Our first day was a very full day in Rome. Vatican Museum. Sistine Chapel. St. Peter’s Basilica. Piazza Navona. Pantheon. Trevi Fountain. Spanish Steps. And, of course, we visited Giolitti’s for some gelato!
Our final day in Rome was another full day! We visited Mamertine Prison, the Roman Forum, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.
We finished the day at the Pythagorion pier for dinner with our small groups.
We are resting up in preparation for our early morning ferry to Patmos tomorrow where we will see St. John's Monastery and the Grotto of Revelation.
Today was a full and amazing day!
After a full morning, we then enjoyed a delicious lunch together at Mystilli Restaurant.
The afternoon meant naps for some folks and shopping for others. We then met Eleni again for a wonderful exploration of the Acropolis Museum.
We ended the day with dinner at Attikos Greek House with a spectacular view of the Acropolis.
Tomorrow we're off to Samos!
Today was incredible! We visited both Corinth and Nemea.
Before reaching ancient Corinth, we took a brief pit stop at a local shop for refreshments and snacks and for an opportunity to look at (and down!) the Corinth canal.
We started our day exploring ancient Corinth, spending time at both the museum and the archaeological site. While we were there, Rev. Kelley Jepsen led us in a beautiful teaching moment, followed by communion. After exploring ancient Corinth, we then stopped for a delicious lunch overlooking the ancient city.
Our next stop was to the ancient city of Nemea where we once again got to visit both the museum and the archaeological site. We also did a bit of Olympic training while we were there!
Once we got back to our hotel, we spent about some time exploring the city on our own. Then it was off to dinner with our small groups!
We are officially in Athens! Our flight landed around noon. Once we got through customs, we grabbed our bags and then met Eleni, our AMAZING guide while we are in Greece. After a quick restroom break and a quick snack, we then got on the bus to travel to the hotel. On our way, Eleni gave us a wonderful tour of Athens.
Once we got settled into our hotel rooms, we then took the opportunity to do some exploring on our own.
We finished the evening with a delicious dinner at The Cave of the Acropolis restaurant. (Where we also sang to and wished CJ a very happy 18th birthday!)
We are so looking forward to a transformative journey together!
We have had an incredibly full two days since we arrived in Roma! Our guide, Giuseppe, met us at the airport and we have been trying to keep up with his energy ever since. He's kept us laughing - and running - through Rome!
Yesterday, we began our day at the Vatican Museum, Sistene Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. We then made our way to Piazza Navona where we had lunch and fueled up for our afternoon seeing the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. We got rained on a bit in the afternoon but that didn't keep us from making it to Giolitti's for gelato!
Today we began the day praying in Mamertine Prison, enjoying the sun and the views at the Roman Forum, and being moved by the experience of time at St. Paul's Outside the Walls where Katherine Ellis led us in a time of reflection on what witness means in our lives.
Tonight we wrapped up with a time for reflection and communion together led by Rev. Jasiel Hernandez and followed by a dinner where many joyful toasts were shared as we praised God for a transformative journey together.
This journey has transformed our lives. We are thankful for the saints of Second who provide for this opportunity and the ones who paved the way -- including Rev. Brian Shivers whose legacy was felt and treasured among us. We go home carrying with us tangible reminders of the breadth and depth of the Church and a sense of conviction about how we are caught up in the mission of God in the world.
"Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." -- 1 Peter 2:4-5 (NRSV)
A video of our first day can be found here. Our final day video can be found here.
