Arrived! And Learning in Rome

We arrived yesterday, and are well settled into our rooms at Domus Carmelletani. So far, we have not had good luck gaining Internet access. This computer - the only one in the house - will not let us upload our photos. So you will have to make do with our descriptions.

The Illume agent met us at the airport, and we sailed through customs. The weather here is amazingly warm, and we saw date palms everywhere. The Domus is near the Vatican (walking distance) and the Tiber. A religious house of Carmelites, it is now run as a simple hotel. The rooms are clean, comfortable, each with its own bathroom and TV - but clearly remade cells, none very large. Mine has an excellent view of Castel Sant'Angelo, about one block away.

We were served a "simple" Italian supper: an appetizer course of cheese, an eggplant salad, and toast with an asparagus pate spread. This was followed by a pasta course - beautiful al dente rigatone with a delicate tomato sauce. The main course, veal lightly breaded with cauliflower, was accompanied by a salad. Dessert (!) was fruit. If this is simple, imagine a complex meal!

Today, we went to the only English-language Mass in Rome, in a 17th century Jesuit chapel. Fr. Jim Hentges, CSC, gave us a brief tour of the chapel, then took us to the Church of St.Catherine over Minerva (the church of St. Catherine of Siena, where she is buried, was built over a temple to the goddess Minerva), the Pantheon, and a glorious public piazza filled with food and trinket and gift stands.

In Italy, the season from December 8 until Epiphany on January 6 is celebrated as one long holiday. Tonight, the New Year will be greeted. Already, the streets are being closed off as the restaurants set out tables for the feasts that will take place.

We wish you all the best and happiest in the year 2007!
(Sister Edith)