The plan was to get an early start with reservations at the Vatican Museum shortly after it opened. Unfortunately, someone who got there before we did got sick, so the whole line was delayed while they cleaned. We had a local guide who took us through the Vatican Musuems, and, while we were in the courtyard, talked about the Sistine Chapel, since she was not allowed to guide in the chapel. While I appreciated the variety and quality of the things we saw in the Vatican Museum and while I realize that the Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest masterpieces of all time, this morning was a low point on the trip for me. I felt herded through, it was too crowded and too hot and I was wearing a N95 mask which just made it worse. As far as the Sistine Chapel goes, the ceiling was so high up and the lights so dim that I really couldn't see all that stuff the guide had talked about. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but I left disappointed.
 |
| Outside, before entering the main interior area |
 |
| You can see the crowds |
After we finished in the Sistine Chapel we went out to St. Peter's Square and the guide pointed out some features and then took her leave.
 |
| St. Peter in St. Peter's Square |
We were on our own and headed into the basilica, which exceeded all my expectations. There was room to wander as we pleased and to admire all the artwork. The place is huge and while I think we saw it all, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't.
 |
| We were there! |
 |
| And so were lots of other people but you could move freely |
One lesson I will take from this trip is that European air conditioning is not like American air conditioning. Three of the outfits I packed where sleeveless maxi dresses. I figured these were comfortable in hot weather and, with a jean jacket, covered enough for churches while cool outside. When I wear them in any building at home it is with a jacket or sweater. In Italy however, I wished I had brought a pashmina or similar to cover my shoulders in church because most were too warm for a jacket.
Next on our agenda was lunch. On the way out of St. Peter's Square we stopped at the Vatican gift shop. We headed out looking for food and by this time we were getting "hangry". Some guy with a sign was targeting tourists and sending them to a restaurant a couple of blocks away, offering a free glass of prosecco. We knew it was a tourist trap but we were ready to eat so we bit. Actually the place wasn't bad. It was small and air conditioned. I got ravioli with a mushroom sauce and it was good. The portions were enough, though not what is normal in the US. We found, in general that lunch cost us about 10 Euros per course.
Now we headed out to look around but tired quickly. We caught the metro back to the hotel and took a nap.
 |
| Monument to Italian Unification |
The walk home took us past what appeared to be an archeological dig. It was neat seeing such old things in the middle of a very busy city of today.
We got dinner down the street at nice restaurant. Unfortunately we don't remember what we ate, but while we were there we saw other parties from our tour group. We also chatted with a German couple who were seated next to us.
Unfortunately we are old fuddy-duddys so we can't tell you what Roman night life was like.