Finally, we’ve reached the final day of our Italian adventure – and Sunday in Rome is a wonderful way to do this.
This morning we said good-bye to Massimo, our host at the Roman Residence, since we will likely be gone for the airport by the time he arrives tomorrow. We recommend him and his four-room hotel highly. Massimo could not have made us feel more at home (and even had a load of laundry done for us). Being a native, he can give you all the tips you need to know.
We spent our last day here just wandering through the ancient ruins and the old central city. We visited and worshipped in a number of churches, viewing relics …
St. Peter’s chains
Fabulous sculpture …
Michelangelo’s Moses
Cute little terra cotta …
Barb says this is a lady’s purse with a crawfish
And, even found another church with three more unexpected Caravaggios …
Caravaggio’s The Calling of Matthew (don’t you love the “you talkin’ to me” look on Matthew’s face as Jesus calls him)
Of course, we had to see the ruins, including the Roman coliseum …
… Constatine’s Arch …
… and the Roman Forum … ending with the ostentatious Victor Emmanuel Monument.
And, what trip to Rome is complete without seeing the statue of the She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus …
And a statue of a Caesar, in this case Marcus Aurelius …
But, the highlight of the day was just wandering from piazza to piazza, each with its own wonderful sites, statues, sounds, and shops.
Bernini’s Four Rivers fountain in Piazza Novona (this man represents the Ganges)
But, the most meaningful moments to us were based upon a prayer I had this morning during my quiet time … it was that the Lord might lead us back to the young crippled man we had met yesterday. I realized the odds of this prayer being answered were pretty low … but, the Lord was pleased to do just that (isn’t that just like Him?).
We didn’t see the handicapped fellow by the Trevi fountain, as we had yesterday, but rather, just caught a view of him on a side street. He was watching an artist draw a comical characture of a Roman woman. As her family smiled and laughed, so did he – off to the side, at a distance.
Despite his terrible physical condition, here was a young man apparently full of joy.
We knelt down and introduced ourselves. He smiled from ear-to-ear. I’m sure he recognized Barb.
He said his name was Nicholi and that he was from Armenia. We gave him almost all of our remaining money as a gift and blessed him. We pray he uses it wisely. We pray also that we might meet him again, healed, in Heaven itself. Perhaps you’ll offer a prayer for him, also.
As we left him, I hugged Barb and handed her my handkerchief. We exchanged no words. But, I believe that when our hearts are broken (or, at the very least, saddened) by the poor and their plight, that somehow we are closer to the heart of God.
After a romantic lunch, our last gelato, a good-bye to the Trevi fountain, and a last metro ride, we’re back at the hotel. We’re packing now … but not just our clothes.
We’re also bringing home memories that we think will last a lifetime. Viewing a history and a culture allows one a better view, I think, of him or herself. St. Augustine once wrote, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Amen.
We cannot travel without learning not only more about our world and her people, but also more about ourselves.
Our trip to Italy was, then, more than just seeing many wonderful sights; it was a change in us, a change that will go on and on – one that will be, should be, deep and permanent. Or, as Henry Miller wrote, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
And, we pray, we come home different … more sensitive, more inquisitive, more knowledgeable, of people and their Creator. For, “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” said Mark Twain.
And, for those of you who are thinking … I wish I could do a trip like this … our encouragement would be … DO IT!
Mark Twain rightly recorded, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
And, let us know when you go, so that we might enjoy sharing in your blog.
Thanks for joining us for our trip. Join us in praying for a safe trip home tomorrow. And, if you haven’t, put Italy on your bucket list.
Ciao!
Here’s the entire series:
Dr. Walt and Barb’s Italian Adventure — May 8-25, 2010
If you’ve ever wanted to go to Italy (or even if you have in the past), you’ll want to come along with us and enjoy the sites, sounds, food, and art.
Hopefully, this blog will stimulate you to put visiting these amazing cities on your to-do list. Just click on any of the days or cities you want to visit with us.
We’ve hoped you’ve had fun accompanying us on this trip to Italy, and that one day you’ll be blessed to experience and enjoy her yourself.
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walt & barb thanks for sharing your journey of the lands and your heart. I will miss it as it has touched my life each day. Praying for safe and restful trip home because I know you won”t rest when you get home
Barb & Walt,
I loved reading about your journey & thought the pictures were great. While we’ve been many places in Europe we’ve never been to Italy. I have a great idea! Why don’t the 2 of you organize a tour. I’m sure I could drag Lee along if he knew the tour guides knew all the best places to go (and eat). Think about it. I bet it would be great fun!
Call us next time you fly into New Orleans. We can go have seafood (if there is any left after this oil spill).
Love you guys! Bonnie
Wouldn’t a trip together be a ton of fun? We hope to see you all in New Orleans at least once this year. We’ve been missing you two!
It has been a delight reading about your trip. My husband and I will be traveling this month to Europe and Rome is one of our stops. We plan to do 3 days/4 nights and your journey and pictures helped plan our time there. Amazing how it was Nicholi that touched your hearts the deepest. God had a plan for your visit and all three of you came away a different person as a result of your encounter. Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Minnie