Colluseum:
Damascus Premiere:
Sightseeing in Rome:
Pope's Sunday Blessing:
St. Peter's Basilica:
Around the Vatican:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Vatican Trip Pictures
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls:
Colluseum:
Damascus Premiere:
Sightseeing in Rome:
Pope's Sunday Blessing:
St. Peter's Basilica:
Around the Vatican:
Colluseum:
Damascus Premiere:
Sightseeing in Rome:
Pope's Sunday Blessing:
St. Peter's Basilica:
Around the Vatican:
Monday, May 18, 2009
Italy Trip Tweets
Thought this would be a fun format to give you an idea of the trip. Pictures to follow soon...
Friday:
*Chatted in French with Mr. Dialo my TSA agent… wow am I out of practice—timely encounter?
*At gate, loving the free wifi and wrapping up work.
*Pavarotti wanabe sitting behind me driving me nuts.
*On plane, squeezed between Pavarotti's overflowing gut & the lavatory—going to be a long flight!
*Just landed in Philly accompanied by Pavarotti's incessant whispered profanities at having to buckle his seatbelt.
*Walking to my departure terminal, talking diamond shopping with a great friend—exciting times ahead!
*Had to cross 3 terminals just to find a Philly cheese steak—so worth it!
*Never seen so many rocking chairs in my life! White rockers everywhere you look. Great idea though!
*A big fan of my AT&T home internet plan that includes access to wifi hotspots!
*Work is done, now enjoying Dunkin' coffee while watching planes take off & catching up on the last 2 issues of 'Among worlds'.
*Flight boarding 45 minutes before takeoff. US Airways trying to on on time?
*767 is no Airbus but it will do.
*Never seen so many iPods in one place. No doubt who the market leader is!
*Sitting in front of "Flavio" the Italian and his South Carolina wife and in-laws. Gotta love English w/ a mix of Italian accent and Southern Drawl
*Can't sleep & can't see the screen b/c of tall dude's head—sit still for a minute will you!?
*Lights on; breakfast; finally; OJ & some sort of cheese Danish. US Airways food sucks!
Saturday:
*In Milano, waiting for the border police to get here so I can actually enter the country.
*I love my European passport! No line, no wait (once police got here that is)
*First cup of Espresso! A taste of heaven!
*Hey, there's tall dude & g/f… guess we're all headed to Rome
*On LufthansaItalia A319 bound for Rome. I love these planes!
*Landed 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Gotta love German efficiency
*No pickup—missing German efficiency
*Figured out how to use my cell phone on Telecom Italia Mobil. TIM is my friend
*1:40 after landing & finally have a driver
*This driver has 2 speeds: ridiculously fast & really ridiculously fast!
*Stuck behind a Porsche Cayenne. Ironic!
*Comment on the irony leads to 5 minute tirade in Italian by my driver. Interesting though: he can still drive ridiculously fast while ranting & waving his arms.
*This driver is cracking me up: loves to honk at subpar drivers, cut them off, then give them the evil eye glare
*Made it alive—and rather quickly—to the Champagne Palace Hotel!
*This room is about the size of my walk-in closet. All needed amenities are present though, bidet included!
*Shower & 30 minute nap. Now time to suit up!
*Off to St. Paul's basilica. Loving the blend of new, old, and ridiculously old buildings in this city!
*Made it through the gipsy beggars. Suggested Dad hire some of them next time he needs actors for a drama production.
*Syrian TV crew on site. Cool!
*St. Paul's head of security says no filming on the premise.
*Henry works his magic. Cordial’s office OKs filming.
*Our tour guide is one of the residing Benedictine Abbots. A great source of history wrapped into quite the comedic act!
*Words can't describe how amazing this basilica is! Blows my mind that I’m actually *standing by the remains of the great apostle Paul!
*Can’t stand to look at his chains… bringing me to tears.
*Damascus DVD is already for sale at the basilica’s book store!
*Back to hotel for a short rest before the premiere
*No wifi or Internet access :(
*Suited up & had my 2nd espresso before heading to the premiere
*On the way to the Vatican. Hey, there's the coliseum!
*Best Chinese restaurant name to date: Mr. Chow
*On St. Peter's square! Cool view at sunset.
*The cardinal has arrived!
*Just stumbled through an awkward greeting…
*And there is the patriarch of Syria—less awkward greeting—I might make it through the evening
*Henri & Henry navigating last minute politicking. True masters!
*So many people I haven’t seen in years!
*Diplomats from 52 countries—apparently a record for a Vatican event not attended by the holy father.
*String duet sounds great
*Time to get this show on the road—Henry opens. Poor translator dude is nervous & struggling
*This soprano must have some pipes. She has positioned herself 3 feet from the mic…
*Wow! She does have an amazing set of pipes! Probably the best live performance of Ave Maria I’ve heard
*Patriarch’s speech. What a character! Ended up translating for himself. English, Italian, and Arabic!
*5 pages of notes! Good thing he was limited to a short speech!
*His eminence now speaks. What a gracious & eloquent man! Definitely a diplomat!
*Lights down & Action!
*Great docudrama! (even tho I did struggle with jet lag a little) I’m so proud of Dad!
*& more people I haven’t seen in years & more practice speaking French. This is embarrassing!
*A lot of networking going on in this room!
*Ran into Debbie Ionetti as well as Brian Evans—cool!
*Time for dinner after-party.
*Bus is full to off to find a taxi.
*Got a ride in the Syrian TV crew’s car. Have 3 languages floating around all at once.
*Getting my rear kicked in French talking to Hélène. My French skills suck!
*Driver has gotten us lost somewhere in Rome. Who knew via Aurelia has 2 separate sections..on 2 separate ends of the city! Dad’s 3G iPhone to the rescue!
*Interesting menu—pasta & cheese followed by more pasts & cheese
*OK, grilled fish is good
*Now we’re talking: Tiramisu for dessert!
*Dad is presented with official papal blessing on him & his family! That’s awesome!
*Finally back at hotel. Sweet sleep!
Sunday:
*Another sunny day in Rome! Great weather for a tour of the city
*1st stop to pick up some more members of our group slightly delayed by a sea of people streaming to St. Peter’s square.
*Beautiful little church with amazing gold mosaic & fresco
*Saw the possible future site of Vatican office for overseeing distribution of Damascus movie
*Back on the bus and the way to hear the holy father give his Sunday address
*On St. Peter’s square with ~200,000 excited pilgrims awaiting the pope’s appearance
*And there he is at the window! 200,000 waiving and cheering faithful. The energy is amazing, hard to hold the emotion in.
*He’s quite the linguist! Blessings in 5 languages!
*Now for lunch. Sampling some great Roman pasta!
*Off to St. Peter’s cathedral
*Haha! Lady in front busted by Vatican security for showing too much skin. No uncovered shoulders allowed!
*St. Peter’s is even more amazing than St. Paul’s… didn’t think that was possible.
*Thought La Pieta would be bigger. Is Notre Dame’s copy larger?
*Christ’s feet are so delicate—Michelangelo really was a master!
*Loving the Swiss guards’ uniforms
*In a taxi: Fiat mini-mini-van. Chrysler be very afraid!
*Nap time!
*Off to do some more site-seeing and dinner with Mom
*Every time I see a road sign for “Piazza such & such” I get hungry
*United Colors of Benetton boutique—haven’t seen one of those in ages!
*Dinner at a small tratorio on some random side street. Serenaded by a local accordion player. Special music = Beatles’ “yesterday”
*Think I finally understand Italian dinner routine: 1. Appetizer 2. 1st main course (pasta) 3. 2nd main course (meat) 4. Cheese 5, Dessert
*Heading back to the hotel but have to stop for Gelato on the way!
*Time to pack & head to bed.
Monday:
*Up at 6:30 to figure out ride to airport.
*Oops limo leaves at 7:30 for airport. Quick breakfast & good bye to Dad
*This Benz van is pretty cool… still think I’ll stick with the Dodge for now though
*Made it through security without being singled out for the typical “random” screening! Now to spend my last few Euros on some chocolate for Rachel & Nicholas!
*Never had my passport checked this many times before boarding a plane!
*Sweet! This Airbus 330 is not full. Have 2 seats to stretch out in! I’m flying in style!
*Landed on time, sat by the gate for 35 minutes. Once again US Airways sucks!
*Reminded why we all LOVE TSA so much!
*Back in the USA. Next stop Indy, pick up car & finally home!
*wifi!!! Back to the 21st Century!
*Tweets over... copying to blog
Friday:
*Chatted in French with Mr. Dialo my TSA agent… wow am I out of practice—timely encounter?
*At gate, loving the free wifi and wrapping up work.
*Pavarotti wanabe sitting behind me driving me nuts.
*On plane, squeezed between Pavarotti's overflowing gut & the lavatory—going to be a long flight!
*Just landed in Philly accompanied by Pavarotti's incessant whispered profanities at having to buckle his seatbelt.
*Walking to my departure terminal, talking diamond shopping with a great friend—exciting times ahead!
*Had to cross 3 terminals just to find a Philly cheese steak—so worth it!
*Never seen so many rocking chairs in my life! White rockers everywhere you look. Great idea though!
*A big fan of my AT&T home internet plan that includes access to wifi hotspots!
*Work is done, now enjoying Dunkin' coffee while watching planes take off & catching up on the last 2 issues of 'Among worlds'.
*Flight boarding 45 minutes before takeoff. US Airways trying to on on time?
*767 is no Airbus but it will do.
*Never seen so many iPods in one place. No doubt who the market leader is!
*Sitting in front of "Flavio" the Italian and his South Carolina wife and in-laws. Gotta love English w/ a mix of Italian accent and Southern Drawl
*Can't sleep & can't see the screen b/c of tall dude's head—sit still for a minute will you!?
*Lights on; breakfast; finally; OJ & some sort of cheese Danish. US Airways food sucks!
Saturday:
*In Milano, waiting for the border police to get here so I can actually enter the country.
*I love my European passport! No line, no wait (once police got here that is)
*First cup of Espresso! A taste of heaven!
*Hey, there's tall dude & g/f… guess we're all headed to Rome
*On LufthansaItalia A319 bound for Rome. I love these planes!
*Landed 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Gotta love German efficiency
*No pickup—missing German efficiency
*Figured out how to use my cell phone on Telecom Italia Mobil. TIM is my friend
*1:40 after landing & finally have a driver
*This driver has 2 speeds: ridiculously fast & really ridiculously fast!
*Stuck behind a Porsche Cayenne. Ironic!
*Comment on the irony leads to 5 minute tirade in Italian by my driver. Interesting though: he can still drive ridiculously fast while ranting & waving his arms.
*This driver is cracking me up: loves to honk at subpar drivers, cut them off, then give them the evil eye glare
*Made it alive—and rather quickly—to the Champagne Palace Hotel!
*This room is about the size of my walk-in closet. All needed amenities are present though, bidet included!
*Shower & 30 minute nap. Now time to suit up!
*Off to St. Paul's basilica. Loving the blend of new, old, and ridiculously old buildings in this city!
*Made it through the gipsy beggars. Suggested Dad hire some of them next time he needs actors for a drama production.
*Syrian TV crew on site. Cool!
*St. Paul's head of security says no filming on the premise.
*Henry works his magic. Cordial’s office OKs filming.
*Our tour guide is one of the residing Benedictine Abbots. A great source of history wrapped into quite the comedic act!
*Words can't describe how amazing this basilica is! Blows my mind that I’m actually *standing by the remains of the great apostle Paul!
*Can’t stand to look at his chains… bringing me to tears.
*Damascus DVD is already for sale at the basilica’s book store!
*Back to hotel for a short rest before the premiere
*No wifi or Internet access :(
*Suited up & had my 2nd espresso before heading to the premiere
*On the way to the Vatican. Hey, there's the coliseum!
*Best Chinese restaurant name to date: Mr. Chow
*On St. Peter's square! Cool view at sunset.
*The cardinal has arrived!
*Just stumbled through an awkward greeting…
*And there is the patriarch of Syria—less awkward greeting—I might make it through the evening
*Henri & Henry navigating last minute politicking. True masters!
*So many people I haven’t seen in years!
*Diplomats from 52 countries—apparently a record for a Vatican event not attended by the holy father.
*String duet sounds great
*Time to get this show on the road—Henry opens. Poor translator dude is nervous & struggling
*This soprano must have some pipes. She has positioned herself 3 feet from the mic…
*Wow! She does have an amazing set of pipes! Probably the best live performance of Ave Maria I’ve heard
*Patriarch’s speech. What a character! Ended up translating for himself. English, Italian, and Arabic!
*5 pages of notes! Good thing he was limited to a short speech!
*His eminence now speaks. What a gracious & eloquent man! Definitely a diplomat!
*Lights down & Action!
*Great docudrama! (even tho I did struggle with jet lag a little) I’m so proud of Dad!
*& more people I haven’t seen in years & more practice speaking French. This is embarrassing!
*A lot of networking going on in this room!
*Ran into Debbie Ionetti as well as Brian Evans—cool!
*Time for dinner after-party.
*Bus is full to off to find a taxi.
*Got a ride in the Syrian TV crew’s car. Have 3 languages floating around all at once.
*Getting my rear kicked in French talking to Hélène. My French skills suck!
*Driver has gotten us lost somewhere in Rome. Who knew via Aurelia has 2 separate sections..on 2 separate ends of the city! Dad’s 3G iPhone to the rescue!
*Interesting menu—pasta & cheese followed by more pasts & cheese
*OK, grilled fish is good
*Now we’re talking: Tiramisu for dessert!
*Dad is presented with official papal blessing on him & his family! That’s awesome!
*Finally back at hotel. Sweet sleep!
Sunday:
*Another sunny day in Rome! Great weather for a tour of the city
*1st stop to pick up some more members of our group slightly delayed by a sea of people streaming to St. Peter’s square.
*Beautiful little church with amazing gold mosaic & fresco
*Saw the possible future site of Vatican office for overseeing distribution of Damascus movie
*Back on the bus and the way to hear the holy father give his Sunday address
*On St. Peter’s square with ~200,000 excited pilgrims awaiting the pope’s appearance
*And there he is at the window! 200,000 waiving and cheering faithful. The energy is amazing, hard to hold the emotion in.
*He’s quite the linguist! Blessings in 5 languages!
*Now for lunch. Sampling some great Roman pasta!
*Off to St. Peter’s cathedral
*Haha! Lady in front busted by Vatican security for showing too much skin. No uncovered shoulders allowed!
*St. Peter’s is even more amazing than St. Paul’s… didn’t think that was possible.
*Thought La Pieta would be bigger. Is Notre Dame’s copy larger?
*Christ’s feet are so delicate—Michelangelo really was a master!
*Loving the Swiss guards’ uniforms
*In a taxi: Fiat mini-mini-van. Chrysler be very afraid!
*Nap time!
*Off to do some more site-seeing and dinner with Mom
*Every time I see a road sign for “Piazza such & such” I get hungry
*United Colors of Benetton boutique—haven’t seen one of those in ages!
*Dinner at a small tratorio on some random side street. Serenaded by a local accordion player. Special music = Beatles’ “yesterday”
*Think I finally understand Italian dinner routine: 1. Appetizer 2. 1st main course (pasta) 3. 2nd main course (meat) 4. Cheese 5, Dessert
*Heading back to the hotel but have to stop for Gelato on the way!
*Time to pack & head to bed.
Monday:
*Up at 6:30 to figure out ride to airport.
*Oops limo leaves at 7:30 for airport. Quick breakfast & good bye to Dad
*This Benz van is pretty cool… still think I’ll stick with the Dodge for now though
*Made it through security without being singled out for the typical “random” screening! Now to spend my last few Euros on some chocolate for Rachel & Nicholas!
*Never had my passport checked this many times before boarding a plane!
*Sweet! This Airbus 330 is not full. Have 2 seats to stretch out in! I’m flying in style!
*Landed on time, sat by the gate for 35 minutes. Once again US Airways sucks!
*Reminded why we all LOVE TSA so much!
*Back in the USA. Next stop Indy, pick up car & finally home!
*wifi!!! Back to the 21st Century!
*Tweets over... copying to blog
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Silly Face
This is Nicholas' new silly face. Grandma showed him this when we were there last time and he hasn't forgotten!
Yeah, a package!
We received a package in the mail the other day, which meant a new box to ride in for Nicholas.
A Fan in the Making
Nicholas is becoming a fan of Little House on the Prairie! He brings me a case of CDs and says"ready". He likes Laura, pa, and of course the horses. Ten minutes is about his limit but I'm thrilled he's taken an interest in my favorite show as a child!
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