Roman Holiday Part 2

Our original plan was to see the Sistine Chapel on this day.  But after waiting in such a long line for the Colosseum and reading that you are normally packed in like sardines as you look up at Michelangelo's masterpiece, we decided that we didn't need to see it that badly - especially not during peak tourist season.

Instead, we decided to have a little more Roman Holiday fun.  We went to the church of Santa Maria to see the "Mouth of Truth."  The line to make a photo there was quite short - probably 10 min. or less.

Aren't we just like movie stars?

Well, maybe not.  But it was fun.  I read that they think that this round artifact is really a drain cover from the time of Hadrian.  Right after we had these pictures made, we donated 1 euro each to see the tomb of Adrian in the crypt below.  I thought they said Hadrian.  Since I have seen his wall, his gate, and his aqueduct, I thought I might as well see his tomb.  Turns out I would have a chance to see the real thing later that day!

Then we walked along the Tiber to St. Peter's square.

Next we took a serendipitous trip to the top of St. Peter's.  We thought we were in line to see the Pieta, but instead we were in line for the steps to the top of the basilica.  Way better than the Pieta!  The views were incredible! Here's a view of the dome halfway up.  I was really excited that I could read enough Latin to know what it said in the words that circled in gold. (Hint: It started with "Tu Es Petrus")

Then on the roof:

The residence of the Pope.  Actually, I've head that the current Pope lives in a smaller apartment instead.

We even picked out the Colosseum in the distance from here.

We did finally get to see "Peter's tomb" and the Pieta inside.

So apparently Michelangelo sculpted this at age 26

so much opulence!

Next we saw Hadrian's Masoleum.  Apparently, it was multi-purpose -  masoleum, fortress, castle, pope's residence, and now a museum.  

There were lots more steps to get to the top.  Terry complained about all the steps, but then I pointed out that this is the urban version of hiking.  He doesn't mind climbing a mountain for a view, what's climbing a few steps?  The views were good!

Hadrian's Bridge

Roman Holiday

After our mission trip to Greece was over, we decided to spend a few days in Italy.  Believe it or not, our airfare was actually cheaper with a stopover in Rome on the way back.

We arrived at night, and as soon as we rode in the cab from the airport to our AirBnB apartment, we could see the contrast between Athens and Rome.  In Athens, most of the buildings were rather small and crowded together.  Streets were pretty narrow.  The trees were usually olive or fruit trees and were quite short.  In Rome, the buildings and the trees seemed stretched out and tall.  And there were fountains lit up everywhere!

But our first order of business was to sleep in and have a big breakfast.  That's when we found out that it's not just the buildings that are bigger in Italy - the prices were at least double!

We headed to the Colosseum to wait in a very long line (2.5 hours in the hot sun).  It was pretty interesting, but if we ever go back, I think we'll go for a moonlight tour.  Excuse all the photos, but we waited a long time for these.

We intended to tour the Forum next, but I evidently dropped our tickets (they were dual tickets for the Colosseum and Forum).  Oh well.  We saw it from the outside instead.  

For our first evening, our plan was to go to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.  My friend, Stephanie (who was with us in Greece), said I just had to have my photo taken eating gelato on the Spanish steps just like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.  We arrived right at the golden hour.

the church at the top of the Spanish steps

looking down from the top of the steps

getting ready to get some gelato

Well, this is where my story diverged from Audrey Hepburn, but I still think it turned out quite romantic.  Terry and I found a store near the steps that sold gelato and quickly bought some.  When we went to pay for it, it turned out the gelatos were 12 euros each!  I could buy five gallons of Bluebell ice cream for that much!  But Terry didn't complain.  He was trying to help me get my photo.  Then when we got back to the steps and got ready to snap a photo, a policeman whistled loudly and told us to take our food off the steps.  Turns out you are not allowed to sit or eat on the steps, or a lot of other things.

Meanwhile, our gelato was melting really quickly and getting our hands and cell phones sticky as we tried to take at least one photo at the base of the steps where it was legal.  

I decided that I had my own romantic moment because Terry had purchased two outrageously expensive gelatos (when he doesn't even really enjoy all that much) and was trying so hard to make a photo just to make me happy.  So we just laughed about it and washed our hands in the Fountain della Barraccia (Fountain of the Boat) at the base of the steps.  Don't worry, we saw plenty of Italians doing the same.  No rules broken.  

Then we took an evening stroll taking in the sites, including the famous Trevi Fountain.  

Pantheon

Altar of the Nation

Trajan's column 

Adventures Outside of Camp

Thank all of you who prayed for our team during our work at the Moria refugee camp and for those who took the time to read my posts and hear what’s going on in Greece! The prayers got us through the hot days and the heartbreaking circumstances around us. We are all changed.

We did have a few days to see sites and relax, so here are some photos of our adventures! 

First of all, the little town of Panagouida (population = 1000) where we stayed.  The church building is the center of town, and our inn was right next to the church. Eating out by the water every night was a special treat.  The food, the service, and the ambiance were all excellent.  We did have some gypsy beggars most nights.  We thought at first they were refugees, but they were not.  

Since we worked several evening shifts, we also had got to spend a few days in Mytilini.  This is the largest city at a whopping population of 30K.  

Between Mytilini and Panagouida is an ancient Roman Aqueduct.  We went there one day after the end of our shift.  It's some impressive architecture in such an out-of-the-way spot.

We decided to make do our version of the Beatle's cover.

Our last day in Lesvos, we visited Mt. Olympus (not THE Mt. Olympus) and the cute little town of Agiassos at its base.  Our group photo up there ended up looking like another album cover.