When in Rome

I saw the Pope today!!! (He is under the canopy) It was on my life list. Not exactly very high up but it was on there. Every Wed he gives a blessing and we were there when he was talking. Kinda cool. I was sad I didnt get to see the Popemobile though. That would have been the ultimate treat. From what I understand every week he gives different blessings to the people. This week he was blessing the youth and for them to have a healthy lifestyle. They had a bmx biker doing tricks on the steps of the Basilica for the Pope. I kept thinking, "Is this really happening?" But it was pretty cool.



I had to be creative about my Pantheon pic because the half you cant see is undergoing restoration and is unsightly.


I got into Rome pretty late last night but still wanted to walk around a little bit. I was trying to get to Trevi fountain but stumbled upon this really pretty building. While I was playing around with my camera I met this older gentleman from Alabama who is a retired military photographer. He used to sit in the back of a fighter plane going 1400 miles per hour and take pictures. He was so nice and taught me a few little things about my little camera that I have no idea how to use. I was thinking this was a government building of some sort. I was unbelievably embarrassed when a few of my hostelmates and I went to the Vatican today and I learned this is St. Peters Basilica. One of the most influential buildings on the planet. Man Im an uncultured swine. Hopefully I am learning a thing or two.

Many months ago when I was only dreaming of Europe I read about the worlds biggest chocolate festival that is held every year in Italy. In unusually warm years the entire town smells of Chocolate. Due to my early onset alzheimers I completely forgot about this wonderful festival. That is until I saw a big advertisement for it a few days ago. Guess who is going to the EuroChocolate Festival in 3 days?!!!!! I think this may be one of the highlights of the trip, possibly my life. Haha.

My days in Tuscany consisted of: eating gelato, hiking the hills, eating gelato, seeing the much more amazing in real life David, eating gelato, wandering the walled and well preserved medieval city of Siena, eating gelato and seeing Botticelli's Birth of Venus.

My favorite gelato flavors in no particular order are: truffle, marscarpone nutella, melting chocolate and black cherry creme. Everytime I see stairs and an escalator I tell myself I can have another gelato if I take the stairs.

I bought some tights while we were out and about today. We sat on a bench to rest while we figured out what to do next. I of course got up and walked off without them. I dont understand what my problem is. I realized it an hour later as we were finishing up eating. I ran back to the bench and there they were. When will I ever learn?

Ciao