The Italian Family Adventure...

My family in Italy!!

Sorry that it has taken me so long to post this. Between reuniting with loved ones back home, getting over jetlag, and organizing pictures, it has been a bit of a struggle to get this blog post written but I am happy to share this beautiful and eventful adventure I had with my family in Italy. It still amazes me that we actually did it! Go us!
My post will start with the first day of travel for my parents and end with our first day back...

31 July
Today I slept in a bit in an attempt to get back the sleep lost over my week in campeggio. In the morning Bea and I watched an Italian comedy called Il Principe Abusivo. I really liked it. I was about a princess who plans a relationship with a "peasant" in order to get good publicity and be noticed. It's a romantic comedy and even though it was difficult to understand with the Italian dialect that the peasant spoke sometimes, I enjoyed it a lot and Bea only had to explain the things that the tv skipped over in its less than perfect recording.


Giulia, me, and Chiara

Then this afternoon I went to the get gelato with Bea and two of her little cousins. They were super talkative and friendly with me so I enjoyed the time we spent together.
After, I went to mass at San Paolo's where I got to see Sr. Elena and Sr. Antonella as well as meet Sr. Antonella's mom. It was definitely nice seeing them again.
Finally, tonight I went to a birthday party with Bea. Today is the birthday of Fabiola and I actually knew a lot of the people at the party or had at least met them before. I enjoyed myself immensely. This time I even was separate from Bea for much of the time. Without her to buffer and correct my Italian I actually did rather well I think and surprisingly got compliments. At one point, I was asked to speak English so that they could practice their comprehension. At first it was very difficult for me. I couldn't form full English sentences. I was thinking first in Italian and even once I got going, my tendency was still to use Italian filler words like "but", "therefor", or "however". But after a bit it became more easy (finally) to speak my own language. But I love that Italian is becoming natural for me now. It's a shame that I have to leave and won't be speaking in the everyday way that I am now. And to my surprise and utter enjoyment, the people I've met here are expressing dislike at my leaving Sunday. Today Bea even said that I have a "stanza" (bedroom) to return to. How lovely it is to hear that. She's become like a sister to me. It will be strange not seeing her and the Tortosas everyday. I think I will miss them the most. Luckily I'll see almost all of my new found friends at church Sunday before leaving. (00:29 in "my" bed)

Aug 1
Today I went to mass with Elena and Antonella again. I said a final goodbye to Elisa (one of the girls in the Catholic co-fraternity here) after mass which was hard. She's such a wonderful woman full of life and joy. I enjoyed all of the time I spent with her and look forward to seeing her again sometime in the future. She's one who can so easily bring a smile to my face.
When I returned to the house I "helped" Bea finish cookies she was baking and then we had lunch. In preparation for the arrival of my family, we made tiramisu in the afternoon which is a traditional Italian dessert. And look out Texas because I got the recipe!
We took the cookies to Laura and chatted with her for awhile. She was one of the youth I met in the campeggio. After, we went to library to return the book which I of which I never read passed page 30. In anticipation of my brother's call, we came back to wait for it but it didn't come until much later than expected. I am very grateful for the patience of Marina and Maurizio and sorry for any hassle or worry we may have caused them. When we finally heard from them, we were informed that the missed their flight to Milan and lost a bag in Rome so wouldn't join us in Induno until tomorrow. Marina and Bea found them a bed and breakfast and Bea and I curled up on the couch for one last evening of Italian "The O.C.". The adventure has begun!

Aug 2
Unexpectantly, I saw Elena and Antonella at mass again this morning. Marina's dad gave me a ride like he has a few times before since he goes everyday.
Tonight is my last night with the Tortosa's. I can't believe this day has come and my heart is again confused. It's happy to see my parents who finally arrived today after some flight set backs but it hurts to leave my new found loved ones. After picking up my parents, we had a rather large but delicious lunch with Monica, Andrea, Edo and Pietro, and Isabella who are so kindly hosting my parents.

Then we headed to Sacro Monte and the city center of Varese after an hour of repose. Sacro Monte was really fun. The weather allowed us to walk the whole way with the twins (Edo and Pietro). It was nice to spend a bit more time with them too. They went to camp with me and are truly great guys. They study English so we were able to talk in both languages. For supper we ate light, not having much hunger and for dessert, we were joined by Davide, Francesca, Lapo, and GianLuca as well as Bea's grandparents (Marina's parents). It was a lovely evening of recounting stories and translating them. How difficult it is to speak both Italian and English but how wonderful too! I could not help but smile at my parents who didn't understand a thing of Italian because I remembered when I was the same and recognized how far I've come. It would be great to remain for longer both for the purposes of improving more with the language (especially pronunciation) but also for personal reasons of having developed relationships here. After everyone left, Brandon, Bea, and I played Maria Cart for a good 45 minutes, and I maintained my status of horrible but loved it all the same. It was also nice all day to have my family here to see where I've been all this time. I think for them that was the best part - to meet the people that have been taking such good care of their little girl and to see first hand what I've seen everyday here.

Marina's parents

Francesca, Me, Davide,
GianLuca, and Lapo

Again, I can't believe this is my last night here. The last thing I want to do is leave...this place, these people. The hardest people to leave by far are the Tortosa's. In particular, Bea and Marina who I passed most of my time with. Living with Bea gave me the glimpse of the life of sisters. We watched many an episode of the OC together (in italian), ate Nutella out of the jar with spoons, went to friend get togethers, shopping, and just chatting around the house or practicing the sounds in Italian that I can't seem to pronounce. And with Marina, I met nearly the whole town, was able to visit all of the most beautiful attractions, and was warmly welcomed into all activities. She cooked, cleaned, and drove me places. I truly found in Marina an Italian mom. In fact, I feel as if the Tortosa family is my Italian family and their home my Italian home. They will forever have a special place in my heart and prayers.

I keep being reminded that I can return as I talk about my reluctance to leave and this is both sugar to my ears and salt to my wounded heart. It's harder to leave a place knowing that I am wanted in return. But alas, I have to leave and thus must recognize the beauty in the time spent and the mission in the time ahead of me wherever the Lord leads me to next. (23:55 in my bed...for the last time)

3 agosto
What a gift! Giulio, Elena, Katia, Laura, and Don Stefano - who I thought I had saluted for the last time - were in mass today. Don even celebrated and talked about me in the homily. I was so excited when I saw them before mass and it was so great to get to have another moment with them before I had to leave. God is so good and knew that I needed to see them again and hear that homily and be reminded that I am following Him and only need Him - that those who I meet here and the places I go here are all gift. They are wonderful and even necessary sometimes, as He speaks to us through them, but they are His gifts to me that He can take back at anytime. And also, with the technology of this day and age, I can relatively easily keep in contact with these new friends and can be certain that today wasn't "goodbye". Don talked also about how making fishers of men was a metaphor of helping fish men out of the depths of sin represented by the water. Fish can't live without water and die when brought out but men can't truly live in the waters of sin and are brought to knew life when they are fished out. In our own way - through the vocation God has planted in our hearts from the beginning - we are called to be fishers of men and help bring others out of sin and closer to God. This can be done most noticeably in the priesthood with the sacrament of confession but also in holy friendships, the counsel of a consecrated person, or the loving guidance and discipline of a parent. What a great priest Don Stefano is. I have so much to learn from him! The last song at mass was one of my favorites. "Tu vieni e sequimi". It was about leaving all you have and going after The Lord. It was referencing the call of the first disciples which was today's gospel in the ambrosian rite. But I think it means more than just a leaving at the initial decision to follow Christ. I think we are repeatedly called to leave things, people, places throughout this life in our continued pursuit of the Lord. Today I had to leave new found loved ones because the Lord is calling me back to Texas to finish school and find Him in the places and faces back home. By not being attached to anything or anyone and remaining open to whatever it is that He asks me to be and wherever He asks me to go, I can be light for men and salt for the earth.

Maurizio, Bea, me, and Marina

Before leaving on the train to Milan with my family next to me and my Italian family standing outside the station, Marina asked me: "did you cry after Camerino? Cortina? Induno? Which was hardest to leave?"
I answered her truly: "yes, yes, yes. Hmmm..."
This is a good question. And it is hard to answer because each was difficult to leave for different reasons and maybe I'm just saying this now because it's the most fresh but I really think Induno is the answer. Why? Because there was a permanency here. I lived in a house, in my own room, with a family that treated me like one of them. I made friends and celebrated with them a wedding, birthday party, graduation, and just barely missed the birth of a first child. I prayed and worshipped with these people and shared the faith with them both it's struggles and triumphs. I spent a week in a tent, using bathrooms without toilets, and walking hours up and down in the Alps with them. And I sloppily and half-way conquered a foreign language with them (only by the grace of God and by speaking it with the only universal language of love). I found myself an Italian home with these people both in their town and in their hearts. I'm not sure how I merited such an experience but I know that I have the rest of my life to thank the Good Lord for it. There's no way I can go back to the States the same person now and I am surely not going back alone. Each and everyone of the people I've met on my trip here in Italy I carry in my heart and in my prayers. They say "with distance the heart grows fonder". I don't know if this is true but I know that my love for them is and that's all that matters. Whether or not I talk to them or see them again, I will always have this summer. However, I already have my heart set on a return...presto! (14:46 train from Varese to Milan)

Milan

The family in front of the Duomo

Saraii and me in Milan

Venice
As the resident Italian speaker of the trip, I took charge in Venice at the hotel and went to speak with the receptionist who actually called me "quasi italiana". She was also a very sweet lady who may have been being extra nice but I enjoyed the compliment all the same. The first night we spent walking around a bit, buying a couple of scarves, and snapping lots of pictures.
In the morning, we found a mass at 9 to go to and luckily left early because we only found it after getting lost first. Then we headed to the grand St Mark's square and church which was huge like the line we waited in to go inside! I'm glad we did though. It was quite beautiful.
To Mom's delight, the next activity was a 45 minute Gondola ride through Venice. I'll admit that I didn't have the most comfortable seat so it wasn't the most pleasant thing that I have ever done but it was nice to take part in this must-do activity of Venice and see the city from the water.

During our hour of repose in the room after lunch I researched about other Venician islands, and sure am glad I did. We went to Murano which is famous for the hand crafted glass but unfortunately the glass makers were finished working after 5. Went to burano and walked around the pretty bright buildings. Went to torcello and enjoyed the natural preserve and old churches. Went back to Venice to eat and then take another boat ride since we had paid for it and it was cool to see Venice by boat at night. Went to st marks square and walked around when there was less people and then went back to the boat to go back to hotel but mom lost her ticket. Prepared to walk back we headed to st marks and low and behold she found it! What luck! To lose it after all afternoon of use and then find it just like that! So we headed back to the boat, waited a bit, and then got on. Finally we are now in the hotel and after we get showered up from this long day, we hit the hay because tomorrow our train leaves at 7:25 to Florence! (23:18 Hotel Marte e Biasin)

Florence
After taking the early train to Florence, we walked to the hotel and left our bags because it's too early to check in. It's a house run by Franciscan nuns (Casa Santo Nome Del Gesu) so there's a beautiful garden and a chapel with Jesus in it!! :)

Casa Santo Nome del Gesu

First off we walked towards the duomo stopping by the house and church of Dante to see the gravesite of his famous muse Beatrice along the way. Then, we moved on to lunch at the same place I ate during our visit with the school of Dante Alighieri.

Same spot, calzone, and face!

Went to the Palazzo Vecchio for a tour of the museum and tower and boy was I in Disneyland! All (okay some) of what I had learned from the amazing Dr. Palmer in my Renaissance and Reformation Europe class became fresh in my mind. I quickly took charge of the family tour and explained to the best of my abilities as I marveled at the rooms we were visiting. I set foot in the apartment of Pope Leo X (Giovanni Medici) within which was a room for his father Lorenzo the Magnificent! I stood in the very room that held the brilliant mind of Niccolo Machiavelli. Although he wrote his finest works in exile, he surely started the formation of their thesis here. Finally, we ventured up to the tower which was well worth the extra few euros. And we perfectly made it as the rain was coming in. I say perfectly for two reasons. (1) they don't let people up the tower in rain so we made it just in time; (2) we got to literally see the rain as it approached.

The last rooms we visited were preceded, like the others, by a written explanation. Reading it, I was surprised to see that the English was bigger than the Italian and appeared first. Then I realized I had mistaken Italian for English in my ease of reading it. Whoa moment!!
As I toured the rooms, I didn't take many pictures. I decided to just soak in the moment and then marvel you with my words so much that you buy a plane ticket and go see it for yourself. But in any case, after this experience I must encourage you to visit a place you've studied about or study a place you are going to visit. It makes the experience all the more worth while and exciting. I could tell it was a more fatiguing and boring tour for some who came to see this "must see" florentine attraction (because sadly, aside from the town hall, that's really all it is now) for we walked a lot and there was a decent amount of reading and overwhelming amount of art to take in. However, for me, this was one of my favorite tours ever. Not because of what it is (no offense to your beloved Florence Machiavelli and Dante) but because I was seeing what I had studied and witnessing hard evidence of its actual existence. This is important because, at least for me, especially living in the States, I find it hard to always accept the concrete reality of the history I study of many centuries past. Seeing these places, I

trying my hand at tour guiding

could almost imagine the hidden conversations behind closed doors, laughter, tears, and all emotions in between; the scheming, bargain dealing, blackmailing, honest politicking (if that exists), triumph, and defeat that occurred here. History is alive. Not only is there evidence for that already established but also that which is currently, in this second, being made.
Ok...enough of my discourse showing my nerdy love for history. Another tidbit about the rain that I love: the Cellini statue I mentioned in my first post on Florence, who had a head that looked like it was bleeding when it rains. I saw it bleeding!!
And we are now sitting as the rain pours down, thunder breaks, and lightening streaks across the sky. Brandon is beside my praying the rosary, Dad is standing checking old emails (no wifi), and mom is next to me people watching. How nice to be with the family. I hope the rain lets up within the next hour though because I was really looking forward to mass at the Duomo at 6. (16:48 Palazzo Vecchio)

We finally ventured into the streets as the rain died down and arrived at the duomo a good hour before mass. Thinking we could go in a half our before, we waited and then I approached the "guard" at the mass entrance and he told us to return 5 minutes before mass. Maybe this was because of the weather but I was extremely agitated. First of all, I've recognized a lack of prayer and silence in the past couple of weeks and have been longing for time alone with Jesus. Why can't a person more easily go into a church? The guy laughed about us wanting to make a visit to the duomo instead of pray and go to mass. I'm sure this is because there are people with these intentions but with my exhaustion after a long day on my feet, I wasn't in the most forgiving mood. However, I prayed my rosary as we waited under a small hangover from the stores across from the mass entrance and awaited 5 minutes til 6. In my childish ways, I refused to enter a second earlier.
Mass however was beautiful. The priest took his time with the prayers and gave a refreshingly long and thoughtful homily for a daily mass. I must admit that I do miss the Ambrosian Rite a bit but it's also nice to be at home in the Roman Rite. Being that the mass is in Italian, I get to translate the homily and gospel message to my family afterwards and that's always a special treat for me. First, it gives me extra motivation to stay alert, second it allows me to literally share the Good News, and third (and least important because it can lead to pride) it assures me that I actually do understand this language...for the most part.
With an extra hop in my step from the grace and joy that participating in the mass gives me, we headed to Trattoria Roberto which I had quickly searched last night. It served the florentine steak that everyone in Induno would suggest to me when I talked about missing meat from back home. So
naturally almost all of us tried it but we weren't exactly prepared for its cost. Reading the menu wrong, we though we could select the size of the steak since it was priced per 100 grams. However, that apparently just means they pick a steak, weight it, and charge you that amount. Also, the steak was prepared very rare and I like my meat at least medium-well. With this said, it was a very good steak but for me it was too large and a bit bloody in the center. Therefore, naturally, I recommend you eat a florentine steak! If anything, for the experience or because you love steak cooked rare! I know y'all exist out there.
Side note: it's strange speaking English almost all of the time now. I speak a bit of Italian with secretaries, ticket office workers, and the occasional person I accidentally bump into. I really do miss that language!!
After supper and a stop for caffe, we headed to the hotel where we made ourself at home in the room. If I'm not mistaken (which happens believe it or not) this is a converted monastery so our room could very well have been that of a nun at one point. Pieces if evidence if this include the religious type painting on our ceiling and the door that reads the italian word for cloister but remains open. There are still sisters "running" it and a chapel downstairs. I made a visit to it tonight for some quiet prayer time and it was wonderful. When I entered, it was dark but I met another woman who I suppose is one of the sisters and in italian asked if I could prayer and how to turn the lights on.
After around a half hour, I attempted to connect to wifi but my phone failed me so I allowed my computer the victory, saved myself some time, and halfway planned Assisi.
Man we sure our getting through this journey fast. Talk about epic. I can't believe we were in Venice yesterday...and Florence today! What a wonderful life we are living. Love you Jesus!! (00:08 Casa Dello Santo Nome Di Gesu)

Florence - 6 agosto
I woke up and prayed for an hour this morning which was glorious. I found a little upstairs chapel here at the Casa Santo Nome del Gesu.

After the nice complimentary breakfast, we walked around Florence since we had to wait for the car we planned to rent and found our way to a place overlooking the city. Here I had a couple of me and Daddy's famous big laughs. When this happens we always end up in tears and unable to breathe. It really is the best!
Went to the car place and found out we needed 2 credit cards with the same name which we had, but they didn't take discover. Therefore we couldn't get our car because of its "prestige" that calls for 2 credit cards. There was another but it was a fiat and too small. I had a gut feeling that we shouldn't drive. I had it before but the relief that swept over me at having to go to the train station instead confirmed my instinct. Thus, we set off to the train station which thankfully wasn't too far. I wanted to call someone I knew in Italy. In fact I guarantee that those I didn't call are going to be upset that I didn't call them in the sense that they would have wanted to help but I couldn't find wifi and didn't know how to function the pay phone (21st century problems). Finally we took a number and got a guy to send us to the electronic ticket booth where we managed to buy 4 tickets with cash only after having both Brandon and my credit cards denied. We got on the train with 5 minutes to spare by the gracious help of an English speaking and understanding Italian woman. I am a bit flustered now. At one point I wanted to cry or just give up and click my heels together for home. In that moment, I could also only think of one place to run to and that was the catholic chapel I had spied in the station. I just wanted to go cry in the arms of Love Himself and be comforted by Him who created comfort. I didn't find my way there - mostly because I was preoccupied with continuing to find a way to precede with the trip. Thankfully I had the level headed and calm presence of my big brother Brandon to keep me from freezing and refraining from further action. And now we find ourselves on a regional train to Assisi. I must admit I am more pleased with this than driving although in theory we'd already be in Assisi if we had drove. I'm happy we decided to go there though instead of straight to Rome. I look forward to a visit to the hermitage and San Damiano! S. Francesco e Santa Chiara...pregate per noi.(14:25 finally headed somewhere!)

Frustration continued but then I heard the song "This is the Stuff" by Francesca Battistelli, a Christian artist, and I remembered. It's not important that we get to see all of this stuff. Yea we don't want to waste money on unnecessary tickets but we are together - something we haven't been in awhile - and we are in Italy. Didn't You teach me this summer that the things I see, as beautiful and as relevant to You that they are, aren't all that important. These places. They are just places. It's the people, the encounters, the attention I've paid to where You are in everything. And in the most grand and ornate cathedral the most precious beauty is that which is contained in the small gold box tucked away in a side altar somewhere next to the single red flame. You are holy Lord. Must I continue to forget these basic truths? Teach me Divine Master. (18:13 on the last - I hope - train to Assisi)

So it has been a day since I've written and lots has happened! First of all, I need to start with an apology (or perhaps for some of you a piece of news to relieve you) this won't be as detailed or long of an account. We misunderstood the ticket and thinking we needed to change trains we "missed" our first stop and found ourselves in the Italian Aggieland - Castilion florentine. We took a train back to the other stop and waited for an hour on the next train for Assisi and then got off again before, by finally asking someone, we realized the train went directly to Assisi. Arriving in Assisi 4 hours later than expected and with 4 km between the station and our hotel, we took a taxi from a very nice taxi driver who complimented my Italian. Our hotel Lo Scudo is definitely worth the recommendation. Being run by a verry attentive and kind woman. I found a missed call from Marina awaiting me which I returned with a large smiled. Funny enough, Bea answered and I, like others as she told me, mistook her for Marina! Hearing both of their voices was a great consolation and mood booster after the long day. We journeyed out to see the city a bit and get pictures of the beautiful surrounding landscape.

Aug 7 Thursday Assisi
Today was a very full day! We went to mass in the Saint Francis Basilica at 7 am to start the day off

right. Breakfast was ready for us back at the hotel and our dear hostess called us a cab to get us to the hermitage of St. Francis. This trip took me back to the campeggio a bit because we more or less hiked to the different caves of St. Francis's closest friends. What a beautiful place and how nice to be in nature away from the crowds. After we returned by the same taxi and arranged a deal with him to keep our bags and take us to the train station later in the day. This was very kind of him and helped us more than he could ever know because after lunch, we headed to San Damiano down the hill and with the luggage that would have been miserable! How beautiful to be there again. Going to places twice, especially close together, affords a person the chance to look at things differently and discover knew details before unseen. Having done the project over Francis and Clare in the spring semester, I feel ever closer to them and being able to "letteralmente" set foot in the places they walked, kneeling where they knelt, before the crosses that spoke to them, and adoring the same Lord

was an experience that just can't be expressed accurately with words. The final place we visited in Assisi was near the station: Santa Maria degli Angeli. Within this church lies a smaller church and chapels that were significant in both the lives of Francis and Clare. Being the first time for me, it was very exciting. To be in the place Clare fled to on the night of her wedding to Christ so near where Francis breathed his last. Wow. Oh lovely Clare and humble Francis, y'all knew...yall understood the secret to living with joy, love, and peace: Christ. Oh Lord, may that I learn the true meaning of having nothing if I don't have You.
I'm certain that I left out much but also content that I lived it. Some things are made just for the moment and I'm okay with that. There were many moments of laughing to tears and butting heads that I'm sure will be fondly and debatably recalled at family gatherings or while browsing through the scrapbook mom is sure to make of this trip.
Now, we are headed to our final destination before home - Rome! This should be interesting. I must admit I'm the least excited about this one. I like Rome. It's beautiful. But it's huge and there are TONS of tourists (aka English speakers). Also, on the final leg of my stay in Italy, I find that I am tired and regrettably emotional. It doesn't take much to fluster me in my attempt to balance the two conflicting desires I have to return home and to remain in the home Italy has become for me. Also, I've been to Rome three times now as well and can't help but dread the constant go that these next days hold ahead of me. However, seeing the excitement of my family and getting to be there for their first experiences as well as share first experiences with them is a joy in itself and perks my spirits! And in any case, ready or not, here we come! (18:56 on the train to Rome!)

Gelato: Daddy says it's better than Bluebell. [Gasp!]

This guy.

On the train I had the joy of showing dad his first pasture of cows. He's been looking for them and complaining that they bale so much hay here and serve big steaks in Florence but "there ain't no cows!!" What can I say? It really is the little things, but he was upset I saw them first so shortly after God granted him the opportunity to see his very own herd of dairy cows. "Cherise! I saw my own cows!" His smile was worth my herd not being good enough!! (20:10)

Excitement picks up as we enter Rome! "Meno male" I have the security of having been here before and the tiny bit of confidence I have accumulated because of it. (20:24)

So we made it to Rome and miraculously got to our hotel. Well, not miraculously but the place gave us good directions from Termini and after taking a bit of a detour, we made it. Unfortunately the guy didn't receive my email asking to arrive late and we had to enter by way of another couple. Before the door of "Casa Giada" which is merely a remodeled apartment of 4 rooms in an apartment building of all sorts of other places and residences, I came this close to phoning a friend in Rome when the guy showed up! Phew. The room is nice and we are located so so close to the Vatican! Even though it was late, our tummies demanded food so we found a nearby restaurant and now, after returning, we are taking turns with the shower and hitting the sack. We hope to see many great things these two short days in Rome! (23:31 Casa Giada)

Okay so day one in Rome. Where to start? Lines. We waited in lines so much today. First to enter into St. Peter's Basilica where we attended mass and viewed it, and then to climb to the top of its Cupola! And boy did that staircase get a bit tight?! For all the waiting we did, I was actually a bit disappointed with the destination. There were so many people jam packed up there that it was difficult to enjoy and I honestly just wanted to get started on the way back down. But we snapped some pictures and soaked in the German being spoken all around us by the group of German youth that surrounded us. We finished these two seemingly simple things by around 1:00 pm but started a little before 9:00 am.
Next we found some lunch before making our way to St. Mary Major and the Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. In St. Mary Major, we attended 45 minutes of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and sang Vespers. It was very beautiful with the incense and organ as well as very needed after a long, hot morning. In the Church of our Mother of Perpetual Help, I enjoyed a closer view of the icon to the Marian Devotion that I hold so dear. We then grabbed some cold ones at a nearby bar where we plotted our evening. After waiting as Brandon bought a Redbull (mistake #1) and then giving him the map (mistake #2), "we" (cough-he-cough) decided to WALK to the Pantheon (doable) and then back to the hotel (WHAT?!). But guess what?! We made it! But only after seeing all we had planned as well as the alive and hoppin' Piazza Navona, governmental-looking district with all of its Italian security offices, and stopping to eat at a quaint little place that housed our many laughing fits. Walking across the bridge towards the Castello d'Angelo, I had a thought I considered brilliant at the time and wanted to share with y'all! I think that the way people take pictures can tell you a lot about them. I will use my parents for an example. Dad likes to zoom in on the people and ignore the scenery. For him, the people are most important, especially the faces as they convey the emotion of the person and are generally the key to how the person feels or what the person is thinking in a given moment. Mom, on the other hand, likes to get the whole picture (even if that means the people are almost minuscule). She likes to get it just right and capture the moment as perfect as possible for all involved which is evident in the care and patience with which she takes the picture almost always counting to 3 before.
Picking up some gelato and a bag of assorted cookies for breakfast tomorrow, we headed to here to shower and hit the hay! We aim to visit both the Vatican museums and colosseum tomorrow and need to get an early start! Wish us well! Only one long day on our feet and a long day on our butt separates us from home now! (00:24 Casa Giada)

Last day in Rome - 9 Agosto
Today we awoke decently early and set out to the line for the Vatican museum. Unfortunately, the guys trying to get us to dish out loads of extra money to skip the lines and listen to them talk about the exhibits inside were right: we waited around 2.5 hours! BUT, I enjoyed catching up with the parents about various things going on at home and the time passed relatively quickly. Inside the museums, we saw many MANY things. It is almost impossible, I'd say, to read about each thing and see it all. We stayed for a good couple of hours and didn't really focus on learning as much as seeing. My favorite part was actually the rooms and structure itself rather than

the artifacts. I liked reading about the different rooms to learn who had inhabited them, when, and with what styles they were constructed. Ironically, being that his controversial papacy was arguably one of the worst, I loved seeing the Borgia Apartments and our taste in style (Gothic) matched perfectly. I love the structures (churches) that are painted inside with dark hues of blues, reds, purples, greens, etc. I love the richness and the warmth of this type of style. I also loved seeing the Sistine Chapel even though it was crowded and noisy (mainly because there were guards announcing "Silenzio!" Into a microphone every few minutes).
In the afternoon, we grabbed our bags from the hotel, dropped them off at the baggage depository in Termini Station and headed to the Colosseum-or as my father so fondly referred to it: "the big thing." Before entering the stage of the Gladiators and naval re-enactments however, we avoided the long line by beginning at the Palantine Hill and Roman Forum. All of it was so unreal! To truly be there where the Romans lived their everyday lives. Wow. And the colosseum. It was massive! What a site to see!

After, we started to head towards the church I had looked up for Saturday vigil mass. Along the way, we wanted to pick up gelato. It was about 5:30 and we wanted to catch a 6:30 mass so we needed to eat right away. However, we couldn't find any gelaterrias (we're in Rome - strange right?). So when we finally stumbled upon the church, we decided to double check the time since the internet isn't the most reliable source (I know, surprise right?). And good thing we did because it turns out that "mass isn't held Saturday evenings during August. (Ok?) but we were given directions to another church and hurried over. In Rome just about every other building is a church so finding it wasn't an issue. However this one also didn't have the mass we were looking for. At this point I got a bit desperate because this mass was to count for Sunday since we are traveling all day tomorrow. Knowing that our intentions were to go, I trusted in the Lord and continued to ask Him to give us a mass to attend. At the same time, I was worried about our bags because we had to retrieve them before 11 pm. I didn't want to be rushed in our last meal if we ended up at a mass that didn't start until 7 pm. Hearing church bells (it was 5:45 pm) we continued to walk until we were in front of what we thought was the papal basilica St. John Lateran. Seeing gates closed all around it our faces fell. How can all three churches we looked at not have a Saturday vigil mass? This is Rome for crying out loud!! So, thinking to continue towards the church with mass at 7 pm, we crossed the street and walked around to the "back" of St. John Lateran and lo and behold, THAT was the basilica and there was mass at 6! It was perfect! The Lord takes such good care of us!
Then we wondered around for a bit in search of food and ended up taking the metro back to termini and eating in that vicinity near our bags and transportation to the airport. Ending with a final gelato

(mine was awesome: Creme Caramel) we headed to the station to get our bags and jump on the 10:10 bus to the airport. Coming to the bus stop with our bags I realize that 10:10 in Italy means AM and there are no longer buses running. Just when I thought we were home free from "adventures" like this, we found a new dilemma. But, after some debate and argument, we "agreed" to take a taxi which got us at the airport around an hour ago. Now we wait to check in and eventually board our flights which are both around 7 am. Here's to "sleeping" our last night in Rome in an airport and having safe travels back home!

Things I've learned from this trip: being organizer and leading the way is hard! I don't know how my parents did it all those years with me and Brandon as kids. All I remember is going along without any cares in the world which I think was their experience this time. When I was stressing and running around trying to get train tickets or my map pointed the right direction, they were looking around and taking in the surroundings of a foreign country. In a way, I think we've both been given a gift. Brandon and I got to see what it's like (in a sense) playing the parent role as far as leading the vacation goes. This allows us to appreciate more all that our parents have done and do for us. And for my parents, they were able to enjoy the trip without worry, stress, or the weight of providing the "perfect experience" like they have in the past. They merely got to go with the flow and enjoy it all. Now of course the roles weren't black and white and there were certainly moments when Brandon and I went to the parents for help or advice but overall, I am very overjoyed with the week we had. For me, it means the end of a dream summer in Italy and a return to my home which I love and miss. Miss Italy I will but to be home will be so beautiful and in these last days, I've felt an increasing tug in my heart towards Texas. And what good timing because bright and early tomorrow morning, I'm heading for home! (01:12 Fiumincino Airport).

And after unsuccessfully sleeping and deciding to charge my gadgets, I found out I was in the wrong terminal! Mine is different then Brandon, Mom, and Dad's! (04:04)

In ten minutes I have to get on the plane and leave Italy. My stomach is in knots. It's actually quite similar to the feeling I had before the flight I took here. I don't want to go. There's no denying that but I long to be home. There's no denying that either. Above all else, though, all I can think right now is "Lord, You are so good to me." (6:14 FCO Terminal 1 Gate B9)

And now I know why boarding started so early for my flight to the US. Security is tight! The line was long, I was asked a series of questions, and many people (not me thankfully) were taken to the side and patted down. Then I had to fill out the Customs Report. I don't know the worth of stuff in my luggage more less the names of everything, but I didn't buy much so that made it easier. The airport itself is also huge here in Paris. I had to go through a lot to get to my gate but easily made it in time and got my passport stamped! Whoop!
I'm not sure the length of this flight. It's hard to tell with the time change but I'm short on sleep so I'm thinking that's the first agenda. I'm also quite hungry so I hope I don't sleep through lunch. That would be awful!!! In any case, I am definitely planning on watching a movie or some tv! And it will be in English! How revolutionary for me this summer and how weird. But also how much more relaxing! I won't have to constantly focus in order to remotely understand. I'll probably be able to understand without even trying. It's crazy how you notice the ease of your own language when in combat with another.
Next to me is a French woman reading a book in English. I know she's French and going to NY because of her Customs Report and not because we talked passed "hi". I'm so shy and bad with this kind of stuff and now it feels too late to offer my name or ask a general question. Maybe later...let's get some rest shall we?! (10:36 on the Delta plane, Paris France)

11:02 - 11 Agosto
So I had an item confiscated by customs: my recycled water bottle filled with Roman water. I also saw a guy in boots for the first time in over 2 months. But most exciting of all, I sat by an Aggie on the plane to Dallas, and we talked the whole way back! That's what I'm talking about: Texan and Aggie friendliness!
Landing in Dallas was a bit weird. I could use my phone normally, nothing (I mean NOTHING) was in Italian, and the airport employees greeted me with "welcome home" (how'd you know?! :)). But regardless of all of the English, I keep speaking Italian -especially "grazie". It's just habit now I guess. With the French airplane crew, I defaulted into Italian when they greeted me in French rather than in English but even at the On the Border in Dallas (had to get some Tex-Mex in me) I thanked the hostess on the way out with "grazie"! Oh Italian - how I miss you so.
We stayed the night at Brandon's house due to jet lag and all slept very well. I went to mass this morning and two things happened that haven't in awhile: (1) I drove! (2) it was all in English and I understood without deep, almost painful concentration!! And the mass here. It's so organized. People kneel, stand, sit, respond all at the same time and go to communion in an ordered fashion. It's almost too civilized. I had begun to enjoy the Italian mass which reminded me of how heaven meets earth and our broken humanity at each mass. Today is the feast of St. Clare. How appropriate since her and Francis guided me this summer and I loved my two visits to Assisi.

I suppose the trip has come to a close but I am sure that our adventure as a family will never end just as it didn't first begin with my parents landing in Italy.

We are so goofy and I love it!!