Today in Rome, the sun rose at 06:39 and it set at 18:54. The Ave Maria Bell was to ring at 19:15.
It is/was in the Novus Ordo calendar the Feast of St. Terese, patroness of the mission and Doctor. She’s my gal. I have two 1st class relics of her in the Chapel of the Two Trinities. She has been good to me. I’m asking her to be good to me again, along with St. Raphael, and the English martyrs, many of whom studied just up the street from my place.
There are 92 days left in the calendar year.
The rest of the trip, continued from HERE
The place was a new A350 which was really quiet. The seats were okay on the side of “meh”. Screens good. The chess game on the system is really bad.
Food. This was hands down one of the most disgusting meals I’ve had on Delta in years. It was a “Thai” chicken … thing. They’ve had it before and it was gag-downable. The chicken was mealy. The rice. One taste and … nope. I ate part of a tasteless (thank you Lord) roll and half a cup of white wine/washing machine cleanser. I’m bringing my own next time. (BTW when I have flown business, the food was very good.)
Security was sparsely besieged and though there were dire warnings about delays from the new digital gear, it was fast. Luggage was fast.
Then I left the customs area to get a cab and the pain began. I usually arrive early in the morning and basically walk into a cab or I have a driver pre-positioned. This time, though in customs and baggage it was pretty calm, out in the corridor it was total chaos. The cab line snaked on folded on itself several times and then went down the hall. I guessed it would be well over an hour. However, a gal who worked for the airport came by and was helping the two ladies in front of me to set up UBER and tell them how to get there. When she was done with them I spoke to her in Italian and chatted about where the UBER meeting place. I explained that I wasn’t feeling the greatest and a long walk wasn’t welcome. She invited me out of the line, took me through a side exit to the head of the cab line. Bless her. Bless her. Bless her. She was really sweet.
Live and learn. I haven’t come via some origin other than JFK for a while. Alas.
My cab driver and I chatted about his young and expanding family, goings on in Rome, politics including US (a Trump fan) and that he’s about to have another child soon. I tipped him well and got his private card. Great guy.
I didn’t take any photos on the way in because of our talking. But I got this on the way into the Via Giulia.
From being dropped at my door, I put my things in the apartment and immediately went to the grocer and the pharmacy.
I stayed in today. No photos from wandering at all.
I am not feeling well and I ask for your prayers. I’m hoping and praying that it is nothing serious. We shall see. Sorry about being a little cryptic about it, but it is necessary.
Tonight, I managed a little supper, this post, my online chores, some apartment things… and that’s enough for now.
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Angels.
Thank you, Guardian Angels.
UPDATE:
Reports suggests that Cardinal Gambetti will be replaced as Archpriest of St Peter's Basilica this wknd, via @messainlatino
Installed in Feb 2021, Gambetti's time has been marked by widespread discontent & mismanagement behind doors.
Under his tenure:
– Private Masses in the… pic.twitter.com/BBTPYWyZnN— Michael Haynes ?? (@MLJHaynes) October 1, 2026
Now… there’s another office that needs clearing… long over due.
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