Saturday - Synagogue in Florence

On Saturday Morning I went to service at the Synagogue with Ilana and Rachel. It was interesting experience even if I couln't understand a word that was said. I definately felt out of place during the service because I didn't understand the importance of the things going on around me, and I felt like I had to watch everyone around me to make sure that I didn't offend anyone. The only other times that I've been to a Jewish service have been for family services and I was surrounded by family members.

After the service Rachel, Joe and I went to chabad for lunch. Interestingly enough, I ended up sitting accross from a man who lived in Queens, NY. It's always interesting to be in a foriegn country and meet someone who lives very close to you. It shows that Florence really is a tourist city and that there are thousands of Americans visiting at any given time. In fact, almost all the people that the three of us talked to at chabad were tourists in Florence. Where people were visiting from was fairly diverse though. We met a couple from England, and Joe spent most of the time talking to two Persian women. The shared faith of those all eating together allowed for an environment where people were open to talking to strangers and learning about eachother. Again I felt out of place, but it was more because I knew that I was probably the only person there that wasn't jewish rather than because I didn't understand what was going on. In most places I go I am a member of the majority, and it was interesting to experience what it feels like knowing I was different from the people around me.