Gisele

After the Vatican, we had to rush over to class for our presentations, but got a moment to breathe after class before we were off once again to the ballet, Gisele, that CEA got us tickets for. The show was supposed to start at eight, so after class we hurried and showered, got a little dressed up, and went to mass at six at Santa Susannah, an English church near the theater, so that we could get our ashes for Ash Wednesday. I have to say, this American priest was a little uninspiring, although the church was beautiful, like every church I've seen in Rome. It was interesting to see all of the Americans, and I wondered what their stories were and why they were in Rome. The mass was actually really short (like I said, the priest wasn't very fascinating), and we went and got something to eat at a nearby trattoria before the show.

Since Anna and Kathryn, Alex's friend visiting from Paris, weren't going to the show, Alex and I headed over to theater to meet up with Katherine and Danielle. When we got there, everyone was all dressed up- I loved it! We got to our seats, and the theater was really cool. Our seats weren't that great, but it was the experience that mattered anyway. I actually really enjoyed the ballet, but Mike fell asleep. I'm not surprised: some of the dance sequences got a little lengthy and if you got lost on the plot in the beginning, you were kind of screwed. Plus it was reaaaally warm in there--not so hot that you were sweating, but just warm enough to lull you to sleep.

During intermission, we all went to get some snacks, but because I had just eaten I didn't get anything but snack on some of the nuts on the bar. When we got back to our seats, I was soooo thirsty--stupid salty peanuts.

By the time we got out of the ballet, we were exhausted and ended up going to bed soon after.

In the morning, Anna and I woke up to go to Santa Maria Maggiore and Basilica di Santa Prassede for art history class. Santa Maria was beautiful, and all of the mosaics on the ceiling were so detailed that I was surprised it was even possible. Also, they had pieces of the manger under the altar which you could go down and pray at. At the second church, we went into this amazing room that was just covered in colorful and gold mosaics. My pictures just don't it justice. Because it was a beautiful day, we decided to walk around after and ended up getting 20 euro black boots at a little store near the train station!

Because today is Valentine's Day, on the way to pick up some lunch, Katherine and I bought a bottle of Prosecco and did a little toast at lunch, to the holiday and to our upcoming adventure this weekend. Off to Paris tonight!

Parts of Jesus's manger (the missing parts were metal, so it was bright)