Sperlonga, Italy

From a bus to Dulles, to the flight to Amsterdam, to the final flight to Rome Italy Nexus 2015 Participants were smoothly Transferred to Europe. As, with any trip, little dramas always occur along the way, the who is diverted for an extended search in the security line, to the always enjoyable, "Where's My Passport?", the group sailed through travel on day one without a hitch.

Upon arrival, the group went from Rome to Sperlonga, Italy about two hours south. We are staying at the Gannimede, a true four star hotel, with a very modern style in the former fishing village turned major summer tourist attraction.

Clark Berlin: Following check, we visited Emperor Tiberius' Villa and Grotto. We saw Roman sculptures depicting the great sea monster, Scylla, to scenes of the one eyed giant, Polyphemus, being blinded by the hero Ulysses, etc. All of These sculptures were originally situated inside the grotto Because That was where Tiberius His guests entertained. They were conversation pieces, like today's movies.

We Walked down to the archaeological site of Emperor Tiberius' Villa. The walls were crumbling but you could imagine what it could have Looked like Thousands of years in August Then we went into the grotto, Which is like a shallow cave. There were pools of That held water fish; Romans enjoyed fresh fish, so they created Specifically These pools to breed and hold fish. While inside, we sang "Total Praise" as a choir. The acoustics were beautiful.

I personally enjoyed being Involved in the demonstration of the Roman toilets. I volunteered to act as Emperor Tiberius for a demonstration. The tour guides Told us about how the Emperor wore a diaper. He wrapped me in a loincloth and tied it into a diaper!

Then, we went to Gaeta in Southern Italy. The town was very quaint and historically important in Italian history. We visited The Golden Chapel, Which in the past also served as a pharmacy, hospital, and orphanage. Many servants Had to abandon Their newly born children, Which was very common in Italy During medieval times. The Majority of the orphans were females, and they were well taken care of and raised with a good education. We went into the sanctuary, dedicated to Holy Mary. In this sanctuary, Pope Pius the IX had a vision of the Holy Mary's Immaculate conception, and this is why the Italians have celebrations on the 8th of December. This sanctuary Had large beautiful paintings of the New Testament stories circling the room, one of Which Was a rare depiction of the Holy Mary's birth. The ceiling Had designs painted with real gold and the royal blue That Represented the Mycean? Dynasty. "