Blankie Goes to Rome

Saint Peter's gets to me. It's another one of those places that is so huge giants should live there (like Mont St. Michel blog post written November 2010).

And so over the top, it seems that the God worshipped here could not possibly have been born into such humility that his birth was witnessed by animals.

Swiss Guard

They do have some mighty fine get ups, though.

Pieta.

I know this photo is bad, but I have to include it. When I contemplate the pain felt by the mother holding her dead child, I feel connected to the divinity in humanity.

Michelangelo believed that God placed the figures in the rock for him to uncover, and so I believe that God places treasures in our lives that only we can uncover.

Such as the love of a perfect blankie.

There was a bizarre processional while we visited that I tried to capture on video. My camera thought my glove was more interesting...notice super tall Swiss Guards compared to tiny priests.

This is the altar designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. I really want to call him Bellini, and I'm afraid it's going to happen some day. I am embarrassed in anticipation.

Here the boys are touching the smooth foot of St. Peter.

I want bees in my family crest!

This is the Cathedra Petri, also by Bellini, a shrine built to house what was thought to be the throne of Saint Peter.

One fun thing about the Basilica are these grates. You can peek into them and see below. Behind Bernini's altar, there is one where you can glimpse the red wall which covers the tomb of St. Peter.

Just don't lie down to get a better view. The boys can attest to that.

Michael discovered that Mike's glasses reflect light in fun ways.

Nice view of Castel Sant'Angelo, the mausoleum of Hadrian.

Still dustings of snow. Chilly!!

And then there was tiramisu. The boys' first tastes of Mike's favorite dessert.

The next day we visited the Coliseum and Roman Forum.

It is majestic, and such a familiar sight. And like seeing the Acropolis, very moving.

And yet life can be so unfair, even in the shadows of the Coliseum. Dominic spent all his toy money on our first day out, and Michael saved a bit of his just in case. Just in case, in this case, was one of those freaky, squishy, toy balls that row after row of Indian gentlemen smash down on hard plastic surfaces just as your young one walks by. Only one euro! Such a bargain!

Can you spot the tear?

So Dominic grieved for the one euro we wouldn't spend.

Notice Michael dangling super fun toy...

We moved on to Nero's Domus Aurea, his Golden House, where he supposedly burned Christians in his garden at night for lighting. Nice!

The boys found a hoop and got to work playing, next to the Domus Aurea, in view of the Coliseum.

BEST TOY EVER!!

We rode a super crowded metro back to Cipro station and our hotel bus.

This adorable treat was waiting for us in our hotel room.

Oh, and when we got back to the hotel, Michael finally got to smash that freaky ball onto the smooth marble floor. First try, the ball exploded into a watery mess. Best euro we ever spent!

O great mystery,

and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the new-born Lord,

lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb

was worthy to bear

Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

February in Rome

Our English adventure began to end in Rome! I am so thankful that Mike made us go in February, and not wait until April, because our life is moving us back to Tucson soon...

The first of the snow fall.

We made it to Rome just in time to witness and live the largest snowfall in Rome since 1958. Such a lot of snow!

So much, the minibus from our hotel was unable to pick us up after our first very long day in the city. There were no taxis to hail, the boys were in distress with frozen feet, and the hotel was a 2 kilometer walk up a steep, icy and slushy hill, in the dark!  Mike pulled out his map and tiny flashlight and we studied the map trying to figure out the way back. I was panicked and said I couldn't do it, I couldn't bear to make them walk all the way back, my own feet were killing me, and we weren't even sure of the route.
Then something amazing happened.

Michael asked how far it was to the hotel, and we told him. He contemplated it for a moment and replied, "Two kilometers?! We've walked much farther than that before, let's do it!"

And with an attitude that gave me the strength to slog on, we moved along up the hill. I was blown away by my little man's courage and fortitude. I feel like he carried all of us up the hill that night. Also I was filled with contentment, realizing that our many family walks, often accompanied by lots of complaining, had paid off.

We made it back to the hotel and into a hot bath tub.

And awoke the next morning to a winter wonderland.

Treacherous stairway!

We made it to the Vatican Museum, playing in the snow the whole way. A highlight was seeing the Sistine Chapel with the boys, I hope they remember it.

We got through in time, because they closed the museum early due to lack of staff.

We walked over to Saint Peter's, but waited to go inside for another day.

Michael's toy Hulk makes a smashing gladiator!

When Mike told an acquaintance that we were going to Rome, her response was, "Rome?! So expensive!"

I took one look at our room service menu and gasped, $66.00 for one cheeseburger and one ice cream. "OH MY GOD IT'S SO EXPENSIVE!" I must have screamed.

Breakfast was included in our room reservation, so we lingered as long as possible hoping the boys would stuff themselves, tempted to walk out with pockets full of snacks. Then we ate lunch out in Rome, and brought back cheese, ham, bread, and apples for dinner.

Night two of this and Dominic screamed in tears, "THIS IS RUBBISH DINNER!"

We made it to the Borghese Gallery for our 1 PM appointment and it was closed, with this note on the door.

I was completely bummed, but the boys got over it.

Sticks and snow!

Give them a stick and they are happy.

Such a beautiful city!

We loved this little basement restaurant tucked into a narrow street by the Piazza del Popolo, Il Brillo Parlante.

The weather remained COLD, but sunny and beautiful.

This church is Santa Maria del Popolo,

In 1099, a chapel was built by Pope Paschal II to Our Lady, over a tomb of the Domitia family. Tradition has it that the site was haunted by Nero's ghost or demons in the form of black crows; therefore the pope chopped down the walnut tree sheltering the crows and built a church in its place. (Wikipedia)

I love this place.

One of my favorite ever, La Santa Muerte.

There are two Caravaggios, but one was on vacation...

This is the one we saw.

From Wikipedia.

It was nearly raining everywhere we went as the snow very slowly melted off the roof tops. Michael discovered the fun of standing beneath a slow drip to observe the plummet.

Precious baby boy, missed his brother and sister!

The first day of travel and the last day were challenging, but all in all the boys were fantastic travel companions. We enjoyed the trip with them immensely, and we feel extremely fortunate.

Side view of Trevi Fountain.

Our Roman adventure continues in a future post. Also, please see Michael's Roman project blog post!