Roma 3

This morning I joined Gyoetsu (left) and John Franco for Zazen. Also with us were Kokoro the shaggy black puppy and a cat whose name I don't know. The cat sat in my lap for the first fifteen minutes - just like my cat at home! John Franco is a professor of religious studies (I think that's what Gyoetsu said). He teaches in Rome but lives outside the city, so he stays in Anshin's Zendo on the nights before he teaches. Did I mention what a warm and welcoming person Gyoetsu is? Thanks to her I feel comfortable here - despite feeling lost much of the time, both geographically and linguistically (not to mention existentially amongst the crowds and traffic).

Today I looked for MACRO's second site but found it was closed, for good I think. There was, however, a magnificent bamboo structure still remaining in the outdoor courtyard. It was devised and constructed (with help from professional climbers) by American artists Mike and Doug Starn. Students from the local music college were using it as a place to sit and chat, and there were notes from past visitors tied to its branches.

I also visited the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli to see Michelangelo's Moses. This was also closed for a 3 hour lunch, so I decided not to hang around. More wandering, more photos...