Buon Natale from the Langs!We hope you all are enjoying this "Christmas card" from Roma. We are certainly enjoying making it!
After a long walk to the North American College Bishop's Office to pick up our passes for Midnight Mass, we headed over to the famous Trevi Fountain. The tradition is to turn your back to the fountain and throw in two coins, one for wishes on your present trip, and one for a safe return to Rome!
Next it was on to the Pantheon, the oldest continuously used structure in Rome. It was constructed in 120 A.D. after a few fires to the original structure that was built in 27 B.C. 
I added this in to show you that aside from the major sites that make Rome famous, all throughout the city you bump into little treats like this. It is an amazing feast for the eyes!
We next moved on to the Piazza Navona where there is Christmas festival going on throughout the entire season. It is an eclectic mix of carnival-type games and booths, a carousel, musicans, and craftsmen selling every imaginable (and some unimaginable) pieces for Nativity scenes.
After leaving there we came across three of the most unique statues in Rome: 
So next it was off to dinner (there definitely is not a bad meal to be found in Rome!), and then to St. Peter's Basilica for the LONG wait for Midnight Mass. Folks, we were in line at 7:30pm and we were nowhere close to the front of the line! Put it this way, when we finally made it into the Basilica around 10:15pm, our seats were about 2/3 of the way back from the altar. While we were waiting in line, we had ample time to view the presipio that was just uncovered that day in the square of St. Peter's:
Here's the best we could do in trying to capture a photo of the Pope in the Basilica: 
The Basilica holds 9,000 people, 7,000 who have seats and 2,000 who had to stand. We were completely exhausted by then so thankfully we had seats! We feel so incredibly blessed to not only have this opportunity to be in Rome as a family, but on top of that, to have attended Midnight Mass with the Holy Father!
2 comments:
Jonathan & Scott
It is late and we are just home from Long Island and New Jersey where we spent the past two days. Jamie is feeling better so we were able to make the trip to spend Christmas with family. You were misssed tremendously, however, I can see that you are having a great time. This is a trip of a life time, take lots of pics, stay safe and have a great time. ILY and talk to you soon. Love Mom & Jim
To the Lang Family:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven
We are enjoying your adventure . . . especially the "Statues"
Savor every moment as we know you do, especially with the kids along.
Peace & Love
T
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