We're Going Home

I wrote this from the airport yesterday but couldn't get it to upload:

        I'm officially done with college! We're in Munich about to board the plane to O'Hare. I'm sad to be leaving but excited to be on a normal schedule. I already miss all of those who aren't traveling back to Goshen with us. See all of you stateside folks soon!

Roaming Around Rome

        Yesterday Mia, Anna and I painted the town red, roaming here there and everywhere around Rome. It was. Or last day in the city and we had it all to ourselves to do whatever our little hearts desired. First we went back to the Spanish Steps to climb to the top and take in the full view. Next we were off to the Trevi Fountain again, of kicks and giggles. After that we made our way down to the Circus Maximus, where there happened to be a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. That was cool to see! And by see I mean we were clueless tourists in the middle of this massive event. Mia went to see the Mouth of Truth while Anna and I sat on an adjacent park bench, soaking up the sunshine and beauty of the city. By the time that was through it was time to start thinking about lunch. On the way back to the metro we happened upon an enormous rose grader with hundreds of colors and varieties of roses! Upon exiting we saw a lovely bride and groom being photographed in the piazza. We made our way back toward restaurants and hit the jackpot: delicious Italian food at a good price.
        The rest of our day included souvenir shopping, selfies, gelato, The Pantheon round two, a fantastic final dinner with the group while soaking up our last moments together, cards with friends, and laughter. Lots of laughter.
        Thanks for the memories, Greece and Rome May Term 2014!

St. Francis of Assisi

        Today we took a trip to Assisi to visit the church of St. Francis of Assisi. The countryside and the buildings are beautiful. Our itinerary included seeing two more beautiful churches, one for St. Claire and the other for St. Francis. The highlight for me was the beautiful, sunny day we had, instead of the forecasted rain, which lit up the countryside for absolutely stunning views.

The Vatican City

        These past few days in Rome have been action packed. Today some highlights were our visit to the catacombs of San Callisto and the Vatican City. There are so many amazing original articles in the Vatican Museum, the eye doesn't know where to rest. Also all the walls and floors and ceilings are so ornate that everywhere you look, it's awe inspiring. As for the Sistine Chapel, there are no words. Too bad photos are not permitted! But you should totally go visit it and experience it for yourself.

If I Were A Pigeon...

        The title of my blog comes from the frequent phrase on the lips of Jon. There are pigeons everywhere in Rome, as there were in Greece. Jon keeps informing us of all the places he'd go and things he'd do, if he were a pigeon.
        Pigeons in Rome get to see really amazing things every day. Today we visited many things, things it don't remember the names of, but the highlight of the day was the Colosseum! Neither words nor pictures do it justice.


Leanna, Jon, Mia, Diego in front of the Colosseum. If we were pigeons, we'd live here.

We're in Rome!

        Yesterday was a long day of travel and exploring the city, but we are in Rome!!! My level of excitement requires-count 'em-three exclamation marks. A few highlights of the day are from our walking tour of the city, including: gelato, beautiful Italian men, the Pantheon, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Spanish Steps.

Hill of the Muses

        Today we had a free day so Anna and I took advantage of it by exploring a bit. We hiked up to the Hill of the Muses and got an amazing panoramic view of the city, the sea, the mountains and the Parthenon. After taking in the view and the warm sun, Anna commented that it was pretty amazing that in the middle of a city of about four million people we were able to find a place that was so serene.