Roma

Day two in Rome we got up waaaaaay super late and headed straight for the Vatican so we could see this infamous Sistine Chapel. We made a quick stop at the post office so that I could send off some postcards to various people. That done we skirted the giant wall around the Vatican (damn Mongowians!<--south park reference) and entered the Vatican Museum.

Plan of attack: skip everything and head for Sistine Chapel because it is aaaaall the way at the other end. So we took off at a brisk pace that was immediately hindered by the sheer number of people in front of us. MASSIVE crowds, and on a Monday! I overheard some lady saying that this was the most visited museum in Europe (even more than the Louvre).

Anyway our intentions were to rush through it all, but its just not possible. Whereas at the Louvre, you can simply bypass several paintings and such, every inch of this place is a work of art. All the walls are simply HUGE paintings. Its amazing. There are really no words to describe it. When you see the pictures, they won't even do it justice. Needless to say (ha!), there was no rushing through this place. I took sooooo many pictures and that was before we even made it to the Sistine.

Speaking of the Sistine: if you'll recall the Louvre taunted you with tiny pictures & arrows leading you to the Mona Lisa. The Vatican is worse. You just get signs printed done up on Word that Capella Sistina and an arrow in every room. I can't explain why, but these signs lead you to believe that its simply in the next room. It never is! Its almost always a set of really tall stairs which is hardly compensation for fact that you are still not at the Sistine Chapel. Then for about ten minutes before you actually get there they have signs telling you that you can't talk or take video & pictures. So then each time you enter a room you're already prepared and find yourself in a place that you actually can take pictures and you have to whip out your camera again. Highly vexing.

To tell the truth, when we actually entered the Sistine I didn't think we were there. My thoughts: is this it? Its not overly large and there is no artificial lighting so its kind of dreary. Plus everyone was talking and blatantly taking pictures. None of the workers were doing anything to try to control this clear disregard for previous signage. So...I took advantage.

I took A LOT of pictures (for you Wifey!) and some video. We had about a good 15 minutes before they started getting Nazi about it all, which was fine, because by then I had gotten what I came for. It was pretty amazing looking at the paintings. Even the draperies on the walls were paintings, not actual draperies.

After the Sistine went to have a bite at the cafeteria and had what I can hands down say was the worst pizza I've ever eaten. I'm definitely gonna yelp that shit. It was like swallowing a cup of salt. Ech! And it gave me a headache.

We decided to leave the Vatican pretty much after that and made our way to the Colosseum. After walking around the entire thing twice we still hadn't found the entrance so I went to the exit and asked what time it closed. Apparently at 4:30 and it was already 5. Damn it! Sorry, wifey, but that guide you gave me is highly innaccurate when it comes to prices and apparently times. Lame.

The Forum was similarly closed so we just kind of wandered around for a bit and then headed towards the mouth of truth (or whatever its called). Also, closed. This was not turning into a very productive day. We found some little townish type thing in the middle of the river and hung out there until the sun set. It was cute. They're river is kind of like a bigger version of the L.A. river, except with marble along the sides and not concrete.

After that we went back to the hotel and then off to find a laundromat. Found one in the neighborhood and had our first total rip off. 30 effing euros for them to wash & dry 2 loads of laundry. There was no self service option and we didn't know of any other place to do it. Since we were both in our last outfits we had to suck it up and pay, but I did demand two free 30 minute internet sessions in return. We went to dinner while the laundry was being done and came back to find out that we have to bag our own laundry in tiny grocery store bags. 30 fucking euros my ass.

I pretty much just took a shower and passed out after that, but Em stayed up to hang out with the guy at reception.

Our last day in Rome we went to the Colosseum which was huge! We also checked out Palatine Hill, which was like the Beverly Hills of ancient rome. It was really cool seeing all the old houses and such. There was a sort of bittersweet moment when both Emily and I wish Pappaw was still alive and there to enjoy it with us. It was weird how we both thought the same thing in this place that we have no connection to with him. In fact, I don't think I recall him ever talking of Rome. Strange.

Anyway after that we ended up hopping on the train to Civitavecchia, which will start my next update cause its a bit of an adventure.