Katy and Alyson aren't sure they could both fit in this car!
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Day 3: ROME
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Today the girls woke early, ate whatever breakfast they liked best at the buffet breakfast downstairs, and were on the bus by 8:00 a.m. for the morning tour. Today was the day we saw much of "Religious Rome", including St. Peter's Basilica (the largest Christian church in the world) and the Sistine Chapel (in the actual residence of the pope). The Sistine Chapel was crowded with tourists who were frequently 'shushed' by chapel attendants trying to maintain a respectful silence in the room. The artwork was awe-inspiring, with Michelangelo's frescos on the ceiling and some frescos by other famous artists on the walls. Incredible work--wish we could show you, but no photos were allowed.
After our morning tour, the chaperones led their groups out to find lunch and do a little souvenir shopping. The street vendors are especially entertaining and they love to wheel and deal ("For you, blue-light special, only 15 euros!"), so the girls are developing the fine art of haggling and are feeling like they snag some good bargains at times. Lunch for our group was pizza, followed by wonderful creamy gelati (ice cream) bought from a corner vendor.
By 2:45, we all re-grouped so the girls could change (on the bus!) into their concert dresses for their performance at the Vatican. They warmed up in a courtyard near the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica and drew quite a crowd! About a half-hour before the mass was to start, they were led to the choir pews and had a sound check, and then the parishoners came in, about 100 of them. (There was also a large crowd listening on the other side of the rail in the back, in line waiting to pay their respects to the late Pope John Paul II.) At 5:30 the mass began with the girls singing Canate Domino, and it was wonderful. Throughout the mass they sang so beautifully, and it echoed on in the vast Basilica--what an incredible experience. You all would have been SO proud!
At the very end of the mass, Cheyenne felt extremely light-headed and had to leave, and the Vatican medical personnel were quickly there to assist our nurse Sharon. Cheyenne was disoriented enough that it was decided to take her to the hospital to have her checked. We were all worried, but within a few hours she was perfectly fine, much to her mother's relief. (Cheyenne was glad she was here!) Just a little extra drama in the day of the Girls Choir!
We took the bus to dinner after the mass and walked a few blocks to the Restaurant La Cabana. Our tour manager Marie-Agnès suddenly looked alarmed and confused as she pulled at the locked door and peered in the door window--and then we all laughed as the restaurant owner stepped out of a door we had just passed and motioned us in! Dinner was great, and we all headed back to the hotel tired but in high spirits. When we got back, we learned that not only was Cheyenne OK, but Alex's suticase had arrived! Yea! A wonderful day all around.
Katy and Alyson aren't sure they could both fit in this car!
Morgan had so much fun haggling prices with these two that they bonded.
It was hard to know where to look first in this long corridor of spectacular artwork.
The choir warmed up in this courtyard and attracted a large audience.
The girls sing for a sound check inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
The 2005 tour choir poses by the fountain in St. Peter's Square.
After a long and wonderful day, the choir group enjoys dinner at La Cabana.
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