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Published: September 3rd 2006
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September 2, 2006
Today we got a lovely wake up call…at 5:30 in the morning! It is absolutely insane. We had to get ready quickly so we could beat the tourists (hmmm, I’m a tourist…) to the Vatican. So after a slow start, we finally got going.
The Vatican is so gorgeous in the morning!!! Lines were nearly nonexistent. We walked around for about 15 minuets before we went down to the catacombs to have mass. We didn’t even have to go down the way everyone else does. We were taken outside and around through a special door to go in. Our priest on campus gave mass, and then led us out. I saw Pope JP2’s grave and many other popes’ before him. I was really shocked. My impressions on how a catacomb should be are grossly off the target. It is clean with walls of cream. Then there is a replica of St. Peter’s tomb behind the alter. I really didn’t get a wonderful look at it though, we were slightly crowded in the pews, and I was nearly in the back. However it was still a wonder to behold. All the customs and history is really
Swiss Guard
these guys are serious, but it was fun trying to make them smile a bit:D daunting. I had to take a couple of breaths making myself think rationally and to take it in as best as possible.
We left the catacombs and returned to the main church, where Monsignor Thomas gave us little facts and stories about the various statues that make up St. Peter’s. Really later on this semester we will be given more information, as today was just to get us over the initial awe/shock, although, I will probably always giggle to myself when I see a Swiss Guard. They really do wear period suits, yet they are not in the least bit undermined by them, they take their jobs very seriously. We got one of them to smile though.
Meeting at the obelisk in the middle of the piazza, we split up into groups to meet back at the forum later in the day. My group included Dr. Hadley, my philosophy teacher who is a bachelor with long hair. He is a pretty fun guy. First we learned how to cross a street. No kidding. I can now say that I’ve stopped traffic, which appears crazy to those not used to it, but apparently they are really good drivers, just
Forum
our quick, very quick run through, i managed to take a couple of pics though:D very aggressive. So we walked to la Piazza del Popolo and had coffee in one of the little cafés on the side. From there we walked to the Spanish Steps, which really was a let down. I was expecting more of a “Roman Holiday” look to them, but they are squished between other buildings and plagued with Romans trying to con the tourists. A man selling roses came up beside me buzzing his lips. Seriously. Then he tapped my mouth with the rose and started to say something in Italian that I’m sure he thought was supposed to impress me. However, Sarah warned me as did John (Resident Assistant, he graduated from UD last year). We filled up our water bottles in the fountain and then left to Capitoline. There we met up with the other groups from UD and rested for a bit. Once again we split up and walked through the forum and by the Coliseum on our way to the pizzeria. We didn’t go into depth this trip as we will be spending a LOT of time there during our Art & Architecture class this semester. Dr. Hadley told us that we will know it like the back of our hands by the time we leave for home.
After eating at noon (early for Italians) we left to learn the metro better by finding our way back home. It was fairly easy. Watch out for gypsies. Keep an eye to your pockets. Validate your ticket and make sure you DON’T lose it. This last one is really important. The government has officials that come around and randomly ask people for their tickets/recites. The fine isn’t worth it, but apparently only 40% of all income is reported in Rome, the rest is under the table. So it is the government’s way of making sure that they make money.
Finally we got home at 2. There is a bus stop close to campus so all we have to do is catch it and take it into Rome and from there we can get to just about everywhere. Part of the Rome Program pays for our tickets, so we don’t pay right now. We can go to the business office to get as many tickets as is needed (it is run by the Dr. who is also my Italian teacher).
Other than that, I have just slept trying to get a normal sleeping pattern again. We had a formal dinner tonight as our official welcome to Rome, but for the most part it was just telling us the credentials of the various professors/staff here on the Dui Santi Campus.
Tomorrow holds much promise, but tonight is for sleeping. Sweet dreams.
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Sarah
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I forgot to tell you about gypsies!
Oh! How could I forget to tell you about them. They mill around trying to give you sprigs of greens like rosemary and stuff. If you take it they will grab your hand, tell your fortune and then demand money. And just a euro wont do. SO! Don't take their plants. What ever you do! Don't take their plants! I love you so much and miss you too!