June 9, 2012 day 11 Ostia Our last day of class is here.

I feelabout ready to go back home but once I do get home I'm sure I'll miss going toclass and learning something I never even imagined learning about.  We made our way to the famous bus 75, the sunwas hidden behind the clouds and there was a very pleasant breezing leading ourway.  

None of us want to talk about this being the last day of class, me made a deal not to mention any type of count down from day one.   The activity we participatedin today was a perfect way to say good-bye to Rome.  We went around Ostia searching for different artifacts, very much like what I saw and experienced in Pompey. We gave ourgroup presentations, took a couple of group pictures, and made our way back home. 

June 8, 2012 day 10 Spanish steps and Cemetery

Today ourtip to the Spanish steps gave us quite an experience. Two of the professors gotoff the bus at the pyramid and only Arlene and I followed while the rest of thegroup stayed with Dr.Weber. We tapped on the doors to try to get back on withno luck. The professor we were with figured out the rout the others would betaking and realized we would be just fine. We headed towards the subway andenjoyed a fresh, non crowded ride to the Spanish steps. This has been thegreatest public transportation I have had yet. We even arrived ten minutesbefore the rest of the group. As we got there a large group of people withcardboard made Owls were going up the Spanish steps. This was a greatopportunity to take a somewhat tourist free picture at the site.   

  

As wewaited to enter the Keats- Shelly Memorial House we were told this plaza usedto be the meeting point for poets, artist, and sculptures. In the house welearned more about Keats, more of a quick bibliography. What I found amazing inthis house was the fact that there were a number of bookshelves on every wallthat were completely filled with books.   

June 7, 2012 Day 9

A littlebit of historical background. Galleria Borghese is a seventeenth century palacedesigned by architect Flamino Ponzio for Pope Paul V. Construction commenced in1608 and continued until 1790. Scipione Borghese began the collection withRaphael's Deposition.  

Today, Ihate to admit, has been the most unpleasant day during this trip. I like artbut I don't enjoy it. I like the fact that I can take back what I have seen,such antique and valuable art from the hands of the greatest artist. One thingI did enjoy was the fact that I saw Pope Julius II's portrait. Another statue Ienjoyed viewing was the statue of David as he's getting ready to toss the rockto Goliath. There was a lot of religiously connected art as well. I'm not toosure how I feel about a painting of Mary teaching baby Jesus how to step on asnakes head. Her foot is already on the snake and Jesus facial expression is ofdiscomfort. Up to this point I like the idea of Mary teaching this to Jesus atsuch a young age. She stepped on the snake by accepting the will of God inbarring his child and savior of the world. As we know, Jesus would do the sameonce he gave his life and resurrected three days later. What I find a bitdisturbing about the painting is the fact that Mary looks extremely seductive. Herdress is showing cleavage and if it weren't for her foot stepping on the snakeI would think it's any other woman but Mary. Along these same lines, baby Jesushas absolutely no clothing. He doesn't look like anything else but a sweetlittle boy learning how to walk but I can't imagine seeing this image in anychurch.  Once out of the museum we madeour way back to the Trevi Fountain. I find it amazing how we are now able tofind our way around using public transportation. We arrived to the fountain andmade our way to a pizza/gelato store. Although I've been eating nothing butpizza, pasta, and fruits, I have not had enough of it.

I simply alternate between meals and with all the walking we do, anymeal will work just fine to charge up my energy.  After our quick meal we made our way to theSpanish steps. Along the way we found many, many fancy shops. I'm not too pickyabout my clothes so store names didn't ring a bell but from the reactions of myclassmates and the prices of the items I was quick to realize we were on apretty fancy street. 

June 6, 2012 Day 8 Vatican

Our daytoday stated at 8 am. We walked our way out to the taxi stop instead of walkingto the Vatican or takings the bus. We would be seeing the Pope today, therepresentative of God here on earth for Roman Catholics. Our merits were wellpaid off as we had sets in the main ail and right on the edge.

The event would start at ten thirty so as we waited we accumulated avariety of emotions. I was with Arlene, Blanca, Jessica, Veronica, and Caesar.There were emotions of excitement, disbelieve, amazement, as well ascarelessness all in one. For me, I just wanted to sing and wished I could besharing this moment with my loved ones but at the same time felt grateful forexperiencing this on my own. The time was getting closer and people were gettinga bit more anxious. A woman next to where we were sitting started shouting atanother person in a language I didn't understand. The guards did walk up to herand very calmly signaled her to be calm. This was the only unpleasant momentand the fact that the ladies behind us didn't let us open our umbrellas.  Finally, the moment I never imagined or even thoughtabout was taking place. Everyone went crazy with their cameras, as if they allhad a special someone they wanted to take this moment back to whether it be forfaith or simply touristic reasons.

We had twospecial moments as the Pope made his way across to the other side and the backthrough the central ail. My moment of moments was when the Pope blessed us.

 I am a true catholic that enjoys going to mass every day, praying, and praising God. I felt this moment as a true gift from God. 

June 5th 2012, Day 7 Tuesday

Today we went to a museum but it was very difficult for me toconcentrate. I feel like I have been on the go for far too long. I've beenunder the mentality of being in Rome and wanting to see it all and do it allbefore my time here runs out. Because of this fact, I was very grateful of themuseum being inside and away from the sun.   

I really need to get home and take a long nap to stop feeling like this and missing outon the day’s adventure. 

Before wemade our way back to Santa Maria Arleen and I realized we only had today leftto go into the Coliseum.  It was close byso we walked, truly feeling like an Italian and moving away from my laziness. 

June 4th, 2012 Day 6 Monday Pompey.

Only Cesarand Veronica from UTEP went with me on this trip. We started off taking the busto the train terminal. From this point we were on a very nice and extremelycomfortable train for about two hours and a half. We had to be ready by six amso the train ride was excellent for a nice nap. Once we arrived to theterminal, we took a train up to Pompey. I had to stand and it was quiteinteresting to try and keep my balance every time it stopped and started movingagain. Pompey received us with a nice climate and a bit of a sprinkle. This hasbeen the most amazing site for me seen through my teaching eye. My studentslove the unit on rapid land changes especially when it comes to volcanoes. Beingat Pompey and seeing how far the hot mud had moved the seashore was almostunbelievable. It was impressive to see the roads and houses and market placebut the most impressive site was the body crippled up trying to protect itselffrom the happenings.

My studentsand I had seen this on expository text and online videos. Having the chance tolook at it and take a picture standing next to it will surely add insight to myteaching of the topic.

We walked around for a couple of hours but it was apleasant and calm walk. I truly want to purchase a book with the before andafter settings of Pompey for my students and myself.






Our ride back home was notas pleasant due to the smell of the restroom dispersing throughout the train. I had a short nap and woke up just in time to take an excellent picture of the coast.   

Day 5 Sunday Mass at the Vatican and a day at Ostia beach

This wasour day off.  For me it started with avisit to the Vatican for mass on my own. I made it on time and had some what of a problem getting back butnothing waking couldn’t solve.