge, we decided to go canyoning. Canyoning (for us) means going UP a river that used to be a lava flow river. When we were first entering, we were told by one of the law enforcement there that what we were doing was illegal, but half our group was already started, so Robbie (our host teacher) convinced the man to let us go. It took our group of 40 an hour to go up what would be a less than 10 minute walk on dry land. We had to work as a team to get everyone up. Oh, and the water was the coldest water I have ever been in, including the newly melted snow water in the Sierras. We body rafted down, which took about a minute and a half. It was the most exhilarating day and I am so glad I had the opportunity, but I do not believe I will ever do it again. It was a once in a life time experience. After drying off and attempting to warm up, we took a bus to Catania where Robbie's son, David, lives and had a devotional with the church there then ate pizza from David's terrace where we could see the lava flowing from Mount Etna. It was so neat to be singing to God and to see one of his most powerful creations at the same time! Thursday morning we packed our bags and headed to Agrigento. We checked into the hotel. From our hotel room's terrace, we could see some of the Greek temples! We then headed out the temples at the archaeological site and were able to see the Greek temples built to gods such as Hurcules, Appolos, and Zues. Friday morning we traveled to Monreale where we saw the cathedral and the monk cloister. In the cathedral, we witnessed an Italian Catholic wedding. It was very beautiful even though we did not understand all that was going on. We saw the steps of the Teatro Messimo where Al Pacino was shot in Godfather III. We then left to board our overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples. The ferry was a lot of fun. We entertained ourselves by playing many games of Mafia (we thought this was perfect since we were in southern Italy). We arrived Saturday morning to Naples where we took a bus tour and ended up at the Naples National Archaeological Museum. This museum is mostly dedicated to artifacts found in Pompei. After viewing the artifacts, we were able to actually go to Pompei! There we met up with the Harding campaign group so I was able to see some of my friends. it was quite the reunion! It was so neat seeing Pompei. Walking through the city, I imagined the daily lives of the people there then how it was interrupted by the Eruption of Vesuvius. We saw the casts that the debris from the volcano made of the people who were caught in the terrible disaster. After walking through the city, our group, along with the campaigners, went to dinner in Sorrento where we were serenaded by an Italian band which consisted of an accordion, guitar, bass, and moroccas. It was very festive. Sunday morning we took a ferry to the island of Capri. We were on our own for the day so Annie Meiners, Kayla Anderson, and I explored Capri. We headed up the hill and saw the Villa San Michelle. We then took a boat ride around the island. The water was so clear and was so beautiful. It was a teal color, and we were able to see the red coral at the bottom. After laying out on the rocks, we headed back to the hotel where we had a wonderful devo lead by one of our guys. Monday morning we headed back to Florence after having some free time in Porciano. Southern Italy is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I am so excited to have had the opportunity to go on this trip.