Papa

On our last day in Rome, we went to visit the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. We spent several hours touring the infinite Vatican museum, which was full of amazing stuff...more that we ever thought possible. Then, we traipsed over to St Peter's. I don't know what I wasn't expecting but the church was just so MASSIVE. As we wandered up to the front of the the basilica we were a bit disappointed that it was closed for mass. Out of curiosity, we joined a small group of people watching the procession leave mass.

the procession leaving mass

And then...everyone started pushing and shoving us and we soon saw why:

Pope Francis

There was the Pope! We didn't get a good picture because everyone was pushing and shoving and exclaiming "Papa, Papa!" and he walked by and gave his papal blessing.  Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to be only a few feet away from such a famous personality. Not a bad last day in Rome.

where to begin...

Um, its been almost a month since I wrote a blog. And now there is so much that I could write about that I don't know where to begin. So I haven't. To get up and running again I'm just going to start small. :)

there...

After spending three weeks away in Greece and Italy, We've now been back for a week. Lets just say it has been, once again, quite the adjustment. It is quite shocking, really, one week to be walking down a Roman street lined with Ferrari and Louis Vuitton stores and the next week to be on a street lined with mud-brick huts filled with people just hoping for enough rain this year so they can feed their families.

...and here

Its impossible to describe the emotions, thoughts, and feelings that come with the jump between worlds. It feels like we have returned from another planet, far, far away. But, we are slowly adjusting back to life in the desert. More vacation stories to come. :)

another world

We are on vacation in Italy. Its bizarre to be in a different part of the world after not leaving Africa for 16 months. A few pics from our trip so far. First, we said goodbye to some dear friends.

Goodbyes...we're gonna miss these guys.

Then, we continued our journey by plane.

sleeping in the Not Constantinople airport (its nobody's business but the Turks') after our red-eye flight, waiting for our flight to Rome

the sight that met us as we stepped off the metro in Rome

 the Colosseum is bigger and more impressive than we imagined. Also, I love the cold weather. Cold weather is AWESOME. I am now convinced more than ever that I am a cold weather person.

Strawberries!!! so delicious. When the vendor saw my eyes light up when I saw them, he stuffed the tray in my hands and said; 1.50! What a STEAL!

breakfast 

we have eaten some pizza  at every meal (except breakfast) so far. I cannot get enough PIZZA. It is my favorite food and it seems every restaurant here knows how to make very well.