Finally have a Internet Connection!!

We haven’t had internet!! It’s driving me crazy! I decided to type each night and then paste it into the blog once I can find wifi! So here we go!

Day 1


Today was a busy, eye opening, fun and exhausting day! I didn't get much sleep on the way here on the airplane so I know I will sleep well tonight! Once we stepped off the plane in we headed straight to the Roman Colosseum. After a tour and many pictures of the amazing Coliseum we walked over to the Roman Forum. The Forum had many antique monuments and religious sites. The Forum is the Center of Rome; we viewed the area where Julius Caesar was crucified.

We had a humorous evening! When we got back to our hotel, we decided that a Pepperoni pizza sounds great! There was a homemade Italian restaurant right across the street from our hotel. This couldn’t be more perfect…. when we received our pizza it had yellow sliced peppers all over it. The man looked up at me and said, you said that you wanted “pepper-on-ees on it… this was the only peppers that we had.” WE still ate the pizzas, minus the yellow peppers.


I am excited that we are staying in the same hotel for two days.. After these two days we move around daily.

This picture took 20 minutes to download...very slow server!

Day 2: The Christian Catacombs were breath taking to walk through. We went on a guided walk underground as the guide explained how the tumbs were dug out by hand for the burial place of Christians. Oil lanterns were lit and were placed in the wall near the grave.

In St. Peter's Cathedral

We also visited the world’s smallest state, the Vatican; which is within the city of Rome. (confusing! But the neatest thing ever!) We were guided through Michelangelo’s glorious Pieta and Sistine Chapel. The chapel was absolutely the most beautiful chapel I have ever seen. I would love to go to mass there. The chapel was painted from floor to sailing by Michelangelo between the years of 1508-1512. This chapel is where the elcetion of the new Popes take place. The Altar is adorned with Michaelangelos “Last Judgement” considered as his masteriece. The ceiling was covered with paintings of the Old Testament.

Mom--I took this one for you! (Priest walking down the road) Does it look similar to one in our house? (no ally.. but same concept)

While walking through the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Cathedral (which too was absolutely AMAZING) we noticed an abundant amount of priests and nuns. We were told that they were 15 thousand Priests and Nuns at a National Prayer Day meeting that morning. I had the opportunity to kneel and pray in front of Pope John Paul . I also have a cross blessed for my mom and me in St. Peters Church. Saint Peters Cathedral is known for being the largest church in the world.

We had a very special opportunity to meet with a member of the Swiss Guard. He explained the duties of the guards and what they do to protect the Pope. Their uniforms where quite funny! Nothing like our Armed Forces back home! They reminded me of clown costumes.

Day 3:

Today we did a lot of walking!. I brought my pedometer and tracked our steps for the day: we walked 8,425 steps!!!!! As of right now, we are riding a bus to Volerra, Italy. We went on a tour to see the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. We each threw coins into the fountains for good luck! The fountain collects more that 5,000 US dollars A DAY! AMAZING, huh! The money is used to fund different charities, including a food bank and the Italian Red Cross.

The Spanish Steps

The Piazza Colonna is considered by Romans the very center of the city. It is a large rectangle with cafés and shopping surrounding the square. There was a beautiful church and fountain in the middle of the square.

The Trevi Fountain was the largest fountain I have ever seen! If you toss a coin over your shoulder it supposedly brings you good luck! (and ensures that you will return to Rome!)

We had lunch at this adorable café named: La Zucca Gialla: “The Yellow Pumpkin”. We had MORE pasta! I feel like we are feed that with every meal. Pasta and Salad. I’ve been filling up on ice cream.

I miss everyone so much but am having an amazing time! We are headed to beautiful medieval town of Volterra where we will be staying the night. This afternoon we will be learning how to make cheese at a cheese creamery farm. For dinner we will be going to the hills of Tuscany.

Tomorrow we will be lead through the narrow streets of the city Volterra and see the highlighted spots in the book, “New Moon”! Super excited about that!

Day 4: Volterra, Italy: SO beautiful! I want to go rent New Moon and watch it again after visiting the town where most of it was filmed!

Monecacatitini, Italy: Volterra Italy tour! We went through the highlighted spots that are in the story, “New Moon”. We saw the Etruscan Arch and the gate where Bella and Edward left the city. We saw spectacular views in the Tuscan Hills. We watched an old tradition or Alabaster Arts of beautiful white stone. We were escorted underground for lunch in Florence!
 After lunch we visited the academics Gallery, which houses Michelangelos Colossal Statue, David. (Which is huge!!) I have always seen the statue in pictures, but never imagined how large the statue actually is!

I’m having a blast… just sick and tired of pasta! We have had it for every meal the last three days… Pizza is calling my name!!!

Chao-- Ann Marie