LIVE from ROME itssss SATURDAY NIGHT

The Mass this morning was at the Basilica of St. Peter on the altar containing the tomb of St. Gregory the Great followed by a private tour of the Basilica.  We were able to go to the crypt and by God's Grace and a little ingenuity we accessed the Pio-Clementine Chapel - Don't ask how I managed it.

We then toured the Vatican Museums and had lunch at Da Roberto's in the Borgo Pio.  Lots of folks recommended the place and said famous Church folks hang out there.  Indeed they do!  We ran into Fr. Tom Rosica, C.S.B. the CEO of Salt and Light Television (www.saltandlighttv.org) who was having lunch with John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter (www.ncronline.org).

I then brought them over to my place for the best panoramic view of Rome from the roof of the NAC.  We went to my place and made them some cappuccino.  After a rest they came into the Chapel for a (anticipatory for Sunday) discalced Mass (without shoes).

Walking tour of central Rome followed.  I took them through a narrow street filled with shops, suddenly the foot, back, leg pains disappeared and they floated like angels.  Amazing how shopping rejuvenates a woman's soul!!!!!


Piazza Navona, a Caravaggio, St. Monica's tomb, Della Palma Gelato (150 flavors!), Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps (Mom and Gina had there Rocky moment and climbed them all!!  Rosemary and Jim watched from the street), then a stroll down the Via Condotti (the Rodeo Drive of Rome), dinner and I was back to my house by.....mid-night.  I thought it great I caught the 40 Express Bus only to discover a very mentally disturbed man who had not bathed in several years inching toward me while rapidly speaking in Italian.  Well the whole Bus leap out at the Argentina stop, along with me!!  I walked the rest of the way home, it was a very pleasant night.

Dawn rising on the Basilica.

Basilica of San Pietro at Dawn

 As the saying goes, "into every life a little rain must fall".  Thankfully the torrents fell while we were in the museum, here we are making our way to the Borgo Pio for lunch at Da Roberto's.  At this point it was a light rain and a short walk.  When we finished lunch it had already ceased raining.

Sing'in in the rain.

 To the right is my mother, to the left of her is an Italian Bishop.  Jim Mumolie had turned to the poor man and handed him all his purchases saying, "Here go pay for these".  The bewildered bishop turned to me and asked if he was crazy!  Jimmy thought Gina was still behind him!!

Mom and the Bishop buying religious Tzotchke.

 Mom determined to come back!!  Three coins in a fountain at the Trevi...there goes the gelato money!

Mom tossing the Gelato money into the fountain

 Half way up the Spanish Steps, the Principessa's looking out on the Via Condotti dreaming about Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Ferragamo......etc. etc. etc, Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.

Hey Carol, lets buy some Gucci Bags!

 Here we are at the top of the Spanish Steps, still anxious to get to the Via Condotti!!  Hmmm, Mom said she needed new shoes.

top of the Spanish Steps.

 At the bottom of the Spanish Steps is this boat fountain by Gian Lorenzo Bernini...they may need it to get home after visiting the Via Condotti and maxing out the credit cards!!

Bernini's Boat Fountain at the Spanish Steps

Ciao for now!