Reflection of Boys' Town

If there is one thing I really noticed about Boys’ Town that struck me was the sense of family within the community. If I ever thought they did not have a family, I was so far from the truth. The truth is that their community is a family, and an extremely bonded one at that from what I saw. While the mayor was talking about his experiences I could not help but notice nothing but smiles filled his face. He was obviously very happy and satisfied with the life that he had. He kept putting his arms around one of the boys next to him and they held on to each other signifying their love and admiration for one another. They stood leaning on each other the entire time they were talking and lead support for one another. Them being in this town is an extremely good thing and makes their life better than they ever would have had where they came from because Boys' Town is a family of their own.

Ostia Antica Theatre

Although excavated and restored up to the 20th century, the original theatre was built at the end of the first century BC by Agrippa and could hold about 3,000 viewers. The theatre was extremely essential for politics in ancient times because it became a place where the public would go and watch the shows, which became an indirect way of the emperor educating society through the performances. Public ceremonies to honor the emperor, as well as religious festivals were also held in this area. The theatre today appears to be an open air semi-circle shaped building. Looking across the theatre were gray stone benches constructed in the formation of common day bleachers leading down to a grass area at the bottom where the orchestra probably was seated, above which was were the stage used to be that housed these important performances.

Boys' Town

In 1945, Monsignor Carroll-Abbing established the Boys Town of Rome 45 miles northwest of the city in Civitavecchia on a small piece of land with 200 boys. These boys, ages ten to eighteen, have been abandoned by their parents, come from unhealthy home environments, or are orphans; as well as several from foreign countries. Over the past four decades their town has grown from one building to three hundred acres of well running buildings. Monsignor Carroll-Abbing built these self-governing towns on his philosophy to give young people responsibilities and expect the most from them in return. His goal was to let kids know their lives are worth something.

Mopeds on the go

Taking a taxi to the airport I could not help but notice the constant orchestrated movements of the mopeds as they zoomed by me. The sound of engines echoed off the stucco buildings along the road as streams of smoke were left in their dust. These small motorized bikes can fit in even the smallest niches of the Roman streets, making them sometimes surprising to travelers by foot as they swiftly brisk by them on the sidewalks. Peering out the window I noticed something extremely alarming to me that came as a culture shock. I noticed young children, maybe about four years old, riding on the back of these mopeds behind their fathers with no form of security except their hands grasping the back in front of them as they traveled at high speeds on extremely dangerous vehicles. This is something we do not see in America, as children under twelve can not even occupy the front seat of a car. Somewhat humerous was the number of dogs I saw perched between the drivers legs, contently sitting on the moped floor board as they drove wildly through the streets. The ability to have trained these dogs in such a manner caught me off guard. I do not think I will ever get used to mopeds flying at us in every which way as we walk the streets of Rome; however, they will always amaze me.

Termini to Catacombes

Catacombes: Hilary Hannan, Juliana Haviland, Nicole DiMeglio, Brooke Hersh, Mia Briceno.



Starting from Stazione Centrale Roma Termini Station, take the Archeobus. It is a bright green, open air bus, with a “hop on, hop off” system. It picks you up at the station, on the half hour, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and travels along the Appian Way, with 11 stops. The information we found and details about each stop can be found at Archeobus Route.

Tickets cost 13 Euro for adults and kids under 5 years old are free. They can be purchased online, on board, or at the Termini Station. We suggest that you purchase the tickets online, as there seems to be online discounts available.

Stop number 8 is Catacombe di San Callisto. We suggest you get off the bus and explore this catacomb. The hours are Thursday through Tuesday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. It opens again at 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays and in February. It takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete the tour. Tickets cost 6 Euro for adults, 3 Euro for children under 15 years old and students and free admission for children under 6 years old. The information we found and more can be found at Home Page of San Callisto. After you finish you can either continue walking down Appian Way to our next suggested stop, the Catacombe di San Sebastiano, or hop back on the Archeobus. It will be the next stop on the bus tour.

Stop number 9 will drop you at Catacombe di San Sebastiano. The hours of operation and ticket costs are the same as mentioned above.

The Catacombs of San Callisto span from four different levels which include the crypt of the popes and the crypt of Santa Cecilia. The rooms which are of great importance in the Catacomb contain stucco and frescoes and can be reached by traveling through small hallways of volcanic remains. Also along the Appian Way is the Catacomb of San Sebastiano which can be identified with dull frescoes and graffiti. Although the catacombs seem to be a major tourist site, there are also basilicas located above the Christian tombs.

Termini to Via Rasella

Walking out of Termini towards Piazza Dei Cinquecento continue on to V. Le Einaudi. This will take you in to Piazza Della Repubblica where you will see Santa Maria degli Angeli on the right. Continue walking through the Piazza on to V.V.E. Orlando, passing San Bernardo alla Terme on the left. Approaching the intersection of Via XX Settembre you will see the Santa Susanna church just across the way. Turn left on to this street until you reach the intersection of Vi A Delle Quattro where you will see San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane on the left. Turn right on San Carlo and shortly up the road on the left you will reach the destination on Via Rasella.

Approaching Via Rasella you will see a building on the left, easy to identify by its bullet holes making a vast design up the wall. Bullet holes encompass both the front and right side of the building. Looking at the holes you can see the depth of the wall and imagine the violent action that took place in the spot that you are standing.

Termini to Trevi Fountain

Walking out of the Termini towards Piazza Dei Cinquecento Via G. Giolitti continue on L. Einaudi towards Piazza Della Repubblica. In this Piazza off to the right will be the St. Maria degli Angeli church. Continue through the Piazza and on to E. Orlando, until you reach Via XX Settembre where you will make a left. At the corner of this intersection will be the Sto. Susanna. Continue down two blocks and make a right on to Via D. Quattro and continue, while passing Pza. Barberini on the right. You will see brown signs for Fontana di Trevi at this point and the fountain will be straight ahead.

Entering the Piazza the steps in front of the fountain will be completely full of tourists, natives, and vendors. The many people inhabiting the area often are seen holding the traveler's guides while performing the "urban legend" of tossing a coin in to the fountain. The intricately carved Triten disregards the overwhelming Piazza, attracting your full attention.