Roma: Day 2!

Hello everyone!

I hope all is well with everyone.

It is HOT in Roma! A good friend in our group unfortunately suffered heat stroke today! Intense. I guess it is just a reminder to drink lots of water and stay healthy.

Today we had a long morning class session walking around the city. We met at 9 and were done around 2:15. We visited San Clemente church, the colosseum, the capital hill area, and more! It was really a jam packed day. A highlight was definately visiting the jail in which Peter and Paul were imprisoned. There is so much history in Rome, that it is difficult for me to place it all in perspective. For instance, we walked around the Forum today and were taking steps on 1st century ground! 2000 years ago! Paul, Cesear, and all of these historic figures I have grown up to know, traveled on the same road. So much rich history. The United States of America was not even on the map 2000 years ago, let alone an active and powerful empire! We only started our history hundreds of years ago.

Rome is often described as 'the capital of the world,' and I could not agree more. It really is the center of the Western World and for someone to suggest otherwise would be ignorant.

Here are some random pictures from a couple of days ago and our first full day in Rome! As always, the pictures do not provide much justice to these magnificent and historic sites.

Love you all!

Alex

PS: We are going to Vatican City tomorrow! Did you know it is its own country? The Pope is the head of state and the country has one of the most efficient postal services in the world. Interesting, huh? I will give some more history on the Vatican City tomorrow--one of my favorite bits of history. I really enjoy learning about the papacy and line of popes (some good, some bad, some mediocre). There really is a lot to talk about.