31 May Exploring Firenze
After being here for almost a week, I have come to understand why Dante was so passionately in love with this city. Every time we walk somewhere, whether it is to get gelato or climbing the Duomo, every aspect of Florence is beautiful. One of the most powerful moments for me was when I reached the top of the Duomo. I could see everything, but nothing below could clearly see me. I felt small and insignificant. It was the most comforting feeling in the world. The view and the feeling that over came me as I climbed to the top inspired something in me which I have not felt in over a year. I was exploding with words. I had more to say, that was actually meaningful, than I have in a long time. I could not stop writing. I suddenly grew a better understanding of myself, the world, and the amazing work Dante created because of this city. Its beauty is captivating, it makes you understand the ugly, it makes you appreciate life, it makes you recognize exactly what beauty is when encompassed by a city.
Furthermore, what moved me the most was the symbolism I found in climbing the Duomo and reading Dante. This is what I wrote my poem on for class. I felt like I was climbing closer to heaven, which for Dante seemed to be closer to reasoning and understanding his being, but I also felt this strange let down, maybe I even a slight depression as I approached the bottom and was thrust back into reality. At that moment, I felt closer to hell. I knew what Dante was curious of and why he explored hell so much. I started to feel that I will always look at life differently because I have experience such moving and powerful moments on this trip. I guess this is what it means to be cultured. I guess it means discovering a deeper understanding of life. It’s seeing so much beauty that things you used to think were beautiful suddenly evoke a completely different perception. Most importantly, knowing the difference between such beauty and ugliness makes you appreciate the beautiful moments even more. There is a lyric that reminds me of this, it reads, “without the sour, the sweet wouldn’t taste.” I think this is what Dante might have realized after exploring hell. He saw the sour, and now he can have an even better appreciation of the sweet.
