Merrily, Roll Along: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve sunset, from the top of the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's dome on the right. Ready for some English-speaking camraderie, we've booked ourselves a Feast of the Seven Fishes close by, the traditional Italian Christmas Eve buffet - at a Scottish sports pub!

Turns out that we, alongside a multi-generational family of Bulgarians, plus a retired statistician from Wisconsin, are the only guests for this Feast of Seven Fishes! Another drink please, and it was delicious. We walk through the night-lit streets of Rome, home, happy.

We wake up on Christmas morning fairly early. As I lie there, I am struggling with our decision to NOT go to St. Peter's Square for the Pope's message. Warnings have been issued regarding bomb threats, and we decided it would be safer to not go. But you know what? they win if we don't go, so a mad flurry to get ready, figure out the bus route and get going! This trip is all about Carpe Diem, shaking up our life, agility, seizing the moment, time has wings, life is fleeting.

TO THE SQUARE!

50,000 people are there, the line-ups are long, police and army-presence heavy, human beings of every faith, language and country meet us there. Everyone is joyful, even with long lineups for bag xRays, metal detectors.

It takes about an hour to get into the Square. Meanwhile 2 brass bands have paraded to the front along with the Swiss Guards. And as we get close to the guards, a cheer goes up, and the Pope begins speaking. We are in the Square shortly after that.

Disbelief! Baby Jesus has been found!

Jumbotrons

Yes, we're pretty darn happy we Carpe Diemed!

We wind our way home along Marc's running route to stop for a place for our picnic. We come upon the monument for Anita Garibaldi, one of the few women honoured in Rome (through every age!). She was instrumental in the resistance, fighting alongside of and in front of her husband.