This morning started out way too early with Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 7:00. This is THE Basilica in the Vatican and we were able to go to this particular mass because we knew someone who knew someone who knows the young priest, Fr. Martine, who said the mass. He has been very kind in suggesting places for us to see here in Rome and even arranging a bit of a Scavi tour for us in the morning with another priest who is a friend of his. That is the necropolis or the underneath part where all the dead are. We tried in vain to get our own tickets so it's wonderful that we will have this chance.
Because we were at the Basilica so early we were able to tour it quickly and efficiently with the best views possible of everything including Michaelangelo's Pieta. It is so far away from the viewer but still gleams with his genius even from behind the protective plexiglass and the gate that keeps the viewers away. The Basilica is every bit as amazing as you'd think it would be. It goes on and on with glorious chapel after glorious chapel. I've started buying the small guide books at each destination so I can further continue my art education once I get home.
(We walked 21,015 steps today. Mom wants me to share.)
We of course saw St. Peter's Square and the collonade and all that. Breathtaking. Overwhelming. Interesting to think of the power of the Church and what it stands for. It's very complicated and I think we have a tendency to simplify and not think about what all this religion really does to the world.
Our next item on our agenda was the Vatican Museaums. We hadn't eated breakfast (mass) so we snagged hot drinks and pastries and then headed in.
Guys. Those museaums (including the Sistine Chapel) are no small feat. We spent about 5 hours touring gallery after gallery. Here's a tiny list of things we saw:
Tapestries
Mummies
Sculpture including a modern one in one of the gardens that looks like the Death Star
More Judiths getting rid of Holofernus (I uploaded those earlier...I'm collecting them...we hope to see the Caravaggio soon).
Mosaics
Carriages and popemobiles
Model of a temple that looks like Angkor Wat but isn't...it's the other big one...
So many opulent ceilings
Views of Rome from the windows (the Vatican is kind of high up)
Laocoon Group (excitement)
A sculpture of a Camel
Belvedere Torso
Big Bronze Heracles
Historic Maps
A Van Gogh
A Munch
A couple Chagalls
And, of course, the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
We saw a whole lot more. We had a great day again. It rained when we were inside and sunned when we were out. It looks like we will have wonderful weather tomorrow for Ancient Rome. Excited about the Colleseum.
We had a nice lunch not too far away from the Vatican. We were starved since the last thing we had eaten was our hot drinks and pastries. We chatted with a young couple from Texas who are heading to Venice in a few days. We waxed on and on about Venice. Ah. Venice.
A metro ride later and we were at the Spanish Steps. A must see drive by for any Rome visitor, they were crammed with people but made an imposing view upon turing the corner...you see that first set of steps and they just keep going up.
We were ready to die from exhaustion so we crawled back to the hotel where we literally threw ourselves on our beds and took impromptu naps. Later, and much refreshed, we spent the evening strolling around Trevi Fountain and working on our plans for our next three full days. Trevi Fountain had a lovely festive atmosphere and, while crowded, we were able to sit for a while right at the fountain and it was fun to watch the crowds come and go. We debated throwing coins in the fountain, but I'm convinced that they aren't good for the fountain and besides, I want to control my own destiny and not leave it in the hand of a .50 cent euro. Because they have no hands.
As you can see, it was a full and lovely day. Our weather looks great for the rest of our trip. We have SO many things we still want to see.
Question: does anyone know if we can use the Roma pass on the bus to see some catacombs? Email me at suzieecw @ yahoo . com if you can answer that question. We'd like to see some but are unsure if the Roma pass will work for the bus. We also don't know how long this will take. Any catacomb advise would be helpful.
Poem:
Rome is imposing.
Florence is smug.
Venice is charming;
a holiday hug.
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