La scala sancta

I went today with a guy from school to visit the scala sancta. As one would expect, in Rome there are many theological students, and Homero from Brazil is one of them. He stays at the scala sancta where he will begin his studies in October, and in the mean time he is studying Italian with me.

The scala sancta are believed to be the steps which Jesus Christ stood on during his passion on the way to trial. The steps were brought to Rome many years ago and are now a place for christians to worship. They are now covered in wood and it is only allowed to go up them on ones knees. I wasnt up for it so I took the stairs on the side!


Homero gave me the tour of the buildings where he lices and studies including their massive flatscreen tv (yes thats where your collection money in church is going people) and I got a pretty cool aerial view (right) of the opposite church, the Basilica of San Giovanni. Its actually the oldest church, and also most important in Rome. Next to the church is housed all the vatican documents for the whole of Italy.

Gianicolo

I took a long and sweaty walk up a hill today to check out the view of Rome from above....rather impressive I must say, have a look at this picture.....

In the middle of the picture is the pantheon. While I was up there the noon gun was fired, something I didn't even know existed in Rome. I took a video of it....




Thats all for today....

I am back in Rome!

So I am back in Rome - not much has changed in the last 3 months or so...except that its super hot here at the moment! The family I am staying with (same one as before) is well, and its nice to be back here.

I went to try register at school today because it starts tomorrow, but as is typical in Italy the offices are closed until the actual day of opening. So no doubt its going to be chaos tomorrow!


On the way I passed a movie set. They are adapting the book Eat, Pray, Love into a movie. Those of you who have read it will know that the Eat part of the book is based in Rome. I believe Julia Roberts is playing the lead so I guess its big budget! I walked right through the set, but didnt see anyone famous nor were they shooting at the time, so you wont see me when the film is released!