5/20 Roma
We have arrived safely in Rome!! We flew out of Athens about 1:30 and caught a bus to our interesting hotel located near the Colosseum. Right away we took a walk to tour a couple of churches: the Basilica Di San Giovanni and the Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore. The latter one is across the street from our hotel. The first one was the first Christian Basilica and was built by Constantine. This Basilica remains one of the most important in the Christian world and contains the Scala Santa (Holy Staircase) that is said to come from Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerusalem. It is belived that Jesus trudged up these stairs after being beaten and on the way to his death on the cross. Visitors are only allowed to go up these stairs on their knees. This was very interesting to everyone. Everyone seems to be having a great time and was ready to leave Greece to see a new country. Tonight was our first supper on our own, so we were free to eat at our desire. It is also a free night, as usual, so some will probably catch up on email, others might wander around, and some will probably just go back to the hotel to relax before another exciting day.
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (front).
Inside the Basilica.
Domed baptistry, build by Constantine.
Ancient Egyptian obelisk outside the basilica.
Christian pilgrims ascending the scala santa on their knees.
Another group picture--our first in Italia.
Jason is impressed by the refurbishing going on at our hotel.