DAY 2 THE VATICAN

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After breakfast in the hotel, we walked down Via Settembre to the Santa Maria....Bascilica. This is a beautiful church with amazing art and surprise, a lot of information on Galelio. Fortunately we had purchased umbrellas the afternoon before and we used them on our drizzly stroll.

In the afternoon, we were driven to the next county-the Vatican.While we had overcast skys all day, it didn't rain in the afternoon. I guess it was worth lighting the candle in church this morning.

I don't think I can begin to describe the beauty of St Peter's Square and the Sistene Chappel. To see work by Raphael, Michaelangelo, and Bernini to name a few-well, it was just incredible. How can one describe being surrounded by the m of theasterpieces of the greatest artists of the Baroque and Renaissance? Pictures cannot begin to express the experience.

After we said goodbye to Barbara, our tour guide (who got us past all lines), we did a little shopping and then decided to walk back to the hotel, even though it was quite a walk. Rome really is a beautiful clean city. They have these gorgeous umbrella pines all around the city. We followed the river for a bit then crossed a bridge. We didn't really know where we were some of the time, but we were able to figure it out eventually. We had to learn that there are few street signs; the names of the streets are on the walls of the buildings at most (but not all) intersections.

Finally we found the Spanish Steps and knew where we were. We stopped at an outdoor cafe. The sidewalk area was enclosed in thick plastic with flamed heaters in strategic locations so it was cozy. As we got close to the hotel, we decided to get some dessert. When we walked into the wine bar/cafe we saw Michelle and Glenn, the other couple on our tour. They had taken a different route but arrived a it sooner than us. We got dessert and headed back to the hotel. Glenn and Michelle stayed in the cafe until 2:00 and had some regrets the next morning.

Buonanotte from Frances and Bobby

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