When in Rome...

It's time to meet the Australian bishop.

Michael and I were in the same fellows cohort at Harvard. He's a wonderful, interesting, deeply spiritual person. I consider Michael both a dear friend and a pastoral resource. He writes poetry; he swims; and he likes the occasional pint of good beer. When he wrote that he'd been named bishop, I couldn't have been prouder if he'd been my brother. One other thing: Michael studied in Rome.

When this trip possibility surfaced, Michael was the first person I wrote. I've been to Rome before, but each time, I was on tour. This time, if I wanted to live like a Roman for a couple of weeks, who better to ask for advice than a bloke from down-under?

Michael suggested a number of things - a few "don't miss" sights, coffee and people-watching at the Pantheon, and "the best carbonara in the world" at his favorite restaurant. The best recommendation was to contact his old college to see if accommodation might be possible.

The college's contact person replied promptly to my enquiry. Unfortunately, the college can only accommodate students during the academic year, she wrote - but - there is a guest house and if I could arrange to arrive on Feb 22, I was welcome to stay there for two weeks. IF?

My Italian isn't great, but I'm a quick study. I hope to spend some time with expats and English-speaking students, but thanks to my friend, the Australian bishop, for two weeks, I get to live like a Roman.