Roma oggi

We have just returned to the hotel after a long day that began with the painting class and ended with gelato at Piazza Navona in Rome. The painting class was at a local hotel and the girls had a choice of drawing, painting, or both. Some very good pieces were produced. We hope some of them show up along with the fresco pieces at MCSS.

Then we were off to Rome, stopping downtown for a walk to the Spanish Steps. From there, the girls were off for some free time. Some sat and people watched, a few others went to see some sights, and several others shopped. We had quite a few more bags coming back to the hotel than we had when we left this morning. My small group visited the Pantheon, the oldest Christian church in Rome, dating from AD 69, and then via Piazza Navona and St. Agnes Church, to a tour of Castel Sant' Angelo. We had great views of Rome from the highest level of the fortress, which began as Emeror Hadrian's tomb and later bcame a fort to protect the Pope in case of invasion.

We collected again at the Spanish Steps for a walk to dinner and real orancini, then off to Piazza Navona for gelato and the bus ride back to the hotel. We will be smaller from here on as the Cardinal Newman group leave for home tomorrow as we head south to Pompei, Sorrento, and Capri. The hotel in Sorrento is supposed to have internet access, so we will try to post from there.

Ciao a tutti.