Andiamo!

 So be forewarned:  NEVER and I do mean NEVER book a connecting flight through Frankfurt!

Let’s just say after being treated so beautifully for 11 hours on our flight from LA, we, along with the thousands of others cramming into this airport, were treated like gum under a shoe.  Between lines literally a mile long, almost having cops intervene and being literally felt up by a TSA type woman - no I don’t wear an underwire bra, lady - we finally boarded a cramped flight to Rome where our luggage appeared and our driver was waiting.  Benvenuto a Roma!

The weather in Rome is quite warm (85ish) and it’s not even summer but the nights are delightful and so was our meal at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel.

We were excited today to attend Pentecost Mass at the Pantheon.  It’s a very special event that culminates in thousands of red rose petals falling through the oculus symbolizing the Holy Spirit descending upon us…aka “The Rain of the Roses”.  The red rose petals are fed through hoses by the fire department.  This is a huge tradition in Rome so we knew we had to arrive early to get on the entry line, so off we went 2 hours before Mass.  As we approached the Pantheon we were gobsmacked by over 1,000 people who were already on the line.  No kidding.  The line went for blocks.  If you cut this line there would be a riot and they would kill you.

The doors opened at 9am and closed at 9:30 when capacity was reached.  Needless to say, we were so disappointed not to get in.

This is a photo of the wannabes still hoping to get into the Pantheon.

We were left with seeing a musical band perform until 10:30 when we made our way to the Church of the Gesu (the Mother church of the Jesuits) for 11 am mass.  Oh well!  

We met up with our dear Jesuit friend Fr Marc and his Art Historian colleague who together bring 16 Loyola Marymount University students to Rome for an immersive 10 day class.   We lunched and set off together to the Palazzo Barbarini for a Bernini Exhibit. I felt better knowing his students didn’t make it into the Pantheon either.  Fr. Marc, however, was front row and center, concelebrating Mass.  Our consolation were the rose petals he brought us which had landed upon him…😇

Here we are at the Spanish Steps after the museum visit.,,

And the magnificent Trevi Fountain taken as we strolled through Rome.

What a bonus having someone who has lived in Rome and has been coming for at least 10 years who can recommend good restaurants!  Dinner was another winner.

A typical walking day…almost 20,000 steps.  Should be good enough to negate the pasta!

Hoping to be able to sleep tonight.  When we lived in NY  Dom traveled most everywhere and has slept like a log, as men do, but when we travel to Europe from LA he gets insomnia and when Dom can’t sleep, well, you guessed it, I can’t either.  Is it contagious????