...than you can certainly wait two hours to see the Sistine Chapel.' Amen sister.
Those were the words spoken by a very chatty American who stood behind me, in line, to enter the Vatican Museum. Even though she bumped into me a few times and spilled water on me (at least it was only water), clearly, she has judgement. Let's just say that the Sistine Chapel is the most incredible thing I have EVER seen. Once you sit down along the side of the room, and concentrate not on the people, but on the art itself, and all the beauty that is there, you really have no words to say because it leaves you absolutely speechless. I literally gave myself about an hour just in that room, observing every little aspect. I mean, the rest of the museum is clearly very artistic, beautiful, etc., but there is just NO comparison. Plus, it comes with a free comic show of the Italian Security Guards in the room yelling at people who take pictures and video, even though there are quite a few(and by quite a few I mean a whole lot of) signs that have pictures to explain what not to do, and also of course, not to mention the intercom that shouts out what not to do in different languages... 'NON CAPISCI???!!!' ... Take my word. Absolutely incredible.
Coming out of my shell in Rome has been made really is at 'Casa Benedettine' (Not that being timid has ever been one of my main virtues...). Everyone is so friendly!!! Especially compared to being in America, my goodness. (Now I understand when Cristiana says, 'The Americans are not a gregarious people'...or gregorious...JUST kidding...) Not that we are unfriendly, but let's just say we're not nearly AS friendly. Yesterday, I had the privilege to meet a very kind young lady, who I first saw at mass yesterday morning, and didn't even realize we lived in the same house until I saw her at lunch shortly after. (This should be the time to say that we not only live in the same house, BUT our rooms are next to each other...This clearly shows my personality...) But we have been able to chat a few times since then, and she's just the most interesting person. After working for four years in what she felt was the mundane, she left everything behind to go live with Franciscans in Assisi and 'better her life' as she says. Incredible!! What an inspiration. Thus between meeting her, and meeting a few other people, this situation is becoming a lot easier. Thank God for such open, good people...
Lesson learned of the day: When an Italian woman tells you NOT to step on the wet floor she is cleaning, even if it means she is blocking your way, even if you can't leave for another twenty minutes... Just don't do it :)
One week until my Italian exam. Thinking about you and praying for you all.
A presto...
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