Body and Soul in Rome 2016

 

fter the long flight from Singapore, out for a walk late on a Roman Summer afternoon, I pause . . . and enjoy watching kids chasing bubbles in Piazza del Popolo.

ROME . . . In Piazza del Popolo . . . out walking, late on a Roman Summer afternoon.

 

ext day, Paul arrives and it’s time to address both body and soul.

Heading into the old Trastevere area of Rome on a hot Sunday afternoon for a pizza at Dar Poeta, recommended by nephew Mark

 
izza and cold beer in Trastevere sates the hunger on a very hot Roman summer’s day, but we suffer an even hotter one as we set out on pilgrimage along the Tiber on our way to St Peter’s to ‘salve the soul’.

In order to gain our plenary indulgence, we make find the church of San Salvatore in Lauro, one of three designated by Pope Francis for the “Jubilee Year of Mercy”. A prayer at a side altar dedicated to the soon-to-be-canonised Mother Teresa, before crossing the Tiber to Castel Sant’Angelo for the walk up the Via Conciliazione to St Peter’s.

We join the queue for security check before following other pilgrims into the Basilica through the Holy Door to receive Reconciliation, and our indulgences.

Paul and Michael - 'On pilgrimage' along the Tiber towards the Holy Door of St Peter's and our plenary indulgence

Colourful Swiss Guard at the Vatican in traditional uniform at the Vatican

 
y brother Mark and Jenny land in Rome after their 28-hour marathon from Brisbane via Cairns and Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific, so it’s great to catch-up. Another late afternoon walk, this time to Caffè Greco on Rome’s Via Condotti where Keats & Byron also drank at the marble tables of this celebrated, richly-ornate 18th-century cafe.

Drinks with my brother Mark and Jenny and Paul turn into 'high tea' at Caffè Greco

Liveried waiters at Caffè Greco on Rome's Via Condotti where Keats & Byron drank coffee at the marble tables of this celebrated, richly-ornate 18th-century cafe.

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