domenica, 28 giugno, 2009 - Roma

Buon Giorno a tutti!

I did the things I would typically do on a Sunday, but they are just so different here in Rome!!

First, I got my wake up call, then decided to just roll over and stay in bed a little longer. An hour or so later, Josie woke me up and told me she would wait for me at breakfast. I took my quick shower ( btw we have an awesome bathroom: tub, adjustable shower, large sink, toilet and bidet) then headed down to breakfast. Fortunately they were just bringing out more cocomero (watermelon) and melone (cantaloupe). I had my usual cornetto e capuccino and then headed off to church. 

Well, being in Rome, we have many choices as far as churches go, but we decided that we needed to go to the Vatican! 

We had to pass through security, then we could visit Saint Peter's Basilica. 

Once we entered the church, immediately to our right was La Pieta`. How beautiful! As we walked down the nave toward the rear of the church, the statues of the Popes are just breathtaking!

 Mass was said behind Bernini's main altar and each part of the mass was in a different language: Latin, Italian, Spanish, French... There were also so many people there. It was incredible to just listen to the mass, while looking up at Michelangelo's cuppola. I still wonder how they were able to build such a huge and beautiful building - 500 years ago.

After mass we parted our ways, as Josie and her fratello were going to visit the Tombs of the Popes and I was headed home for our daily dinner. Yes, I now call our hotel "home." The crowd was so thick trying to exit that we were not able to move too fast, then a murmur rose from the crowd - the Pope had appeared in his window!! Everyone fell silent and stopped moving. He gave a short sermon and blessing and then in each language welcomed the different groups of people who were present - many with flags and messages.

Luckily I wasn't too far from the colonnade where I was able to make a quick exit - only to find that my bus was at least a 15 minute wait, so I decided to walk home. It was a nice walk - except the last 10 minutes uphill... but that's okay - I'm in Rome!!

I arrived just in time for dinner - and there were only 13 of us!! We have pasta with fish for our primo - delicious little mussels and clams as well as calamari and sword fish. For our second dish there was sword fish and fagiolini. And for dessert....crostata con frutta fresca!! I ate it before I could get a picture!!

Now I am just relaxing in the shade of the terrace overlooking the pool and Rome. 

Che bella giornata!!