24 June - Kids, Castel, and Saints

June 24, 2019

This morning...we slept late! Since we got in so late last night, we took the opportunity to sleep a bit later than we wanted. 10 am! We didn’t get breakfast, since it was so close to lunchtime, so we spent time getting train information for our Napoli/Sorrento day trip on Thursday, talked to AJ a bit, and looked for information on visiting the Vatican museums. We actually didn’t get outside until after 14:00! 

We went to Termini station and timed how long it will take to get there on Thursday (about 50 minutes), then bought our tickets and made our way back to the apartment. This time, we found a bus that goes directly between Termini station and Piazza Venezia. That way we don’t have to walk between Venezia and Colosseum to catch the metro. Score! It will save us between 20 minutes and half an hour. 

We found yet another way of getting from the tram stop to the apartment. It’s fun to find our way through the winding streets of Tastevere. It’s kind of like a maze. It also amazes Sherry Ann that we can feel so lost one moment and then be right where we need to be. We made a pipi stop, then went to finally find some food...16:30! We found a prosciuteria down the street and around the corner and each got a sandwich as big as my open hand with prosciutto and pecorino cheese. Wow! I’m in heaven! And all for 9€. 

We took the food back to the apartment to eat and prepare to have a group video chat with all of our children. At about 17:00, AJ was ready in France, Geremy was ready in St. George, and we were ready in Rome. He went to tell Mattina Ann and Tanner to wake up for the call. Tanner woke up right away, but Mattina Ann took a bit more time, so Geremy decided to get in the shower like right before the call began. Mattina Ann joined the call, too and we had a great time for about an hour and a half. Mattina Ann had to go to work, and we were having connection issues, so we ended the call. It was so very nice to see and talk to the kids this afternoon. We love them so much. Sherry Ann commented that she couldn’t believe how much she longed for each opportunity to see and talk to them. 

After the call, we headed out to Castel St. Angelo. When we were just about there, we got off the bus and walked across Ponte St. Angelo. Construction on the castello began in about 130 BC and was added on to in the 13th and 14th centuries. We walked around the castello for a while, sat on some benches and just soaked in the atmosphere. It was so quiet and peaceful at the back side of the castello. Well, except for the couple making out on the bench across from us. We got up and walked to another bench. 

From there, we walked around the corner and entered another country. We were in Vatican City at dusk. There were some priests or something that finished a foot race at the obelisk in the center of Piazza di San Pietro. They were English speakers, so it was easy to understand that the winner ran it in 23 minutes. I decided that they raced around the perimeter of Vatican City. Anyway, they had a little devotional there at the obelisk and then sang a hymn to Jesus the Victor. It was beautiful a cappella. No harmony, but still beautiful. We took some pictures in the piazza, and then headed back to Trastevere. Instead of taking the tram, we decided to walk. We got back to our area before the tram did. 

We grabbed a gelato there by the tram stop. I noticed while we were in there that they have punch cards where after your 10th cone or cup purchased, you get one for free. Heck ya! We should have a free one pretty soon! And it was A LOT less expensive than the gelato by the Spanish Steps. ⅓ the price, actually. We ate the gelato on the way back to the apartment and settled in for the night. All-in-all, it was a great day. Ciao!