Roma II (aka Christmas with the Pope)

We're back after some delay in posting but we have fun pictures to add. We had mass with the Pope -- well, we sat outside in St. Peter's square while the Pope talked for a long time in another language that made us -- and thousands like us -- fall asleep.


We had quite a scary time trying to catch our train to Paris. Apparently, the Italian FedEx people aren't quite as dedicated as those in America (our tickets never arrived). But thankfully, the train attendants are equally undedicated -- we basically just got on the train and sat there until we were in Paris...sans tickets. A very strange, either very drunk or slightly drunk and slightly mentally ill Italian man fell in love with Courtney on the train. It was discovered during this process that he also had no ticket and he was kicked off the train -- poor man. We escaped, however, after another close call.

Anyway, the trip is going great. We just got to Paris, had some le petite de' jeneur and are about to go check in our hotel. We will update with pics from Paris soon -- there is an Internet cafe right around the corner from our Hotel (they were all far away in Rome).

Merry Christmas everyone. We will post some more before the New Year.

Here are the latest pics...



There have, of course, been some language barriers. For example, what does this picture mean? Throw away your trash? Throw away your nazis?

The camera I bought Courtney for Christmas has a unique feature where this little man pops out, runs down the street in front of you and takes your picture. Crazy, only works in Italy.













The Pantheon (I made us see all the sights).












Courtney trying to prove to me that she loves the Pantheon.

Good eats in Italy. That is COURTNEY's wine glass. I don't drink.

Courtney cheats on me with centuries old bull.

Everytime I would try to enjoy a simple Cappicino, strange Italians would always sit down with me -- its the hat.

This is the picture where Courtney risked arrest by the swiss guards and potential eternal damnation by slyly sneaking a (very good) pic of the last judgment (strictly forbidden). Also, I lost my hat in the Sistine Chapel (hard to keep your hat on your head when you keep having to look up), so you won't see it in anymore pictures.

Our last night in Rome, in front of the Trevi Fountain, our favorite spot in the eternal city.

Rip gets artistic.

This really did happen spontaneously, but then i had to hold it there for 10 minutes while Court found the camera and got the perfect picture.

St. Peter's decorated for Christmas.







Our initial excitement about midnight mass with the Pope.

Then the Pope begins his homily (in Italian I guess? maybe Latin?). That's him on the huge TV, we weren't actually in the church, although it looked pretty easy to sneak in, just had to wait in line.

About 5 minutes into the homily, which I'm sure was very good and inspiring if translated.