ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROMA

We lept the Alps once again (thank you Easy Jet) and found ourselves in Rome with every tourist in the world there too. We had decided to go in February (16th to 21st) because everyone indicated it would be low season for tourists. Never believe those words that sound as if they are music to your ears.


Overlooking the throngs of "friends" wanting to see the same history we were there to see, one just goes by the old adage, if you can't fight 'em, join 'em. So off we went along with our good friend Anna, who is so incredibly knowledgeable in Roman/Italian history, Christian history, and the vast world of art/architectural history. Anna solved the problem of where does one begin historically and where does one end in hopes that you have covered the multitudes of years of Roman history and its impact on our western civilization. We were so happy to follow Anna's lead and as we witnessed in southern Italy, she steered us right.

A little overwhelmed we were!

Day one was spent covering ancient history/ art/ and architecture. The pictures and text books that have served as my learning tools for my entire life surely gave me the short end of the stick. Seeing the real thing, no matter how large or how small, was breathtaking and truly unimaginably beautiful! We all soaked up the day like a sponge ~ being totally amazed at every twist and turn.

Roman Forum after all these years!

Ancient Colosseum and Youthful Gladiator

Beautiful Roman Vista

Having covered ancient Rome, we hopped on a train the next day and rode 2 hours north to Assisi. Assisi is located in Umbria and oh what gorgeous pastoral scenery abounding with olive trees. The medieval town of Assisi is home to the church and monastery of St. Francis. Proto-Renaissance frescoes are found everywhere within the church , and each fresco is telling the story of St. Francis. An amazingly peaceful and wonderful place.



Our next day was spent seeing Renaissance and Baroque Rome with art and architectural visits all around the city. Thank goodness we had our GO shoes on, because we covered a lot of terrritory. These long intense days seem to be just what the doctor ordered for Walker. He used to claim he did not care for art / museums/ etc. but throw in some history and my guy is one happy clam. I think he doesn't want to admit that the art and museum visits are quickly becoming a new love in his life.

Raphael Painting

Caravaggio's St. Matthew and The Angel

Michaelangelo's Moses

Our last full day in Rome was spent at the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's. Words could never describe either place ... so just put it on your list of places you "must see". The amount of art, treasures, etc. that have been "collected" by the popes through the many years of the church's history is just beyond comprehension. One thing is for sure, one should never worry about a recession affecting the church. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's were of course amazing and even sharing the experience with all the other tourist was not too bad either.




This Vatican visit was particularly interesting to Walker, because our place of lodging while in Rome was Istituto Immancolata Concezione N.S. Lourdes CONVENT. Yes, no hotel for us!!! We moved right in with the nuns and it was a wild and wonderful experience. Walker ADORED the sisters both young and old. His favorites were Sister Wanda (the chief in charge) and Sister Mebiola - 27 years old from Romania. Both these sisters spoke French so Walker would stay downstairs at night and "do desk duty" with the sisters. I think he would have liked to stay on permanently with the sisters if they would have let him. It would not be such a bad place to reside. They have a nice simple routine going. Our days at the convent were delightfully entertaining and educational. It was a great way to sense and see the "power of the church" that exists in Rome. Even the breakfast roll we had each morning was in the shape of a cardinals hat!!!

Walker and His Sisters

Then it was back to France and home from Rome. Within the next 24 hours Walker left for a week of skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland and Cervinia, Italy. These two places are connected making for one huge ski station. So one can ski back and forth from country to country. He traveled with French friends of ours who have boys close to Walker's age.

Valtorenche, Italy

We got Walker off on his adventure, and the next day it was time for Dick to do his commute back to the US for three weeks. So, your math is correct - 3 minus 2 = me on the hill top all alone. I had projects up my sleeve and jumped right into those. Catharina, my friend from Grenoble came for a day visit and we cooked for the dinner party she was having that night. It was a fun day. The next day, my friend Martine and I went SOUTH on the train to Montpellier, France for two days. This lovely city is not far from the Mediterranean coast, has ancient trading history, one of Europe's oldest medical schools (dates from 1259 to the present), the Fabre Musee of Art and wonderful ancient meandering streets to wander along. A nice, fun get away.

Then it has been back to school for Walker which was an adjustment after a wonderful week of skiing, sun and fresh snow. He loved having a two week vacation in February, and then in April the schools will close for another two week Spring vacation. Of course they will not get out of school until July 1.

There's lots of ground to cover between now and July, so stayed tuned for the ongoing adventures.