If It's Monday, This Must Be the Vatican!

This was the day to see the Vatican. With map, cameras, guide book, and directions to the Metro, we depart the hotel for a day of immersing ourselves in the glory of the Vatican and St. Peter's. The Metro stop is just up the street from the hotel in the Piazza de Repubblica. We found it, but, of course, we needed exact change. So back up to the street to get some euro coins. Back down, purchase the ticket, and enter the train. No problems! Lots of tourists - no sign of the dreaded pickpockets / thieves that we had been warned of. And me with my "atomic" purse!

A short walk from the Metro stop and we found ourselves outside the Vatican Museum. On the advice of Lisa and Jen we stood waiting to be approached to by a guide to join a tour. (This is the way to avoid the long lines and get in to the museum quickly.) Did we get asked? ..... No! Was it our karma or just the wrong day? Oh well, we joined the line - which, by the way, moved quickly.

Inside the museum we moved toward the courtyard and through to the sculpture hall. There is so much to see here that I wish we would have had a guide. Next time.

The Vatican Museum houses art collected by the popes throughout the history of the church. Egyptian, Roman, Grecian, Dark Ages, Middle Ages, Renaissance. As one moves through the galleries the immensity of the collection is staggering. Sculpture, tapestries, frescoes, maps, and then finally, the piece de resistance.... the Sistine Chapel. The ideal way to see this Michelangelo masterpiece would be to be alone with music providing a background to the experience. However, crowds are herded into the room (I use the word herded deliberately) and then one is forced to push through the people to get a vantage point. All the while the guards are loudly"shhhh - ing" and watching for those individuals who always think the rules aren't for them (no pictures!). Despite these disadvantages, the chapel is awe-inspiring. (Recommendation - take binoculars to see the ceiling better.)

Leaving the VM we walk along the outside walls of Vatican City toward St. Peter's Square. We stopped for a bite to eat and to quench the ever present thirst due to the heat.

Arriving at St. Peter's via the route we took, one enters through the colonnade designed by Bernini. From shadows cast by these immense columns to the bright sunlight of the piazza! It's late afternoon and there were few people in the piazza. The fountains mist the air and provide a refreshing stop for pictures. Then we wound our way toward the basilica. Wow - we are really here - was one of my first thoughts. We spent over one and a half hours devouring the inside of this magnificent building. The only disappointment... Michelangelo's Pieta is behind glass and its power is diminished by it. But there is so much more that isn't.

Emerging from the basilica, we knew we were ready to return to our hotel. We found a cab - after a bit of tussle about which cab would take us. The drive back was like an amusement park ride! Wild and crazy. After departing the cab and it sped away, Sheryl discovered she had left her package in the cab. The contents... books, rosaries, AND her camera! What a dreadful way to end this wonderful day. I was convinced he would return it, but he proved me wrong.

We got to our room and readied for tomorrow's train ride to Cortona.