In order for you to really appreciate why I look forward to Sundays so much, you must understand the rigors of this specialized training program. A typical day starts with 8:30 a.m. Italian language classes, a short 30 minute break for lunch and opera rehearsals until approximately 8-8:30... with a short break for dinner in there somewhere. Add weekly private language and diction coaching as well as private voice lessons, the days get full pretty quickly. However, our nights are not complete until we've had a recital, concert or master class. When we finally arrive home, we say our prayers that we survived the day and ask for strength to make it through the next one. Six days a week, this is our life in Italy. Please don't misunderstand, I really do love what I am learning and doing, but can I just say, "Hallelujah for Sundays!!"
However, like most women of our faith, rest cannot be truly achieved without going to church. So we decided to take a trip to Rimini. As we attempted to explain to the bus driver where we wanted to go (with our very broken and immature Italian language skills) I realized that it could be a long day of wandering the city with no guarantee that we'd make it to our destination in time for our worship services. Before the bus even departed, my legs were tired and I was wishing I had brought more water! ;-)
After an hour long bus ride, we made it to our transfer stop. Today seemed warmer than usual as we looked at the schedule and saw we had missed the connecting bus. Slightly deflated, we realized we had two options: wait or walk. Looking at the map, we resolved ourselves to making the two mile trek.
I must say, by the end of our little jaunt I was elated to see this sign.
I don't remember the last time I felt such joy over seeing one of our church buildings. Happy tears streamed down my cheeks as I walked through these doors and made my way to join the congregation. By the time we left, we felt re-energized and ready for the coming week. Every step in the hot sun was worth it.
