Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Rome Aug 5th, 2010


The Moses (c. 1513-1515) is a masterpiece of High Renaissance sculpture by the renowned artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) in Rome. The sculpture was commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb. The famous art work depicts the biblical figure of Moses, with horns on his head, symbolic of wisdom and enlightenment.

A tapestry at San Pietro in Vincoli. Showing Peter at the Holy Gates.

Catholics believe these are the chains that held Peter when he was in jail and when he was crucified upside down.

The white marble arch of Septimius Severus at the Northwest end of the forum. Dedicated in 203 AD to commemorate the victories of Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, against the Parthians. We couldn't stop marveling at how much stuff there is at every turn. It was so amazing to see things that you only read about in books!

Michele stopped along the Via Sacra (the main road through the Roman Forum). Ya know cause we were just out strolling along ancient roads and thought we'd stop to take a pic or two!

The Curia (Roman Senate House) is over my left shoulder. As with many ancient structures, it still stands today because the Catholic Church adopted it as a basillica and thus it was preserved as a holy site.

I cried about every 5 minutes this entire day. To be here, immersed in this history! It was real, it is real. These people existed and lived, and loved, and kept records and we are the lucky recipients of all their art and beauty. I will never forget how I felt the entire time I was in Rome.

The Palatine Hill. Where it all began--the birthplace of Romulus and Remus. Sibling rivalry never dies. ;)

Standing in the Colosseum taking a picture of the Palatine Hill with Constantine's arch to the left.

Arch of Titus. He was the guy who first destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. There is a frieze of all the Jewish prisoner's with a Menorrah, the Arc, etc. being carried away by the Roman's.

5 August 2010

Today I got to go for an early bike ride--so, so many bugs!!! Finished packing for our trip. Left for the airport @ 1. Picked up Branden Lewis & got gas. Headed to the airport by 1:30 (Michele is in the air!!). Arrived DTW @3. It was hard to leave my kids. Lexie was pretty das. I am really excited for my trip and I hope she is distracted and happy while I am gone. :)
I checked the monitors and discover which gate Michele will be at in 30 min. Man is she a sight for sore eyes. I started to bawl the minute she got off the plane. We had 2 1/2 hours to kill. It went by in about 2 seconds. It feels like we were never apart.

We left Detroit about 8:30 (a little behind schedule). We were served a snack, then dinner. After more chatting--we are now settling in to try to sleep on the last 7 hours of our 9 hour flight.

How about you go on a little trip?

So in March Michele's husband called and said that he wanted to send Michele on a trip for their aniversary. He couldn't go but wondered if I might have some time to get away between my summer classes. I figured I had a few days between the 5th and the 23rd of Aug. and told him so.

A few days later Michele called and we happily began brainstorming where we might like to go. It was fun to throw out ideas like a train tour of New England, Seattle, Vegas (we both quickly said nah to that one), ...

We began talking about traveling abroad...England, France (she was just there), South America...

I jokingly suggested Italy because, of course, it is the one place I have always wanted to go! My friend loves me and I can not express how it feels to be so loved by another person. She is the most selfless and generous person that I know. 2 weeks later she had booked a 17 day cruise of Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Complete with shore excursion tours and private tours of all the important spots we would see on our way.

I journaled every day of our trip and this blog is mostly a detailed chronical of the entire time. Please feel free to read if you would like to. I don't want to forget anything so I will probably post most of my journal entries. It was so, so amazing. In addition to all the places I got to see, I spent time with a person who encourages me, who appreciates me, and who helps me stretch beyond what is right in front of me.

Thank you Michele, and Mike, for this amazing experience!