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Published: October 17th 2006
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Molly and I got up bright and early to get to the Vatican when it opened, avoiding the long queues. So naturally, we ended up on the wrong bus which made it take 45 minutes longer to get there (Rome was not looking up) and arrived to wait in a really long line. Fortunately, the line moved quickly. However, I happened to drink a lot of water at the hostel and needed to use the loo. I ran into a nearby restaurant where a waiter told me I had to buy something if I wanted to use it. I agreed, hurried, but was concerned about not being able to find Molly if the line moved too much and managed to sneak out. I'm such a rebel!
When we entered the Vatican via the museum, which allowed us to walk through many rooms filled with artifacts and gorgeous paintings. I was stunned looking at the room Raphael painted. However, the piece de resistance was, of course, the Sistine Chapel. It was breathtaking; I wished I could have layed on the floor to just look at it. It made me think of Grandma; I would have loved to have her with
me there- I always asked her about it when she had seen it. In the Sistine Chapel we had to remain silent, and there were even shushers there to remind us of that (What do they tell friends when asked what their profession is?)
After this Molly and I decided to go to St. Peter's Basilica and on the way were able to join up with a free tour in English. Our guide was this very intelligent Irish man. He was so funny and informative. Molly and I were stopped on the way in because we were wearing tank tops and in the Basilica women are not allowed to have bare shoulders (the one day we didn't have the pashminas!). Luckily one woman in the tour group has a sweater and a pashmina that she let us borrow. The church was so gorgeous and the high altar (which had 2 altars underneath) was built by Bernini. There also sculptures by Benini all over the Basilica. One of them depicted his niece and the stages of pregnancy and having a child. Our guide told us it was rumored Benini had an affair with his niece (not likely) and joked that
this sculpture demonstrated that "Bernini knew which side his bread was buttered on."
My favorite part of the Basilica was la pieta by Michaelangelo. It is probably his most famous sculptures (made from one block of marble). It depicts Mary holding Christ's body in her arms. What maked the sculpture so amazing is the facial expression of Mary and the way the bodies are positioned to make it look so real and show the sadness. It was also behind bulletproof glass since one man came in and tried to smash it a few years ago. They had to reattach Mary's arm and nose.
After the Basilica Molly and I bought a couple scarve of our own so we could cover our shoulders and see the tombs of the popes. It was quite a solemn mood in the tombs. We saw the late Pope John Paul II's grave. Then we walked to the most decorated (and protected) tomb of St. Peter the Apostle.
After this Molly and I walked out in silence (Molly had a reaction similar to the one I had in Notre Dame). Whenever we felt a little down or stressed on the trip we always
resorted to the same thing. Gelato. We ended up getting it across the the street from the Vatican. Not only did this turn out to be the best gelato we had in Rome, but it was the best I had the entire trip! We each got 3 flavors in our cone and mine was nutella, coconut, and amaretto.
Molly and I then trekked to the Colosseum, which like most other sites in Rome, cost a lot of money to get into, was in a pollutes area, and full of people trying to exploit it (like the men dressed as gladiators charging 5 euros to take a pic with you.) We took a walk around and took pictures, then headed back to the hostel. We took a nap, then walked around Travestere and had a proper Italian dinner at 8. The family owned restaurant in Rome was the equivalent to the Morroccan restaurant in Paris. We sat inside by the open doors (so practically outside) and ordered half of a liter of wine to share (which was only 3 euros!). I don't really know anything about wine, but it was reallygood. It was the house white and was so light,
The Vatican
guards at St. Peter's Basilica smooth, fruity, and had a clean finish. Then, for antipasti we had proscuitto and cantalope (an unusual buy delicious combination). I plan on making this when I get home. Dinner was a pizza for each of us; mine was mozzerella and proscuitto. It had the most delicious crust that was thin, light, and crispy. Perfection. We picked our dessert (we weren't exactly sure what it would be, but it was chocolate so we couldn't lose) and it was delicious!
I was telling Molly that while we were in Rome I had to try limoncello with dessert and the waiter joked that we'd be dancing. The man who sat in the table in front of us (who happened to speak English) held up his glass and saidthis is why; thats how much they give you. Then, he said and this is the sambuka, to which I replied "Do you know what they do with sambuka in England?!" He knew, because he was from England and had done it. So we told him that we were studying abroad there. He asked which university and we told him Lancaster. Apparently he graduated from Lancaster University and was in the college Molly was
in. Then, we were talking about where we were from in the states and the lady at the table in front of him said she was from Wisconisin- a part only 30 minutes from where Molly lives. Talk about a small world.
Molly and I decided to head back to the hostel after dinner, but we were feeling a little better about Rome because of the great food and the Vatican.
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Aunt Ronie
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I know that gelato place!
I love following your travels. Rome is especially fun for me because my first trip to Rome was in April. I've had many of the same experiences. Just don't tell anyone you will meet them at the Sapnish Steps! I never could find my friends there. We all lhave these mishaps! My hotel was in Trastevere and my friend who I did finally meet was so concerned by all the grafitti that she was sure I was in danger there. On her way from the train to her "safe" hotel, a boy tried to pick her pocket. I'll take Trastevere!