I set off early to do a tour of the Vatican. I was told that it's really only worth going if you book a tour as the guide will be able to tell you the history and point out details such as where the Pope's bedroom is etc.
I alighted at Ottaviano metro station and from there all the way to the Vatican there are heaps of people selling tours. I walked past at least 20 and decided that i should just pick one in case they get more expensive as you get closer.
A tall English guy approached me promoting a skip-the-line tour. He was cute so i picked him. As we walked towards the Vatican he shared some fun facts about Rome. He also explained why there are so many water fountains throughout Rome. When Rome was invaded, their enemy destroyed all the water sources and when it was finally restored as a sign of celebration they decided to install fountains throughout the city in appreciation of their water source.
He asked where I'd been and how long i was staying, recommending the museums that were the most worthy of visiting and cheap with my Roma pass.
Vatican City has an approx population of 500. Why do 500 people need such a vast amount of space? Its simply gigantic! And so grand. My guide pointed out the window to the Pope's bedroom from St Peter's square. Apparently, the current Pope has broken all tradition and doesn't actually stay there as he finds it too luxurious and extravagant. Instead, he just lives in a convent in the garden. Now normally every Wednesday, the Pope comes out of his window. It just so happened however...the Pope is on annual leave this week. Damn! It's also the first time that there are 2 Popes living in the Vatican - "one is the Pope in charge and the other is the Pope that didn't die".
Four weeks ago was also the 200th anniversary of Harley Davidson so hundreds of thousands of bikies from across the world came to the Vatican. They didn't all fit in the square and some were on the streets just outside the Vatican. Again, the current Pope broke all tradition and his "Pope mobile" detoured onto the streets of Rome just to say Hi. No wonder he needs a holiday - what an over worked Pope!
The most amazing thing about the Vatican is that even the walls and ceilings have so much history and are done in such intricate detail. It's almost impossible for an Australian to understand as Australia is such a new country. The ceiling of the hall of tapestries is actually an optical illusion...it's not 3D at all but looks it! Amazing!
Even moving very quickly through, the tour took 3.5 hours. It was sooo packed in the Sistine Chapel that i literally stood in the same spot and only had room to gaze upwards. No talking or photography allowed though.
Fun fact: Michaelangelo was commissioned at 70 years old during a time when life expectancy was 60. Thinking that he would die any time, he volunteered to work for free. He ended up living to close to 90years old.
The tour ended at the church and i was surprisingly not that creeped out with essentially, all the dead bodies of Popes on display. They don't look real anyway. When they become Saints they get excavated and put somewhere else!
I was exhausted by this stage but I was determined to go to the peak of the cupola. Entrance is €5 but if you pay €7 you get to take the lift. It's still over 300 steps, mind you. Luckily, i work out. The view of Rome from the top is incredible. The Peak of the cupola is actually so high that the Statue of Liberty can stand inside. How did they build it in a time that there were no...cranes?
After the Vatican I walked to St Angelo's castle but it is comparatively bland. From there I took a bus to see the memorial of the unknown soldier. This is an underrated monument.
The whole thing is made of marble and took something like 14 years to build.
I walked from there all the way to Republique metro where brand name outlets are. Did some window shopping and headed back to my hostel. What an exhausting day!
My nice tour guide had left a message for me that he would come pick me up around 8pm to go to Trastevere. We ended up having pizza for dinner just from a small little store...it cost €2 for a slice and it was delicious. Trastevere is not as touristy...just like he said - its the real Rome. The buildings are a bit more modest but it really makes you want to be an Italian! After dinner we strolled around the streets of Trastevere with a gelato and finished off with a coffee in Spagna. Perfect!
Its so warm in Italy at the moment. The Irish guys are really struggling. Haha. I brought my umbrella though. Speaking of the Irish guys...they have since stopped pretending that they don't have accents and i often have to ask them to repeat themselves and stop speaking what i call "Dooblish". Haha, all in good fun. They are heading home this morning.
Stay tuned.
Missing you all.
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