#SeekingMary: Arrivederci Roma

 

Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano 

Rome. The Cradle of Civilization. The Eternal City. 

It was fitting that the last leg of our pilgrimage was Rome. My trip would not be as fulfilling without having visited this city replete with ancient and religious history. So veni, vidi, did not really vici because it was Rome that conquered my heart. And our visit was perfectly timed as it was my birthday the day after. What a wonderful gift! 

We visually savored the rich trove of arts and artifacts in the Vatican Museum,

 

Flemish tapestry designed by Raphael

gazed up in awe at Michelangelo’s artistry in the Sistine Chapel (sadly no photos allowed), marveled at St. Peter’s Basilica

 

and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

 

An added treat was the courtesy call we paid on Ambassador Grace Princesa, Philippine envoy to the Vatican at that time, who also happens to be a fellow Didache writer.

I was disappointed though to just see the Colosseum whiz by from the bus

 

and not toss my coin into the Trevi Fountain because of the heavy rain. Even Santa Maria Maggiore was off limits that day because of a special event they were holding inside. 

But later on, God’s better plan was revealed. That night, led by Camino de Santiago trekkers, twins Angie and Cleo, eleven of us decided to brave the dark, the distance and the threat of bad weather to go to Fontana di Trevi . We just couldn’t leave Rome without seeing that famous spot. 

Guess what, it didn’t rain. Guess what again, we had a wonderful time even if we had to pass through a dark, scary tunnel to get there. We were charmed by the festive cafes and shops that dotted the alleyways.

 

We enjoyed Zaydee’s gelato treat at Venchi for my birthday asalto. (Thanks dear 😘)

 

We tossed our coins together with our wishes in Fontana di Trevi , which we might not have been able to do during the day with so many tourists around.

 

We even got to see the Pantheon

 

and Piazza Navona.

 

God had His own treasure-filled itinerary. 

But that wasn’t it for my birthday blessings. Actually my birthday treat began as soon as we arrived in Rome. My cousin, BFF and our travel agent, Belle, must’ve arranged as a treat to give me and my roomie Fely this luxurious junior suite with a loft at the Best Western Plus Hotel Universo.

 

Best Western Plus Hotel Universo 
(photos grabbed from the hotel's site)

As for the Santa Maria Maggiore which we couldn’t enter during our tour, three friends and I were able to hear mass there the next morning. I got to see the inside of the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome after all, on my birthday at that.

 

Having been so blessed, I bid Rome, “Arrivederci.” By God’s grace, I will be back to see more of its famous sights.