A Hike And Picnic

Our TA’s got a group of us to join them on a hike up the mountain to a beautiful monastery. When they first had mentioned this idea I was a bit apprehensive when I heard that the hike was almost an hour there and back. But i’m so glad I felt like exploring Orvieto deeper and stepping out of what felt unfamiliar. This was one of the most rewarding experiences to date. Being able to climb the mountain and have the support of my peers while also enjoying the struggle in fellowship was really rewarding in the end. Once we got to the monastery we had one of the best views overlooking Orvieto. Seeing the duomo from afar gave me a whole different perspective of its beauty. We sat in a large grassy area that was full of trees and plants. This moment felt like it was bringing me back to my childhood. Everything seemed so simple. Being able to breath in the fresh air and feel connected to this sacred place was a feeling I had been longing to find. Something about that moment made me feel truly rooted to what Orvieto and this program has to offer. At the end of our lunch a guy on a horse came out of the bushes. We all joked that it felt like some medieval feverish dream. Unfortunately our time got cut short as it started to rain. Even though there were so many struggles, the journey in the end was worth it. Sometimes it’s so hard to find moments like these, so it’s special to hold on to them when you get the chance. I wonder how many opportunities like this I’ve missed out on just because I was afraid of challenging myself or didn’t believe I could do it.

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