Kind of settled down a bit, adjusting to the new timing here, except occasional confusion of our time difference between here and Singapore. Today, I managed to become "tour guide" for an aspirant from Taiwan and her mother, together with Sr. Ida. Well, I guess it is a privilege to be able to speak another language that almost all people couldn't here. So we became friends almost immediately. Last night, we planned to visit St. Peter's Basilica, then walk to Pantheon, Piazza Navona, San Agostino (to see remains of Santa Monica), so forth. Well, we ended up visiting the Vatican Musuem first and by the time we finished, it was almost lunch. After lunch, they did quite a bit of shopping at the famous Comandini and Soprani. I also managed to convince them to have ice cream at the famous Old Bridge--cheap and good. Can't believe I already had gelato 3 times since I arrived. Just on Sunday, with my group of Carism Course sisters, we went to the nearby gelateria, even though was closed, we waited until it opened at 4:30 pm. How to lose weight and face my challenge, my twin penguin?
Finally we visited the interior of St. Peter's Basilica. My first station was to visit Blessed Pope John Paul II. Managed to pray in front of him for some time, bringing all my intentions for my dear ones at home, for my closed friends and all I promised to pray for, yes, for all of you. Interestingly while praying there, I felt a strong sense of God's presence and rather familiar feeling. Somehow looking at St. Peter's Square, just feel so at home. It does seems a bit different from 2 years ago when I passed by with a group of young people. More crowded and of course now there are some fixing and cleaning work in progress. No matter how, Rome seems home for all of us.
Finally we visited the interior of St. Peter's Basilica. My first station was to visit Blessed Pope John Paul II. Managed to pray in front of him for some time, bringing all my intentions for my dear ones at home, for my closed friends and all I promised to pray for, yes, for all of you. Interestingly while praying there, I felt a strong sense of God's presence and rather familiar feeling. Somehow looking at St. Peter's Square, just feel so at home. It does seems a bit different from 2 years ago when I passed by with a group of young people. More crowded and of course now there are some fixing and cleaning work in progress. No matter how, Rome seems home for all of us.