Roman Holiday

This past weekend I had the joy of touring Roma! Here are some pictures from my trip, even though pictures cannot describe these places! I was simply awe struck at each place. Above is the Vatican in St. Peter's Square.

Here is the inside of St. Peter's Basilica, where we wandering inside not knowing why there was a line, and we saw it was because the pope was holdinga good Friday service for holy week. It was mind blowing!

I like this picture because it shows the giant screens put out for the holy week and easter services. The people come and sit outside listening, watching, and praying. It was a very emotional experience for me to be a part of it and feel everyone's emotions around me.

Here is one of the bridges that crosses the Tiber River. Now keep in mind we arrived in Roma after being on a bus for 2 and half hours at 1:30 pm, checked into our room, and went to the Vatican. At this point it was about 5 pm and we decided to wander...this is where the adventures begin!

This is the beautiful castle at the enterance to the bridge. I belive it is St. Catherine's but I will have to look it up.

After visiting the Pantheon, having a cafe latte, and getting lost for most of the evening, we finally made it to the Trevi Fountain. Legends claim that if you toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain you will one day return to Roma. Not only did we do this, but we all sat and marveled at this site. The fountain was wonderful! It was also huge! Pictures don't really do this magical place justice. After this we all decided it was around 9:30 pm and we were hungry, so we ate at a McDonalds that was three stories tall...yes we ate big macs on the roof in Roma! :)

Now that it was dark it was time to try to find our way home....horray for Charlotte and her GPS on her amazing iphone! It was an absolute lifesaver! We headed to the Vatican again to see if there was anything for easter vigil, and there was the lighting of the candle but nothing else too exciting. On our way out I spotting the gaurds with swords, so yes I did have to have my picture with them. I must also mention that the most handsom, nicest guys you could ever hope to meet work at the Vatican! Wow is all we ladies could say! :)

This one is for you Michael...I know you are pleased ;)

This is obviously the Vatican, but I took it because it was night-time and because of all the chairs out for easter sunday. You see that section towards the front? Yeah, that's where Toni and I got to sit!!

Ahhh easter sunday was amazing. Toni and I had to wait in a line outside the square for 2 hours, and then once inside we thought we would have to stand because we didn't have tickets. One of the gaurds asked us why we were standing, and we responded that we had no tickets. His response was, so? You are here now so go sit! So not only did we get seats, but we got good seats! The mass/celebration was kicked off with the ringing of the bells that lasted a good 15 minutes, along with two bands playing; one included the swiss gaurds and the other the italian guards. Then the pope himself came through the crowd! I will never forget how happy he looked and that he took his time. He shook people's hands along the way and blessed babies on the way to the alter. Below is the beautiful alter.

The service was also amazing because not only did we have communion, but the mass was in at least seven different lanuguages!!

This is just a typical sunset here in Toscana, so I thought I would show you this site that is normal to so many but after two weeks it still brilliant to me!

I hope everyone had a great easter, whether you celebrated or not. I hope you got to spend time with family and friends. I miss you and love you all, keep commenting and I will update you soon.

ciao!