Buena Pasqua!!!
Today marks the mid-point of my journey. Three weeks gone and three weeks to go. In a subsequent post I will have to reflect on how I am coming along with the thirty things I wanted to do. But right now, time is short. A few blocks away the Pope is serving Easter Mass, and I think it worth my while to get over there to hear him say the Easter Greetings in all the different languages.
I find I have a newfound respect for writers and bloggers especially. When time is short, I want to just write the facts, and I am actually missing out on a good deal of the impressions I have of where I am or what I am experiencing. But good writers can do both! Ah, I have much to learn.
I celebrated easter with my cousin last night, which was a first for me. Usually we celebrate on Sunday morning, but here the service began at nine thirty and lasted until past one in the morning. I sang with a choir from Switzerland in a language that I can read but couldn’t really understand. It felt familiar and strange at the same time to be there, going through the motions of my traditions, without all the people I usually go through the motions with. I miss those people, and I think next week (when they are all celebrating easter) will be pretty tough for me.
Following the service, there was a traditional meal of ham, eggs, bread, cheese, etc, but I couldn’t really stomach all that food at such a late hour. I met a few interesting people, and thankfully one of them was willing to walk me home. Rome at 3 AM is not where I want to be on my own. The streets were full of people drinking. I suppose this would be true anywhere, adn I am not often around to witness it. It makes me supremely sad, though, to think of what these people have gone through to find themselves alone on a street at such an hour, drinking in to oblivion, instead of celebrating with friends, making music, or even just lying in the embrace of a loved one. Sometimes humanity breaks my heart.
Having finally made it to bed, I barely shut my eyes when my host was waking me to go to the Vatican for mass this morning. She wanted to be a few hours early to ensure a good spot (and a seat). I stayed in bed. I’ll head over shortly to witness the crowds and to see the pope. Easter is both a serious religious holiday and a serious spectacle in Rome. I’m afraid I’m sitting in both camps: one yesterday and another today. This afternoon I’ve been invited to attend an Easter lunch with high society atop a downtown palace. Perhaps it was hyperbole, perhaps not. Stay tuned to find out…
Tags: Italy
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