PALM SUNDAY AT THE VATICAN

Yesterday I had the most amazing experience as I headed to the Vatican for Palm Sunday mass. It is not for the faint of heart as I stood there for four hours, but we'll worth my efforts. So many people and so quiet as everyone listened to what the new pope had to say, but as the mass finished and the new pope made his way through the crowd kissing babies and touching hands, an eruption occurred. All of a sudden flags went up, banners were raised, and the noise level rose a few volumes. People just naturally got excited, pushing past others just to try to get a glimpse or take a picture of the new pope. This did not compare to any concert that I have ever been to. It was a composed excitement...with everything going on, people still stopped to give you a hand or help you take a picture. If there is one word for my experience it would be "generosity". So many different nationalities - not just Italians - who have travelled so far just to catch a glimpse.  If you weren't moved, you had to be made of stone.

Campo de Fiori

My motto is to never get excited for a trip until you are actually on the plane...I swear that no one is going to want to travel with me because if something is going to happen (notice that I didn't say "go wrong"), it will be while you are with me. And, it's a good thing I got a lounge pass for the airports since it came in mighty handy this time, and it's where my trip began. What a stroke of luck I had meeting a gentleman on his way to Germany for work, with whom I was able to talk with about cooking, chefs, and travel. I didn't even notice the hours go by.....and I had a lot of them to wait through. But, a few glasses of wine, good conversation, and something to eat, and I was back on track to have a good trip. So, these pictures from the famous market, Campo de Fiori, located in central Rome starts my adventure.

Here are a few pictures of the market. The vendors are get very excited trying to tell you how good their product is. I did try the oranges which were very, very good.