Ah, Roma!

We arrived yesterday morning at 6:30 a.m. That made for an entire of day of stumbling around trying to stay awake. Next time I come, remind me how horrible it is to spend a zombie day. The day is totally lost to me, even though I was upright and participating in the day. All I know for sure is that we had drinks and dinner. But I could say that about almost every day of my life.

Br. Mark, Tina and Br. David refreshed and ready to take on the day. That, of course, is St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

The obligatory group shot.

I'm taking lots of photos of Br. Mark so he can send them to his kids at his school.

This is Br. David. He could send this picture to his kids, but I doubt high school kids are as excited to see their principal as elementary school kids are. But, they might just want to be reassured he's an ocean away.

The line to get into St. Peter's was too long, so we decided to jump on the Red bus to have a ride around Rome. I've never done that before. It's a nice way to get a look at the city and get a general sense where things are and what you where you might want to spend more time.

Our tour was especially interesting as we shared our bus with the Hell's Angels. Yes. The real Hell's Angels. I so wanted to take a picture, but one could just sense that would not be the best idea. They were big, loud and scary. And that was just the women. The men were even more so.

We all got off the bus at St. Peters Square. I think a photo of them in St. Peter's Square would be priceless. But I'm a chicken.

We had lunch and did a bit of shopping on the Borgo.

I promised Scott photos of food, so here goes.

Prosciutto pizza.

Pizza Margarita.

Pizza and salami and pasta carbonara.

It was an absolutely beautiful day to have lunch outside.  I asked Tina to pose in front of the Special Menu.

After lunch, we returned to St. Peters. I have never been there when the light was coming through the window. It was so beautiful.

One of the pillars of Bernini's baldacchino. It's impossible to take a photo that really represents the beauty of this piece.

Many, many empty confessionals.

This is my most favorite piece, The Pieta by Michael Angelo. I enlarged the picture so you could get a close look at the sculpture. I find the look on Mary's face simply breath taking. The most unfortunate part about this sculpture is that there is almost always a crush of tourists around it. I think it's a piece that should be contemplated. One needs to sit and gaze upon the elements of the piece to really absorb the whole message. Unfortunately, that's impossible. There is always a tour guide blathering on about the date is was carved and the first place it was put. 

Look at the faces of Mary and Jesus. See how she grasps him with one hand and lifts the palm of the other towards heaven. There are many expert interpretations of this piece. I have my own. I won't bore you with it because I think everyone is entitled to see whatever speaks to them in great art.

And of course, De La Salle in his place above St. Ignatius. You can also interpret that as you wish.

Ciao, bellas!!!