Italy

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Rome, Florence and Genoa

Altar of the Fatherland in Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy
Coffered ceiling in the Pantheon in Rome, Italy
The oculus of the Pantheon in Rome, Italy
Barcaccia Fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps
View of Genova
Olive Vineyard in Florence, Italy
Hills of Florence, Italy
View of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy
Ponte Vecchio, Bridge in Florence, Italy
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy
Streets of Florence, Italy
View of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy

The study-abroad semester ended in Italy, first Genoa, then Florence and finally Rome. The museums in Genoa contained many famous historic pieces of art. The streets of Florence were well decorated for the Christmas season, yet on any hilltop, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands out as the dominant structure over the city, night and day. While walking through the streets of Rome, it is difficult to see the horizon, but easy to see the next tasty display of gelato. The streets are pedestrian friendly, some too narrow for any car. Ruins and other beautiful monuments are scattered throughout the city, which motivates the tired explorer to continue walking.

London

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England

London Eye along the River Thames
Palace of Westminster along the River Thames, London, England
Palace of Westminster along the River Thames, photo by Vange
London, England
Palace of Westminster in London, UK
Along the River Thames in London, England
London Bridge in London England
View of the The Gherkin Building in London England
Millennium Bridge in London England
View of St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England
Along the River Thames in London, England
London City Hall Building by the London Bridge

London, England was mainly a stop over for a day and a half before my flight back to the States. Fortunately, the sky was blue for most of the day as I toured the city by map, on foot and metro. The most beautiful sites were along the Thames River. By night, I walked to the Buckingham Palace from the Metro, through a dark, poorly lit park. I wasn’t comfortable with the situation one bit, but as I walked in the dark, praying for God’s protection without a person in sight. All of a sudden, I heard voices close behind me, which was strange because they were not there just seconds ago. They couldn’t have caught up to me that quickly. I thought they were a couple at first, but then they seemed to be friends, man and woman. Seeming friendly, I decided to speak them, then walked with them to the front of the gate. I recall them telling me that they were on their way somewhere out of my direction, but at the end, we went the same way, to the front of Buckingham Palace and back to the train station. Another strange thing about it was how the girl I spoke to jumped backwards into the train right before the door closed. Sometimes I wonder if they were angels that appeared as strangers. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.“

Berlin in the Fall

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Germany

Jewish Museum in Berlin. Germany
Berlin Cathedral in Berlin, Germany
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin, Germany
Reichstag dome in Berlin Germany
Sony Center Umbrella in Berlin, Germany

From Spain, we flew to Berlin in casual Fall temperature clothing, but the day after we arrived it started to snow while we were on a walking tour. After the snow stopped, the sun came out and the light from the clouds created a glow of light right on the face of the Berlin Cathedral.

City by the Sea

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Lisbon Portugal

Sunset by the Belém Tower
View of the Tagus from the Belém Tower
Monument to the Overseas Combatants in LIsbon Portugal
View of the R. Do Carmo from the Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon, Portigal
Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon, Portigal
View of the Santa Justa Lift from R. de Sant Justa in Lisbon, Portigal
View of Lisbon from Castelo de S. Jorge in Portugal
View of Castelo de S. Jorge in Lisbon Portugal
Arco da Rua Augusta in Lisbon Portugal
Lisbon Cathedral
Igreja de Santa Engrácia, National Pantheon of Lisbon Portugal
Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Lisbon Portugal, photo by Vange

There’s a big difference in topography from one part of Lisbon to another. Walking between buildings usually involves walking up or down exterior stairs, but along the path, there are beautiful views of the city and the Tagus River. Pedestrian walkways are lit up at night and the sun sets perfectly by the Belém Tower.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Canal in Amsterdam
Canal in Amsterdam
Bike parking garage in Amsterdam
Multatuli statue

Amsterdam was a short stop over before heading to Uganda. We took the train from the airport into the city, mostly to see Ann Frank’s house. That was the smoothest train ride I have ever experienced. The views of all the farms and windmills made the ride more enjoyable. For the first time, I saw a bicycle parking garage, an actual garage full of bikes, no cars whatsoever. I thought finding my car in a huge parking garage was hard, how much harder would it be to find a bike?

Lush Greenery in Uganda

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Mukono Uganda
Jinja along the Victoria Nile
Jinja along the Victoria Nile
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange
Jinja, Uganda along the Victoria Nile, Photo by Vange

Jinja, Uganda, Africa

Jinja, Uganda is very green and along the shore of the Victoria Nile even more. The soil is very rich with red clay and along the street, one can find piles of clay with a stack of hay in the middle with a fire burning to harden the brick.

Mukono was the destination for missionary work that involved designing a clinic for the elderly. We arrived in Kampala, then drove to Mukono shortly after. The landscape was mostly covered in greenery and in-between, rich red soil, perfect for brick. It was difficult to sleep that first night. The mattress was very crinkly, reminding me of old backyard furniture wrapped in plastic. I was up all night and as soon as I saw daylight coming through the window, I walked out to the front of the house and saw layers of landscape in hues of purple.

Pedestrian Haven

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Paris, France

Eiffel Tower in Paris France
Arc de Triomphe in Paris France
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris France
Paris around the Seine
Villa Savoye by architect Le Corbusier in Poissy, France
Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris France
View of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Galerie Vero Dodat Passage of Paris France
Statue on the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris France
The Centre Pompidou in Paris France
Parc de Belleville in Paris France
The Winged Victory of Samothrace

The study-abroad semester started in Paris, mostly walking around to different areas from the old Paris to the modern. Many of the buildings are filled with reliefs that altogether bring about a dramatic feel. The city is never dark as the buildings are lit up and the Eiffel Tower sparkles with blinking lights that change motion and or color. As boats with lit decks filled with tourists pass underneath the bridge, locals watch from above while enjoying wine and cheese. One can catch an amazing view of Paris from the rooftop of the Arab World Institute or the Sacré-Cœur.