March 18, 2005
Vatican City and the Pantheon
A goal of mine since elementary school
Our visit to the Vatican City was amazing. Rome is such a beautiful city. The pine trees, the architecture, the people. It is all so awesome. Seeing the Sistine Chapel has been a goal of mine since elementary school so I was quite enthusiastic to be going through. The one scene of the damned and the heavenly has got to be my favorite. It brought some of the characters of Dante's Inferno to life. I knew from the past how large St. Peter's Basilica was from pictures, but seeing it in person gave me a whole new perspective, not surprising. I can't wait to sing there. I can describe how I feel the best saying I basically swoon at the idea.
Our trip to the Trevi fountain was also pretty cool. We visited a lot of the little shops. Other than the fact that someone tried to pickpocket me it was really nice to just walk around. I was taken aback to find a little old man roasting chestnuts to sell. Another man had a parrot that you could pet and hold for one euro. I think it is kind of cool the types of things people do to try and make some money. There was a very sweet man who had painted his entire body gold to attract people. I suppose you need to be sweet to get people to give you money, but it was still nice. Our impromptu singing at the Pantheon was really cool of Marion to do. The tourists loved it and so did we. Apparently we will be taking in some of the nightlife after dinner. I think a nice walk through the square is the perfect way to round off an already quite eventful day and I am really looking forward to it.
Dana Rose O'Malley '08
Swept away by Vatican City
Today I was swept away by Vatican City. The proportions of St. Peter’s Basilica were mind-blowing, the whole building is spectacular and I can't wait to sing there! A special treat for me was seeing the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena in Rome. She's my patron saint so it was special for me. Of course, the Sistine Chapel was spectacular. You never realize what a work of genius it truly is till you see it and you realize how far up it is and what a complicated process it must have been to paint it. I had a wonderful day and can't wait to have a wonderful night!
Katie Millsap '08