MONDAY – ARRIVE IN ROME

Hope the rest of the team arrived safely in Pennsylvania! We parted ways last night around 10:30 p.m. at the Dakar airport. Hope all went well for you in catching the plane to DC and Harrisburg!

We landed in Rome around 11:30 a.m. this morning. Finally figured out how to take the 4 Euro bus to downtown Rome. They told us we could buy the ticket on the bus, but after waiting in a long line for the bus to come, the bus driver told us we had to purchase tickets at the station. So we found the ticket station and bought a ticket for an hour later. Was a direct bus to the Termini Station downtown Rome and a lot cheaper than the 14 Euro train ticket. The only problem was I kept falling asleep.

Our hotel is Hotel California, just a couple blocks from the bus station once we figured out which direction to walk using our handy little map. Is a very nice room up three long flights of steps – however our long awaited hot showers are cold – but sure beats a bucket shower. I feel so clean. I also keep thinking about our friends who remain in Guinea Bissau without running water let alone hot water.

The weather here in Rome is quite different – cold and rainy – at least it is not snowing. It is supposed to be sunny and in the upper 50’s and low 60’s the rest of the week during the daytime.

After checking into our hotel, we went on a walk and found a lot of ancient ruins including a huge complex of Roman baths with the Coliseum in the background, three beautiful old churches with a lot of amazing mosaics and art. In the largest church (S Maria Maggiore Basilica), we sat in on the Rosary service and a Mass until we were so cold, we had to move on. No heat in these churches, but our hearts were warmed by an amazing boys choir that sang and led the music for the mass – the acoustics were amazing inside the basilica.

Began to rain again. It is now 6:30 pm and dark. We find an inexpensive Greek restaurant and shared a great Shawarma sandwich and platter of rice and curry. Brought back good memories of Palestine and Israel. We are now back at our hotel looking forward to a good night of sleep after traveling last night. My computer just reminded me of a Witness Commission meeting back home. Sorry I cannot be there with you. Thinking of you and praying for all of you.