So today was my most anticipated day of the trip. I was really looking forward to going to Vatican City. I had done my homework and decided rather than wait for approx. 2 hours to get in I would book a tour. There are several tour companies but what I discovered was a tour company who meets you in a designated area outside of the Vatican and then we all go in as a tour group at which point our 'guide' sets us free! Perfect. I am always leery about guided tours, in my experience you either get a guide who is so annoying you want to shoot yourself or the others in the tour make you want to shoot yourself. This was the perfect alternative. Go in as a group, skip the line and then be set free to 'tour' as I pleased!
I (and thousands of others) started at the Vatican Museum and wound my way through the various exhibits. It is a great lead up to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel; the Pope's personal chapel..... Which is absolutely breathtaking. I was awestruck to think he painted the entire ceiling while standing. My neck was killing me after listening to my 27 minute podcast describing all that was going on. Beautiful.
Now this is where I digress; I have been in Italy for just over 6 days and in the rammed packed space of the Sistine Chapel I almost barfed with the smell of body odor. I noticed it pretty soon after getting to Italy but today it was the worst I have ever smelled it. You know, I have done loads of travelling and you would think that in India I would have almost drop from the smell but oh no, Italy has been by far the smellist. How did I deal with it? I got a fresh piece of gum and slightly chewed it then rubbed it under my nose - peppermint much better than sweat... Off we go to St. Peter's Basilica!
St. Peter's is HUGH. Wow wow wow! My 'tour' aka Rick Steves' podcast was 50 minutes long. It was very crowded and I was thankful there was a prayer room to go and be in peace. Otherwise it would have felt like a museum rather than a spiritual place. Michelangelo out did himself again in the dome of the church. For some reason I am really enjoying domes and ceiling on this trip and I have not been disappointed!
After emerging I was able to see what the Basilica looks like from the outside.
4 comments:
OH my God I am so jealous. Your photos look amazing and it sounds like you are really in the swing of things in Italy. Don't forget the gelato! Miss you
Love Sue
Ahhh Rome, one of my favorite cities. I could walk the streets there for hours in awe if it weren't for the f'ing heat. A cold bottle of Pinot Grigio is good for cooling down though. Loving the blog!
I had the same thoughts when I went to St. Peter's... and the B.O. OMG... today in Bordeaux it was 36 degrees and we climbed a tower. There was a boy in front of us that hadn't showered in weeks. RIPE. The odor was trapped in the little stairwell and I could have sworn the skin on my face was about to peel off.
Glad you made your way through the maze of people. It can be daunting... especially making your way to the top of the slanted roof.
Sounds like you're doing awesome. Hard to believe you've been in Italy 6 days already. XOXO.
I had the same thoughts when I went to St. Peter's... and the B.O. OMG... today in Bordeaux it was 36 degrees and we climbed a tower. There was a boy in front of us that hadn't showered in weeks. RIPE. The odor was trapped in the little stairwell and I could have sworn the skin on my face was about to peel off.
Glad you made your way through the maze of people. It can be daunting... especially making your way to the top of the slanted roof.
Sounds like you're doing awesome. Hard to believe you've been in Italy 6 days already. XOXO.
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