Rome and housekeeping

Today was a very mellow day.  Went to mass at St. Mark's (Evelyn Waugh was right, no one goes to church in Venice), then took the train ride back to Rome.  Unpacked and then went to our "orientation" meeting and then dinner with the class.  It was great to finally have everyone together, and it looks like we'll have plenty of time for hijinks.

Since all my pictures of St. Mark's interior turned out really dark (seriously, google it, it feels like the churches in Israel with all the mosaics), I thought I would post a few random ones that didn't make the cut and give some random commentary.  First, the altar of St. Pius X.  

I love the altarpiece of the presentation of the Virgin in the Temple because they haven't killed the doves because Anne and Joachim aren't redeeming her, but giving her fully to the Lord.  I should explain the blog link: AUC is Latin for in the year of the city and the date is the traditional time from the founding of Rome.  Tomorrow the program starts. Know that I am praying for you!

St. Mark's in the morning. When the tide comes in

it swells up from around the foundation. Not ideal.

The first view of Venice when you get out from the train station.

They know how to impress.