Advertisement
Published: December 26th 2005
Edit Blog Post
Light Rays in the Vatican
I was lucky enough to capture the alter of the Vatican with sunlight pouring in through an upper window and lighting the chair upon which the Pope sits. Rome on Christmas Day
Our journey to Rome began at mid-morning on an old, worn out commuter train out of Sorrento bound for Napoli. It carved its way through the mountains and 75 minutes later we pulled into the crowded madness of Napoli. The Napoli train station was like being trapped deep in an ant hill as some school boy stuck a firecracker into the hole. Thousands of people rushed about on multiple levels of the station. The concept of a single file line is clearly lost on the Italians. It was impossible to find anyone who spoke English and that, of course, made it very difficult to find the Eurostar train bound for Rome.
After a great deal of frustration we were successful and began the 2.5 hour journey to Rome on a very comfortable, high-speed train. Marc and Joni slept most of the way, as did Marni who was under the weather with a nasty cold. Fred and Joan appeared to be passively watching the scenery speed by. I read the latest Grisham novel and kept an ever vigilant eye on the scenery. My vigilance was often rewarded as the pastoral scenery was sometimes broken by steep mountains
The Yankee Tour in Front of St. Peter's
Fred, Joan, Marc, Joni and Marni in St. Peter's Square. I'm shooting the picture. and walled cities built high upon picturesque bluffs.
Upon arrival in Rome we checked into the elegant Lancelot Hotel, just a few blocks from the Coliseum. We enjoyed a mellow evening after an exhausting travel day, and planned our next day at the Vatican.
A Day at the Vatican
Its Christmas Eve day and we’re at the Vatican. Does it get any better than this? The Vatican exceeded our wildest dreams. The architecture and the art have to be experienced to be believed. This is an amazing place!
After viewing St. Peter’s and the Vatican grounds, Marc, Joni, Marni and I decided to take the stairs to the top of the cupola in the Basilica of St. Peter’s. St. Peter’s is the largest church in the world and the cupola reaches over 10 stories into the sky. The climb to the top was an experience all in itself. It was a dizzying ascent up nearly 600 stairs. The spiral staircase wove tighter and tighter, and the passage narrower and narrower as we ascended to the top. During the final
St. Peter's from the Cupola of the Basillica
A dizzying climb of nearly 600 steps was rewarded by this stunning photo of St. Peter's Square. The ascent up a continually narrowing spiral stair case was harrowing! ascent the width of the staircase was hardly as wide as my body and the walls were slanted. Marni and I came upon a woman in the staircase that was having a panic attack. She was crying and hyperventilating. We encouraged her onward and she made it to the top. I’m sure, like most people, she took the elevator down. We, of course, went down the way we came up. Please don’t ask me why.
The view from the top was spectacular…as well as breathtaking! On this page you can see a photo of the square that Marc shot from the top.
That evening, Marc and I decided to go back for Midnight Mass. Marni was sick and Joni, Fred and Joan were tired. The experience was like a rock concert—thousands of people milling about and large screen televisions bringing us the service from inside. Large speaker systems carried the audio and the bells of St. Peter’s chimed from high above the cathedral. It was an unforgettable experience and we’re glad to have been there.
Emperors and Gladiators
The next two days were consumed by our tours of the Roman ruins and ancient cathedrals. We saw Michelangelo’s
Paul (me) and Marc Enjoying Italian Hospitality
In all my travels I've never experienced people with a greater gift of hospitality than the Italians! Their warmth is unequalled anywhere that I've been. We've had a truly exceptional experience. Moses in St. Gregory’s and we toured the Coliseum, the Forum, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and many more ancient ruins.
It was awe-inspiring. Again, like our visit to Pompeii, I was struck by how in Italy the past looks and awful lot like the present! It seems that before I came here the days of emperors and gladiators were part of an incomprehensible, distant past. Now, it seems much closer and linked more tightly to our lives today.
One last comment on Italy. This is truly the most hospitable place I’ve ever been in my life. The people are truly blessed with the gift of hospitality. We’ve had a wonderful visit!
Tomorrow we’re off to Paris via Malta on Air Malta. You have to admit, Malta seems like an exotic place to visit. It’s too bad we’re only going to have 90 minutes there.
We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas in the States!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.1s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0431s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
Bob and Karen
non-member comment
Merry Christmas
We are enjoying looking at the pictures and reading about your adventures. I hope Marni feels better soon. We look forward to seeing you on the 31st. Take care and have a safe trip.