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I have been sitting on the bus for the past hour driving from Assisi to Venice trying to think of a word or phrase that might accurately describe my Europe trip thus far. I have experienced so much in many different ways and have felt a variety of different emotions that it makes this task a difficult one and though it is not perfect I have chosen the word ‘overwhelming’.
I have been overwhelmed by the depth of history that belongs to each place we visit. Standing in the Coliseum and imagining the whole place full of people watching Russell Crowe…I mean the gladiators….fight to their deaths. Walking through the streets of Florence and experiencing the results of people in a different time which made this city a cultural hub for Europe. Reflecting on the life of St. Francis while in Assisi and being in awe of how one life can influence and inspire so many.
I am overwhelmed by how much beauty I have seen. In the few moments of consciousness I experience on the bus, I have seen some of the most amazing landscapes, filled with mountains and a glorious coastline. I have walked through many beautifully designed basilicas and wandered through Gaudi’s brilliant Parc Guell with its elaborate mosaics and unique designs. And I can’t forget about the poppies. I have walked through fields of poppies, falling in love with how vibrantly they stand out from their background.
I have been overwhelmed by the power of some of my responses to pieces of art we have seen. Looking in to the eyes of Michelangelo’s David and at his tense hand was the first time a piece of art really affected me. On the contrary, I have also been overwhelmed by the times I have remained emotionally unconnected to a certain place or art piece while all around me people are experiencing the opposite.
And I have been overwhelmed by some of the relationships and connections I have made and witnessed within my class. I have experienced safety in friends and found them to be people with which I can interact with both intellectually and emotionally. The leaders and professors have been amazing at guiding us through the background of the pieces and places we visit and have acted as a place of grace and guidance for us students.
Needless to say, there is a lot to be thankful for and a lot to process. With every place I go and everything I see I find myself more and more overwhelmed…but it’s a good thing, I promise!
Laura Copping