I’m beginning to sound like a broken record. It never ceases to amaze me how the blogging world can be so very supportive. I’d like to collectively thank everyone for your support, prayers and well wishes about Bailey. She was a very sweet and loving dog and she’ll be missed. Aggie still looks for her and they only had about six full weeks together.
Because it was drawn out over several days we were prepared for it. In fact, since about the second day I just wanted her out of her misery. She was obviously suffering and I couldn’t take it. So to see her peaceful face in the end was actually a relief. Hard to accept we’ll never see her again but it’s part of having pets as part of the family. It’s a good thing we already have Aggie or I think it’d be a very long time before we got another dog. It’s just too hard to say goodbye but a relief that she isn’t suffering any more.
Onward…
As you all know, we went to Italy over Christmas. It was a bus trip through the Army MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation). We got on the bus in the evening and arrived in Pisa the next morning. You can imagine how pretty we all looked. Note that you don’t see me in the photo.
We were only there for about two hours (not much to see in Pisa) and then headed further south to Florence. Beautiful city. We saw the church of Santa Croce where Galileo and Michelangelo are buried. We saw the statues of David and Neptune and pet the lucky pig in front of the market place.
The tired travelers boarded the bus again that afternoon and headed for Rome. We arrived at the hotel late that night. We were one of the last families to check in and they didn’t have a room for us. That was actually a lucky break because they gave us two adjoining rooms so we now had two showers to help out with the rush in the morning.
The main reason we went on this trip was to go to Midnight Mass at the Vatican. We’d always planned to do it our last Christmas so the boys would be older and hopefully remember. Obviously, Dan won’t be here next Christmas so we did it this year.
After visiting the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum our guide informed us that they didn’t have the tickets to Midnight Mass that they’d promised and because it’s the Pope’s first Christmas, they’d been gone since early December. Decision time. Most of our group decided to go anyway. They went to dinner first and then stood out in St. Peter’s Square for about six hours. It was freezing and they watched the Mass on huge screens. We decided to just go to Mass in the morning. It’s probably one of the best choices we’ve ever made. We had the best Christmas ever.
We thought Mass was at 9:30 and I was freaking out a bit because we didn’t get there until about 9:00. Our guide and a couple of people that go to church with us here went with us. We were in jeans and travel gear because we fully expected to be out in the rain in the square. We walked right into St. Peter’s Basilica and it was virtually empty. We were stunned. Suddenly all the disappointments of the night before were gone. We were in the Vatican for Christmas Mass! Come to find out, we were early. Mass didn’t start until 10:30. So we waited for them to move the rope so we could sit down. We’re were right up front of the line. Actually there was no line but by the time it was 10:15, there were a few hundred people behind us.
A priest standing next to me warned me to hold onto the boys when the opened the ropes. He wasn’t kidding. Daniel was immediately squished between me and the woman in front of me. We grabbed the first seat we came to (in the back) to get out of the mob. The man handing out the leaflets in Latin ran out just as he got to our pew. He shrugged an apology and I shrugged a “that’s okay” back. He made his way down the pew and said something to us in Italian. Dan told him we were American and asked if he spoke English. He asked if we’d like to bring up the gifts! Is the Pope Catholic?!
So he tells us that we must wear our jackets (we were a little embarrassed at the way we were dressed, but we didn’t think we’d get in). When he saw my bright red coat he said that he was sorry but that was too bright. An American woman a few pews over was already ripping off her black coat and saying, “Take mine! Your boys can’t miss this!” He took us up to show us exactly what to do (we’ve done it in our own parish, but it’s a little fancier at St. Peter’s). He was worried about Joe. He joked with him not to mess up because the Pope would be watching. lol. We got to sit in the very first pew and when the choir starting singing, I started bawling. The whole service was a beautiful experience that we will never forget.
After wards we went out to the square to watch the Pope’s Blessing. Oye! The people! For as far as you could see. Tens of thousands of people. Just as we were trying to figure out how we were going to get through them we were guided to a spot corded off for those that had been in Mass. We ended up right under the balcony! This day couldn’t get any better. Why.. oh… why didn’t I bring the telephoto lens?!
Dan called his mother in Texas on our cell phone to tell her what had happened and where we were. It was hilarious because I was trying to explain to the boys how special this was and Joe said, “But can he make it stop raining?” I know. I laughed too. But it stopped raining the minute that man came out and it started pouring the minute he went back in.
What a lucky day, but it wasn’t over. We were walking by the Spanish Steps and the Kinder Chocolate (big chocolate company here in Europe) people had a Christmas tree lit up and were playing music with their little Kinderegg guy running around. Then a Santa came over and gave each of the boys a huge red bag filled with their chocolate products. It was about six pounds of chocolate each! Don’t ask me why we didn’t buy a lotto ticket that day. lol. It poured all day and the rest of our group was miserable. The four of us couldn’t be brought down from our cloud for anything. Smiles all day.
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and headed to Naples, Pompeii and the Island of Capri. We could have spent days at Pompeii. Incredible. I had no idea how large that city had been. It was very interesting to see how advanced the people were. We took the train to Sorrento so that we could catch a boat to Capri. It got dark less than half an hour after we arrived on the Island, but we were able to get a quick photo:
After all the miles we traveled, it was time to head back up through Italy to Germany. As we got closer to Venice the weather turned pretty ugly. For the fourth time in my life I was within an hour of Venice and didn’t get to go. No worries. The guy that will be Dan’s Detachment Sgt. in Afghanistan lives in nearby Vicenza. We’ve already made plans to visit each other while the guys are gone. We stopped instead in Innsbruck, Austria and visited their Christkindlmarkt. We found a great little cafe and had a cup of cocoa to chase away the cold before making our way back to the bus and back home.
So that was our Italian journey. It was a lot of time on the bus time. You’d think I’d have gotten a lot of knitting done, but I didn’t. It was dark most of the time and I didn’t want to bother my fellow passengers with the light. I managed to finish Chick Knits Felted Bucket Hat for Ann at Elann. She collects them each December 29th (I know I’m late) for cancer patients in memory of her dear mother. I’ll share photos in the next post. I still have to felt it.
Next week is our last journey before Dan leaves. We’re headed to London to see The Lion King (click the link and check out the video clips in the top right). The boys are so excited… okay… so are we.
Wow, what an amazing trip, have a fantastic time in London.
You will cherish that trip forever. It was worth not getting much knitting done.
What an amazing adventure! That should give you wonderful stories to tell for years to come. I hope your trip to London is as enjoyable.
Wonderful!!! I loved your story, beginning with “no room at the inn” and finishing with “miracles”. I’m glad you had such a special time. Y’all are so cute in that last picture.
Oh Jean! What a blessing of a trip! I’m thrilled you and your family had such a fine adventure complete with all kinds of special
experiences. Just reading about your travels, well, your guardian angel was on full alert. And London next, I can’t wait! :-}
Wow, Jean. I cried when I read your diary of Christmas morning. The hand of the Lord touched and guided you every step of the way. His love is unbounding!
Jean ~ What a blessing for you and your family! Your trip turned into such a “God Thing!” It will be a trip of a lifetime!
Jean, that is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Christmas morning Mass in St Peters, an upfront view of the new Pope, and being the ones to bring the gifts. I am not Catholic, but I completely understand your tears of joy.
It would be lovely if your sons would join you in making a few memory pages about this extraordinary trip. As they grow and become parents themselves, they would have a wonderful gift to share with their children. I’m not a scrapbooker either, but DH and I collect postcards (some of the best pictures!), maps, entrance tickets, etc. and make some album pages that we love to revisit along with our pictures.
What a fantastic experience! I am so glad that your Christmas was so memorable! I know that had to be something that will make you smile when you remember it for the rest of your life.
What wonderful, wonderful memories for your family! Thanks for sharing…I felt like I was there with you.
Jean,
Are you aware of the pet food that has been associated w/ liver damage in dogs? See this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/31/earlyshow/living/petplanet/main1172326.shtml
The dog food may have been sold in Europe, too. The company is assisting families with vet costs.
I realize this may not be the cause of your pup’s liver problems, but I thought of you when I saw the article in the paper today.
Sorry for the loss of your beloved pup.
Suz in WA
What an awesome experience. Enjoy the Lion King, there is so much going on. Visually, it is stunning.
I have chills after reading this entry, Jean. What an absolute amazing experience. Wow!
Jean, what a wonderful Christmas for you and your boys. That is certainly a memory that will last a lifetime. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic holiday! You did win the lottery — just not the ticket kind! Hope London is wonderful, also. You’ll have lots of time for knitting, but not for these trips. Hugs to Aggie.
Jean, your story about Christmas mass nearly made me cry. What an experience! I’m so happy for you. And I’ve had cocoa in Innsbruck before and I saw the Lion King in London, too. You’ll love it, world traveler girl.
That sounds like the best Christmas EVER!! What a very cool experience for the boys, too.
Very, very sorry to hear about Miss Bailey – you’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Now just think what you’re going to have to do in London to top the Italy trip, hehehe.
What a wonderful trip! I wouldn’t mind missing Venice, we went 6 years ago and it was the low point of our trip. Monfalcone was a beautfiful place and Rome is the place I want to go back to.
Loved the story of your Christmas lottery win! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Beannachd leibh to Bailey. Thanks for sharing your travels–what beautiful boys you have!
YOU GOT TO SEE FERRERO KINDERSANTA!!!! GARRRR-you lucky ducks! (Ok, and the Pope-sheesh, if I’d known, I would have watched the Mass!)
I am sooo glad you guys are having a good time-there IS sunshine with the rain.
XO
B