A quick look at Italy.

Class is now in full swing. Renaissance Art History this month.
It is very, very interesting, but also quite challenging, as I am a complete amateur when it comes to this particular subject. I have no idea what the heck I'm looking at for the most part. We have a good professor though, and he makes it pretty easy to understand. The whole guiding theme of this course is that, in stark difference to our current culture, the culture of the Renaissance had a very distinct set of shared symbolism that allowed even those that were totally uneducated to access the truths portrayed in this art. So really, the course involves learning to view these huge, sprawling Renaissance artworks through the eyes of a viewer of the times. It's really quite fascinating.
Also, I've learned a tiny bit of Italian. I can order a cappuccino, I can buy envelopes and stamps, I can apologize for being a dumb American, etc...
The food has not ceased to be amazing.
Over the last couple weeks, I have had the opportunity to see quite a bit that I wish so badly you could all be with me to witness...
The huge black stones of the Roman roads in Rome.
The olive groves in Assisi.
The aerial view of the huge piazza in Siena.
Most of all, however, I want you to see Orvieto itself. In my opinion, Orvieto is the most beautiful city I've ever seen. There is nothing that compares to this tiny town on top of a long and narrow mesa. The colors here are indescribable—so many shades of orange and red and tan, contrasting with the beautiful deep green of the leaves and the shutters, the fading blue of the distant mountains. This place is unreal.
As soon as I get some pictures uploaded, I will post a link so you can see them.