Money, the Duomo of Florence, Rome, and Some Sheep

In the past couple days, I've seen landscapes and architecture the awe inspired by which surpassed anything in my life.

We saw a Medici estate, which was quite extensive, and walked up to a location which had an incredible view of Florence. We also went to museum which explained an history of money and banking in the city. The economic effects of Florence on the rest of Europe were important, as many important ways of money-lending found their beginnings within Florentine families. We played a game throughout the museum which involved us trying to gain profit using currency exchange and trading to avoid usury laws. This game showed both how usury laws made the economy more of a struggle and less efficient, and how a social aspect intertwined with trading because of a need for trust between agents. Overall, it was a very cool experience, but the next day . . . that was a treat.

Art, architecture, generations of labor, intense beliefs, and a spectacular view, all within one gigantic building. The Duomo was . . . unbelievable. The main hall was a thing of magnificence, something from a movie, perhaps, or fantasy. The way in which it was constructed seems beyond human comprehension. Huge columns lanced upwards, supporting a ceiling covered in art which depicted the fundamental Christian themes of Heaven and Hell. The sense of awe was increased with an enforced silence, so that only an ambient sound, almost resembling wind, could be heard. After a long ascent up narrow stairs flanked by cold stone walls, a gorgeous three hundred and sixty degree view of Florence can be found at the top of the structure. This view completed the Duomo experience for me. It is an awesome structure from the foundation to the cross, from the view at street level to its view of Florence, from the beginning of its construction just before the fourteenth century to its completion well over a hundred years later.

Anywaayyy, we left Florence in search of a sheep farm which showed us an ecological side of the sheep industry. We explored the importance of biodiversity by eating a delicious, almost extinct type of sheep. Okay, so maybe I could have worded that a little better. This type is actually specifically bred and farmed to be kept from extinction. The village was situated in the mountains, where it offered a wonderfully pleasant view to anyone wishing to be transported back to the simplicity of many centuries past.

In this area though, it seems quite common to be transported back in time, everything is so old. It begs the question: why invent a time-machine when you could just travel to Italy? But here I am now, sitting on a bed in Rome. I can't wait to see what this city offers me, understanding what was offered in the last.

Dan Spencer