Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terre

We have just returned from one of my favorite trips of the summer. We started out the first day going to Lucca. Lucca is a smaller city and is not really catered toward tourists. We were able to see a few of the many churches there and we even sang a few hymns in one of them. The acoustics in the church we amazing and hearing the praises gave me chills! We then went on to Pisa where we were able to see the famous leaning tower of Pisa! It was so cool seeing a site that i have grown up seeing pictures of and never thought i would be able to see! After visiting the tower, the cemetery, and the baptistery in Pisa, we made our way to Cinque Terre.
I loved Cinque Terre! It was so beautiful and was not completely overrun by tourists. We arrived at the hotel and we had to decide how the rooms were going to be settled; Annie, Ginny, Kayla, and I ended up not staying at the hotel since there was not enough room. Instead, we got to stay at an apartment that is rented out to visitors! we had our own family room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and one and a half bathroom! it was really nice! For dinner, we ate at a local food place and had fish and chips. it was really good! we then headed out to the beach into a grotto for a singing devotional. It was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. Hearing the voices echo in the grotto and carry across the water was beautiful. I was able to look out and see the stars clearly and watch the huge waves crash against the rocks. I was able to see the wonder, splendor, power, and love of God all around me in one instance! After singing and praying for hours, we headed to our rooms. The girls in my apartment had decided before to have a milk and cookies night since we had a refrigerator to keep the milk in! so we came back and ate oreos with milk! The first oreos I have had in two months! and cold milk is a rare thing too! We went to sleep very content that night.
Cinque Terre means "five lands" or "five earths" in Italian. It is made up of 5 cities and the only way to get from city to city is by bus, train, or hiking. Our group decided to hike from the first city to the fourth city which was where we were staying. It ended up being a 3 hour hike, which included stopping in one of the cities for gelato. haha. It was a semi-difficult hike, especially near the end, but it was amazing. The train is on the side of the mountain along the coast line, so we were able to see some spectacular views! We spent the rest of the day hanging out on the beach and watched the sunset over the water and mountains. I took over 60 pictures of the sunset alone! :) We had another devotional that night that was equally as moving as the night before. Also, some exciting news, the couple on our trip is now engaged! Eddie Koch proposed to Alicia Bridges that night! We are all very excited for them!
This morning we slept in a little bit, then I went for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea! It was a perfect temperature! After drying off by laying out, I headed back to Florence.
It was an amazing past 3 days. I was able to see some of the most beautiful art work- God's. To see so much of his handiwork was so spiritually uplifting! and to praise him with 40 other Christians! It could not have been better! :)