Rome

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Saturday, May 31
Roma, Italy
Our goal today was to start in Vatican City, see all of it, then return for a rest and finish the day with another of RS’s Rome self-guided walks, the “Dolce Vita Stroll.” Before leaving, I had to do a little more surgery on Jackie’s little toe. The blister that she developed on Friday was still there and needed some attention. Once that was done we headed down for breakfast.
Having learned the Metro system already, after breakfast we walked up to the San Giovanni Station to catch the A-train to the Otaviano Station near Vatican City. The ride was quick and the train is clean and efficient. We exited the train station and headed for the Vatican Museum. As we neared we were met with the local “tour guides” as warned by RS.
Only, since we were still a little tired, we decided to join in. We thought it might be nice just to follow someone around rather than read the RS guide and fumble our way. For once we got lucky. Although it cost us 30 euros each, we think it was worth it. The girl that met us off the subway was from Oregon and the actual guide was from Dublin, Ireland. The group was 25 people. One couple in the group was from Sydney Australia. So, we had some fun just talking with them. Our guide was knowledgeable and had good way of discussing and answering questions. Ordinarily I would not recommend using this type tour guide since she was not a “certified guide” but as I said, we got lucky.
The museum and finally the Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo, were all that they were billed up to be. I have read books on him for many years including a late book by Ross King, titled “Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling.” I guess in many ways, our entire trip to Italy had this tour as its focus. I always wanted to see his “David” and the Chapel. Now we did it.
After the chapel, however, we were not finished with Michelangelo. There’s plenty more in St. Peter’s Basilica (the richest and most impressive church on earth, according to RS). Michelangelo had significant part in the church’s design including its famous dome; and inside there is his famous “Pieta.” This fabulous sculpture was completed by Michelangelo when he was only 24 years old. It is a work that represents Mary with the body of Christ taken down from the cross.
If that wasn’t enough, we then proceeded to find the lift to take us to the starting point of the climb to the top of the Dome. Yep, we did it again. It was just as cool as the climb up the Florence Duomo but a few less steps. But the views from the top were even more impressive.
We returned from the Vatican City happy that we had seen and done the things we came to do. We took the train back to the hotel for a break.
At about 7:00 pm, we headed out for our second romantic Rome walk, the “Dolce Vita Stroll.” This time we would be fresh and rested when it started. We took the A-train again to the Flamingo station near the Piazza del Popolo. The walk took us down the Via Del Corso and on to the Spanish Steps. It was a shorter walk than the one we did on Friday night.
We stopped along the way and had a nice dinner and more fine Italian wine. Having plenty of energy, we continued from here down to the Trevi Fountain again. This time I did bring my camera to take better pictures. By now it was about 10:30pm, so we headed back towards the Barberini Station for the ride back to our station and hotel. As we approached the station, now about 11pm, we noticed a big crowd gathering around. It seems that they had just closed it.
Now what to do? I saw a taxi stand and told Jackie “let’s go for a cab.” No, she insisted, “those kids there are getting on a city bus let’s join them.” Without thinking we just jumped on the bus with a bunch of young people heading who knows where. No one spoke English and the only thing I could get from the driver was “train station ahead.”
So, we rode about two miles and stopped at the Terminal. We knew that there was a subway stop there and figured that we would catch the train back to San Giovanni Station. But we found that the subway system was completely closed so we could not get there. My solution, take a taxi. My sister Dianne had told me on many occasions that the taxis are cheap here and she used them often. So, let’s go.
But Jackie says lets walk. Walk? Did you say walk? Well, she won out. So, we did our third Night Walk across Rome in two days. Again, the dang map makes things look so close. On the way we saw the entrance to our train station, San Giovanni, one more time as we made our way to the hotel.
Yes, this time I developed a blister on my little toe (what’s with the little toe anyway?). Some day we will laugh about our strolls.
That’s it for another day on this trip. Tomorrow will be focused on ancient Rome….the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon.

Sunday, June 1
Roma, Italy…Our last full day in Rome.
We had another so-so breakfast at the hotel and headed for the San Giovanni station. This time we were planning to take A-train to the Terminal Station and switch over to the B-line and then to Colosseum station. As we descended the stairs in the station, we noticed a train arriving and jumped right on board. Great timing, right? Well, a few minutes later I started looking at the stops. I did not recognize any of them. We were heading in the wrong direction!
The good news is we were not in a hurry and just jumped off at the next station and crossed over to return on our way. After getting back on track we made it to the Terminal station, crossed over to the B-line to the Colosseum station. A few minutes later we were staring at the great Colosseum.
This is truly one of the wonders of the world. We couldn’t believe we were finally there. We spent the next hour or so walking inside and listening to the RS tour guide. It is hard to accept what all took place in this place. It was all so brutal and sad. With all the good things developed in this period, where was there heart? Anyway, it was valuable to see firsthand the scope of the place.
When we left the Colosseum, we walked into the Roman Forum. I was aware but not as familiar with the Forum as I was with the Colosseum before today. It was the political, religious, and commercial center of ancient Rome. I found it just as interesting. We had another RS tour tape and listened to it as we walked through the site. We were right there where Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony walked. There is lots and lots of history here.
When we finished these tours, we got a bite to eat and headed for the Pantheon. This time I had my camera and made lots of photos. This church was built during Rome’s heydays, and survived the dark ages. The dome is 142 feet high and wide. It was Europe’s largest until the Renaissance.
After this tour we returned to Piazza Navona to look for some art. Jackie wants to buy something to replace a piece that I rejected of Bobby’s. We looked but we did not find anything that seemed to fit our needs.
Now it was time to head back to the hotel for some rest. We took the train, without incident back to the hotel. We are really getting value out of the Roma Pass that we purchased on the first day. We use it on all public transportation and entry, past the long lines, into sites like the Colosseum and Forum. Best buy on this trip, so far.
After we rested, we decided to call an end to our Rome touring. We have seen more than we set out in the beginning. Even RS recommends limiting what you tour on your first trip to Europe. Take your time, see the main sites, and then leave things to see on future trips.
So, we went on our own this evening and found a good pizza place near our hotel. It was nice, clean, and cheap. We had very good dinner for 18 euros, including tip. That’s our record for cheap dinner.
So, we are going to bed early so we can arise, pack and hit the road for places north. Tomorrow we plan to see Orvieto, Sienna, and Pisa. We’ll stay near Pisa and climb the tower on Tuesday morning.
Our time in Italy is growing short. It has been a busy two weeks but we feel good and love the things we’ve seen and done. It is really hard to describe. I hope you have enjoyed following along with us. Soon, we start what I call my second phase…France wine country. The third phase will be the UK. And then the final phase will be the Republic of Ireland. Tomorrow will be the first day of our third week. I hope it will measure up to the first two.
Love y’all,
Tom and Jackie

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Photos

Outside Vatican Museum
Tom's ready for a day of touring

The Pieta
Michelangelo's famous scupture at age 24

Jackie
She's in front of St. Peter's Square.

View from Dome top
Looking down on St. Peter's Square

Tom at the Top
The view from the Dome top is breath taking.

Tom
Inside the Colosseum

Jackie
Another view inside the structure

Colosseum
This is view from the second level

Colosseum
View from outside

View of Colosseum
This is taken from the grounds of the Forum

The flowers
On the paths of the Forum

The Pantheon
Jackie stands just outside this massive church.

Trevi Fountain
We have video of us throwing coins in the fountain.

Comments

[jjdorsey]

two great days
sounds like so much fun. I'm glad you are having such a great time. Keep blogging, I love reading about your days. Love, JJ

[Ann Pasky]

Dome top
Impressed you went up there and would lean on the railings. I stood plastered to the wall; view is great!