On our last day in Italy, we went to visit the Cripta Capuccini, which is a crypt decorated with the bones of 3,700 monks that have passed away. This crypt is a reminder of our own mortality. It had to have been one of the creepiest sights I’ve ever seen in my life. I wish I had pictures to post for this.
This day was also the Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, and this is actually a public holiday in Rome, so many businesses are closed. St. Peter was one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles and spent most of his life preaching after Jesus’ death. St. Paul was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus shortly after Jesus’ death. He was an influential leader in the church. This holiday is kind of like the 4th of July in the United States, since there are fireworks and festival attractions open.
The fireworks were designed by Michelangelo, which I think was amazing. I was skeptical at first, but if China had fireworks hundreds of years ago, so could Italy. They were in the colors of the Italian flag, green, white, and red. I found that odd, since it’s technically not a holiday to celebrate Italy. They were still beautiful, and the fact that they were paired with classical music is a plus and tied everything together.
I’m really going to miss Italy. Shopping is something that’s going to be a lot harder in the US. I bought a pair of shoes for half the price it would have costed in America. Gelato will also be very hard to come across. I’m going to miss the public transportation, which is weird, yes, but the bus system is so efficient in Rome. I’m going to miss the free water wherever I go, thanks to the ancient aqueduct system. I’m going to miss passing by historic sites that are thousands of years old anywhere I walk. I’m going to miss Devin, especially, the number 1 tour guide in the history of the world, who was there looking out for us all the time. All I am wondering is, “When can I come back?”