Rome!

Warning, long post, but lots of pics

Me & Bean in Civitavecchia

I'm out on the veranda again. Everyone's asleep. Just me, the Lord and my Cool Jazz play list out here on this beautiful ship.

It's breezy tonight.  Out in the distance I can see the dim lights of a coastal city. It could be Civitavecchia but I'm not certain.  There's also the occasional flash of lighting but no accompanying thunder so hopefully the storm's moving away from us.

Today we went in to Rome. It was completely exhilarating! It was completely exhausting!  Rome is approximately forty miles from the ship and all excursions were obscenely expensive so Bean the Explorer thought to have us catch the train to Rome.

Heading out to Rome! Earrings from Santa Margherita, shades from Barcelona

What was a "short five minute walk" for me turned out to be about twenty, then the forty-five minute ride.  I survived both, I even survived walking from St Peter's train exit to the Vatican City - another "short five minute walk" that turned out to be, well you know. There were lots of places for me to stop and rest and I was so proud of myself.  It helped that the girls were encouraging and didn't seem to mind all the stops.  I love me them!

Seeing the Vatican was an experience of joy, wonderment and humbleness.  Joyous because I've finally made it to Rome after waiting more than thirty years, wonderment at all the different races of people there to see the worldwide symbol of Catholicism, humble at all the different races of Nuns and Priests in their various habits and uniforms.  To see them and and how some people went out of their way to entreat them and speak reverently to them was amazing and absolutely amazing.  Even I spoke to the nuns, two from Africa in their gray habits with the large red Cross prominently stretched across their hearts; proudly displaying a life totally dedicated to the works of Christ.

I walked all the way!

I had to take a taxi back to the railway station from the Vatican because the walk would have been uphill and tortuous.  Bean and Mouse found me and scurried me down one platform and up another, only to be stuffed and crowded in to the train like sardines in a can.  It brought to mind the scene in Japan where conductors press bodies into the trains. It soon became impossibly crowded and unbearably hot.

Finally, after standing about twenty minutes I sat down on the stairs leading to the second level. Unfortunately for Bean, she succumbed to the oppressive heat and fainted. I think it effectively shaved several years from my life.

Bean fell at my feet so I was able to help break her fall.  All I could do was plead the Blood of Jesus over and over.  Now let me explain something to you, my new readers: I am not the person you call to help in a crisis. I'm the person who's usually so overcome by fear so that I'm paralyzed to do anything but  cry and wring my hands. My best feature during times like these is to pray, but this time, I was a NEW person!

When I began to pray "The Blood of Jesus" so that it became a chant, I was calm and took control of the situation. I asked someone for a fan and water which were promptly passed to me.  A fellow passenger took Bean’s feet and lifted them above her head while I continued to fan her. When she opened her eyes I forced water into her mouth. When she swallowed I took water and poured it over her head.  I’m from Phoenix, I wanted to make sure the head was cool hahahaha!

Finally she recovered  and the Good Samaritan put her feet down. She wanted to get up but I was not having that. Even though it was even more crowded with her on the floor like that, I would only allow her to sit while Mouse monitored her pulse. Only when Mouse gave the all clear was she able to stand. Thank God she was ok!  It could have been the other way!!

So here I am on my favourite spot on the ship - the veranda.  My feet are killing me but I’m glad I was able to see Rome!  I need to come back for a week to really see it.  All the shopping that I did was for my team and me.  I did find something for Colette too I’ll get her something else in Sicily or Tunis.

Italian street food, yum!

Up ahead, St. Peter's gate

My girls. That's Bean in front

The Coliseum

Speaking of Tunis, our table mates told us that the American Ambassador to Libya had been murdered. We hadn’t been watching the news so this was sad news.  As much as we’ve done to help Libya, they kill our Ambassador?  What horrible people to want to hurt the ones who are trying to make their lives better. Although President Obama has condemned the murder, no ensuing actions have been  outlined.  I hope this will not be another conflict where we sacrifice the lives of our boys and girls.  

Lord, cover us. Everyone.