padova.

march 20, 2013

Time in NJ: 5:30 pm
Italy (Padova): 10:30 pm

We checked into the Hotel Sheraton Padova at around 5:30 pm, here in Italy. We had arrived in Rome, hopped on a bus, and traveled six hours to Padova where we will stay until Saturday. Note to self for future travel plans: exchange money at home, NOT at the airport. The kiosk for currency exchanged sucked the life out of the money I had brought. 200 dollars = 125 Euros. Rough.

The bus trip through the countryside toward Padova was peaceful and renewing. Although uncomfortable from hunger and fatigue, I enjoyed looking out the window and seeing all the buildings, landscapes, and agricultural structures found in magazines come to life. This stuff actually exists! And it is even more photogenic than the photos... well, I suppose that's a given.

After arriving at the hotel, we entered our room to find that it was a double! After an hour of loitering, we went to a pizza place in downtown Padova where the pizza is loads less greasy than American pies.

And now... I'm sitting on the hotel bed writing and quietly chatting with Alex Ge.

All this foreign travel business has not only psyched me out for this trip, but also for the Taiwan STM in July. I think that the reason why so many people want to travel is because God has instilled a spirit of adventure and mission for distant, unreached lands in their heart. It is a heart for the advancement of the gospel that they may know or have yet to come to know.