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Published: July 12th 2009
I just finished my 6th week of internship in Brussels! I've been in Europe for two monthes now! WOW!
Dad flew in tuesday, and was greeted with wonderful(ok typical) Belgium weather: rain, clouds, and chilly. and did I mention rain. I think he managed to survive the weather, throughout his trips to the market in Brugge, the climb up Butte de Lione at Waterloo, and his journey to the Supermarket! 😉
We were soon off to Rome for the Weekend!
Friday We arrived late in the evening, thurdsday, and stayed at a lovely, with character and within college kids budget, b&b. It was great! It was a 5 minute walk to the Vatican, and 2 minutes to the metro! So we got up early Friday and headed to our tour of the four bascillica's of Peter, Paul, John and Mary! What a very very neat journey to the 4 most important Churchs in the World!
I think especially as Catholics, and also especially as Christians, this was a very meaningful trip! We got to touch the four holy doors, ony opened every 25 years! All of these doors were beautiful, my favorite being the
Stairs
Said to be the Stairs that Christ walked up to meet Pontius Pilot before he was crucified. Brought back by Constatine's mother.one at Paul's Bascillica with the new addition of the John Paul II tribute(see pic). All of the Church's had magnificent artwork, ornation, decoration.... It was certainly very pretty(and perhaps a little over the top for todays modern ways... but still very nice).
Spent the afternoon touring the Colosseum, the archiological digs of the Roman Foreum, and the Palatine Hill. Amazing to walk the arena where the christians were killed by the lions as entertainment to the Romans. A very long day of walking but infomative. There are 7 hills of Roma and I think we walked up each...at least once! (Or so Dad's calves exclaim!)
Saturday Started Saturday off bright and early with a tour of The Vatican Museum and The Sistene Chapel. It is hard to believe that the Vatican Museum is 9 miles long...it seems like we walked it all. The artifacts helped give a better understanding of the Greek and Roman history over the years.... but it was somewhat orverwhelming. Luckily, many popes had a taste for art and some of the finest paintings and sculptures are contained within. The paintings by Ralphael and Michael Angelo are amazing and a sight
to beholdl. And truly, my only response is "I don't really know how to react ay appreciate this, I'm an engineer, and its certainly beautiful!"
There were way too many folks in there and at times felt very crowded...reminded me of Madi Gras in New Orleans. The folks in our tour group were from the US , Australia and London...even folks from Virginia beach, VA! We spent a couple of hourse helping a nice elderly lady find her family after being seperated in the mass of folks.
The line was about a 3 hour wait to see the crypts & catacombs of the Eternal city's underground burial chambers and it was so hot that we helped ourselves to a triple decker Gelati instead...any excuse will do to eat gelati!
(No really, any excuse... it was GOOD!) We raced back to our B&B , grab our bags and off to our final hotel...and what would happen but out of the blue on the metro escalator,
"What's the good word? And I turned around to see 5 college kids eyeing my GT T-shirt. My heart swelled up and of course I had to respond in tradition.... (see
Holy Door
Me and Dad at the Holy door of Sy. Paul's Basicilica. Only opened every juilee year everey 25 years. Cool thing about this door, is that Pope John Paul II opened it! And there is a very neat tribute to him in the lower right hand corner. wiki here yoour not sure of the proper response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Tech_traditions) ...
Sorry Camille 😉
Anyways, it really is great to have run into people from GT... two guys in France, 5 in Italy, Emma in the end of July.... It's really incredible the things my colleagues are accomplishing over here(or certainly at least seeing, doing, and experiencing). I can truly say, GT for the most part knows how to make, take, and exceed opportunity... and I'm estatic to be part of it!
After dropping our bags off, we started walking againg and touring other sites. We made the tour of the famous fountains starting with Piazza de Republica Fountain and ending at the Trevi Fountain. (both inspiring and beautiful!) Yes, Dad and I took turns making a wish and throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain.
Like all good days in Rome, it finished with more great Pasta! After dinner, we toured the city at night and ended up at a sidewalk cafe for dessert. We enjoyed the food and the Italians singing songs as a traveling musicians stopped and played for them...reminded me of Karaoke at home.
Sunday Woke
up very early and headed to the bus terminal and then a long wait at the airport. Landed in Brussels to rain and high winds. Took a bus ride and subway ride to downtown Brussels where we were saving the best for last...
Belgium waffles with strawberries and lots of whipped cream and Belgium chocolate at Elizabeth's Chocolate store (the best place to buy chocolate in Brussels!). C'est Bon!
Another train ride and a bus ride and back back safe and sound from our Roma pilgrimage. I think it will take weeks for our aching muscles, feet and backs to recuporate from the many miles we walked in 3 days... a trip of a lifetime and worth every foot traveled!
Honestly, I can truly say having my father here for this trip was just incredible. Being able to spend hours talking at the trattoria cafes over dinner about everything: faith, love, humanity, humor, family(and admittedly a little aerospace and real estate too)! It was really, really special to be able to share this with him... It's certainly something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Thanks Dad for making this great, your a great
Cheese Picture
Dad made me... ;) man and father, and an equally great travel buddy! 😊
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carmel vaden
non-member comment
O MaMa Mia! Yummy!
Oooooh! I can't wait to sink my teeth in some Belgium chocolate!:) I am so happy that you both had "Father~Daughter" ever so precious time together:) I know pics do not do justice to the beauty and history you have shared together in Roma! I can only imagine...I know it'll be bittersweet to say "see you soon" on Tuesday morning...but Aug. 1st will be here before the blink of an eye and we will have that BIG, ROOF AND BED before you fly out to Colorado!:) Always remain vigilant...always, love, Mom