Meeting the Pope

The Pope has a general audience with the public on Wednesdays.  We had reserved our tickets though the Bishops' Office for the United States Visitors to the Vatican several weeks in advance. Such reservations allows one to get into St. Peter's Square when it opens to the public, but it does not guarantee one a seat or even meeting the Pope. Thousands of those tickets are issued for the event.

We got up very early, took the city bus to St. Peter's Square and were among the first to arrive at the venue at 6;30am. But-for the staff, the place was basically empty.  Thus we were near the front of the line. Once the gate opened and we passed through security, Amaka and Obi ran very fast to get us good seats right in front.

Waiting for Pope Francis

First glimpse of "Papa Francesco" in his Pope Mobile

Our efforts paid off. Twice. When the Holy Father came by in his Pope Mobile, Chimdi was the first for the pope to touch.

A gentleman from Chicago sitting next to us had the video of the meeting captured on his handheld device.

Carrying Chimdi high enough for the Pope to see

Papa Francesco waving to the audience

Papa asked for Chimdi who was carried by his guards to him

 

 

 Following the drive around the Square, the Pope delivered his weekly message and blessings

He then came down from the alter, straight to where we were. Next to us was a group of students from Barcelona whose school was celebrating its 50 year anniversary. They gave the Pope the red sash. He then turned over to Chimdi Peter:

 

Perfect eye contact: The successor to St. Peter meets Chimdi Peter.

 

 

We met this Pilgrim from Colorado with a fascinating story, Quickly bonded with the kids. She has been to over 60 countries, 40 of them by foot. For this audience, she walked from Latvia to Rome.

On our way out of the Square

A perfect day at the Vatican!

Ruins of Pompeii

We arrived in Rome on Monday, the first day of the 2015 holy week. On Tuesday, our first full day, we took a day trip to Pompeii. 

Pompeii
Totally destroyed by the earthquake in 62 AD, then the volcanic eruption of mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the preserved ruins of Pompeii tells us how the Romans lived more than 2000 years ago. It is indeed tragic to see how the whole city was wiped out, and to see that the modern city of Pompeii is even closer to the mountain is stunning.

The earthquake hit Pompeii on February 5, 62 AD. The residents of Pompeii started rebuilding all that had been destroyed. When the people were in the middle of their work, in 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted, covering the the city with 4-6 meters of ash. At the time of the eruption, the city had about 11,000 residents and the city had a water system, an amphitheater, a gymnasium and a port. The ash that fell from the volcano completely covered the city and that is how we know what we know today.
 

 

 Plaster Casts of people buried by the volcanic ash

The excavators found the citizens of Pompeii inside hardening shells of volcanic ash. the bodies had almost crumbled away, and all that was left was a hollow space. The scientists poured plaster inside it and left it to harden. We were left with a very detailed cast of what the person looked like. We are able to see the folds of clothing, the facial expressions, and the way the person was positioned.                                                 

 Resting on a hill at one of the gates of Pompeii

 Mt. Vesuvius in the distance

 A well preserved room with frescoes

Another room with frescoes

Almost all rooms in Pompeii were decorated with elaborate frescoes. The frescoes depict what the room was used for, or simply just to decorate. The room above was decorated with pictures of the Mars, the god of war, and Mercury, the god of thieves, and travelers.

On a street

Standing an a stepping stone used to cross the street as people used the street to empty sewage/garbage

Pompeii's forum

At the end of the day.getting fresh squeezed orange and lemon juice

We had a wonderful experience in Pompeii. We were very tired at the end, but we decided it was worth every second.

Florence, Tuscsany

We arrived Florence with huge anticipation and excitement of what our experience would be. There are a lot of things to learn about Florence. A smart tourist will have to decide how to prioritize. For us, Florence without a guided tour will not be wise; and so we had guides for two days. It was worth the investment. Our five days experience would be broken down into the following:

• Meeting with David;
• The day trip to Pisa
• Exploring the city of Florence, its history;
• Making gelatos and pizza

Meeting with Michelangelo’s David

There are pictures of David in a lot of travel guides, history books, etc. But those are not the same with actual encounter. Lucky for us, we had a experienced art historian for our guide to David. He provided us detailed information; explained what Michelangelo was doing when he was the same as our kids, including Chimdi. (He claimed he remembered events that happened when he was 6 months old!).

David is located in the Accademia, a museum. Sculpted from 1501 to 1504, this marble master piece is about 14.2 feet tall, and incredibly detailed. And considering that this was sculpted in the 15^th Century, speaks to the power of the human intellect. How do you explain the naked David to the children? This was a teaching moment on art and the human body.  (We encountered the same with Leonardo Da Vinci human body.) These are arts, not nudity for its own sake.

Alone with David late in the evening in the Accademia

 Trip to Pisa

 We took a day trip by train to the leaning Tower of Pisa, What an exciting experience. Built more than 800 years ago, it is still leaning. We climbed the 247 stairs to the top of the tower. Obi literally ran up most of the stairs; great to be young. At the top, we savored the moment; looking around the city and over the two big domes; we talked about the moment, what it means. What a special moment.

 

 

At the top of the tower:

We also took some silly pictures, trying to hold up the Tower from falling.

 

 

Florence and its history.

The names of great people from the 15^th century that called this place home is amazing: Michelangelo, Donatello,  Leonardo De Vinci, Galileo, Machiavelli, Medici, the Medici banks and the two popes the Medici’s  produced - Leo and Clement, Dante, Rafael, etc.

Santa Croce Church - the other big church in Florence where lots of important folks are buried

Galileo's grave

Michelangelo's grave

Nicoli Machiavelli's grave

Rossini's (the composer) grave

Gelato

Eating Gelato at Santa Trinita, probably the best Gelato joint in Florence, which as any Florentine knows, means the best in the whole world

The Duomo - front facade.

We spent half a day at the Uffizi, which probably has the largest selection of renaissance painting. Walking through the museum without a knowledgeable guide will have been a total waste of time for all. With the help of our guide, we saw the most important pieces, without getting very dizzy. The histories and the back story of the painting make them come to life.

Uffizi top floor hallway

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Only known painting by Michelagelo

Gelato and Pizza Classes
We had the pleasure of attending a pizza and gelato making class in Florence. It was a lot of fun for all. Each person had to eat what they made, and certificates were issued at the end.

Meeting a friend for dinner at The Napoleon Restaurant:

In between activities, the kids had fun playing around Florence