Today was unforgettable.
Started pretty early. We were meetin Rich at the Obelisk outside of St. Peter's at 0800 so we needed to leave the convent around 0715. Most of the group caught a bus that myself, Sarah, and Dr. Mann just missed so we caught the next one. At Nazionale we needed to jump on the 64 bus. It was crowded so Sarah and I crammed on and Dr. Mann caught one right behind. Needless to say, the group showed up a little unorganized! Surprisingly, Sarah and I were the first to get to Rich!
After a short tour on the way to the entrance, we paid 5 Euro and climbed LOTS of steps all the way to the top of the dome. The first set takes you out on the roof, right behind Jesus and the disciples; from there you can also go inside the dome and see the basilica from up top. If you keep going up the stairs get smaller and smaller and smaller until you walk into one of the most astounding views you will ever see. You get a phenomenal, panoramic view of the entire city of Rome. You see everything; you can see past clarity and into the clouded horizon. It's breathtaking! On another note, we beat the crowds!
We linked up and headed back down all those stairs and into the Basilica. Rich gave us a very great tour, pointing out gems and information that I walked right past when I came on Thursday. The history behind St. Peter's is long, twisted, controversial, and fascinating. The amount of energy and money poured into this place is priceless, and popes have made sure they have left their mark. We went into the prayer chapel and that's when my view of it all just truly dropped. The only thing that ran through my head was: "this is idol worship." So much devotion to mankind and creating captivating artwork depicting man and sculptures of, you guessed it, men. It is hard to find Jesus in St. Peter's.
Nonetheless, it is incredible and it was a grand adventure. I headed back to the convent with Dr. Mann, had a quick bite to eat, then ran to Trastevere (literally, "beyond the Tiber") and ascended the winding hill up to the Janiculum and the Garibaldi overlook. I got not one, but two spectacular views of Rome today! I ran back down the hill and turned into a side street where I had heard of a restaurant called "Dar Poeta". I ordered a Pizza Margherita and it changed my life. Pizza will never be the same.
Realizing it would be difficult to run back home with half a pizza in my stomach (they are small and thin-crust! but I wasn't too hungry) while carrying the other half, I walked. I went down to the riverwalk for a little while and then back to Largo Argentina where I then turned and headed toward the Trevi Fountain, went up Via Tritone, Via Veneto, short diddy in the Vill Borghese, then onto Corso d'Italia. I turned on another side street for some exploring and then got back on Via Nomentana. I had been seeing a pastry shop called Danielle's so I gave it a shot. I accidentally got a small version of what Caleb got at the train station in Naples: basically phylo dough flakes filled with nutella. Next time I will stick with the Sfolgiatelle because it's amazing. I have discovered, after several attempts, that nutella and I will never have a relationship. I just don't like it.
I got back and just as I was about to start reading, Christal (who was preparing dinner with Collette) asked me to run to the grocery store to get broccoli. Since she got me watermelon, I was easily persuaded.
I got back to the convent and started reading. I picked up from about the halfway point of Ubroken, and was determined to finish it. I ended up reading about 240 pages today and finishing the book, epilogue included. Mama Reno was right: it was easily one of the best books I have ever read. I teared a few times, gasped even more, and was completely drawn to Laura Hillenbrand's incredible storytelling.
Dinner was a delicious macaroni, cheese, chicken, and broccoli casserole with a huge bowl of watermelon. I had a few helpings of the macaroni and probably about half the watermelon.
I am tired. It's been a long day with a lot of time on my feet. Tomorrow we don't have to wake up early but I probably will to get a workout done in the park. We are tasked to check out San Giovanni in Laterano and St. Peter's in Chains. Afterward I'm assigned to cook dinner with Sarah. I believe we are making french toast and scrambled eggs!
I realized today I put the wrong batteries in my camera so hopefully tomorrow it will be A-Okay. But here is a little gem for you mom :)
(That's from the top of the dome of St. Peter's)
Much love!
Dylan
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