Day 7: Roma

After visiting that island in the sky, we drove to Roma to stay the night with a Andrew's old beloved mission companion, Gabriele DeMatteis. We had contacted his wife a few weeks earlier and she told us we should surprise him. It took us a while to find their apartment but we finally arrived at 11pm and luckily Gabrielle wasn't home yet because he was still at a bishopric meeting (he is the Bishop of a ward in Rome which means he helps lead a congregation of church members voluntarily). When he finally got back around midnight (poor guy), we hid in the kitchen. When he walked in, his jaw dropped and the most emotion-filled, melodic strains of Italian spilled from his mouth at an extremely rapid rate. I have no idea what he said, but he was really really happy to see Andrew (and Italians are very good at expressing their emotions...lots of bacc'ing going on --cheek kissing ). There might have been tears...I can't verify that.

Andrew spent a lot of time on his mission with Gabriele and they had many important experiences together. They are as tight as any brothers would be. It might have been the highlight of the trip for me to finally meet him in person and I was so impressed by their little family and what incredible people they are. Gabriele speaks perfect English and he switched from one language to another so I could follow the conversations that lasted deep into the night.

The Colosseum

The next day, Gabrielle, his wife Lisa, and their son, took us on a brief tour of Rome. We hit some of the highlights, but spending time with their family was really what we came to do.

Arch of Constantine

I just couldn't stop taking pictures of this cutie. He reminded me so much of my own boys that I was heartsick for them.

Roman Forum

The Colosseum

Roman Forum

Side of the Pantheon

This is where we had lunch...pizzas

Can you tell that I'm about to eat this little boy up?

The Pantheon

Dome and Oculus of the Pantheon

Trevi Fountain (under construction)

Legend holds that if you throw a coin into Trevi Fountain, you will be assured a return trip to Rome

The Vatican

St. Peter's Cathedral

We didn't actually go inside Vatican City, but we were able to see St. Peter's Cathedral 

Michelangelo's Pieta, inside St. Peter's

This might be my favorite sculpture ever. 

St. Peter's Dome

St. Peter's Square

The rain let up for a few moments as we left the museum. It was gorgeous. No editing here folks.

I know I am such a girl about this stuff, but it sort of broke my heart to think that we only had a day here and these two friends probably won't see each other in person again for a long time. So I guess we're just going to have to go back soon :)

Wet, but happy.

Only one more day to go! It's a goody...Venice!