I was reading a post by @lightcaptured just a moment ago where he refers to finding yourself in the midst of something you weren't expecting at all. You've a camera slung over your shoulder, you take pictures, switch into photojournalist mode. The adrenaline flows, you follow your instinct and oh my word, I love it when this happens. This is the essence of life, where you cease to be a casual tourist and become part of the action.
That is pretty much what happened one time when we were in Rome.
We decided to catch a bus from our hotel elsewhere in town across to the Vatican City. No sooner than we arrived, we could sense something exciting was taking place. In order to enter St Peter's Square, we had to go through airport style security. The atmosphere was electric, we quickly became aware that we'd arrived in time, having had no idea at all beforehand for the Pope to make an address to the people of the world. Hence the security.
It felt like every corner of the globe had been gathered and then been poured into this one square, flags from all over the world were present. International pilgrims all in one place. It brought tears of joy to my eyes, I had a lump in my throat. This was humanity at its utter best. I'm not religious in the slightest but at times like these, I get it, I really do.
After the Pope had finished, the crowds dispersed, we wandered off to explore and to find coffee. These priests fascinated me, they'd been into McDonalds for ice cream (Gelato). They were taking turns in taking selfies, I reckon they were from all over the country if not the world. They were a delight.
Yes multiple couples getting married, we saw processions of brides and grooms with these two walking in front of us, clearly in a hurry. Last minute weddings? Just running late? I'll never know.
Can anyone explain? Is it just a super popular to get married? There were hundreds if not thousands of weddings taking place, that day!
My other theory is that they were already married and were there to bless their vows?
The pageantry was incredible and I'd love to know the meaning of the flag in the last photo.
All in all - we had an amazing time!
