Day 14

 Yes, yes we know day 13 is missing. Since the number 13 is generally considered unlucky, we will honor an ancient Roman tradition and say nefasti, allowing us to skip the day. Half a league, half a league, half a league more!

Day 14 (This past Tuesday)

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

We had to wake up earlier today because our Roman Catholicism class was on site today, meaning we go somewhere in Rome to have class. Today, our class was in St. Peters!

Here is a video of the inside:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151092220396985

The red circular stone on the floor of the basilica you see in the video is the same stone Charlamange knelt on while he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the pope in 800.  It was really cool inside, lots of famous works of art like Micheangelo's Pieta, which, unfortunately, is behind bullet proof glass:

We also saw the Baldacchino designed by Bernini:

 
After seeing the basilica, we were able to go down into the grotto and see the tombs of popes like John Paul I. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed to be taken down there.It was a nice introduction to St. Peter's, but we have already decided we will be going back to spend more time there.

12:30-12 a.m.

We went back to the Rome center, ate lunch, and then did homework for most of the afternoon. It was our friend Thomas' birthday, so after his last class finished at 9 p.m., We went into the city and got McDonald's (we were feeling American) and gelato! We then went back home and went to sleep.

Quote of the Day

Everywhere we go in Rome, these street venders try to sell us these green laser points. I myself have probably refused to buy 40 of them already. Our friend Thomas was fed up with them and said the following:

"I want to buy one so that I can shine it in their face the next time they ask me if I want to buy one"