Rome, settled in.

Buon Girno.....today is our 2nd day in Rome, and it is quite an adventure! We arrived in the morning of the 12th, having been on a plane for 8 hours, the hours when most Romans are sleeping, and most Denverites going about their day. The airport was confusing, but we were able to get our bags and some Euros from the ATM pretty quickly. The exchange rate was better than I expected, about $1.40 per euro without extra cost. Our bank in Conifer offered us some Euros at $1.53! The nerve, lol.

We found our shuttle bus at the airport, who drove us into the city, about an hour long drive. We took a taxi from the bus stop to our place, a great apartment/condo just outside of the Vatican walls.

There was some confusion with getting into the place, for the young man waiting for us didn't seem to hear our bell, so I had to go find a phone, call him, then wait again. Then, the place wasn't ready because it was only 10 AM, and they hadn't had enough turn around time. So, we walked around in our bleary state, found some lunch at a little sidewalk place, then came back for a 3 hour nap. All went well.

Then, up and at em, we took a stroll over to St. Peter's. What an amazing place! We got there at about 5 PM, not too crowded. I was amused at the dress code to get in. Men could wear just about anything, but women had to cover up their shoulders, no straps, no short-shorts, and this is in 95 degree weather. Ah, the lovely messages that the Catholic Church still likes to send about women, letting them know their place, Crazy! Vicki was reminded of the days when girls had to have a hat on to go to church, and her mom would pin a little napkin on her head.

Such a large, ornate place. I was in awe, and was able to say a few prayers for my late Grandfather, Francis Moore, and my amazing Grandmother, Marie "Muzzy" Connor Moore. They were great people, and very devout. I miss you, Muzzy and Grandpop! I wish that I had read up on my "Sixty Saints for Boys" before I got there, for there were many great statues to many great saints. We will go back there today, after a trip to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. I am tempted to go to confession there, but what would I say, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been 38 years since my last confession". Hmm....