One Step at a Time: April 2013

Sunday, April 7, 2013

LOVELY Rome!

Rome was beautiful ! We had the best time! The "Pope" excitement and the Rome marathon made for a fun adventure! We arrived early on Saturday. We found our hotel; the ruins of the wall that surrounds the city were right outside our window! The fountains, statues, and ruins are absolutely amazing!

That afternoon, we went to Vatican City. We enjoyed the museums. We did not get to tour The Sistine Chapel, but saw so many beautiful things! The grounds were gorgeous! Then, we went over to Saint Peter's Basilica. What a beautiful cathedral! We saw the window where Pope Frances was announced, where the chimney had been on The Sistine Chapel, and the outside of The Pope's apartment. We met some students there who explained all the "ins-and-outs"! It was fun to visit with them, and they spoke English, which was a plus! We then walked back from Vatican City. Everywhere we turned on the amazing cobble-stone streets, we would see a piazza, a statue, or a fountain. Just beautiful!!! Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon were all on our way back!

Sunday morning, we walked to The Coliseum and The Forum. We thought it seemed very busy, and then realized we were on our way to the marathon! Can you imagine running in a marathon through the city of Rome, beginning and ending at The Coliseum? Well, while they ran, we marveled at history! Again, we were moved by the "life" that took place so many years ago in this place! It was amazing!

Monday morning, we went to the market. The fresh fruits and vegetables, oil, wines, pasta, pasta seasonings were all fresh and beautiful!

I'm always asked what was our favorite part of our trips. It is hard to choose! It always goes back to enjoying the people, eating in the local restaurants, and just experiencing the city! As we go and return home, I can always see God's hand in what we have done, and of course His footprint in front of us, One Step at a Time!

A delicious dessert before we entered Vatican City

Pottery in one of the Vatican Museums

Hall of Statues

Jesus and Emmaus Friends. This is a tapestry!

St. Peter's Basilica and Courtyard

Window where Pope Frances was announced.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain

On the way to the Colosseum. Road is blocked off for the marathon.

Marathon runners!

The Forum

The Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum

View of Rome from the Forum

Olives!

City Market

Isn't this beautiful? It looks like fall!

Our hotel lobby

Street in Rome

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Amazing Athens!

Athens was beautiful, and oozed history! We arrived in Athens on Thursday afternoon. We found our hotel, which was so charming. It was located in the Psiri Area. It is considered the "working class" neighborhood, and was so interesting. We would watch men arriving at their small store fronts, raising the gates, and pulling out their goods, from used books, to hubcaps, to antiques! They would chat, eat breakfast and drink coffee before the customers came.

We went exploring that afternoon, and found The Plaka. This is a charming, cobble-stone street area. It is more touristy, but has shops with EVERYTHING OLIVE...olive wood, olive oil, olive soap! They also have beautiful lace! We found the Parliament, and also many old churches and orange trees! That night, we ate at a charming Greek restaurant! The waitress translated the menu, and it was delicious! the Greek salad and the Greek yogurt were especially tasty! Yum!

The next day we went to the Acropolis Museum, and then The Acropolis. Among the ruins, was The Parthenon. I did not remember that it was the temple built for Athena. Much damage was done, and many statues were taken over the years as armies conquered Greece. It was interesting to see the restoration work that is being done. Columns would have a lighter shade of stone that was the restoration, filling in "missing" parts of the ruin. It is difficult to imagine how all of these ruins were built so many years ago, how the apostle, Paul, walked the same steps, and to imagine all the "life" that has happened there! We LOVED it! The view of Athens was stunning, such a squashed-together city! It was amazing to think how, just as God leads us One Step at a Time, He has led others as well!