All the chickens in the nest!

Yesterday, Karen Marcia and I went out to dinner to celebrate the beginning of this year's program. We went into St Peter's to do some business for the program and some posting (Hint 2 on posting with Vatican Post. Do not use sticky tape to fasten parcel - you must use string to tie it up! With all the different regulations I asked a long time Rome resident, if this was an obstacle course in which the rules were only released as you passed each stage of an ever difficult quest.) Anyhow my parcel to Geoffrey in Greece has gone. I have sent only half of what I bought and will wait to see if he gets this first parcel before the next goes.
I finally got into the Icon shop after three times in Rome. I didn't buy any mounted Icons - far too dear but bought a lot of lovely pictures to mount on card and will get some posters to mount when I go back with a tube. Worth the trouble of finding.
The traffic lights in the city seemed to have been set 'on hold' and at every intersection there was a phalanx of police (of the multiple varieties that the Italians specialise in) directing traffic. The main road that we had just come down was totally without traffic during peak hour. We wondered what was going on. Then helicopters, police on motorbikes, police in cars, police in vans, then luxury vehicles with dark tinted windows, more police, an ambulance, more cars and more police then a white s-t-r-e-t-c-h limosene flying green flags, then a reverse repeat of what had preceded the limo all travelling at speed. I wondered if Obama had dropped into town. Marcia asked a policeman who it was, and he looked at her as those he was asked to disclose sensitve information to a terrorist. So she asked a chef standing by watching the parade. It was all for Gaddafi. And to be quite honest I think it was all for show both for him and the Italians. I was waiting for the 100+ scooter riders who were chaffing at the throttle to be let free!!! They were not impressed by the show.
We went to have a meal near Campo de' Fiori - a plaza where there is a fruit and vege market each morning. It was much more civilized last night and we eat in a street nearby. Excellent meal. I am becoming addicted to deep fried zucchini flowers. Once I regarded such as the epitome of silliness - no more. I have now had them three different ways. Last night's was stuffed with cheese.
Nearly all of the sisters arrived today....even the two Indians sisters from Tamil Nadu who recieved their visas less that 48 hours ago. Literally the visas came through, they packed and left for the airpost, 4 hours away. They are so delighted to be here as we are to have them. They will have another perspective to add.
It is a younger group than last year's and they all seem to be ready to go. I'm glad as I want to incorporate more discussion into my material and this looks like a group that would be responsive to that. Let the fun begin!
So dear loved and interested ones, my peace to you all.