Ah, Viva ITALIA!!!!

We made it!! If you are looking for any bad news, well, there isn't!!! This trip has started off better than one could of expected. The plane ride was great (even our rookie flyer, Katie L, was cool as a cucumber after the initial takeoff). It was kinda bumpy, a few queezy tummy's, but nothing 'substantial'. Everyone ate, slept, and pretty much just 'got though' the plane ride. The only mistake we made was the math. Our first day started as soon as we landed @ 8am (that's 2am your time, grumble, grumble). However, I have seemed to be nominated the 'whiner' of the group, so it can't possibly be 'that' bad. ;-) Believe me, it's rough, actually mostly stinky, but we certainly have a group of troopers.
I must say, I am COMPLETELY moved by the groups demeanor. We are super-Catholic, and proud. WE got compliments on our Mary shirts, even the tour guide, Cecilia (from a family of 14 kids) is impressed with us. We visited St. Rita's Shine, where her incorrupt body is shown. Amazing. Just about everyone took time at the stautes, painting, relics, etc, a time for prayer, reflection, or maybe just a good question.
Tomorrow we head to St. Francis and St. Clare's Basilica's. I am equally excited about the praying that we will be doing there, as we did today.
We also had Mass in a chapel in the hotel. Another smaller group (13 ppl from TX) joined us. That was also very nice. We FINALLY got a good meal in this evening. hopefully, tomorrow's pace will be much more conducive to regular meals and water.
I will try to post some pics after I finish typing this, but on par with most WYD trips, the internet is 'spotty' at best.
I'm not sure if any of you were looking for an update or 'check in' from your pilgrim(s), but everyone is having a GREAT time, and so far there is nothing to worry about. If you send me an e-mail, I can try to get a message to your pilgrim.
I should have another update tomorrow, as we are in this hotel one more night, but in Rome, we'll just have to wait and see. God Bless!!!!
~Brian