Today started with
our sightseeing around Rome with our local guide, Flavia. First stop for the day was the
Vatican. First up we stopped on a
big terrace where we had a fabulous photo op to snap a photo of the dome on St
Peter’s Basilica. Back inside we
walked through the Museums looking at all the amazing art pieces (and being
reminded why I stopped putting money in the collection plate) before heading
into the Sistine Chapel. This is
the first time I have seen it since the ceiling was restored. Wow! The colours are so much more vibrant since all the grime has
been cleared from the ceiling!
Before we entered the Sistine Chapel Flavia explained a few of the
masterpieces to us including The Last Judgement. Apparently the image of St Bartholomew holding his skin (he
was skinned alive) is a self portrait of Michelangelo himself and apparently at
the time there was a Cardinal who was none too impressed with Michelangelo’s
work. So Michelangelo put him done
the bottom right of the painting with a serpent wrapped around him piercing his
nuts. Nice work there
Michelangelo!
After leaving the
Sistine Chapel we headed for St Peter’s.
We walked past the Holy Door that is only opened every 25 years for the
Jubilee and anyone who passes through it is granted a Plenary Indulgence for
their sins. So….. when is it going
to be opened again?????
Inside the Basilica I
finally got to see the Pieta close up and also saw the tomb for Pope John Paul
II. Since he was beatified his
body was removed from the crypt and placed up in a tomb in one of the side
chapels. If we had some free time
in the Cathedral I would have gone and said a prayer in this chapel. We also saw the body of Pope John XXVIII
(the Pope responsible for the Second Vatican Council – for the
non-Catholics…one of the results of this Council was Mass could now be said in
the vernacular rather than being said in Latin). We also saw amazing mosaics made from coloured marble. They actually looked like paintings the
tiles were that tiny.
We were led outside
the Basilica to see St Peter’s Square which was being set up for an audience
with the Pope (where was my invite?) before being able to photograph the Swiss
Guards. I spotted the 5th
Station of the Cross outside in the Square. I have always wondered where the Stations of the Cross where
located at St Peter’s. Now I know! We were also shown the balcony where
the Pope appears from to address the crowd in St Peter’s. Flavia was describing more but I
received a phone call from my school friend Juliet who now lives in Rome to tee
up where we were going to meet up.
After St Peter’s
Square we had some free time to have some lunch before heading off on the next
sightseeing excursion. I managed
to find a cheap little place selling some lovely Panini before making my way
back to the agreed meeting spot for the tour.
Back on the bus we
headed to the Colosseum. Before
entering the Colosseum we had our Troup Group photo taken in front of
Constantine’s Arch. Flavia then
took us into the Colosseum explaining everything to us before letting us loose
for a few minutes to take some photos.
Some people decided to go up to the next level. Good job I didn’t attempt the stairs as
people from our group said they were a death trap waiting to happen…. Marble
and each step sloped down so there wasn’t much grip. I would have had a “colosseum incident” for sure if I even
attempted it!
Leaving the Colosseum
the next stop was to be The Forum.
I had been there before (and loved it) but it was hot, and my feet were
tired so not knowing what Juliet had in store for this afternoon I decided to
leave the sightseeing there and went and found a shady spot near the Arch which
was to be our meeting spot.
Juliet found me no
problem. Apparently despite not
seeing one another since high school (ok I’ll admit that was 26 years ago),
neither of us have changed a bit.
We caught a bus up near Juliet’s work where we had lunch before Juliet
had to “make an appearance” at work for a couple of hours. I entertained myself by walking around
the block, sitting at another café for a while having a cappuccino before
heading back to where I had to meet Juliet at her car. Luckily (for my hips) there was a
gelati bar nearby so I had a chocolate gelati while I killed some more time.
After Juliet finished
work we headed out to Rome’s Zoo to pick up her son who was on holiday camp at
the zoo. Juliet and I caught up on
all the gossip and Juliet pointed out some other sites while we also discussed
the current economic climate in Italy.
We made it to the zoo in time and I even managed to spot some elephants!
Unfortunately we both
didn’t really know when we were going to be able to catch up so it worked out
best that Juliet dropped me back off at my hotel on her way to taking her son
to an appointment back near the Colosseum. All the same it was fabulous to catch up with her and we
have made a pact not to make it 26 years before we see each other again!
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