FSY & TRAINING- ITALIAN STYLE

We flew to Florence, Italy Sunday night to meet and train our new service missionary couple, Elder Dario and Sister Alba Vardeu. They are locals from Rome but are vacationing with their family in Tuscany. We met them in Marina de Massa, as it was close to the location of our FSY project. We gathered on the balcony of our hotel overlooking the Ligurian Sea (part of the Mediterranean). What a setting! They are simply delightful, and we look forward to serving together. Despite the language barrier we connected heart to heart, spirit to spirit. We are meeting such amazing people on our mission!

Marina de Massa

Grosseto

We had the privilege of attending an FSY (For the Strength of Youth) conference in Grosseto, Italy. 540 youth from four countries (Italy, Malta, Macedonia, and Albania) gathered for five days to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. Activities included devotionals, classes, activities, and service. On Wednesday we joined them for a service activity to assemble 1145 school kits for vulnerable first graders. These kits will be distributed to children in Palermo, Sicily and in Alessandria, Venice and Milano, Italy. It is always a joy to associate with the rising generation.

While we were in Tuscany, we took the opportunity to visit some magical places. The drive was beautiful with fields and fields of sunflowers.

Lucca

Lucca is a hidden gem. Encircled by well-preserved Renaissance walls, this was a charming town to wander in for a few hours. Puccini was born here.

Palazzo Pfanner

This beautiful home was built in 1660 for the Moriconi family who were part of the merchant nobility. They sold to silk merchants in 1680 who sold to the Pfanners (Austrians brewers) in the middle of the 19^th century. Pietro Pfanner was a distinguished doctor and mayor of Lucca from 1920-22. As the chief surgeon at the local hospital, he ran an out-patient clinic in the basement of this home.

San Michele in Foro Church

Piazza Anfiteatro is circular in shape because it is built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater. It was a lovely place for lunch.

San Gimignano

Words cannot describe this Medieval Manhattan, named for its skyline of ancient towers. The blend of medieval architecture with charming streets and warm, friendly people is hard to beat.

Sant Agostino church with renaissance frescoes and a tranquil cloister.

View of Tuscan countryside from Rocca de Montestaffoli -an ancient fortress.

View of San Gimignano from our B&B

It was worth the long line to taste the gelato at Gelateria Dondoli!

Pasti Deliziosi in San Gimignano

Siena

Ric Steves says Siena is his favorite place to revel in medieval Italy. We enjoyed wandering its streets.

We ate lunch at Piazza del Campo with a view of town hall. This unique plaza is in the shape of a shell. As we were eating, pilgrims entered the piazza from all different directions carrying the flags of their countries. US, Chile, Spain, and Korea were represented. They are passing through Siena on their way to Rome for Jubilee year.