The Lindahl News: Abroad Edition

 “Rome is the city of echoes, the city of illusions, and the city of yearning.” -Giotto di Bondone, Renaissance painter Still true in 2018. But add delicious food in there, too. For five days, we went on a College Line trip to see and experience Rome: the ancient ruins, the pastas, pizza and fish at restaurants, the fountains, the busy (and sometimes dirty) streets, the churches, the catacombs, the Vatican...all will leave a permanent imprint in my brain and heart.  Day 1 - Sept. 30 (Actually more like evening as we got there following a full day of travel via bus from Sweden to Stockholm where we boarded a plane to  Rome.)   This is our travel group posing very early the morning of our departure. Once we arrived, we took another bus ride to our hostel. After a quick supper, we headed out to see some sights. The next stop and the crowd goes WILD!! As we do, too... THE COLOSSEUM is amazing! From there to... ...

It's 8:00 on a Tuesday morning and the SVF College Line is hopping on a coach bus for a day of six viewing and learning stops within 2 hours distance from the campus.  Lucky me to be able to join this group! Stop #1: Heda Medelina Kyrka The oldest parts of this medieval church were built in the early 1100s.  Late in the 13th century it was renovated.  Between 1855 and 1858, the church was enlarged. Today the church is still being used by its congregation. Also in this church:  its fine collection of wooden sculptures - the oldest being The Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven - being admired, still, after her 800 some years in existence.  It's possible this wooden Mary was in hiding in the 1500s after King Gustav Vasa removed the Catholic presence in Sweden. This tower is the oldest part of the building. Church interior #1   Church interior #2   Church interior #3 Here is the famous Heda Madonna: One last parting shot of ...