Art History All Tied Up with a Bow

Our day began with breakfast in the courtyard, a lovely green space. Hmmm, what do I want?

                     

The lovely courtyard was shared with creatures that belong in a garden like birds and bees, and insects. Good luck came our way by a tiny drop of sparrow poop and a bee sting for Dennis who then sought revenge. Breakfast was not a peaceful tranquil start to the day but it was delicious. 
And off we went for a tour of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s. 

We were ready to go. Then we found out that June and Dale were assigned to a different group. In the end they were probably happy that it happened that way so that immediately upon leaving the Sistine Chapel, they could get into a taxi and go back to the hotel. The tour was 3 times longer then we thought it would be. The tour guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and he wanted to share. So we received a church and art history class in the glare of the sun which I’m sure was baked right out of our brains as they sizzled in the heat. But is it an amazing place? Absolutely! One of the facts that sticks to my brain are the “lines” that mark where other cathedrals around the world would fit inside St. Peter’s.

After standing in the hot sun, the cathedral was an oasis. The thousands of people walking through, taking photos, reading informational signs, listening to tour guides, talking to each other, and some even stopping to pray, were all swallowed up in the vastness of the place. We left the cathedral to begin our trek to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. It was a long HOT walk. 

Once inside the museum, the walk through the museum to the Sistine Chapel was extremely crowded, if thousands of Covid infections were not transmitted here it is a true miracle. On the staircases people were shoulder to shoulder, the railings were grabbed by thousands of hands, everyone following an actual guide or an audio guide, all straining to see whatever was being described. Certainly an adventure with hidden dangers all around in a museum that has one of the world’s best collections of art from all periods, certainly a once in a lifetime experience.  

We ended the day with real Italian pizza, just down the street from our hotel.

And finally, a drink on the rooftop across from our hotel…

Sweet Dreams!

 

Roaming in Rome ain’t so Easy in the Heat

 We arrived in Rome, slightly groggy from lack of sleep but excited to be here. The cab ride from the airport was almost an hour accompanied by rock n’ roll music from the Platters, the Everly Bothers, the Four Seasons, all the rockers from the 50’s & 60’s interspersed with explanations about old and new Rome, current and past governments, and as we passed monuments, ruins, and famous sights, more commentary. We arrived at the hotel and found our rooms ready so even though it was early, we were able to settle in.

We are a party of eight: seven adults and one child. What a trooper that child is even without sleep or food that really appeals to her. Everyone went to their rooms but Dennis and I went out for a bit of a walk to try to see where we were and what was available in our area. We are near the Piazza del Popolo and in this heat we are making use of the taxis which are easy to find.

After we all had had a nap, seven of us decided to try the Hop On-Hop Off bus. It was quite a walk to catch the bus. But we made it, not quite a stroll along the Tiber river, more like a forced march but make it, we did!

Sitting on the top deck of the bus we were able to feel a breeze and see a bit of Rome. Unfortunately we could only go three stops before we were running out of time if we were going to make our dinner reservations. So off the bus we trooped, and into a taxi. We arrived back at the hotel in time to freshen up and go next door for dinner.

The evening ended with reminders to be in the lobby by 8:15 AM to catch a taxi to the meeting place for the Vatican tour. Good night, sweet dreams.