The Augustine Senior Trip - Rome

Hey everybody. Dianne here.  Welcome to Rome! 

                           

Our Roman adventure began with a tour of the San Collisto Catacombs (unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside the catacombs). Having arrived a bit early, the students (with whom we had a ball--no pun intended) played a pick-up game of soccer.  It seemed like old times, and was good for my soul to be reunited with folks we have known and been friends with for years. 

Next we headed to the Vatican, where we saw many Michelangelo and Raphael originals.

Even the hallways leading to the Sistine Chapel were breathtaking:

One of the most memorable memories of the Sistine Chapel was the constant announcement in many different languages--in complete monotone--to "be quiet and don't take photos."

We will forever remember, "S-I-L-E-N-Z-I-O. NO FOTOS,"

and so, the following 'foto' of what we saw, is compliments of the internet:

Hmmm...thinking...

                                            

It was exciting to be at the Vatican on Good Friday. There was lots of bustling about, and THOUSANDS of flowers (note the flower truck below) were being added to St. Peter's Square.  We were just to the left of the balcony from which the pope addresses the crowd, so this is his view as he looks out over the crowd...

...and this view is from where the people stand/sit, and the pope's balcony can be seen on the second story there in the middle in red.

And now it's time for three snapshots (literally) of life in Rome with our teens:

While Daniel-the-Handsome is nabbing great pics with cool castles...

...Victoria-the-Beautiful is learning how make flower crowns from Allison... 

                     ...and Caleb-the Bearded-One is taking pictures of great...well...beards.

 OK, back to Rome...where were we? Ah yes, GELATO, and the largest gelato shop in Rome! Which brings me to a question we pondered as a family:  In light of all things pasta and gelato, how is it that every Italian is not 300 pounds? Or more?

The original statue of the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus:

The Roman Forum. Spectacular. (nice job, Daniel, on this photo.)

The Pantheon. Wow.

Every time I see this picture I think it looks like the movie star and her body guards...

 These Umbrella Pines--native to the Mediterranean region-- make me smile.  I keep thinking that surely someone must trim them. (They don't.)

The Colloseum!

'Later.