Day Seven, Sunday: Can you say early? Really early? After a hard night of loud music and dancing? On our way to Rome. More beautiful Tuscany scenery. Well at least for those that weren’t asleep.
First, we stop in Assisi. A beautiful view from the hillside church and basilica containing the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis who had it all and then gave up all of his worldly possessions. Very inspiring and emotional. A little lunch, gelato and more shopping. Now we’re waking up.
For me this visit was the most emotional part of the trip. My sisters and I lost our beloved Mother suddenly in 1977 at a very young age. St. Francis of Assisi was her favorite saint and she often talked to me about him. When I walked down into the chapel under the church to visit his tomb, I was hit by something I’ve never felt. My emotions took over and I had to sit down. I couldn’t move and I also couldn’t stop the tears. Was it belated grief for my Mother or grief for this wonderful Saint? Most likely both. I am not a very religious or emotional person. I just know that something special had just happened to me and I felt very close to my Mother at that moment and I’ll never forget it. As I came up out of the tomb there was a mass that had just started in the church. I stayed for the beautiful Latin and Italian mass and Holy Communion. It was only 1 o’clock and already a very good day. One of the best days of my life.
On a lighter note the next stop was totally un-planned. We had time to spare and the driver was nice enough to accommodate us so we stopped at Tivoli Gardens. Now this was an amazing place with a view well worth the additional fee of 11 euros.
Onward to Rome. We enter Rome during rush hour. A city of 3.8 million. We stop for dinner first and then we check into the Hotel Universo. A hotel built in 1933 but recently remodeled. Centrally located only two blocks from the city’s main subway and train terminal.
Day Eight, Monday: We start by taking the subway to The Vatican. We tour St. Peter’s Basilica, and then the Vatican Museum, home of the Sistine Chapel. Lunch and shopping near St. Peter’s Square. Then back onto the subway and down to a tour of The Coliseum. From there we walk the ruins of ancient Rome. Then a long walk to the Spanish Steps followed by a long walk to Trevi Fountain, and finally a long walk to dinner. All of this was followed by, of course, a long walk back to the hotel. Lot’s of walking in Rome.
The historic highlight of my trip came while visiting these extraordinary places in Rome, when all of a sudden I understood what had really been taking place in this city 2000 years ago. Not only was this the birthplace of Catholicism it was also the capital of the Roman Empire. Amazingly it was all taking place at the same time right here in Rome!
St. Peter, the Apostle, had come here to start his church and preach Christianity based on love and forgiveness. Clearly this was a difficult and dangerous endeavor as he was in the world’s largest pagan city. Ultimately, he was crucified, upside down, but not before he had started the ball rolling for the worlds most accepted religion.
At the same time Julius Caesar had just conquered the world by force and was building a city that would entertain the masses by brutally feeding live people to hungry lions for sport! What a weird time that had to be and here we were, standing on the ground where it all took place. Trip of a lifetime.
March 24 - April 2, 2008
The Trip of a Lifetime
Ridgewood High School Italian Class Goes to Italy 2008
* NEW Pages Added !
With NEW PHOTOS !!!
