Still Loving Rome

The greatest thing happened this Sunday. They announced at church that they are breaking ground to build a temple here in Rome. The actual fact that they are building a temple wasn't what excited me (I take temples for granted living in Utah, and I didn't think that much of it) but the reaction of the members of the ward touched my heart. They were gasping, crying, shaking, screaming with excitement, even the young men and women, and the children were so over joyed. They would give testimonies about how when they were growing up they were one of ten members in the ward, that they would only dream of travelling to Switzerland to visit the temple, and what a miracle it was to see a temple being built in Italy. I know not all my friends and family that read this are members of my church, but I just wanted to express how spiritual and beautiful this experience was for me. It really put things in perspective for me. I am so grateful for the gospel whether I'm in Utah or in Italy. It is the same spirit everywhere, and I love to feel it. Hearing the same beautiful music, meeting wonderful people, and feeling the spirit each Sunday is so comforting to me. I am lucky to have it in my life, wherever I go in the world.

I discovered the best Pizza in Rome, so if you come to visit I will take you there. We have been three times this week already. I discovered the first Gelato shop ever, and tried the rice flavored gelato which is kind of like frozen rice pudding, has real rice in it, and it is to die for. The weather is beautiful, cool and fallish. The women here are so stylish. Everybody wears cute boots and all different kinds. There isn't one specific kind that is in style. The boots are short, long, leather, suede, black, grey, purple, brown, with bows, buckles, rhinestones, heels, no heels, whatever they feel looks cute. I like how there isn't a specific style. The women go with what they think looks sexy to them and they all look great.

Every now and then I'll duck into a church (they are EVERYWHERE and they are amazing), and ponder about life. I'm so lucky to just "pop in" the most beautiful churches full of soft worn marble, gold, beautifully painted ceilings and walls, marble statues, the detail of the molding, etc. Instead of popping into Anthropology really quick at the Gateway, I'm popping into beautiful historic Roman Cathedrals that are thousands of years old, with painting and sculptures created by some of the most talented artists of all time.


Observation of the week: They don't refrigerate their eggs and milk in the grocery store. How does it stay fresh? Everything is in small portions too, so you have to go back to the store every other day. The markets are tiny with not much of a selection. I need to go to different stores to get different things. I feel like I'm at the market everyday. I do miss Costco, Target, and Wallmart just a little, but that's the price you pay for character and quaint Italian personality.