July 5th

Today I slept in late! It felt really good, and was probably necessary since classes start tomorrow. I did some budgeting and schedule planning. Then, my roommates and I got some coffee and headed to the Vatican. We thought the line would probably be too long to get in, but we were wrong! We only waited maybe fifteen minutes and were in St. Peter’s Basilica. The whole place is just incredible. There are two giant wings of pillars coming out from the Basilica to symbolize arms welcoming people in. They are adorned with 140 statues of saints. Inside, the artwork is just incredible. The many paintings and sculptures are all intricate and striking. Soon after I entered, I heard a choir begin to sing and was drawn to in. It sounded like pre-renaissance, chant-inspired, ethereal choral music. We then realized that there was a mass happening! What great timing. The choir sang again at the end, singing a very typically American arrangement of “How Can I Keep From Singing?” I will definitely be back to check it out again and to see the Sistine Chapel (closed on Sundays.) We got dinner in that area (more pasta, because what else?) and headed home for a quiet evening before the beginning of classes.

I frequently feel homesickness and loneliness, but I know I am very lucky and am enjoying my time here. :)