Once in a lifetime of a person comes where one has to go somewhere for reflections on pilgrimage. I chose mine, Rome Italy. It’s a spur of the moment given a bargain plain plane ticket. No long-range planning, no idea how it will turn out, which is the beauty of it. While on the plane, I grab a tourist brochure that gives a broad selection point of interest for a tourist to visit. I got overwhelmed with the vast selection to chose from, not knowing where to begin.

The plane stopped over in Milan, from the plane I had a brief glimpse of Milan. The second landing is in Rome my destination. In the airport, I saw a lot f heavily armed policemen with semi-automatic rifles which gives me anxiety. Then follow lots of religious nuns and priests, which give me some comfort and settle me down. I look for a map of Rome and plan on how to go there. I have a standing invitation from a Cardinal of the Philippines, to stay in the residence of a Filipino priest when in Rome which I check by phone. I found out that no available rooms because there are lots of visiting priests from the Philippines. I saw a Filipino guy who acts as if he is from there and asked for information. I found out that he is a driver, shuttling people from the airport to the city of Rome. He mentions that he had just driven a group of Philippine airline personnel to their hotel who just arrived. I took a gamble by going to the same hotel and luckily for me, by coincident saw relatives of mine part of the crew of the airline and I was asked to stay with them. Why not, free accommodations in a four-star hotel, in Rome.

>> My relatives who are familiar with the place took me around Rome. First stopped is the Vatican, very impressive, what a sacred place to visit. I felt like a pilgrimage of a lifetime. A dream fulfilled by a Catholic. My relatives have lots of nuns friends working for the Pope inside the Vatican, so we were allowed to visit the Papal apartment. I was able to see and touch the crown of the Pope full of diamonds and precious stones. It seems a whole day visit is a year-long stay. Seeing the catacomb, with ongoing diggings so I was told. Seeing these places in person which I just see in the movies, is something unbelievable. The fabulous coliseum takes me back in the time of the gladiators. I visited more than a hundred ancient churches not knowing or caring what denomination they were.

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>> To return good gestures shown to me by my relatives, I rented a car, driving them. After driving around the city, we took a long driving to Venice which is one of my goals. Along the way I got impressed seeing Monastery on top of the mountain, wondering how they build that. The road to Venice is superb for driving, and my relatives who never drive in Italy were impressed with my defence safety driving. I passed by more than a hundred tunnels. I stopped by Saint Francis Assisi Church. Which makes you feel very religious, seeing relics. I remember the toll fee, the most expensive toll I paid in my life more than a hundred Lira, which is worth it. In Venice, riding the boat to go to Saint Mark’s Cathedral is like being in the movie of James Bond seeing the gondolas. Hearing someone sing O Solo Mio. Then we went to the leaning Pisa Tower, wondering how it survives all these years.

>> Next destination is Sorento, Pompei, and Capri, and southern parts of Italy. We took the ferry boat to Capri, passing the Majestic Mount Voccivious volcano. One wonder the devastation of it when it erupted wiping out towns, city killing a lot of people. The height of Capri is amazing but dangerously stiff going on top of the mountain. We saw the famous Blue Grotto, a cave accessible by boat only.

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>>  Back in the city, I got in touch with the Philippine embassy upon instruction of the Consul General of the Philippines in Toronto. The Philippine ambassador to the Holy See, gave me a diplomatic pass to have an audience with John Paul the Second, the Pope then. Wow! A chance in a lifetime for me. On the day of my appointment, I arrived early seeing a long lineup of 300-500 people. I went to the nearest policeman and asked if as a media, do I go online? He said no and took me to the front of the line and let me in. I was put on the fourth row. Since the first three rows are empty, I asked if I can stay on the first row in front. He responded by saying those are reserved for people with diplomatic passes. I show my diplomatic pass and was allowed to sit in the front first row. I just got sited when low and behold a group of choir singers came with a big banner saying from the Philippines. I got the attention of the headmaster and talk asking if it’s alright for me to be their official photographer free of charge. Seeing me with diplomatic and media pass she agreed and got permission for me to be with them on the altar. Oh what a chance, I think I am blessed. I started taking pictures, especially when the Pope came closer to bless us. The Pope navigating the stairs of the altar warble on His steps. I gave him a hand on the steps. I gave a kiss on His ring which is a traditional show of respect. The feeling gave me goose bumps as if I am on cloud nine floating. I did not make a mistake when I took the chance of a lifetime pilgrimage. I like to do it again.