We're Back!

Technically, this past week was supposed to be used for reading and research and studying... but everyone knows that never happens.

Mary and I found ourselves in Italy--walking around ancient ruins in Rome and Ostia Antica, wandering down narrow streets and over bridges in Venezia (Venice), and becoming frustrated at the untimeliness of a strike in Padova :) (Don't worry, we got to see St. Anthony all right, and made it back to Venezia in time for supper)

Nonetheless, we made it back in one piece to Canterbury--but not without some cultural grievances towards the Italians for their wild queue jumping :)

Seriously though, being in the UK has had some effect upon us. As Mary stated in this post, queue jumping in England is almost a criminal offense. Not so in Italy. In fact, I might be so bold as to say that if you don't queue jump in Italy, you're weird.

Now, even though the Italians might seem rude at times, you have to forgive them because THEY HAVE SOME OF THE COOLEST RUINS!!!!! Ostia Antica in particular:


Mary and I had tons of fun walking around this ruinous city--there were tons of mosaics and frescoes still intact!! It was just cool to stand in the weeds in what used to be a house and say "Wow! Somebody actually used to live here!" And that reflection, of course, makes you think about who the people were--what did they do in their everyday lives? what were their problems? what did they hope and wish for? Domestic drama :)
Though of course, my Dad had to somewhat crush the coolness of the place by saying that it was probably mostly reproductions, and not originals... whatever, it was still really cool!

Our parents joined us for our week in Italy (for those of you who didn't get the memo) which had numerous financial advantages... such as eating out in a very nice restaurant after viewing:

But I think the Vatican deserves its own post...

Cheers!
~Laura

P.S. We will have to get back to you about Dover, Windsor, Oxford, Bath, Bristol and Stonehenge...sorry...