Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 17

What I’ve Learned this Week – Italy and COVID

When I purchased our plane tickets to Europe in March I was hopeful by August we were going to be able to go.

Slowly but surely people started getting vaccinated and the virus started to decrease. Europe opened its borders and we got the green light to go.

So we went.

When we were in Italy we saw similar things that we see in the United States – some people were against the vaccinations. I spoke with someone in Verona about the atmosphere and apparently it’s a political issue not just in the United States but around the world.

People are using COVID as a political issue on both sides of the pond.

While in Italy anytime we went inside we were forced to wear masks. We carried our CDC vaccination cards and had to show it multiple times because some places you were not allowed to enter unless you had proof of your vaccination.

I didn’t feel like they were infringing on me. I felt like they were trying to keep everyone safe.

Half the world may disagree.

Someone in Italy said, “You have to show ID to drive. You have to show ID to vote. You have to show ID for so many other things. Why not for this as well? What liberties are being taken away by having to show the Green Pass? But there are many people here screaming it. You may not want it, but don’t complain when you can’t do somethings.” (The Green Pass is the European identification issued this summer to show you are vaccinated.)

In various cities throughout Italy we would ask the hotel staff or tour guides or restaurants how they were recovering and each one said it was rough. A few are still hopeful it will get better. And many thanked us for coming from America to tour Italy. “We love Americans,” they would say as we would poke fun of ourselves and how we butchered their language. “We miss the Americans.”

For example, Venice is one of the tourist highlights of Italy that usually average over 100,000 tourists a day per our gondola host. Now it is only about 30,000. Shops and restaurants have closed or have cut back on their days open because they can barely stay afloat. Trains were empty as we were traveling between the touristy cities and villages.

Italy was hurt bad because of COVID with a large portion of their country shutdown for weeks at a time. The tourist industry is still struggling, but they were so friendly to us.

I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Just that COVID isn’t just an issue in the United States with people for or against vaccinations. It’s not just an issue in the US where people feels it’s their rights to not be vaccinated.

It really is a global issue. And we all have a part in ending this virus. If we don’t try to take care of one another either by vaccinations or wearing masks or social distancing or being conscious of our surroundings this trend is peaks and valleys are going to continue.

And I like traveling and living to much to stay cooped up inside.

May we all work together to end this struggle…because people in America are still struggling due to COVID in the hospitality sectors.

Hopefully things will be better by November when we fly to Portugal…I already have my COVID tests to take with me, so unless they close the borders Lisbon, here I come.

Peace

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Bolzano – The Valley

I woke up this morning before dawn and headed north from Verona for a two hour train ride to the cuff of the alps, to the small village of Bolzano.

I never imagined an Italian city to be mostly German speaking. I knew Switzerland which is to the northwest of Italy had many official languages, but I wasn’t aware until this trip of the German influence in Northern Italy.

We traveled around the valley. Walking along the streets with cafes and gelatos for a little bit this morning before taking a gondola ride up to its neighboring town of Obejdjsndnjdje.

This little community reminded me so much of Switzerland. We oohed and awwed at the mountains in the distance, taking many photographs while standing 1000s of feet above Bolzano.

In life we are at times on the top of the mountain. Then there are times when you are in the valley. But I would think, most of the time, we are on the gondola ride to and from the high or low moments.

I wish I could say I’m always climbing. Trying to push myself in ways to become better. Trying to expand on many levels. Trying to chase the next dream that catches my interest.

But many times, I feel stuck on the gondola…just hanging there with no movement up or down.

It is hard climbing up in life. It is sad when you have to climb down in life. But there is something very disheartening about the static lukewarmness of just dangling with no plans or gumption to move in one direction.

Some would think the climb down is far worse than the status quo of doing nothing, but at least when you climb down you are still moving toward something. The climb down doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It could be a time to regroup, to reprocess, to reimagine, to replan. But you can’t do that on the mountaintop. You need to be on the study valley floor to see something new to look up to.

When you’re on the mountaintop there isn’t much to look up to…you mostly look down.

That could be a double edged sword. But don’t fret over the descent. Don’t worry about what people may say when you climb down. Don’t give their negative thoughts one minute of your time.

But once you reach the valley, don’t stay there. You can dangle in the limbo of the valley just as you can in the in between. God can use the in between…as long as you are willing to be used and step out where He calls.

That is the difference. Many people, including myself, don’t like the step out process. We prefer to have a nice gondola ride to the top. But life isn’t a gondola ride. It’s a hike. It’s a journey. It’s a climb.

But if you don’t like to climb…it may be a sad life of no dreams to follow or chances to take.

There is a thrill in taking that first unknown step.

There’s not a thrill hanging out on a stuck gondola.

Which life do you want to live?

Stuck or moving?

It’s your choice. So choose wisely. It will impact so much more than you will ever know.

Peace

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Verona – It’s More Than Romeo & Juliet

We left Lucca this morning and had a little mishap with the trains…but we finally got to Verona.

I never thought about going to Verona before this trip, but every time I did searches for great small cities in Italy, Verona was always on the list. I love the small villages of Italy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rome, but small little villages are great.

And guess what Verona is called? Little Rome.

It has an arena like the Colosseum. It has a nice river front. It has old Roman buildings and frescos.

Just like Rome.

Another thing they have is the mystery behind Shakespeare’s most famous play.

Many scholars believe William wasn’t the original writer. It is actually a story that has been written multiple times by Italian and French writers before Shakespeare put his spin on it.

And the history goes it is a true story. We went past Juliet’s house and saw the famous balcony…but did you know, the house originally didn’t have a balcony. They built it into the house for tourists. Having a balcony in the 1400s wasn’t safe…so the famous scene of Romeo outside her window was just a good love story.

Also the reason 90% of tourists come to Verona to see the balcony is actually a fraud.

But it is still a good story to tell.

And some people actually believe Romeo and Juliet didn’t die, but tricked people into thinking they died with the sleeping potion. Their families really did not like one another so they ran off.

But happily ever after isn’t a great tragedy that people love to read…unless you’re a Hallmark junkie.

So, who knows the truth. We shall never know.

And that’s okay. It is still an interesting story either way you believe.

I guess it is true to not judge a book, a city, a person by the cover or what you have been told. It is better to read the book and figure it out for yourself. It’s better to travel to the unknown and see the wonders for yourself. It’s better to have a communication with a stranger before passing judgement on them.

Who knows…you could be wrong.

May we listen before we speak. And unless you know the full story, it may be wise to stay silent.

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

William Shakespeare As You Like It

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2 Walled Cities in 1 Day

I think if anyone says Italy one of the main things people think of is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Contrary to what some people think, it’s not in Rome…it’s in Pisa…hint Leaning Tower of PISA).

The 5 of us left Riomaggiore extra early this morning, leaving behind the boundary of the Mediterranean Sea as the sun was dawning to experience our next city, Pisa and then Lucca. The boundary in Pisa and Lucca are the walls surrounding the city as a barrier of protection built years ago.

I came to Pisa during my first trip to Italy years ago. I spent the entire day there, but Pisa doesn’t need an entire day. A morning would be enough.

It was interesting, even though it was 8 years ago, it felt the same. I saw the same McDonald’s I ate at for supper back then (yes…after a week of only Italian food I needed some french fries). The only thing different was the smaller crowds and the 4 extra people along the journey this time. Last time I came people were everywhere. Not this morning.

You can see the effects of COVID in Italy.

In Milan, our tour guide said how hard Milan was hit and the crowds still have not come back. Then tonight with Lucca we went to a vineyard and the owner said, “I love Americans. They used come here and eat and buy lots. They aren’t coming now. COVID has really hurt us.”

It’s interesting. Both of these cities had a wall to protect it, but COVID didn’t care about the wall. It trespassed over the hedge of protection and caused some damage. Walking around the cities in Italy, many restaurants are not open. The crowds are gone. Plazas that would have been full two years ago have plenty of room for people to stroll and take in the gelato if you can find a shop open.

But just like these walled cities we all have some form of protection that can easily torn down. We may have a bank of wealth, but one wrong financial decision can evaporate it. We may have all the knowledge in the world, but if no one to teach it, what is the use. We may have a home, but one natural or unnatural disaster can wreck it to rubble.

We are all protected in some way…but we also can fall victim just as easy.

The only true source of protection is through God’s merciful grace.

Storms cannot destroy His protection. Economy downturns cannot vanish His lavish love. Enemies can fall victim to their own schemes as He watches over His loves.

How quickly we realize how vulnerable we are when we in a low place.

May we all rise upon His shoulders and stand firmly on His wall of protection.

We may still face troubled times. We may see a portion of our wall damaged. We may experience the heartache of enemy attacks. We may lose some battles.

But through it all, He will still be there. He will be the ever constant wall around us. He will be the fortress that is impenetrable on an eternity timeframe. He will be the victor in the end.

He never promised protection in this life. He just promised to be there when we need protecting. And if He chooses to protect or not, we can still rest in the hope that He is capable to withstand every weapon formed by man.

May we rest in that as we sleep tonight in safety.

Peace

Tomorrow…The love story of Romeo and Juliet in Verona.

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Cinque Terra with Cinque People

We left Milan early this morning and journeyed for 4 hours to Cinque Terra. Cinque Terra is a UNISECO world sight that is 5 little fisherman villages along the Mediterranean coast on cliffs.

We walked around, took a ferry ride to see all the villages from the water, played in the sea at one of the beaches, and then started journeying up north.

We were at the third village and headed to the fourth when we got split up somehow. I’m writing this blog as we wait to reconnect. Been waiting for 45 minutes.

Spotty cell service kept us disconnected. I didn’t know where she was at and she didn’t know where we were at. But apparently we were at the same station for some time and didn’t know it. We journeyed on after getting a text thinking she was already at the next village.

Life is full of curve balls. But life is still good no matter the mixups and mishaps. We may have a funny story once we get reunited, but not yet. Still waiting apart.

There are many things we all take for granted. The ease of communication is overlooked except for when you can’t communicate. Then you see it as a precious commodity.

A friend mentioned years ago to daily write 5 things you are grateful for and your attitude will change. She mentioned how it was easy at first, but after months it started to become harder because she didn’t want to repeat her list. Then she started realizing everything is something to be grateful for. The air we breathe, minty toothpaste, the little metal piece that holds your eraser on a pencil.

When we shift our attitude to seek out things we are grateful for, it’s like the veil is lifted and you start to see things in a different light. You may still have mixups, but you will realize that God has everything planned out. He has a way of getting things back in order even when we often go our own way in the wrong direction.

God is a God of detours. Sometimes He puts them in our way to slow us down and sometimes He puts them in our way to get us back on track.

Don’t groan at the detours. It may have a purpose.

I just just got a call from her. We should all be together again in 30 minutes. Let’s hope.

Flash forward…we reunited.

On to supper…I’m hungry.

Peace

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The Last Supper…and Also the First

When I booked the flight to Milan, it wasn’t to see Milan…it was just because Milan was the cheapest city to fly into.

So, I didn’t have high expectations. Milan is a large metropolitan city with skyscrapers and the fashion capital of the world – which didn’t impress me.

But it has a lot of history.

As I walked upon Plaza del Duomo it brought back memories of visiting the Duomo in Florence. Duomo is just an Italian cathedral. But in Italy, nothing is just a cathedral. They go big with everything.

Years and years of building the white cathedral that looked like a birthday cake with its many spires like candles ready to be blown out. The beauty of the stained glass windows, which houses the most in any place. The bigness of the inside causes one to get lost in the tiny details.

It just is remarkable of the craftsmanship.

As we left we walked through the city and witnessed the largest castle in Italy. Once again, Italians do not just do castles. They build big ones.

Finally we ended our journey stepping back in time to a monastery where monks would eat their dinner besides Leonardo di Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper.

I have seen Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The Sistine Chapel, a couple of times but this was the first time to witness this epic mural.

This mural isn’t a small painting, but it is huge.

It is said Da Vinci painted Jesus and the Disciples so large so when the monks were eating they would think the mural was life size.

It is unbelievable to see such a historic piece of art a few feet away. I love art. Hearing the process, the story, the reason. It’s like listening to a writer explaining why he writes or a singer saying why she sings.

I love knowing the backstory.

Because doesn’t everything have a backstory?

We may see someone’s perfect life, but we don’t see the struggles. We witness their grand feats, but we don’t see the times of failure.

Sometimes the backstory is better than the final product.

We finally left the monastery after 15 minutes of being in the small room and went to our hotel.

We quickly got ready for our first official supper in Italy. And some gelato for desert.

So here’s to Milan…both suppers were pretty impressive.

Peace

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A Family That Travels Together…

Let’s hope the saying is true. Hopefully by the end of this trip we will still be staying together, wanting to take pictures together, enjoying each other’s company.

I have been incredibly blessed with a great family. A family that enjoys each other’s company. It doesn’t feel like a punishment or a “have to” to gather with them.

We choose to gather.

They say you choose your friends, but not your family. But what about when your family becomes your friends. Is that just luck?

Some would call it a punishment, but not me. You never know how long you have with each other.

So don’t wait to make memories.

Time is more precious than the money in your savings account. Memories are more valuable than your 401k. Good laughs are better for the soul than all the medicine in the world.

This is me on Day 1…my thoughts may change by Day 7.

So, hopefully each of you are living your life with the purpose of making memories. Memories may fade, but hopefully the people you are with will remind you of them in your old age.

If they get old and can’t remember…at least we will have Facebook to remind us.

Peace

Maybe I can finally convince my dad to travel. Maybe.

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Tomorrow is the Beginning

Tomorrow will be the beginning of another incredible trip. After months of waiting on passports and travel restrictions to be lifted it’s time to take flight.

I have been planning this trip for a while. Finding the hotels, trains, sights to see…it seems like in life we are always looking forward to the tomorrows.

Thankfully, tomorrow will be here soon, but sadly, we are not guaranteed the tomorrows. We are only guaranteed the now.

So, what are you looking forward to that you are not guaranteed to ever seeing?

Not to sound depressing, but why wait for the tomorrows?

Why not make it now!

There may be obstacles in your way or other reasons that you cannot do it today, but maybe you can tackle those obstacles now so your tomorrow can be sooner.

May our fears not hold us back.

May our doubts not tie us to the ground.

May our weaknesses not define our tomorrows.

You were born for more. You were made for more. You are capable of more.

So start reaching for your dreams. Who knows, you may even touch them once you reach for them. He believes in you…you need to believe in you too.

Peace

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The Olympics Are Here

I love the Olympics. Everything that it stands for. The unity it brings. The diversification. The heartwarming stories. The accolades for competing.

I often wonder how 4th place finishers feel. To come so close to a medal and miss by a second or a point.

But I say well done. It is an accomplishment in itself to get to the Olympics.

We all know of the athletes that are favored to win, but what about the athletes from countries that have never medaled. What about athletes that work full-time jobs to survive and train any spare minute they have. What about the dream chasers who know they will not medal, yet will try their best.

Well done to you. Well done.

As I was watching the opening ceremony my heart jumped when I saw Argentina walk into the arena. They embodied the Olympic spirit. They were jumping. They were singing/chanting. They were excited to be apart of this moment in time.

They were making the best out of an awkward Olympic start.

Well done to you Argentinians. Well done.

Will all of them win a medal? No. Will any of them win? Who knows. But they were living their lives to the fullest in that brief moment of time. Years down the road they can look back and recall that moment.

Do you have those moments?

Those moments when you danced in the rain for no other reason than you were happy. That moment when you burst out laughing and couldn’t catch your breathe. That time when life was good.

I hope you have those moments.

We may never be able to experience the cheers of a perfect dive telecast to billions, but we can live our lives with the same excitement and joy.

So as we start these next two weeks with thrills of victory and painful defeats, may we remember these are just people chasing their dreams. Dreams they have probably had since they were little kids. Dreams that people told them was unreachable.

May they each feel their dreams come to pass with or without a medal.

May you watch and feel awed by their dedication and perseverance. May you seek out a dream of your own to strive for. May we each feel the Olympic spirit and let it sink into our hearts.

Peace

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Free Book for Download

I hope each of you have a great weekend. What a better way to start a weekend than with a good book. You can download my first book on Amazon for Free for a limited time.

So, what are you waiting for?

Click the link below and enjoy Book 1 of Solomon’s Dreams.

Solomon’s Dreams: The Hunting at Huntington https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HLFNKTB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_CJD30MSNJ83E8V91DNNS

Peace and have a great weekend!

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