Roma

by Geoff Smith, Head of the Summer Programme
photography by Jordan and Amelia

On Saturday past we went to Rome, boarding the CCI bus at 6 a.m. After a couple of hours we stopped at an "autogrill", the generic term used in Italy for what we would call a service centre. Unlike those in Canada with Tim Hortons or a Burger King, the Italian autogrills have wonderful coffee, sandwiches, and other delights. There is even a small deli section where one can purchase cheese, prosciutto, even wine and beer. Somehow I don't think that MADD will permit this to occur in the service centres along Highway 401 in Ontario!

Victor Emmanuel Monument

At 10 am our bus dropped us off just outside Vatican City.

Vatican Museum

We had a brisk walk past the long lines waiting to be admitted to the Vatican. Having reservations certainly helps! 

Vatican City

The students were divided into four groups with CCI teachers as tour guides.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Two hours later we left the Sistine Chapel and headed down a set of steps that took us right to the doors of St. Peter's. 

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo's Pietà

Following a look inside St. Peter's the students were taken to the Vatican Post Office where they had the opportunity of mailing off a postcard with a Poste Vaticano stamp. Then another walk to the subway and four stops later we were at the Spanish Steps where the students enjoyed some free time until 3:00 pm. I had not been on the Rome subways in over six years and was amazed by the new rolling stock - clean, airy, air conditioned. The trains were built by Bombardier and are like the new ones being used by the TTC in Toronto.

Then off on foot from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain where many coins were pitched into the pool.  

Trevi Fountain

Then on to the Pantheon, the Victor Emmanuel Monument (“Wedding Cake”) and finally to the Coliseum, which has been the model for most of the modern sports arenas.  It has been said that only difference between the Coliseum and moderns sport centres is that the new ones have elevators and better washrooms.

Pantheon

Pantheon

Coliseum

Inside the Coliseum

Inside the Coliseum

The students then headed off for some free time. We all met up again at 8 p.m. the designated rendezvous, the Victor Emmanuel Monument. A quick head count showed that we had not lost anyone. The bus was boarded and we were on the road by 8:30 p.m. Our driver Maurizio had us back in Lanciano at 11:45 p.m. No one had to be persuaded to go to bed. I went home to have a look at my new collection of blisters!