The Beehive

Currently I am sitting in the Beehive Hostel/Hotel and loving it so very much. This place is amazing, good bed, free internet, cheap, cool fat cat named ignmar, THE best food I have had in Italy, all while feeling like home. I am in love with this place and it is going to be hard to stay anywhere else. But alas I have one more night. To be honest since the program has ended I have not really done much. I have spent about two weeks in Rome and have really seen and expirenced the sights, there is not much more for me to see and I am dead exhausted. I kinda want to be home.....I miss you all! I am going to do a recap of what I have seen, and once I get done with going through all my photos I will upload them. That is my days Plans pertty much, relax and recap.

Last Program Day in Rome

Hey everyone. Today is the last day that I have in Rome for the Program. Yesterday was the Vatican Museums, they were exhausting and I am surprised that I was able to hold it together and make it through them completely. Just as I was warned, the sistine chapel was over packed and I have seen the images so much it was a let down. I really liked the modern art though that was before the chapel itself. No one wanted to look at it really and they all just marched through those areas so it was quiet and not crowded at all. Going through those museums it was easy for me to understand a smaller church and hope and want for a smaller church. Because there really was not a whole lot of reverence for these places but rather a packed full spectacle.

I also was able to attend mass at St. Peters which was a wonderful experience and to take communion there is awe inspiring. The mass was interesting in that it was a mix of italian and spanish novus oro and an older latin mass. I really enjoyed it.

as a bonus here is a picture that I am uploading!

In Roma

Hey everyone,
I made it to Rome and due to the fact that it is Rome there is a lot more internet connection avaible so I will be able to blog more and hopefully keep everyone updated. Today was a good day and we saw the Colosseum and the Roman Ruins! It was facinating to see the old and the even older. I am doing well and having a good time! Lots of pictures to share and stories to tell!
Love
Dale

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

In lack of substence and actual things about my trip due to busyness and crazy readings, I wanted to wish my mom a happy birthday! She is really cool and super nice and I love her! Happy B Day Mom and I love you!

Still Alive

Hey everyone I am still alive Just got back from venice. Once again sorry for no blog posts I plan on some good computer time... I love you all!!!! best wishes! Dale

UPDATE Sorry

Today I arrived in Florence and I really like this town. It is smaller than many other espically than that of Rome. The city is small enough in that I was able to walk around it entirely in about an hour. I am so blessed to be here and it amazes every time I just stop and think that I am in Italy. Upon arriving in Firenze from the train the first thing that I noticed was the Duomo. it is so tall and amazing that It is hard to believe that it is really there. It is also interesting to point out that the entire city is almost cpletely under the Duomo. It is the largest structure as well as it is the most grand. So in Rome it was interesting to see the different Catheridals and Basilicas this was even more amazing in that it stood completely on its own and is really the center of the town. From the train station it was easy to find the Convent and get to my room. The Convent is amazing and there is air conditioning which is a godsend in this heat. There is a beautiful garden in the center of the piazatza that is taken care of by the sisters. I will definitely enjoy staying here! The day should be busy and jam packed tomorrow so I will let you know how it goes!

Florence Day 2:

I am constantly amazed by this city. Even though it is easy to see the American tourist's influence upon the city the actual character of the city shines through and there is so much culture that eminates throughout the city. Today Started with the amazing Frisole, which as a small town is amazing and has such great views of Florence. It is easy to understand why the city started here due to its views that see the entire valley on both sides. It is also amazing and like nothing other to feel the impact of a city that is older than you have ever been in. So much history has been created here and we have little concept of how much has happened here. In Frisole we went to the Fransiscan monestary and saw the amazing church that was there.

In Room

Hey everyone!!! I am waiting to get on the rain to Firenze! I am excited to start and see everyone from SU. The Gonzaga Roma group is amazing and they are all really nice and have been wonderful to me. I will miss them but it feels like I have been here for ever.

Yesterday I went to all the 4 basilicas and it was crazy to see them all. They are all so beautiful and I was in awe the entire time. My favorite was st. pauls it was so cool!!! I promise to upload pictures but it is a little had to do so I will get it later. Mitch and I also did the holy stairs which was a really moving experience. Not really much else to report because it is just mozying around Rome. Which is so much fun!

Ok well I have not the greatest internet connection so I am going to go I will post when I get into Florence.

Ciao!