Excitement!

As soon as 2008 started, I have been looking forward to nothing but WINTER! definitely not because of the gloomy and cold weather but because of the warm and homey feeling Pinas has to offer. Yes! it's now a matter of days (as in days!!!!) before my much-deserved and long waited homecoming. It's been exactly 2 years since I went home. I just could not wait!!!

I have packed up my luggage since last week (I am not that excited, am I?) and had done some last minute shopping. I am raring to go but I need to keep my focus on my project tasks and deliverables for this week or shall I say 3-day work period before I head off to my 5-week sojourn.

Oh! Excitement of all excitements!

It's Christmas Time in the City

Unfortunately, due to some reason, Zach cancelled his holiday in Pinas and for another reason I could never back out and decide not to go home (or else my not-so-little sis will not speak to me ever again..hehe!). It simply means that we will be celebrating our second anniversary, Christmas and New Year apart. Too bad!

In order to make up for it, we decided to have an early Christmas treat. We went to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park in London on the evening of the 3rd of December despite the harsh cold of winter. The fair showcases an outdoor ice rink, observation wheel (or ferris wheel or whatever one wants to call it) and a variety of rides and family entertainment. But for Zach and I, we indulge ourselves to freshly grilled German sausages, mulled wine and some crepes available in the authentic German Christmas Market. And of course, would BEER be ever absent in any German or English event? Not!

Here are some photos taken using our mobile phone cameras. Somebody has forgotten to bring the P&S camera (uhm..me?). Apologies for the photo quality.

Zach enjoying his gluhwein

try ice skating...should I or shouldn't I

observatory wheel for them - ferris wheel for me

an earlier trip to Selfridges in Oxford Street for some gift-buying
and see their Christmas lights displays

The Roman Forum

What was one of the most interesting about my trip to Rome last April was having a first hand glimpse of the Roman Forum. It helped a lot that we had some Filipino priests with us who have been living and studying in Rome for a while now and they have been perfect tour guides.

The Roman Forum is located between the hills of Palatine and the Capitoline where the ancient Roman civilization developed. Thousands of years ago, the area used to be a marshland and by unbelievable engineering (during the ancient times, that is), which was commissioned by the last two Etruscan kings, a canal that is still functioning up to this day, allowed for the drainage of the land. It was later expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts and its ancient royal residence known as the Regia and the surrounding buildings for the Vestal Virgins. The area further developed and became the hub of commerce, socials and politics.

When the Roman Empire fell, the part of the Forum was abandoned and later on gradually covered with soil and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages. It was only in the 18th century that the Forum was rediscovered and excavated and the long process of the recovery of the ancient ruins was made.

The Arch of Septimus Severus - a triumphal arch erected in 203 AD to celebrate the victories of Emperor Septimus Severus and his sons. Located in the northeast end of the forum.

One of the four panels placed above the lateral arches on each side. This one shows the attack of the city of Seleucia on the River Tigris in the lower part and the upper part surrender of the Parthians to the emperor and his entry into the conquered town.

Intricate design of the inner part of the arch. Simply exquisite!!!
And they don't have the luxury of power tools at that time.

Temple of Saturn - oldest surviving structure in that area, having been established between 501 and 498 BC

An open square in the center of the forum is the hub of political activities of the Roman Republic.
This was the location of many public meetings. It is surrounded by many important buidlings and monuments.

Looking back to thousands of years ago...

Requisite group shot at the Roman Forum

A Roman Holiday

As I was meeting my cousin on a Saturday and the conference ending Thursday, I had intended to do my own Roman adventure the whole Friday. Definitely, it was an adventure on my part since for a change, I did not have the comforts of a five-star hotel and the convenience of a taxi I usually have during business trips. Thus, from the time I checked out from the Hilton Rome Airport on Friday morning, I was totally on my own (read: paying everything from my own pocket) and there was no expense reimbursement applicable. So that meant modest pension house and train travelling for me. Hehe!

Actually, it was my cousin who booked a room for me in Pontificio Collegio Filippino – a college for Filipino diocesan priests studying at pontifical universities in Rome as she and her friends will be staying there as arranged by their friend who would be ordained that weekend. It was a smooth trip going to the collegio, except for the taxi driver who duped me into paying him double (swiftly dropped one of the Euro bills I handed him and asked for another one, hmp!). Well, just to pacify myself, I just considered it added payment for the entertainment - he was singing along a Michael Jackson collection (Thriller, Billie Jean, etc) that he was playing, he would have danced if he could (think of performance level) and the roller-coaster ride (Oh! Italian drivers!!!)

After exchanging pleasantries with Monsignor Willie and setting down my luggage in my room, I proceeded to my great Roman adventure armed with my map, three-day train ticket and camera.

And the adventure began in Colosseo…

The moment I saw the queues leading to the Colosseo entrance, I was quite let down. I felt as though I had so many places in my list with so little time. I found a spot with a good view of the Colosseo façade and sat down in the railing admiring the historical arena. Minutes later, I was approached by a young Italian lady offering a guided tour inside for 18 Euros. At first I hesitated for a lot of reasons, but when I heard that availing of the guided tour would mean avoiding the long queues, hesitations were put aside. I can always leave the tour group once inside.

The Colosseo ( or Colosseum) is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Its common name was derived from a giant statue or colossus of Nero which stood close to the arena. Originally, up to 50,000 spectators (in which seating arrangements are based on social status) enjoyed the immense gladiatorial shows of violence and death.

A closer look at the Colosseo with long queues of people waiting to get inside

Julius Ceasar and his Roman guards?

The amphitheatre has a hypogeum, a series of underground tunnel used to house wild animals and even slaves. It is said that a total of 500,000 people and more than a million wild animals died in the games.

Standing right next to the Colosseo is the Triumphal Arch or the Arch of Constantine dedicated to the victory of Constantine over his co-emperor, Maxentius. Constantine claimed he owed the said victory to a vision of Jesus Christ.

a shot of the Arch of Constantine taken from the Colosseo

From Colosseo, I took the Metro to Spagna where I was greeted by hundreds of tourists in Piazza di Spagna from where you will find the Spanish Steps or the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti named after the church that stands in the square above. The stairs is considered to be the longest and widest staircase in Europe. Since it was the peak of Spring when I was there, the Spanish steps was adorned with azalea blooms.

The Lady and the Azaleas at the Spanish Steps

At the base of the Spanish steps is the famous Fontana della Barcaccia, The fountain is in the shape of a half-sunken ship with water overflowing its bows thus the name “Fountain of the Old Boat”.

One other reason that the Piazza di Spagna is always full of people is Via Condotti. It is the center of fashion shopping in Rome. Famous designers such as Valentino, Armani, Hermès, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, D&G and Salvatore Ferragamo all have shops in that street.

A mix of tourists and shoppers

Following the signs and equipped with my trusted map, I walked over the cobbled stones and from afar I had already heard its presence and as I got nearer, the sound of the gushing waters intensified. As I squeezed my way at the corner, the work of art that is Fontana di Trevi appeared in front of my eyes. It was just fantastic!!! I just had to get closer despite the crowd. I just had to throw a coin so I can return to the Eternal City. I just had to have my photo taken. ;-)

The backdrop of the fountain is Palazzo Poli, which becomes a part of the monument. The fountain features a central sculpture of Neptune, with Health and Abundance alongside and he is attended by tritons and marine horses.

Neptune -at close

The Magnificent Trevi Fountain - Photo taken from Wikipedia

With a cone of gelato that I bought from the gelateria that surrounded the fountain, I continued my way towards significant must-see spots that were situated within walking distance (or just for me) from each other.

The Pantheon, built between 27 AD and 25 AD, is the best preserved structure of its age and the architecture with the biggest brick dome. According to legend, it is the place where Romulus, the founder of Rome was seized by an eagle at his death and taken to the skies with the gods. It was later on converted into a Catholic Church in the 7th century.

The great Renaissance artist, Raphael was buried in the Pantheon.

Piazza Navona displays the works of Bernini and Borromini and is considered the one of the Baroque Masterpieces in Rome. At the center of the square is the Fountain of the Four Rivers or Fontana Dei Quatro Fiumi and an Egyptian Obelisk. Unluckily, the fountain was under construction thus it was covered and not shown to the public.

Fontana Dei Quatro Fiumi by Bernini - Taken from Wikipedia

Piazza Navona is one of the few places where you can pick out some artwork whilst eating your dinner.

Before taking the Metro towards Piazza del Popolo, I managed to take a quick shot of Bernini’s Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini.

Triton Fountain

Piazza del Popolo features two symmetrical churches, an Egyptian obelisk and is dominated by the Porta del Popolo, which leads to the Via Flaminia. It also has two fountains on opposite sides.

The Twin Churches and the Obelisk - Piazza del Popolo

Steps lead from the Piazza del Popolo to the Pincio to the east

Tired but satisfied of my day tour, I headed back to the collegio but was not able to resist the urge to drop by the St. Peter's Basilica which,as stated in my previous entry, turned out to be a very good decision.

Travelling and exploring Rome alone was not bad at all...in fact it will be one of my memorable trips that I will never forget. Ever!

A Visit to the Vatican

Work has brought me again to new destination....Rome, Italy.

The annual technical seminar was held in Rome last April and like most of my colleagues, I stayed over for the weekend. Everybody seemed to be excited about visiting famed tourist locations with the Colosseum topping the list. But for me, it was the Vatican visit that weighed the most. I considered the trip as a celebration of my faith. And indeed it was!

I met up with my cousin, who is based in Milan, as she was also in Rome on the same weekend that I was there. We attended the ordination of a Filipino seminarian (who is a friend of my cousin) in Parrochia San Gabriel Arcangelo in the outskirts of Rome. It was truly a new and meaningful experience for me as it was the first time for me to witness the Sacrament of Ordination. I never thought it could be that solemn and emotional event. After the ceremony, there was a small reception in the garden and I was pleased to have met a lot of Filipinos – nuns, priests, parishioners and visitors – who are based in Rome for quite a while.

After the ceremony, we went straight to the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. With us were Filipino priests and nuns who we were eager enough to be our tour guides. Since it was a Saturday, the queues leading to the Basilica, the museum, the crypt and the dome were just unbelievable. It seemed we spent the whole afternoon and when inside, there were just so many people that you can hardly have enough time to appreciate the solemnity and beauty of the basilica. The main alter was closed and you can only view it from afar. I think it was for the preparation for the Sunday Mass the following day.

In front of St. Peter's Basilica with kababayan from all over Italy

But I didn’t mind at all. God is so good that He gave me an early treat the day before. I just could not contain my excitement that I got out of the Metro on San Pietro Station on my way back home to the Pontifico Collegio Filippino where I was staying, despite my cousin’s instruction that we will all go together for the Vatican tour when they arrive the next day. I just need to take peek and see what to expect. Hehe! It was around 5:30 PM when I got there and was not able to close my gaping mouth the moment I saw the square and the St. Peter’s Basilica. It was majestic!!! I was literally shaking and could not stop myself crying. It was a different feeling that enveloped me. I just stood there for like 30 minutes and it took me a lot of convincing that I was actually there and I was not just dreaming.

St. Peter's Square
late in the afternoon is an ideal time to visit here as almost everybody seems to queue up in the morning

Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano -
the Greatest of all churches of Christendom

The Papal Swiss Guard

What more?!!! There was a short queue leading to the basilica and I was inside in a matter of three minutes. There were not much people inside and I indulged myself to the holiness and sacredness of the place going from one chapel to the other that line up in parallel to the aisle. I took all my time in admiring the priceless works of arts and the exquisite architecture making the basilica the greatest building of its age. It was definitely worth the side trip and I was thankful I acted on impulse and got off the train.

St. Peter's Basilica - The Altar and Chair of St. Peter's
Straight below the alter and the baldachin is the tomb of St. Peter

one of the many grandious pieces of art

The Pietà sculpted by Michelangelo
just to the right of the entrance, between the Holy Door and the altar of Saint Sebastian and is now protected by a bullet-proof glass panel.

As I was flying back to England on Sunday evening, I went back to the St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Papal address and Angelus led by the Pope. I got their early and squeeze myself towards the center among hundreds or even thousands of pilgrims and tourists. I was able to attend the Holy Mass officiated by Pope Benedict XVI as broadcasted on the wide screens and loudspeakers. I am not sure though if it was a live ceremony inside the Basilica or just a taped one. It was said in Italian and though I was not able to follow a word, it was meaningful experience as well.

After the mass, the people were alert more than ever and started cheering when the famous “second to the last” window opened and the papal flag was put out. We welcomed Pope Benedict XVI with cheers. I was not even aware that I myself was cheering and waving as well. Then the Pope started the Angelus and his address in different languages. People cheered every time their language was spoken. The whole thing reminded me of Jesus and his flock. The Lord’s people of different races and languages gathered together to hear His words. It was very touching.

Holy Mass officiated by Pope Benedict XVI as broadcasted in St. Peter's Square

The flag is out and the Pope is here!!!
Pope Benedict XVI waving to the pilgrims

Pilgrims crowded in St. Peter's Square to hear the Angelus and Papal Address

It was a trip that I will never forget and will cherish forever. It was indeed a celebration of my faith! I am proud of my faith and appreciated it even more. Praise God!