A Weekend of Day Trips

This past Friday I tagged along on a study trip to Ostia Antica, an ancient town.  We received a personal tour given by one of the professors that is here at JFRC.  It was extremely interesting!  We were also able to eat our lunches right on the steps of the amphitheater.  It was amazing thinking about all of the people thousands of years ago that used to wander the very streets I was stepping on.  From Ostia, we took a short bus ride to the Christian catacombs located right in Rome.  These were very cool, but very creepy as well.  The first level underground, which we walked through, was 12 meters beneath the earth’s surface.  The walls were very high but narrow.  I was able to see the indents in the wall where bodies used to be placed.  It was such a unique experience, and I’m so glad that I signed up for this study trip.

Then, the following day I attended the school trip to Assisi for a pilgrimage.  We left early in the morning and returned very late into the night.  During the day, we toured the Basilica of Sant Maria degli Angeli, the Basilica of San Francesco, and the Basilica of San Chiara.  The whole town was very quaint and provided a beautiful view of the countryside.  It was such a peaceful place.  We spent most of our time wandering through the basilicas, praying, or eating..a lot.  We were provided full meals that left me full for days afterwards.  This trip was also a great experience, and I only wish I had a little more time there to explore even more.