Got up about 6:30, took a shower, packed our bags and then went downstairs for breakfast. We just started eating when Father Greg showed up and reminded us about the mass at 8:00 so we finished up so that we can receive communion. The mass was held at the basement chapel and we were the only lay people attending. There were two priests from Africa who were attending the advanced theological classes as well as three nuns including the Mother Superior.
We gave our 'donation' afterwards, took pictures with Sister Helen and Father Greg and then walked to the Metro station. We got off at the Repubblica Station and then walked over to the Rome PNB branch to meet Lita. It was easy to find and is right across the Opera House. We just didn't know how to get up to office because it was on the second floor until two Pinays walked up to the main door, buzzed the PNB office and were let in. We followed them up and Lita was very happy to see us. She let us into her office and then had us chat with Fumio who was on the webcam.
We went out to have lunch afterwards but the restaurant was closed so we returned to her office, got our luggage and took the Metro to her place. It is very accessible and the location is unbelievable because it is near the Colosseum which you can actually see from her window. We rested a bit and then headed out to Fumio's favorite Italian restaurant for lunch. Too bad it was also closed so we had to find another place. We had pizza and spaghetti (of course) which were excellent.
It's been sprinkling when we entered the restaurant and really started pouring when we left the restaurant. We were ready with our umbrellas though and Lita took us to view Michelangelo's sculpture of Moses which was in a church nearby. We walked back to her place afterwards to get our luggage and then took the Metro back to the Roma Termini to catch our train back to Naples. Chatted some more while waiting for the train and observed the numerous groups of Filipinos inside the terminal. The train left on schedule and arrived at Napoli on time.
A very special day meeting and spending time with Lita.
Monday Departure/Arrival
Packed our bags, had breakfast, checked out and then dragged our luggage out. It's been raining all night and early morning and we were lucky that it stopped long enough for us to get to the airport without getting wet. The airport was a madhouse because of the weather and a big group of noisy teen-agers on the flight compounded the situation. They got off at Barcelona though so the remainder of the trip to Seville was quiet. The weather was very nice when we got home so it was a refreshing change from the Italian weather.
Another great trip.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Saturday Pisa
We got up around 7:00, took a shower and then went down the main floor for breakfast. The sisters and most of the priests went on a skiing trip to northern Italy so we were the only ones in the dining hall. Breakfast was good though: rice with hot dog/Jufran and fresh-baked bread. There was also a capuccino machine and the coffee was very good. We were joined later by Adela, the Filipina cook and chatted about the Collegio Filippino and the OFW's life in Italy.
Returned to our room after breakfast to get our things and then walked to the Metro Station to catch the subway train to the Roma Termini. The train to Pisa was delayed for 15 minutes so we walked around and bought snacks and water for the trip. It wasn't a bullet train so it was a bit slower and made more stops along the way. The railroad tracks were near the coastline though so we were able to enjoy the seaside scenery thanks to a very bright and sunny day. One amusing thing about this trip is what I discovered about the toilets. While the bullet trains have onboard septic tanks like airplanes and buses, the local trains flush the 'stuff' down on the tracks. I happened to look down after flushing and saw the tracks zipping underneath when the flap opened up. I guess the train's speed will take care of the 'dispersal'. One reason not to walk on the railroad tracks. I also feel sorry for the mechanics that work on the train's undercarriage. Yuck!!!
We passed a US Army base with an airfield just before arriving at Pisa and was able to see the leaning tower after a friendly Italian lady pointed it to us. It was also fairly easy to find after we got our free handouts from the tourist information center outside the train station. It is a good 15-20 minute walk (if you don't go inside the small shops along the way) and the directions are clearly marked. All the buildings of interest are within one walled compound which makes it easy for the one day tourist to see everything. The cathedral, leaning tower, Baptistery and the Camposanto Monumentale can actually be fitted into one picture. Needless to say, we took a lot of pictures including mom's cheesy shot of holding up the tower (along with the rest of the tourists). I think this is the main reason why the tower hasn't fallen down. We didn't go up the tower anymore (didn't wanna get blamed for causing it to fall down) but went inside the cathedral. Since it was a Saturday, there were plenty of tourists with busloads continuously arriving and departing. The guards were quite busy keeping people off the grass.
We started walking back to the train station to catch our 5:00 pm train back to Rome and stopped for a quick snack and a capuccino in a small cafe along the way. Also took pictures at the Piazza dei Cavalieri which was nearby and then continued on. Train was delayed for 25 minutes this time so we just bought snacks and drinks from the machines which were a lot cheaper than the trains' goodies. It was already dark during the trip back so we just relaxed and rested our feet. Took the subway back to the Collegio, ate our sandwiches and went to sleep.
Returned to our room after breakfast to get our things and then walked to the Metro Station to catch the subway train to the Roma Termini. The train to Pisa was delayed for 15 minutes so we walked around and bought snacks and water for the trip. It wasn't a bullet train so it was a bit slower and made more stops along the way. The railroad tracks were near the coastline though so we were able to enjoy the seaside scenery thanks to a very bright and sunny day. One amusing thing about this trip is what I discovered about the toilets. While the bullet trains have onboard septic tanks like airplanes and buses, the local trains flush the 'stuff' down on the tracks. I happened to look down after flushing and saw the tracks zipping underneath when the flap opened up. I guess the train's speed will take care of the 'dispersal'. One reason not to walk on the railroad tracks. I also feel sorry for the mechanics that work on the train's undercarriage. Yuck!!!
We passed a US Army base with an airfield just before arriving at Pisa and was able to see the leaning tower after a friendly Italian lady pointed it to us. It was also fairly easy to find after we got our free handouts from the tourist information center outside the train station. It is a good 15-20 minute walk (if you don't go inside the small shops along the way) and the directions are clearly marked. All the buildings of interest are within one walled compound which makes it easy for the one day tourist to see everything. The cathedral, leaning tower, Baptistery and the Camposanto Monumentale can actually be fitted into one picture. Needless to say, we took a lot of pictures including mom's cheesy shot of holding up the tower (along with the rest of the tourists). I think this is the main reason why the tower hasn't fallen down. We didn't go up the tower anymore (didn't wanna get blamed for causing it to fall down) but went inside the cathedral. Since it was a Saturday, there were plenty of tourists with busloads continuously arriving and departing. The guards were quite busy keeping people off the grass.
We started walking back to the train station to catch our 5:00 pm train back to Rome and stopped for a quick snack and a capuccino in a small cafe along the way. Also took pictures at the Piazza dei Cavalieri which was nearby and then continued on. Train was delayed for 25 minutes this time so we just bought snacks and drinks from the machines which were a lot cheaper than the trains' goodies. It was already dark during the trip back so we just relaxed and rested our feet. Took the subway back to the Collegio, ate our sandwiches and went to sleep.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Wednesday February 14 Valentine's Day
A bright and beautiful sunny day - must be because its Valentine's Day and our 31st wedding anniversary. A lazy morning for me since we didn't have anything planned until noontime so I just checked my e-mail at the library after eating a late breakfast. Watched TV afterwards and did some more Sudoku puzzles until Nette knocked on the door to pick us up. I went down to the conference room, got Mom and joined Nette and her friends Yvonne and Emily infront of the BOQ.
Emily was our driver/tour guide and very much Italianized in her driving ways but in a much safer manner. She was weaving in and out of traffic very smoothly and I was very impressed. Anyway, she took us to a local Capodimonte maker/retailer which was only about 15 minutes away from the base. It was a small establishment with the store infront and the shop in the back. Everything is handmade and certificates are attached to the articles. Mom bought 4 small framed pieces for hanging on the wall and a centerpiece for our friend Jess in Rota. Emily told us that this is were most of the Pinoys get their items because the prices are a lot lower than the NEX. The customer service was very good and the items were packed carefully with plenty of padding. We went back to the Support Site with them, had lunch at the Food Court and then took the bus back to the BOQ.
I went to the library to check the mail and mom went back to the room to take a nap. We're supposed to meet up with her coworkers and conference attendees later on to go out for dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day and our anniversary. We were here the same time last year and they all remembered our special day. There were 11 in the group and 3 taxis took us to the restaurant which was on top of a hill overlooking Naples Bay. Too bad it was nightime and a little overcast so we were not able to enjoy the scenery. The trip was quite exciting though since we had the typical Italian driver that zipped in and out between cars like he's in a race, tailgated and smoked the whole time. I enjoyed the ride except for the smoke which was quite an ordeal since it was about a 20-minute ride.
The restaurant is very nice and was dug into the hillside. The different sections are built like tunnels that branched out in different directions and decorations were a mixture of European, Asian and Middle Eastern. What surprised us was the HUGE German Shepherd (at least an easy 100 lbs.) laying down at the entrance. It's probably the owner's dog and quite docile with the regular patrons patting its head as they went in. You just have to be careful and not step on its tail as you walk by because of the narrow aisle. The food was very good and our group got really loud after a few bottles of wine. In fact we were louder than the Italian patrons and they were looking at us (probably because we're Americans).
We had the same taxis going back to the base but got a different driver this time who was quite cautious and drove a lot slower. Found out later that our hostess instructed the driver after we told her about the trip going out. The driver was laughing and joked about getting extra compensation for his good service. A great day.
Thursday February 15
A cold, overcast and rainy day. Had breakfast with Mom and then walked to the bus station to catch the shuttle to the train station. My mission for the day: to see the ruins of Pompeii. Mom's been there last year and doesn't feel like walking in the rain plus the conference was completed yesterday and she had to meet with the director.
Pompeii is about a 25-minute ride on the local train which travels along the coastline and I was able to enjoy the scenery of the fishing villages and marinas. Since it was a weekday and also raining, there was only a few passengers so it was a fairly quiet ride. One thing I forgot to do though was to have my ticket validated and stamped at the station and the conductor reminded me make sure that I do it coming back or I'll get charged for another ticket.
There was a slight drizzle when I got off the train but I was ready with my umbrella. Walked out of the station, found directions to the ruins and started walking since it was only a short distance from the train station. Found out later that it was actually a 15-minute walk since the actual gates to the ruins are far apart even though the ruins' walls were parallel to the main road. No problem because I needed the exercise anyway. I entered through the Porta Marina which is the main entrance and joined the tourist crowd made up mainly of Japanese and Chinese so I felt right at home. It was quite amusing watching and listening to the Italian guides speaking in Japanese.
The roads and structures (except for the roofs) are mostly intact and were preserved by the volcanic ash and debris that covered the city. The streets were paved with large blocks of stone and bordered by curbs and pedestrian walkways. There were also raised stones that pedestrians used to cross when the streets were flooded. I followed the entrance road into the Forum which is the city's center of activity facing Mt. Vesuvius. The guide map identified the structures which included a basilica, museum and a marketplace along with various temples and shrines. So much history to take in because as you look around, you try to imagine what the city looked like. Too bad the weather wasn't cooperating. I had a hard time taking pictures while holding the umbrella, looking at the guide map and watching my steps because of the uneven surface.
The various residences were clearly identified especially for the VIP's which were quite spacious with multiple rooms. The mosaic designs are very impressive as well as the frescoes on the walls. I just followed the road and eventually got to the ampitheater. According to one of the websites, this is considered to be the world's oldest known amphitheater. It's about the size of a modern football stadium and had a seating capacity of 12,000. Took some pictures in the tunnel and the center and returned to the Forum where there is a restaurant to dry/warm up a bit. Consulted my map and then headed back out to look for the theaters which I unknowingly passed by earlier. There was a group of young Japanese tourists at the small theater and they were acting out something because the group leader was giving them instructions to go to specific spots and strike a pose. I had to wait for them to leave to take my pictures.
The weather started getting worse so I just kept on following the street and didn't bother to look at the map anymore because of the wind and rain. My shoes were soaked and water was seeping in from the toes so my feet were now cold and wet so I decided to head back to the train station. I used a different gate this time because I was on the other side of the city away from the Porta Marina. I noticed a church steeple when I was by the ampitheater and recognized it as the one directly infront of the train station. Like an old salty sailor, I got my bearings and finally found Nuceria Gate. It was a smaller gate but closer to the train station. Stopped at the cathedtral for a prayer visit, took pictures and then walked back to the train station. Quite a long, tiring and wet but fulfilling day.
Friday February 16
Had breakfast at the Capo, mailed the package with excess clothes to accomodate the items we bought from the Capodimonte in our carry-on luggage and then took the bus to the Support Site to meet with our friend Bhullets. She's trying to get a room for us at the Pontifico Collegio Filippino in Rome for Friday and Saturday. It is a Pontifical College near the Vatican and is the home for Filipino priests pursuing advanced ecclesiastical studies. It also serves as the lodging for members of the church visiting Rome. Filipinos on a pilgrimage to Rome are also allowed to stay but on a space available and referral basis only and payments are accepted as donations for the maintenance and upkeep of the building.
She was able to arrange accommodations for us so we had to hurry back to the base, pack our bags and then catch a bullet train to Rome. We were able to get to the station 10 minutes before the next train left but ended up leaving 20 minutes later with no explanation about the delay. About halfway through the trip, the train started slowing down and then completely stopped. After some false starts and stops, we finally continued on and arrived at Roma Termini about 65 minutes late. Our sponsor, Evelyn, was supposed to meet and escort us to the place but since she had another commitment and we were an hour late, she just called us and gave directions on how to get there via the Metro.
We also called Sister Helen at the Collegio to let her know that we got delayed and were taking the Metro. She advised us to just take a taxi since it was already late and the subway may not be safe because of the pickpockets and bums. She also assured us that the taxi drivers know the place and will not rip us off so we got in line outside the station and got on one. Another exciting experience as the driver wove in and out of traffic but we were quite confident of his driving abilities so we just sat back and enjoyed the view as we drove by the floodlit landmarks.
The place was past the Vatican and the driver was familiar with the area but unsure of the address so he was reading the numbers as we drove by. We almost passed it because the place was dark but the driver had sharp eyes and made a very abrupt right turn and stop at the gate. I was very impressed because there was just enough room for the taxi to clear the street and park without getting hit. It was about a 20-minute ride but fairly cheap and the driver was very thankful when I gave him a tip. It was well worth it.
The gates were closed and the lights in the building were out so we just buzzed the intercom and asked for Sister Helen. She buzzed us in and one of the priests let us into the building. She showed us to our room which was on the third floor and mentioned that it is where the bishop normally stays when he is visiting. It has a separate receiving room and then the bedroom which has a queen-size bed. The rooms were quite spacious including the bathroom. She already had the room heaters turned on plus two additional electric heaters so it was fairly warm. She gave us keys for the lobby doors and the gate and informed us there is no curfew and that we can come and go as we please. She also gave us directions to a Chinese restaurant and how to get to the subway station.
We unpacked our bags and headed out to the Chinese restaurant which was about a block and a half away. It was a nice restaurant and was halfway full with Japanese and Italian customers when we came in. The menu had a wide variety of selections and the prices were very reasonable. We ordered two entrees each with rice because we assumed that the orders were small because of the price. The waiter was surprised and mentioned it was too much (and he was right). We just took our time since we were very hungry anyway after a long day. A very good meal.
The class members were having a ping-pong tournament at the lounge when we got back so we watched for a while and chatted with them along with Sister Helen and the Mother Superior. I viewed the pictures and newsclips on the wall which related the history of the institution. Mom went back to the room and went to bed after a while and I stayed behind and watched the end of the tournament.
A bright and beautiful sunny day - must be because its Valentine's Day and our 31st wedding anniversary. A lazy morning for me since we didn't have anything planned until noontime so I just checked my e-mail at the library after eating a late breakfast. Watched TV afterwards and did some more Sudoku puzzles until Nette knocked on the door to pick us up. I went down to the conference room, got Mom and joined Nette and her friends Yvonne and Emily infront of the BOQ.
Emily was our driver/tour guide and very much Italianized in her driving ways but in a much safer manner. She was weaving in and out of traffic very smoothly and I was very impressed. Anyway, she took us to a local Capodimonte maker/retailer which was only about 15 minutes away from the base. It was a small establishment with the store infront and the shop in the back. Everything is handmade and certificates are attached to the articles. Mom bought 4 small framed pieces for hanging on the wall and a centerpiece for our friend Jess in Rota. Emily told us that this is were most of the Pinoys get their items because the prices are a lot lower than the NEX. The customer service was very good and the items were packed carefully with plenty of padding. We went back to the Support Site with them, had lunch at the Food Court and then took the bus back to the BOQ.
I went to the library to check the mail and mom went back to the room to take a nap. We're supposed to meet up with her coworkers and conference attendees later on to go out for dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day and our anniversary. We were here the same time last year and they all remembered our special day. There were 11 in the group and 3 taxis took us to the restaurant which was on top of a hill overlooking Naples Bay. Too bad it was nightime and a little overcast so we were not able to enjoy the scenery. The trip was quite exciting though since we had the typical Italian driver that zipped in and out between cars like he's in a race, tailgated and smoked the whole time. I enjoyed the ride except for the smoke which was quite an ordeal since it was about a 20-minute ride.
The restaurant is very nice and was dug into the hillside. The different sections are built like tunnels that branched out in different directions and decorations were a mixture of European, Asian and Middle Eastern. What surprised us was the HUGE German Shepherd (at least an easy 100 lbs.) laying down at the entrance. It's probably the owner's dog and quite docile with the regular patrons patting its head as they went in. You just have to be careful and not step on its tail as you walk by because of the narrow aisle. The food was very good and our group got really loud after a few bottles of wine. In fact we were louder than the Italian patrons and they were looking at us (probably because we're Americans).
We had the same taxis going back to the base but got a different driver this time who was quite cautious and drove a lot slower. Found out later that our hostess instructed the driver after we told her about the trip going out. The driver was laughing and joked about getting extra compensation for his good service. A great day.
Thursday February 15
A cold, overcast and rainy day. Had breakfast with Mom and then walked to the bus station to catch the shuttle to the train station. My mission for the day: to see the ruins of Pompeii. Mom's been there last year and doesn't feel like walking in the rain plus the conference was completed yesterday and she had to meet with the director.
Pompeii is about a 25-minute ride on the local train which travels along the coastline and I was able to enjoy the scenery of the fishing villages and marinas. Since it was a weekday and also raining, there was only a few passengers so it was a fairly quiet ride. One thing I forgot to do though was to have my ticket validated and stamped at the station and the conductor reminded me make sure that I do it coming back or I'll get charged for another ticket.
There was a slight drizzle when I got off the train but I was ready with my umbrella. Walked out of the station, found directions to the ruins and started walking since it was only a short distance from the train station. Found out later that it was actually a 15-minute walk since the actual gates to the ruins are far apart even though the ruins' walls were parallel to the main road. No problem because I needed the exercise anyway. I entered through the Porta Marina which is the main entrance and joined the tourist crowd made up mainly of Japanese and Chinese so I felt right at home. It was quite amusing watching and listening to the Italian guides speaking in Japanese.
The roads and structures (except for the roofs) are mostly intact and were preserved by the volcanic ash and debris that covered the city. The streets were paved with large blocks of stone and bordered by curbs and pedestrian walkways. There were also raised stones that pedestrians used to cross when the streets were flooded. I followed the entrance road into the Forum which is the city's center of activity facing Mt. Vesuvius. The guide map identified the structures which included a basilica, museum and a marketplace along with various temples and shrines. So much history to take in because as you look around, you try to imagine what the city looked like. Too bad the weather wasn't cooperating. I had a hard time taking pictures while holding the umbrella, looking at the guide map and watching my steps because of the uneven surface.
The various residences were clearly identified especially for the VIP's which were quite spacious with multiple rooms. The mosaic designs are very impressive as well as the frescoes on the walls. I just followed the road and eventually got to the ampitheater. According to one of the websites, this is considered to be the world's oldest known amphitheater. It's about the size of a modern football stadium and had a seating capacity of 12,000. Took some pictures in the tunnel and the center and returned to the Forum where there is a restaurant to dry/warm up a bit. Consulted my map and then headed back out to look for the theaters which I unknowingly passed by earlier. There was a group of young Japanese tourists at the small theater and they were acting out something because the group leader was giving them instructions to go to specific spots and strike a pose. I had to wait for them to leave to take my pictures.
The weather started getting worse so I just kept on following the street and didn't bother to look at the map anymore because of the wind and rain. My shoes were soaked and water was seeping in from the toes so my feet were now cold and wet so I decided to head back to the train station. I used a different gate this time because I was on the other side of the city away from the Porta Marina. I noticed a church steeple when I was by the ampitheater and recognized it as the one directly infront of the train station. Like an old salty sailor, I got my bearings and finally found Nuceria Gate. It was a smaller gate but closer to the train station. Stopped at the cathedtral for a prayer visit, took pictures and then walked back to the train station. Quite a long, tiring and wet but fulfilling day.
Friday February 16
Had breakfast at the Capo, mailed the package with excess clothes to accomodate the items we bought from the Capodimonte in our carry-on luggage and then took the bus to the Support Site to meet with our friend Bhullets. She's trying to get a room for us at the Pontifico Collegio Filippino in Rome for Friday and Saturday. It is a Pontifical College near the Vatican and is the home for Filipino priests pursuing advanced ecclesiastical studies. It also serves as the lodging for members of the church visiting Rome. Filipinos on a pilgrimage to Rome are also allowed to stay but on a space available and referral basis only and payments are accepted as donations for the maintenance and upkeep of the building.
She was able to arrange accommodations for us so we had to hurry back to the base, pack our bags and then catch a bullet train to Rome. We were able to get to the station 10 minutes before the next train left but ended up leaving 20 minutes later with no explanation about the delay. About halfway through the trip, the train started slowing down and then completely stopped. After some false starts and stops, we finally continued on and arrived at Roma Termini about 65 minutes late. Our sponsor, Evelyn, was supposed to meet and escort us to the place but since she had another commitment and we were an hour late, she just called us and gave directions on how to get there via the Metro.
We also called Sister Helen at the Collegio to let her know that we got delayed and were taking the Metro. She advised us to just take a taxi since it was already late and the subway may not be safe because of the pickpockets and bums. She also assured us that the taxi drivers know the place and will not rip us off so we got in line outside the station and got on one. Another exciting experience as the driver wove in and out of traffic but we were quite confident of his driving abilities so we just sat back and enjoyed the view as we drove by the floodlit landmarks.
The place was past the Vatican and the driver was familiar with the area but unsure of the address so he was reading the numbers as we drove by. We almost passed it because the place was dark but the driver had sharp eyes and made a very abrupt right turn and stop at the gate. I was very impressed because there was just enough room for the taxi to clear the street and park without getting hit. It was about a 20-minute ride but fairly cheap and the driver was very thankful when I gave him a tip. It was well worth it.
The gates were closed and the lights in the building were out so we just buzzed the intercom and asked for Sister Helen. She buzzed us in and one of the priests let us into the building. She showed us to our room which was on the third floor and mentioned that it is where the bishop normally stays when he is visiting. It has a separate receiving room and then the bedroom which has a queen-size bed. The rooms were quite spacious including the bathroom. She already had the room heaters turned on plus two additional electric heaters so it was fairly warm. She gave us keys for the lobby doors and the gate and informed us there is no curfew and that we can come and go as we please. She also gave us directions to a Chinese restaurant and how to get to the subway station.
We unpacked our bags and headed out to the Chinese restaurant which was about a block and a half away. It was a nice restaurant and was halfway full with Japanese and Italian customers when we came in. The menu had a wide variety of selections and the prices were very reasonable. We ordered two entrees each with rice because we assumed that the orders were small because of the price. The waiter was surprised and mentioned it was too much (and he was right). We just took our time since we were very hungry anyway after a long day. A very good meal.
The class members were having a ping-pong tournament at the lounge when we got back so we watched for a while and chatted with them along with Sister Helen and the Mother Superior. I viewed the pictures and newsclips on the wall which related the history of the institution. Mom went back to the room and went to bed after a while and I stayed behind and watched the end of the tournament.
Monday & Tuesday
Monday 12 Feb
Mom's training started today so I just took my time getting up and went down for breakfast at 8:00. Watched TV for a while afterwards and played Sudoku. I also called PNB in Rome and found out that Lita was in Manila for an urgent meeting and will be returning late Saturday night. Also called Roger at his office (cheered him up a bit) and then called Nette to let her know that I'll be on the 1145 bus to the Support Site to meet her for lunch at the NEX Food Court. Went to the library which is just next door to the BOQ to surf the 'Net and then walked to the bus stop in front of the library.
We had lunch at Subway in the Food Court and had my first healthy meal of grilled chicken salad. Did a bit of shopping afterwards and then got on the 1445 bus to return to the Capo base. We met up with Roger and Nicole at 5:00 pm at the pool and then went back to their place. Since it was already dark, we didn't get a good view of the outside of the house even though it was well-illuminated.
Mom's training started today so I just took my time getting up and went down for breakfast at 8:00. Watched TV for a while afterwards and played Sudoku. I also called PNB in Rome and found out that Lita was in Manila for an urgent meeting and will be returning late Saturday night. Also called Roger at his office (cheered him up a bit) and then called Nette to let her know that I'll be on the 1145 bus to the Support Site to meet her for lunch at the NEX Food Court. Went to the library which is just next door to the BOQ to surf the 'Net and then walked to the bus stop in front of the library.
We had lunch at Subway in the Food Court and had my first healthy meal of grilled chicken salad. Did a bit of shopping afterwards and then got on the 1445 bus to return to the Capo base. We met up with Roger and Nicole at 5:00 pm at the pool and then went back to their place. Since it was already dark, we didn't get a good view of the outside of the house even though it was well-illuminated.
It is a very nice house since the owner was living there before they rented it. It has a remote controlled wrought-iron gate that swings in and the driveway leads into a carport behind the house underneath the 2nd floor bedrooms. It has 3 floors (including a huge basement), 3 bedrooms on the 2nd floor and a very spacious living room in the ground floor. What's really impressive is the 24 hr. surveillance system: 6 cameras around the house with a recorder/monitor in the living room and bedroom and motion sensors. The house is also surrounded by a concrete fence topped by iron bars with spikes. This pretty much tells you about the break-in situation in the area.
We talked for a while, had some drinks, took pictures and then headed back towards the base for dinner at (guess what), an Italian restaurant. The first restaurant was closed so we went farther down and found the Viacchi Monastero. The outside appearance wasn't impressive but it was quite spacious inside and had a family-type ambience. We had assorted pasta, quattro formaggi pizza and bread. We were surprised that for an Italian restaurant, they didn't have olive oil though. The meal was really good (quite filling and heavy!) and we took our time dining Italian style. They drove us back to the BOQ afterwards which saved us from the long walk from the gate.
Tuesday Feb 13
Woke up to lightning/thunder and rain beating against the windows. Found out later that it also knocked out the phone lines when I tried to call Nette to inform her about our schedule. We were supposed to meet at the Support Site again and then go to the weekly open market near their place. I sent her a text message but didn't get a response so I just got on the bus anyway and then had our friend at NFCU call her up when I got to the Support Site. She picked me up about an hour later and then drove back to their place. This was a double purpose trip because she also wanted to show the piles of trash that have accumulated alongside the roads. The Italians (mainly Naples area) try to maintain a clean house so to accomplish that, they just throw their trash bags outside their car windows as they drive along. I took some pictures and saw a couple of side streets that were completely blocked because of the trash piles. It may actually be worse than Manila.
The weather cleared up when we got to their place and the stalls for the open market were already put up in the streets when we got there. This is a weekly event and the streets are 
closed for the whole day so Nette had to detour from her regular route. She said the stalls were fewer because of the early morning rain but some were still arriving and setting up as we were walking along. The stalls were mostly for dry goods such as clothing and textiles with a few for produce such as vegetables and fish. Took a few pictures, went back to their place and took some more pictures of the house and then had sinigang for lunch before heading back to the Support Site.
Did some more shopping and then ran into Mom at the NEX entrance as I was getting ready to leave. There was a sale going on so I had to wait a bit longer. At least we didn't have to lug all our puchases from the main gate since the bus stops infront of the BOQ. We just stayed in, ate sandwiches in the room and watched DVD movies the we borrowed from the front desk.
closed for the whole day so Nette had to detour from her regular route. She said the stalls were fewer because of the early morning rain but some were still arriving and setting up as we were walking along. The stalls were mostly for dry goods such as clothing and textiles with a few for produce such as vegetables and fish. Took a few pictures, went back to their place and took some more pictures of the house and then had sinigang for lunch before heading back to the Support Site.Did some more shopping and then ran into Mom at the NEX entrance as I was getting ready to leave. There was a sale going on so I had to wait a bit longer. At least we didn't have to lug all our puchases from the main gate since the bus stops infront of the BOQ. We just stayed in, ate sandwiches in the room and watched DVD movies the we borrowed from the front desk.
Sunday San Giovanni Rotondo
We got up at 6:30, had breakfast, met up with Carmen and Elizabeth and then walked to the terminal to catch the bus to the Garibaldi train station. We're going to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit Padre Pio's shrine today while the two ladies were going to Rome. We got on the local train at 8:50 to Caserta to catch the bullet train to Foggia. From there, we'll take a 1-hour bus trip to San Giovanni Rotondo.
Train travel is fairly easy but you just have to pay attention to the announcements to ensure that you get off at your stop. You also need to check the posted departure/arrival schedules to determine the platforms. We made it to Foggia without any hitch and had lunch at McDo upon arrival. It got a bit exciting here and we had a very important learning experience. Since we didn't check the bus schedule before eating, we ended up waiting for the next one which only gave us 50 minutes of tour time at the site. We had to catch the return trip to ensure that we don't miss our train back to Naples. If we missed it, the next bus arrives at Foggia 5 minutes after our Naples departure time. We were a bit worried but since I've visited the San Giovanni site on line and it showed the bus station as a short walk to the shrine, it gave us an assurance that we should have sufficient time.
Santa Maria della Croce church in Foggia where we attended mass while waiting for the bus.
We had another taste of Italian 'hospitality' when we bought our bus tickets. The seller assured us that the bus will be stopping in front of the store after we asked him where the bus stop was. It's a good thing that we stayed outside because we saw the bus as it drove in front of the train station and then proceeded to the bus stop in front of the building across from the store. We had to run across the street and wave to make sure that he saw us.
The town is only 18 miles away but the trip took about an hour because it is located on top of the hill and the road was very steep with multiple hairpin turns. The drivers didn't care though and just zoomed up even passing on blind curves. I guess they're all on the same wavelength and know how the other driver will react.
The Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria Delle Grazie) was about a 3 minute uphill walk from the bus stop. The walls and pillars are made of dark marble and the altar background is a painting of the Madonna and Child with St. Francis of Assissi and and St. Michael the Archangel. The church also served as a museum and has exhibits of his cell and its meager furnishings as well as his vestments. We were able to visit his tomb in the cellar where there is a picture of Pope John Paul II when he came to visit.
Statue and bust built in his memory. Padre Pio is also well-known for his love to the soldiers that attend his masses.
A Way of the Cross was also built on the hill next to the church with a statue of Padre Pio at the bottom of the stairs and the Madonna and Child halfway up. We didn't get a chance to go all the way of up due to the limited time.
Took pictures of the 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza or 'Home to Relieve Suffering' which was established by Padre Pio for treatment of the poor. The hospital opened in 1956, and is today considered one of the most efficient hospitals in Europe.
It's a good thing we returned to the station early because the bus arrived 5 minutes early and left right away after loading the passengers in the waiting area. Hopefully nobody was left behind because most of the other passengers were the same ones that rode the last bus. Tried to get an earlier train but none was available so we just lounged around at McDonald's.
Train arrived/left on time. A couple of college kids tried to pull a fast one on us saying that the seats were occupied when we got to our seats. Found out that they were actually the squatters and wanted to sit together with their friends. The ride back was uneventful except for the long walk back to the BOQ.
Train travel is fairly easy but you just have to pay attention to the announcements to ensure that you get off at your stop. You also need to check the posted departure/arrival schedules to determine the platforms. We made it to Foggia without any hitch and had lunch at McDo upon arrival. It got a bit exciting here and we had a very important learning experience. Since we didn't check the bus schedule before eating, we ended up waiting for the next one which only gave us 50 minutes of tour time at the site. We had to catch the return trip to ensure that we don't miss our train back to Naples. If we missed it, the next bus arrives at Foggia 5 minutes after our Naples departure time. We were a bit worried but since I've visited the San Giovanni site on line and it showed the bus station as a short walk to the shrine, it gave us an assurance that we should have sufficient time.
Santa Maria della Croce church in Foggia where we attended mass while waiting for the bus.
We had another taste of Italian 'hospitality' when we bought our bus tickets. The seller assured us that the bus will be stopping in front of the store after we asked him where the bus stop was. It's a good thing that we stayed outside because we saw the bus as it drove in front of the train station and then proceeded to the bus stop in front of the building across from the store. We had to run across the street and wave to make sure that he saw us.
The town is only 18 miles away but the trip took about an hour because it is located on top of the hill and the road was very steep with multiple hairpin turns. The drivers didn't care though and just zoomed up even passing on blind curves. I guess they're all on the same wavelength and know how the other driver will react.
The Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria Delle Grazie) was about a 3 minute uphill walk from the bus stop. The walls and pillars are made of dark marble and the altar background is a painting of the Madonna and Child with St. Francis of Assissi and and St. Michael the Archangel. The church also served as a museum and has exhibits of his cell and its meager furnishings as well as his vestments. We were able to visit his tomb in the cellar where there is a picture of Pope John Paul II when he came to visit.
A Way of the Cross was also built on the hill next to the church with a statue of Padre Pio at the bottom of the stairs and the Madonna and Child halfway up. We didn't get a chance to go all the way of up due to the limited time.Walked to the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church that was built in his honor which is just behind the church. It can accomodate 6,500 inside and about 30,000 pilgrims outside. We were unable to go inside due to the time but walked in the open square and admired the huge crucifix and the eight bells infront.
Took pictures of the 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza or 'Home to Relieve Suffering' which was established by Padre Pio for treatment of the poor. The hospital opened in 1956, and is today considered one of the most efficient hospitals in Europe.It's a good thing we returned to the station early because the bus arrived 5 minutes early and left right away after loading the passengers in the waiting area. Hopefully nobody was left behind because most of the other passengers were the same ones that rode the last bus. Tried to get an earlier train but none was available so we just lounged around at McDonald's.
Train arrived/left on time. A couple of college kids tried to pull a fast one on us saying that the seats were occupied when we got to our seats. Found out that they were actually the squatters and wanted to sit together with their friends. The ride back was uneventful except for the long walk back to the BOQ.
Saturday Departure & Arrival
We got up at 4:30 because the van was supposed to come by at 5:00 to take us to Seville which is about an hour and 10 minute trip. It was quite cold and the pouring rain didn't help a bit. The van arrived at 5:10 and we headed out. I rode shotgun to keep the driver company while Mom sat in the back with Carmen and Elizabeth who were also going to the seminar.
The driver took the new freeway to the Jerez airport and for a moment I thought that there was a connecting road to the A-4 Autovia. After continuing down the national road which is just a 2-lane unlighted highway winding between the fields, I found out that he was just trying to avoid the toll gate. His English was limited so Carmen explained to him that he needs to get back on the freeway or we might miss our flight. After a scary 30 minutes of driving in the pouring rain and sharp curves, we were able to find the connecting road. It was pretty much routine once we got on the freeway and we arrived at the airport with time to have some coffee and pastries. The plane departed on schedule and we landed at Barcelona where we had an hour and a half layover for the connecting flight to Naples.
It was also cold at Naples and lucky for us, the rain had stopped because it would have been a long wet walk from the airport to the BOQ. Taxis are not allowed on base and its only a short walk from the airport to the gate but the BOQ is a long 15-20 minutes walk from the gate dragging your luggage. We stopped at the NEX first and were lucky to be allowed in because the doors were just closed for the day. Bought some snacks for the room and then checked in.
We rested for a couple of hours and then met up at the base restaurant for an early dinner of pizza and hamburger. Carmen and Elizabeth returned to their rooms afterwards while we went to see Flags of Our Fathers. Parts of the movie were shot on location in Iceland due to the similar terrain and the shooting just wrapped up when Mom went TAD there last year. She was able to recognize some of the areas that she visited. It was a very good movie but I got a bit dizzy because it was set on wide screen (stretched) and a little out of focus. Movies are free though so I can't complain. Turned in for the night afterwards to get some rest.
The driver took the new freeway to the Jerez airport and for a moment I thought that there was a connecting road to the A-4 Autovia. After continuing down the national road which is just a 2-lane unlighted highway winding between the fields, I found out that he was just trying to avoid the toll gate. His English was limited so Carmen explained to him that he needs to get back on the freeway or we might miss our flight. After a scary 30 minutes of driving in the pouring rain and sharp curves, we were able to find the connecting road. It was pretty much routine once we got on the freeway and we arrived at the airport with time to have some coffee and pastries. The plane departed on schedule and we landed at Barcelona where we had an hour and a half layover for the connecting flight to Naples.
It was also cold at Naples and lucky for us, the rain had stopped because it would have been a long wet walk from the airport to the BOQ. Taxis are not allowed on base and its only a short walk from the airport to the gate but the BOQ is a long 15-20 minutes walk from the gate dragging your luggage. We stopped at the NEX first and were lucky to be allowed in because the doors were just closed for the day. Bought some snacks for the room and then checked in.We rested for a couple of hours and then met up at the base restaurant for an early dinner of pizza and hamburger. Carmen and Elizabeth returned to their rooms afterwards while we went to see Flags of Our Fathers. Parts of the movie were shot on location in Iceland due to the similar terrain and the shooting just wrapped up when Mom went TAD there last year. She was able to recognize some of the areas that she visited. It was a very good movie but I got a bit dizzy because it was set on wide screen (stretched) and a little out of focus. Movies are free though so I can't complain. Turned in for the night afterwards to get some rest.
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