When I took off for my round-the-world backpacking adventure, my mom gave me one parting gift: a rosary.
I’m not a very religious person, but that rosary was at my side for the entire 2 years I was abroad – and for reasons I can’t explain, it gave me peace of mind. I kept it in my “sleep pouch” which was a pouch containing all the things I needed for a good night’s sleep while I was on the road: my beloved eyemask, my earplugs, a flashlight, and mom’s rosary.
I took that rosary with me last year to Easter Sunday mass with the Pope. Pictured above is me at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Easter mass had just ended, and I wanted to get a photo with the rosary to send to my mom. I don’t think I ever sent it to her though. So here it is, mom – this one’s for you!
It was a super hot day that day, so I went back to my room, changed my clothes. And with my friends Ay Linh (from Germany) and Florent (from France), I hit the cobblestone streets of the very cool Trastevere district of Rome in search of gelato. Yum!!!
Pretty much a perfect Easter if you ask me
For more on my holy week in Rome and my sightings of Pope Benedict XVI, click here.
Hoppy Easter everyone!