One of the things I’m most grateful for is having had the chance to travel on my own to some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world, and Rome is one of them. Prior to this particular trip, I’d already been to Rome (for four days in 2007) and thought it was the most astounding city I’d ever seen. When I went back in 2009, after a three-month study trip in Berlin, I made sure to stay for the whole of Holy Week. The result: a fresh look at the city and how it dealt with the thousands of people who came on pilgrimages.
Considering I spent almost two weeks roaming around Rome (and the outskirts of the city) mostly alone, it got a little lonely on some days. But it also gave me time to reflect on what I wanted to do with my life, and to be thankful for what was given to me. I managed to do what is still so far the best Visita Iglesia of my life. I also heard mass at the Vatican several times and did the Way of the Cross with the Pope right beside the Colosseum. I went to the Vatican museum and bought a rosary with blue cloisonné beads that I take with me everywhere. All of that, while having sublime gelato, pasta and pizza in between churches—and believe me, there were many.
Just sharing a few snapshots from that 2009 trip. I haven’t had a Manila-based Holy Week in years, so I’m savoring this one because I’ll hopefully be in New York next year. After that, only God knows where we’ll all be next!
Polish pilgrims at St. Peter's after the Palm Sunday mass
Via Crucis right beside the Colosseum, imagine how surreal that was! I stood in the crowds for hours for a prime spot. That's the pope right there under the red tent.
During the Easter Sunday mass, also at St. Peter's. There were so many Filipinos, and it was pretty hard to get through the gates because of the sheer number of people.
Crowds waiting for the Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter's Square
Guidebooks for sale
Raphael's Transfiguration on display at the Vatican Museum
'The Last Judgment' by Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel. That's a stolen shot from inside my bag; visitors aren't supposed to take photos. Also, the painting's colors are really vivid to the point of being garish.
Long lines at the Vatican
At the Bocca della Verita (it's in a church) on my Roman Holiday day
Ecstasy of St. Theresa
Rome at dusk
Wow! Hope to visit Rome someday. Nice set of photos!
Rome keeps changing but still stays the same. Awesome photos. What was the most mind-blowing artwork you saw?
Wish I could visit their some day. For now, leafing through the Lonely Planet guide to the Eternal City. It’s the next best thing at least for now…
From Lyn Ofiana
Submitted on 2011/04/21 at 10:33 am:
Hi Bianca! Been following u on twitter and reading your blogs. This piece on your Holy Week in Italy takes me back to the last time I visited Rome. It is really one of the most beautiful places in the world and you’re so lucky to be there at such a great time ☺
I’m so proud seeing how far you’ve come. From the makeover you gave me in my UPSA days I saw how passionate you are in your craft and I know you’re bound to achieve greater things.
Wishing you all the best! Take care always ☺
(Sorry, for some reason the comment ended up in a photo! Am publishing it here now—B)
Hey Ate Lyn! It’s great to hear from you again, how’ve you been? Where do you work now, and what are you up to? Let me know your Twitter ID so I can look you up! Thank you so much for the nice note, it made my day. UPSA seems like such a long time ago—and yet I remember I first joined because I wanted to go on tour in Europe, haha. I never thought I would be able to head there on my own anytime soon, but things somehow have a way of working out on their own. Hope you’re well, and I hope we bump into each other again soon
Hey Karen and Ry! Thank you so much—Rome is really photogenic, what with all the ancient ruins