I had a leisurely breakfast, then went to reception to pay for my hotel room. I had asked for a copy of my bill the night before so I could go through it at leisure to make sure it was all as it should be - it was. The guy who wanted to know when I was leaving made a big show in front of other people to let me know that I had a free night, and I made just as big a show by saying 'yes, that was the night the heating in my room was not working', he shut up after that, took my money, rang me a taxi and probably thanked god as I walked out!
I arrived at my B & B no drama, met the lady again, she is a very nice lady, unpacked some things then went out to find where I had to go to meet my guide for my Vatican Museum tour. I found the Prati marcato but had to get out of there because the smell of fish and meat was nearly making me sick. I found the spot so went to find somewhere for something to eat, I wasn't too hungry but the tour started at 1 and was five hours so knew I needed something. I found a café, went in and asked for a panino sensa carne (sandwich without meat). Of course the girl behind the counter laughed and said 'you don't want dog' I said "No, non cane, panino sensa carne" Cane is dog, carne is meat. You have to exaggerate the R, I obviously didn't do that enough! A young guy at a table asked if I speak English, I said yes so he translated to the girl exactly what I wanted, she was cool, understood me then when I spoke Italian. The people up this end of town seem to understand my Italian much more than the people in the touristy area. Interesting that!!
Went back to the Museum to wait and could hear some Aussie voices behind me, they were saying they had been here before, they had just walked all the way around and back to where they started and couldn't work out where they were, I turned around and there were three guys, probably gap year students, and I said "Use Google Maps guys" they nearly died and then were in for a huge chat. They were laughing about always getting lost, like I don't know what that's like! Then then nearly fell over when I said I was from Geelong, they were from Werribee. One just stood back and didn't speak, the other two wouldn't shut up. I'm thinking I probably taught the quiet one and traumatised him and he wanted no part of that conversation!
They went in, I found my guide and off we went. There was only two other girls in the group. Small groups for tours and MUCH better than big. The guide was good, he knew his stuff, the museum was amazing, there is so much in there, stuff from times that it's hard to imagine - before the year 1000 etc. We saw the Vatican gardens too, that was a garden. I spose it would mean more if you were down in it and checking out the plants, if that's your thing.
Guarding the Vatican Museum
Entrance to the Vatican Museum
Michelangelo and Raphaelo
I have seen the pictures but never knew, this is two stair cases
the busts of women
just one passageway, it is huge
there is a sculpture of a lion's head inside the urn
he has the urn in his hand
another huge passageway
some of the mosaics were very colourful
some weren't
Sistine Chapel was full, no photos of course, at one stage I had my phone out and a guy came up to me and yelled "NO PHOTO!!" I showed him the screen of my phone because at that stage I hadn't taken a photo so I figured if I was going to get into trouble for it I might as well do it.
No photos allowed of course, the colours were much brighter, but the ceiling is so high you could never capture the colours properly
The chapel was interesting, the ceiling is so high up! The paintings are quite amazing, if you look at them long enough they become 3D. I studied all that art in University and it didn't really mean anything to me then, I just wanted to get through uni, now I wish I had come and seen it all then, it would have made more sense. Regardless, it was fabulous to see.
After the chapel we walked down more stairs (how??????) and arrived at the front of St. Peter's Basilica. We went in and it was gobsmaking. While the Museum and the chapel are full of paintings and that's why you cannot take photos, the light damages the paintings, the basilica is filled with mosaics, no paintings, everything is mosaic. While we were in the basilica there was some Gregorian chanting started up, practise for tonight's mass. The guide wanted to take us to see St. Peter's tomb but it was closed off because of the practise. By now it was almost 5 hours and I didn't mind missing St. Peter's tomb, I saw an embalmed Pope, that was enough.
Practise for tonight's mass
Inside St.Peter's is huge and quite fabulous, full of mosaics, no paintings
Where The Pope will stand
Dead an embalmed
Inside St. Peter's
We said goodbye to the guide, I found a bauble with the Pope on it for half the price of the one I had seen the other day, then went in search of dinner. I found a place I had eaten at last time I was here just around the corner from my B & B, scrumptious food BUT silly me didn't ask if I had to pay for the bread, sure enough, on my bill Pane 2 euro! My bill was 18 euro so I gave them 20 and there was no sign of them coming back with my change so I went in search for it. If they had not charged me for the bread I wouldn't have worried, it's the bloody principle of the thing!!
I came back to my lovely room to find - guess what - the heater not working! But one knock on signora's door fixed that, then I had to get up and turn it off during the night because it was hot!! It has gone off again today, not sure if it is on a timer or what, but will let her know when I go out.
I'm about to go and have a look down the main street of Prati, see what I can see then I will come back and have a bit of a siesta, get ready for tonight and go and start lining up for 9.30pm mass at 5pm!!
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