What paper?

Ciao! Sorry it's been awhile, apparently I get distracted here in Rome. Class is going well. Everything we learn is so interesting. I just am not really into sitting down and trying to comprehend writing a 15 page paper before the trip is over! It sounds as if he is not THAT hard of a grader though. He even said he would have the papers graded and our final grades faxed and hopefully posted within 3 days of our return to Minnesota.

Lately I have been seeing lots and lots of churches. The most memorable was probably St. Peter's Basilica. It. Was. Huge. It would be so amazing to be able to attend Mass here every week. Every detail of the church is grand and thought out. There was a small chapel-like area where there was the body of Pope John XXIII (who died in 1963) in a glass case. We waiting in a short line and walked past and were able to take pictures of his body. It's been embalmed and coated in a layer of wax but it was interesting, and eery, to see. Around the middle of the church (the crossing) there are four corners that hold up the dome and in each corner is a sculpture of a saint with one of the relics that Christ was crucified with. Now, the real relics are put away in a safe place but at one time they were concealed within the statues.

These past few days I have been planning a trip to Capri for 5 other girls, two boys, and myself. We are leaving Rome at 6am on Saturday the 5th and plan on being on the beach by 1pm. Our hotel is on the mainland in Sorrento and we will head back there just at night. Then, after breakfast on Sunday we will go back to Capri and spend another day at the beach and take the train home late at night. The island of Capri has multiple grottos where the rock formations make it so that small boats can float in under the rock but the cave area is still lit by sunlight from under the water...this creates a color effect. The one we want to go to is the Grotto Azzurra (the Blue Grotto) and is the most beautiful glowing blue. Try googling it and look at the pictures. The island has a high point in the center than gives amazing views, there are beaches all around, gardens, ancient ruins, seafood galore, and SUN! I can't wait to get my tan on :)