Tuesday, January 3, 2017

The Penguins visit Rome and the Vatican

Penelope and Peter visit Rome and the Vatican


Mrs. Chica, a friend of Mrs. Normann-Petersen’s, agreed to take Penelope and Peter, the penguins, with her and her family to Rome, Italy for their Christmas vacation.  With the help of the Martinez-Chica Family, Penelope and Peter answered the following questions:


1. Where are Penelope and Peter?  Celebrating Christmas in the Vatican and in Rome, Italy.

2. What is the geography like there? Rome is located on the eastern banks of the Tiber River.  The Apennine Mountains are to the west of Rome and forms the backbone of peninsular Italy.  Rome is close to the Tyrrhenian Sea.  The Vatican is located on top of Vatican Hill near the Tiber River in Rome; located within a walled area of Rome; it is the smallest country in Italy; the Vatican’s boundaries were originally constructed to protect the Pope.  Pope Francis is the chief of the state and the first Argentine Pope.  When Pope Francis was elected to be the Pope he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

3. What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  Different types of pasta with different sauces and a lot of seafood are the most popular food eaten in Italy.  On Christmas Day the Martinez-Chica Family ate lunch with their family.  They had 10 people for the meal.  The lunch had six courses which included the following traditional food:   To start the meal they ate  different types of cheese with toasted bread; along with prunes, prosciutto bites, and chicken pâté;  the 2nd course was capellini in a broth; the 3rd course was lasagna al pesto;  the next course was roast beef in a veal broth with onions jam; the 4th course included a green salad and fresh fruit; last but not least was dessert,  panforte and coffee.  Panforte is similar to a fruit cake.  


4. What types of jobs are there? The jobs within Vatican City include mainly Catholic priests, nuns, guards, and other dignitaries.  Banking and development of tourism are the primary jobs in Rome.

5. What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends?   Soccer, rugby, and tennis are the most popular sports in Europe!

6. Where are you going next Penelope and Peter? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Their clue is at the end of this post.

7. Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks?  Please see the pictures below of Penelope’s and Peter’s adventure in Rome!

The Martinez-Chica Family left from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.  The first flight was from Houston to Amsterdam, Holland and took 10 hours long.  The second leg of the journey was 2 and half hours longs from Amsterdam, Holland to Rome.  Dr. Martinez, Gabby, and Felipe enjoying breakfast at the airport before their flight departs Houston.
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The Penguins in the plane with Gabby and Felipe.


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The pictures below are of the penguins in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.  In the Basilica is a relic of Baby Jesus’ crib.



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Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs. Inscribed in Italian is the following:
The Lord is great and great is His love.

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December 22, 2016 Saint Peter's Square with Gabby and Felipe.  They were getting ready to pray the Angelus.  St.  Peter’s Square is the center of Vatican Center and where St. Peter’s Basilica is located.  



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Peter and Penelope helped set the table for Christmas Lunch.

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The family that Peter and Penelope stayed with during Christmas vacation had a pet, cat, Groppios.  Groppios was very interested in the penguins.


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The penguins went with the Martinez-Chica family to the catacombs, where early Christians were buried.

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The Copede Piazza an Arquitectonic.
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Colosseum

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The Forum Romanum was the center of life of Rome until 509 B.C.

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New Year’s Eve at the Martinez-Chica’s cousin’s home.  Peter, Penelope, and the rest of the family enjoyed ringing in the New Year with fireworks on the roof top terrace.
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For more information on Rome and the Vatican please visit websites below.

For Rome facts:

The official website for Vatican City:

For Vatican City facts:

St. Peter’s Square

Penelope and Peter’s clue for Tex’s next stop: Tex visited three states during Christmas vacation with Ms. McDonald, the third grade teacher at St. Thomas More School.  The first state is lies on the Gulf of Mexico, the second state is home to the Kansas City Chiefs football team, and the third state celebrates its independence from Mexico on March 2.    

Can you guess where Tex went on his next visit?  Please email Mrs. Normann-Petersen if you think you have a guess!
cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com

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