It’s very strange to hang out with people out of
context. So spontaneously spending the
day with one of my best friends in a city halfway around the world was crazy
but extremely refreshing. Bryn trained
down from Florence to Rome, and we explored the Spanish steps, Piazza del
Popolo, St. Peter’s Basilica (and Cupola!), the Piazza Navona, and the church
of St. Ignatius together. Highlights and
reflections of the day…
1) A man tried to
sell us roses at the foot of the Spanish steps.
We kept telling him we didn’t want them, but he insisted saying we were so beautiful we just had to have
flowers! When he finally realized we
weren’t going to give him anything, he snatched the roses from our hands and
stalked off without another word. Bryn
and I instantly burst into laughter.
This man thought he was telling us what we wanted to hear…Sir, if you
want to get my attention, put gelato in my hand, not roses!
2) St. Peter’s
Basilica was more stunning than I remembered.
The gold engraved roof is beautiful.
The first thought that popped into my head as we walked inside? “If this is so incredible, and it’s man-made,
I cannot wait to see heaven.” Wow. Talk about breath-taking.
3) We climbed to the
top of St. Peter’s! About 550 steps in
the sweltering heat through a slanted dome part of the way but totally worth
it: the view from the top was
incredible. We got a 360 degree panorama
of the entire city – I could even see my neighborhood from up there! If you ever get the chance to climb the
Cupola, please do it. It’s an
unimaginably beautiful view worth every slippery step and bead of sweat.
4) I took Bryn to St.
Ignatius’ Church. I’m obsessed with this
place and its wild perspective. There is
no way that some of the paintings on the roof are not 3D statues or carvings or
something. It’s outrageous. We spent nigh on five
minutes just standing with dropped jaws, gazing at the masterful artistry on
the ceiling.
5) We saw three
street performers in Piazza Navona. They
were incredible! They were bouncing
around on their hands while in handstands, one guy spun around on his head,
gah! It was wild. Can you imagine the life of a street
performer? I want to know how much money
they make every day. It would be so
difficult to rely on others’ generosity in order to make a living. Which brings me to my last thought from this
day: there are so many beggars on the
streets of Rome. It breaks my heart, but
I can’t give money to all of them. I
lived such a sheltered existence in Los Alamos, and I don’t trust some of the
homeless people in Albuquerque. But
these people are crippled or mothers with children, begging while it’s
ridiculously hot, and they’re legitimately helpless. I feel so bad! Bryn told me she prays for each of them as
she walks by, and I like this idea. I
may not be able to take care of them, but I need to trust that God will.
View from the top of St. Peter's!
In front of Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona
I am so thankful Bryn came to Rome for a quick day trip. Friends have an amazing capacity to produce
an entirely new mindset. I no longer
feel too homesick or panicky about living overseas, and I’m ready to continue
this incredible adventure!
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