It was a shame though that I wasn't able to take a picture of Lake Como since it was on the other side of the train. We had a quick stopover in Milano but never had a chance of getting off the train, then on to Toscana, one of my most favorite places. But alas, even there, we never had the chance to get off either. I just contented myself admiring the Duomo from the train when it had a quick stop at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. Then on to where the destination for the day was - Roma!
Termini Station was a bustling train station smack dab in the middle of the Center of the Old Roman Empire. It was a dizzying experience, pulling on our luggage and waiting for the cab to take us to our hotel in Corso Trieste. It was a rainy Spring May day in Roma, what more can I say? It was just a good thing that a fellow Filipina spotted us and taught us how to get to our destination.
Our hotel was a charming place in the middle of the Trieste District. I loved seeing the orange rooftops from the veranda. But my husband was salivating for some authentic Roman food so we explored the area on foot and had a late lunch by a hole in wall place, savoring herb-infused roasted chicken, some pizza slices and croquettes. First meal in Roma and we already could already tell that food was cheaper in Italy.
After unpacking, I thought we would already call it an early night since we were bound for an early start of the day in the morning but Ranie wasn't able to sleep until he had his fill of Cacio e Pepe on his first night, so we went out again, visited this small traittoria called Pepe Verde and in a few words that I know of in Italian, I was able to order for him what he wanted. And boy, did they deliver! Ranie swore that it was the best Cacio e Pepe he ever had!
Then finally, we called it a night! Exhausted, it wasn't long after when we all fell asleep.
Wednesday morning, we were up bright and early for it was one of the highlights of the trip for us - to attend a Papal Audience! So excited were we that we just went straight to Citta Vaticano, passed through the ever strict Swiss Guards and waited in the office of Sant'Anna for Fr. Bruno to give us our tickets. I was starting to get anxious as the Piazza San Pietro was starting to get filled but Ranie nudged me and said to just wait! I was actually glad I did, for Fr. Bruno didn't just give us tickets but rather, escorted us to the piazza, passing by the side of Basilica San Pietro and entrusted us to the Swiss guards. I was only hoping to be standing at the sidelines but indeed, God has better plans for we were led to the left side of the altar, exactly 9 rows away from where the Pope was to be!
It was a good hour or so before Pope Benedict XVIth emerged on board his Pope Mobile, circled the square a couple of times then took his place in the altar. The feeling was unexplainable...as if we saw a Holy Man, and indeed! I was literally counting my blessings at that very moment, starting with God paving a way for us to be there at His Most Perfect Time.
I had a renewed appreciation of my faith at that time! Seeing multitudes of people come together to hear the Word of God through His Vicar on earth, I was grateful that I was born, raised, married and will die a Catholic.
We had a quick bite at a pizzeria just outside of the Vatican Walls and Ranie instantly became friends with the owner. And yes, he got to taste the second thing he came to Roma for - the porchetta! Their spaghetti carbonara wasn't too shabby either!
Then after hanging out with Fr. Stefano in his place inside the Vatican, it was off to Termini again to catch our fast train to Napoli Centrale. For now, arrivederci Roma! Vedi che in due giorni!
No comments:
Post a Comment