Travel journals: Moments in the Vatican-Rome
People who believe, people who deny, and people who are still looking for an answer in between these two assumed certainties, were all together that afternoon in this holy place that is a home for someone’s faith.
On a trip to Rome with two of my favorites; Jeanne & Yahia, we decided that we want to visit the Vatican City. Being the outstanding tourist that I am, I did not know much about it, nor did I even like to see many pictures of the places I plan to visit, it kinda ruins the surprise element for me. *am I the only one*
The three of us walk in with our wet boots and freezing cheeks, observing the place and trying to do what the Romans were doing. We only tended to succeed in eating pizza like them that day…
I paused! With my eyes facing the ceiling, I kept wandering and wondering around until I lost my friends for a while
All I could do is look at the palms of my hands, look back around me, and ask myself how could hands and a brain just like mine build this majestic beauty, how could they sculpt that out of a bare stone! How come that Michael Angelo painted these mesmerizing masterpieces in the chapel being half-blind…
The basilica and the other rooms were so big that you feel like you’re drowning into every corner.
I remember I kept thinking, what was is it that pushed them towards exceeding their normal limits? How compelling their imagination was to make them believe they could actually construct this huge building?
How much does love and faith empower us? How much does the fear inside hold us back? Just like it’s always said, what would you do if you knew you would never fail…
Their power and ability was driven by love, as differently as it could be perceived, the outcome was brilliant.
I guess I know god, I know for sure that the peace I sometimes feel inside is thoroughly related to him. We often speak. When I pray, he listens. When I cry, he never fades away as the tears dry. I praise him and he blesses me every second with a new breath and a stronger will.
Yet, before that gloomy afternoon visit, neither did I realize nor had heard anyone mention this before, we are connecting to god through a different passageway in each moment. But that afternoon it was the first time that I saw all gates and passages wide open, letting in everyone! Like a one big sacred embrace.
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We felt so small, and perhaps we were small amongst what seemed like the biggest army walking around the soulful rooms. Suddenly all the people and all the hushing noises started to blur out, maybe in that moment the sculpted statues were the only ones looking over us. Although I felt like we weren’t physically present anymore, I could still see you between my arms, in a sacred embrace.
Note: I hope you enjoy the journal as much as the pictures I took that afternoon in the Vatican.
Constructive criticism is highly appreciated :)
Mona Allam Tahboub ©.
*That last picture was taken by my friend Yahya while Jeanne and I were looking at the souvenirs section and I can’t exactly remember whether I was solving an equation related to the price tag *oops* or was it that moment that I discovered a solution related to an existential issue…*
