Vatican Museums and Sisteen Chapel

---

Slept in a bit

Went to the Farmacia to get cough medicine and Sudafed for our colds. Took them while having a coffee and croissant for breakfast.

Took taxi to Museums for tour to start at 10:30. Turns out the Sisteen Chapel is closed today until 1:00. The tour usually arrives there at 12:30 so the guide said she could take us to some of the halls we might not usually see. The carriage one was particularly interesting. We made it into the Chapel (with all the other tours that had been doing the same thing). Jam packed. Because Mike was about worn out from all the steps, the guard let us sit on a bench in the back, away from other folks. No pictures, of course. Then a lot more steps to get out. We didn’t go into St Peter’s and got a cab up the hill to the apt. worn out! called it a night.

I don't know where our brains were when we signed up for a three-hour walking tour through the Museums! Our guide did an excellent job, both of using the time productively and helping us get to and through the Chapel then out the 'side' entrance, staying past the scheduled end of her time. She did a great job of telling us about the Ceiling in advance and in the two long corridors before the Chapel, one of tapestries, and the second of maps. They were much higher and longer than the Sisteen Chapel itself. The colors in the Ceiling were gorgeous. However, there were far too many steps with no handrails.

---

Photos

View up the hill to the apartment
About half way down

Cappuccino and croissant
After visit to the Facmacia

Vatican City model
44 acres, about 1/2 in gardens.

Football display
Gifts to Popes. Over the years

Carriage Pavilion
Transport for the Pontiff over the ages