Chess nuts

When I was in Italy in 1977 and 1978 the only time I saw street vendors with roasted chess nuts was during the Christmas season.  Now I see them all the time.  They aren't one of my favorite things, but they do make me think of Christmas in Italy.

Ruins along the Appian Way

Castel St'Angelo at sunset

Kinder Eggs

The week before transfers at District Meeting there is a tradition of Kinder Eggs.  Chocolate eggs with a little toy surprise inside.  The idea is that what you get as a prize tells something about the upcoming transfer.  I've never seen any of the predictions be correct, but it is fun and the chocolate is good.  We used to buy these when I was a younger missionary, but not for any particular occasion, just when we wanted some chocolate.

Ivy covered building and stairway towards San Pietro in Vincoli

Looking down

 I tell people you have to look up to see how beautiful Rome is, because if you look down you can see some things that are not very pretty.  However, in the Churches there are some amazing works of art designed into the marble floors.  I will have to post more some other time.  The one above is at the entrance of Santa Maria Maggiore.  Below are cobblestones with moss, and some rain soaked fall leaves.  I don't remember the name of the Church where I took the picture of the bees.  It was a small church behind San Giovanni.  There are some beautifully designed floors.