Rome

Thursday, December 22nd we are back in Weiden, at Tera's home. We arrived last night at around 11:00pm.

Monday, December 19th we caught the bus at our Camp and were fortunate that an Australian couple, that had scouted out the route to the Vatican before, told us where to get off.

We walked around the enormous wall of the Vatican to the very impressive, pillared entrance to the plaza in front of the Basilicas which we toured. After getting through security we went to the Tombs of the Popes. It was very interesting to see all the sarcophagi but one in particular got my attention. It was a little larger than the others, and the sign next to it indicated several members of a royal family and others associated with them were interred there.

When we got back up to the top we went into the Basilicas. It is a Huge church with many side chapels or grottos. They each contain beautiful sculptures, altars, candles and even sarcophagi. One of these grottos had been curtained off and a very elaborate nativity diorama was being constructed. Our attention was drawn to it when we saw some men opening a wooden crate that looked to be about a four-foot cube. It proved to contain a kneeling statue of a man, perhaps a magi, that was, no doubt, to be added to the developing scene.

Viv and I approached the fence or solid wall that kept the public out of the way, along with Joey and Bailey. As we watched, one of the workmen smiled and waved at the girls. Then he walked over and pushed apart two sections of the wall and waved the girls, Viv and me into the construction area. There were many observers there but we were the only ones invited inside. The man took us over to a large curtain behind which the diorama was actually being assembled. He parted the curtain where we could see the almost life-size nativity scene. He then picked up a little lamb and handed it to Joey. After we took a photo of her holding it with the scene behind, he then handed it to Bailey and we did the same. We then left the construction area to the gaze of many people who could have been from anywhere in the world. I hope the girls will some day realize the significance of the experience. That out of all those international peoples, they were the ones chosen, in such a world famous place at the most special time of the year, for such an unusual opportunity. I'm sure their Wright grandparents won't soon forget it.

From the Vatican we took two separate Metros to the Roman Colosseum where we spent the rest of our daylight hours. To describe such a massive, complex structure is beyond my journalistic ability.

We took the metros back to our bus where we met up with our Australian friends who helped us get back to our lodgings.

The next morning which, if I am correct, was Tuesday, December 21st, we went directly back to the Colosseum, but we did not go inside. Instead, we walked to the Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, by way of the narrow fascinating streets of Rome. We spent most of the day just walking, and although our feet, legs, and backs were sore, it was a very enjoyable day. We stopped at one of the little Bistro Cafes and each had a Panini as we were walking around. The Sun was dropping and light was fading as we headed back to the metro to go to our lodgings.

On Wednesday we traveled back to Weiden. We went out of our way to visit some castles on our way home but when we arrived at their location, access to them were closed for the day and there was not sufficient light to take photos. We arrived at Tera's home at about 11:00pm.

Thursday we visited the outlet for the local leaded crystal and made some minor purchases then spent the rest of the day traveling to Nuremberg to see the Christmas market. I think the old city there was as impressive as anything else we have seen on this trip.

To have traveled from Bavaria, through Austria, and in Italy, and see the marvelous things we have seen is beyond anything I ever dreamed I would experience.