The day started off good. I had planned on having breakfast with Christina (which usually ends up being a late lunch) and then going to see the Pope, yes, you read correctly, the Pope. I got to her place around 2 and we had the usual, pancakes, hashbrowns, and chocolate cake. It was scrumptious. Christina had a friend staying in town so I go to meet her. Her name was Anne Marie, very sweet girl.
When we had finished breakfast we left to go to Vatican City. I had a meeting scheduled with a professor at another university in Rome to get our tickets. After getting the tickets we watched the people strolling by while waiting for Nicole to show up.
This was the guy representing Mexico. I guess I should explain a little more why we were here. The Pope was holding a Marian Vigil at the Paul VI audience hall for all the international student in Rome and across Europe and the Americas. The whole thing was being broadcasted in Washington DC, Mexico City, Paris, and a 8 other cities. There were readings done in 5 different languages and people from other countries read different parts of the program. It was a pretty big deal. I didn’t get to meet the Holy Man personally but it was cool none the less.
This was the outside of the audience hall.
And when we saw these boys we felt completely underdressed. We were all wearing shirts and jeans and here they were in suits and ties.
Me and Nicole. I’m the lighter of the two.
Anne Marie, Me, and Christina. Anne Marie is on the left, Christina on the right.
There were performances from every country. We were too late to see what America did but we were able to catch Belize, Mexico and Peru. These are the Mexicans. I thought Katie was so much better than any of these people.
This picture makes me laugh. Everyone in the audience was standing toward the middle of the auditorium looking out the back door because we had word of the Holy Man coming from that way. It was truly a site to see, all these nuns and priests standing on chairs to get a glimpse of the Holy Man and then you know what he did? He came out of the side door in the front of the auditorium. We were all fooled by the Holy Man.
This is the auditorium.
And this is the Holy Man
This picture also makes me laugh. The Holy Man was walking around the stage holding up both hands to the audience. When he was dead center looking out at us I hit the button on my camera and some guy with his Brazilian flag decided it would be the perfect time to wave it. So, consequently, I got a picture of both of the Holy Man’s arms but his face is blocked out by Brazil’s arm. At this point I might have yelled a curse word or something… I, uh, don’t remember…
After the ceremony was over we left to a small pizza place to get dinner with Christina and Anne Marie. We then got gelato to take back to her place to eat with the chocolate cake. Superb.
Sunday (March 2) was much calmer. We all went to Porta Portese and then back to Christina’s for dinner. She made the most awesome broccoli sauce with fresh grated Parmesan. I have to get that recipe from her so that I can make it when I get back home.
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