Italy 2017 - day 4 and 5

THE KIDS JUST PERFORMED FOR MASS AT THE VATICAN!  Ok, I'll come back to this in a bit. 

It has been a whirlwind couple of days and I apologize for not posting yesterday. We have finally moved to Rome where internet is up and running better so this should be a bit easier. 

Yesterday started with rehearsal for the kids with the entire choir and orchestra.

After rehearsal we spent the day in Assisi. We have been staying there since we got here but have not had a chance to explore the surrounding area. We had a tour of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, finding where we would be performing the concert, followed by lunch and free time to shop. 

We had a short time back at the hotel to change into concert dress and eat dinner before heading back to the Basilica for the performance night.  They completely filled the house, not only with sound but with a crowd with standing room only! The Basilica was full! The concert was amazing and the kids made memories they will cherish for a lifetime.

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was time for packing up and going to bed. An early morning was coming.

Today, we left Assisi at 7:00 and headed straight to Rome. What a difference! We went from small towns and quiet streets to the hustle and bustle of a city of 3 million people. With the public transit workers on strike right now, the streets are filled with more personal cars so the busy city just got busier. 

We were dropped off downtown for a walking tour of many Roman ruins and on to the Colosseum. It was a hot, but amazing, tour. The Colosseum is even bigger in person but what an experience to see. 

Back to the bus to change into concert dress, we then had a short time for lunch on our own before lining up to get through security for the Vatican.  Luckily we only spent 30 minutes in line before we got through the gates to enter St. Peter Basilica where the kids were taken to a back room to prepare for Mass. Mass began at 5 with the choir singing O Magnum Mysterium by Ivo Antognini who came to hear them perform again today.  They sang 3 other pieces throughout Mass and were thanked by the Priest (in English) for their participation in the service. 

After checking into the hotel and settling in, we were off for dinner at Terme de Colosseo, a beautiful restaurant underground. The setting was beautiful with old Roman columns and walls. Three of the workers serenaded us with Italian operas while we enjoyed our dinner. 

We are back to the hotel now settling in for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we are off for one more full day of adventures in Rome. I'll try to update again tomorrow.

For now, Buona Notte,
Kristin 
ONE MORE NOTE: Watch KOLR10 news tomorrow morning (Friday). They had a Skype interview with Corn and 2 of the kids today for a story about our trip. They said around 6:50 am it will air.