It has been very busy the last few days. Ma’s last week here in Germany was spent together with my in laws- we went to Paris for a few days and the rest was spent here at home. Luckily, the weather turned out really well and on her last day here  we could have a barbeque in our garden. Also there was an open air Strauss concert in the evening at the park (walking distance from our house) with  fantastic fireworks ending to it accopanied by music. Ma enjoyed all of this and indeed this is really  a wonderful ending to her holiday here in Germany.

She had a wonderful and a very relaxing flight. Ma enjoyed her holiday up the last minute – she said she could not sleep in the airplane so she watched about 3 movies, listened to music and had some wine and or course lots of food! -she enjoyed the buffet snack offered by cathay pacific

Thank you very much for being a part of Ma ‘s holiday and reading this blog as she goes through her journey in Germany and in some parts of Germany. We are thankful for this opportunity that God has given us to be all together in this special time and have some amazing and wonderful experiences for the last 3 months.

I will be updating the blog when we get back so see you all soon!

We woke up fully charged and ready the day

(pictures just from the courtyard of the hotel)

Our third day was designated to see Ancient Rome including Colosseum, Forum and the Palatine Hill  but we had to change our plan a bit because the heat was just too overwhelming in the end! If you have a choice when coming here – avoid summer not only is it crowded but it is just too hot especially when you stand in the middle of it supposedly admiring such old relics and piece of history.

It was crowded once again but we did not have to line up thank goodness to get in because we have the so called Roma Pass which entitles you to get around Rome with the public transportation and entrance to 2 museums of your choice.

A stage has been put up to show the people how the chambers for the animals and the gladiators/prisoners  used to be, just under it.

There’s a good view of the Forum and Palatine Hill up the Colosseum.In the end we decided to have a siesta after Colosseum.

..to be continued….

After the long day we we felt we deserved to have  a wonderful meal – we went back to the hotel to rest for a few minutes and went to find some good food in Trastevere just on the other side  of the river.  There were numerous restaurants so you just have to look for the perfect deal for you according to your budget.

It was a bit full but we found  a place outside. The cool breeze is much nicer than being in an airconditioned room – this is also one thing we noticed. The evenings are very nice because of the cool breeze.

The appetizers – the salad was actually for everyone and the first course was ravioli, and seafood pasta for me and also pasta with some kind of Italian sausage  for Vlado which ended up on the next collage. yummy!  2nd course was of course shrimp for me, chicken stew for ma and a pork stew for Vlado. They were all so good.. this is an example of a Menu Turistico (meals for tourists) which comes in set with a drink (water and wine), 1st and 2nd course and dessert.. we felt we’ve earned this meal after such a long day.

 Panna cotta for dessert and creme caramel- After such a wonderful meal we decided to take a bit of a walk till the bus stop instead of taking the tram.

There’s lot of shopping going down there along the river banks but it was almost midnight and we needed to catch our bus. The metro is not functioning after 9 pm the last few days  because of repairs but you could take the buses which we really were not keen on taking because we have seen the long que of people wanting to get on it.

The river is beautiful and it has been such a wonderful day – we headed home to get ready for the next part of the trip – The Colosseum.

When we got in, there was a mass a sort of music going on – I thought first that this was from the choir but when we got nearer this was from the monks …singing or chanting the bible.. it was really nice – the church was so big so there was a wonderful acoustic and it’s almost listening to a concert/cd and the monks really sang well. We decided to sit there and just enjoy the mass – unfortunately I wasn’t able to take pictures because I don’t want to be moving so much and distract the people. Mama was so happy again because she could end the day with a beautiful mass and even officiated by the Bishop who had such a wonderful, angelic voice he could be a professional singer.

It was a wonderful experience-  the monks actually live here because it is as well as Monastery and the basilica is part of it. We were just fortunate to hear them sing. It was actually a pity  that not many people were there as you could see on this picture with Mama. Also just about a tenth of the church is being used – the rest is just left empty like this. Such a big space!!! This is just the middle lane… so you could just imagine how big it is.. Vlado thinks you could put 3 football fields here (soccer fields)

After seing so many churches for the day, I just wanted to enjoy this church and listen to the wonderful music from the monks.

I took a picture of the walls – these are all so big in real life and so beautiful. 

Here you can see what I am telling you about the church not being used and occupied – just the part where the dome is mostly being used with benches..This Basilica also has the tomb of Saint Paul – it has a very long history dating back as far as the first century AD where  Saint Paul’s followers erected a shrine (cella memoriae) over the grave. Early Christians frequently visited the site to honor the great Apostle to the Gentiles. The first church on the site was a small one, founded by Emperor Constantine and consecrated on November 18, 324.  Of course there  has been numerous renovations/extensions plus the great fire which damaged the basilica in 1823

lots of people writing prayers to Saint Paul to be prayed over by the Monks.

I was fascinatedwith this big sculpture – made in the 12th century it is almost like a big candle with lots of figures around it. We were very impressed with all that we saw and glad to see the other famous Basilicas of Rome – please don’t miss them when you get the chance to go to Rome because they are all beautiful and each has a story to tell. 

We continued with our journey. There is no stopping us despite the heat but before that time for some refreshments.

Italian pastries and some kind of iced coffee/ice cream.. really good especially for such a hot weather. We had to take the Metro to get to the next church and while inside the train we  got some entertainment. The singer was so good, we felt a little bit sad that we needed to get out for our stop.

Presenting to you – San Giovani

The floorand ceiling are both beautiful

There were lots of statues all over the church – especially of all the apostles.. I managed to take some pictures but not everyone.In real life they are really, really big. However it is not much visited like the Saint Peter’s and is not really crowded as you can see from the pictures. Here you are really feel to wander without bumping to anybody.

The church is really beautiful, very big and majestic. This is because it is the official cathedral and ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop or Rome, who is the Pope.

I think the following picturesexactly shows how big and magnificent the church interior of the church is.

The candle is just an electric one, otherwise the soot from the candles will darken the church’s interior. This is one of the many chapels found in the cathedral. I think I saw about 4 (but could be more), they are open and you could come in to pray. Picture taking inside is not allowed so as not to disturb those who are praying. 

There are so many beautiful things to see and admire. I think you can really spend a few hours here if you want to. Get one of the audio guides to help you out. All the basilicas are actually for free – you just need to give a few hours if you are interested to go in the treasury of  the church.

And goodbye for now and see you in the next church.

This is the highlight of the day – we asked Mama what she wanted to do first go to the Vatican Museum or to Saint Peter’s?  We heard that on Sundays the museum is actually for free (“,) so we thought maybe we could do this first since it was still relatively early. Mama said no nevertheless, since it is as well a Sunday – then we had to go to church first.

Mama got a bit emotional the moment she was in the Vatican.. she cannot believe she finally made it to here.. to Rome and yes she indeed The Vatican – something very important for Filipino Catholics.

the very popular dome

and the sign that just proves they won’t let you inSaint Peter’s or to the other basillicas  if you wear short sleeves/spaghetti straps and shorts or above the knee skirts. We did see a few people being turned down after the very long que to get in.
It took us about 15 or 20 minutes till we could get in. There was a super  long line and it was just about 10:00 am- nevertheless we were happy that it wasn’t actually that long. Once inside Mama was so relieved – a sigh of relief indeed!

Just very near the entrance is Michaelangelo’s Pieta — is is covered in glass because it was vandalized a few years ago.

The entire ceiling with its dome is just so overwhelming and beautifulThere are many things to see here .. the church is just surrounded with beautiful art everywhere.

Just in front of the wooden arch is where the people were gathered to hear the mass but it is actually closed and they only let a few people get in. Here’s another shot to show you that…

You can go up the dome and have a view of Rome from outside – this we did not do this time. If you look at the picture below you could see the people going around.

Everything is just gold and shiny here.. it’s like the add the letter L to God  :(

Finally the mass is over and we could go over and see the altar in front.

We noticed there were a few cardinals here ..

We decided to stop here a few minutes.. rest and just be quiet.. just after a few minutes a man told us that there is another mass. Mama said we had to stay here and hear the mass- so we all sat there.. we did not understand anything but just enjoyed the special moment. It was actually very quiet in front.. you would not hear the thousands of people behind wandering in the church.

Just a few of the things I saw around St. Peter’s
Vlado and Mama done for the day – oh I mean just for the moment..and one last picture…

Next stop is the Vatican Museum.

Unfortunately it was already closed ;( it was almost 2 pm when we got out of the church. That’s it you cannot have everything in one day. We still need to see 2 more Basillicas… San Giovani and San Paulo

Last picture of the Vatican – here you could see the walls and the ever famous panini stand for hungry tourists.

We woke up all fresh and ready to face the day. Thank goodness for aircondition and super good running water for shower.  We all had a wonderful sleep and were all recharged for the day. Today’s itenerary was to visit all the great four Basilicas of Rome, of course priority was The Vatican. We got a tip from the  hotel’s owner that entrance to the Vatican Museum is free on Sundays.  Mama’s priority was the Saint Peter’s church so this is where we are heading first and foremost! Our hotel was actually very near Sta Maria Maggiore -this was our first Basillica for the day.

It was written on my guide book (guide books are such great companions on trips –  i never leave without one!) that you have to be properly dressed to get into the churches, no bare shoulders or only below the knee clothing so despite the heat we all dressed decently (trousers, blouse/shirt, dress)

Mama has seen lots of cathedrals here in Germany but she was not prepared for the size of the Basillicas.. it was almost a shock to her!

you can see the center of the cathedral but the other 2 sides are almost as big as the center. It is really huge and beautiful. The ceiling alone is a work of art..

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Finally one of the highlights of Mama’s trip – Rome! We flew to Rome via Munich. This way we were able to combine two trips, one to Munich then to Rome. Travel time to Munich via car took 4.5 hours while the flight to Rome took 1.5 hours. We took an afternoon flight and arrived there at about 7 pm. From the airport we took Leonardo express , non stop train (30 minutes costs €14 one way) from the airport to Termini, the main train station.

First thing we had to do was look for our Pension – it was in a very quiet neighborhood but very central. This picture taken above was from that neighborhood. The room was very clean, with a good functioning aircon and for the price we got, we could not complain (€90/night with Italian breakfast;coffee of your choice and sweet rolls like choco croissant etc)

Then we head off to have our dinner. We were hungry and  need a quick bite, reasonably priced but good!

All of these plus 2 bottles of mineral water for €14.00 – wow! it was the best pizza ever!!! with thin aubergines, italian ham, cheese, those balls are Rome specialties with rice and cheese and some meat sauce. Yummy!

Then off to take the Metro and see some beautiful sights in the evening.

Ta ran – the Trevi fountain.

There were just so many people.. unbelievable and it was about 10 pm.

at least we managed to have a picture all together..

We decided to leave the crowd after spending a few minutes there.. Vlado and I can’t believe that there were just so many people here. We went to Rome 10 years ago or 11 actually in September and the fountain was empty! I have to look for those pictures to prove that.

The Spanish Steps.. I remember being reprimanded here for eating ice cream while sitting on the steps.. now there were tourists everywhere eating and drinking while sitting on it.

There really is no scaping the crowd, from this moment on we knew what’s awaiting us here in Rome.