Day 3: The Vati-Can You Move Out of My Way

Monday 

9 September 2013

This was one of the longest and busiest days in Rome, which made it one of the most difficult but rewarding days of the trip. We started the day off by traveling to St. Peter's Basilica. It was early in the morning but already so crowded and super muggy outside. Part of St. Peter's was closed off because there was a man waxing the floors, but since the place is so huge there was still plenty to see. 

Outside St. Peter's. For some reason my computer won't let me edit the head of my classmate out. Look at the gods and goddesses instead.

The only inside shot that isn't blurry. This is the hallway leading in to the main chapel area. The rest of the chapel isn't really in this style, but I unfortunately don't have pictures.

A wider outside shot.

After this we practically ran our way over to the Vatican (which was not easy because of the size of our group and the amount of other tourists we had to get around). What an experience. The Vatican is essentially a huge place with lots of interesting art that is being blocked by the hordes of smelly people trying to see the art. I understand that Rome is not a place most people can pick up and go to whenever they want, so the Vatican has to be open to huge numbers of people so that everyone can have the opportunity to experience it if they want to. But when you have that many people in small, un-airconditioned rooms, things start to get a little frantic. Things get worse when you have to listen to your professor lecture while keeping up with a group of 55 people weaving their way around ancient sculptures all while taking notes for one of your classes. My favorite thing about the Vatican was the classical statues.

This picture of Poseidon/Neptune made me laugh. Glamour shot. 

One of the courtyards of the Vatican.

You can't take pictures of the Sistine Chapel, which is probably a good thing because it's insane in that room. Every part of your body is touching another part of a sweaty strangers body and there are guards constantly making you move around so more people can squeeze in. I'll be honest and say that I didn't enjoy seeing the Sistine Chapel and wouldn't want to do it again. I'm glad I can say I saw it, but I don't look on the experience with fond memories. 

After the Vatican we had some time to recuperate. Then we took a walking tour of the city at night. What a way to make up for the Vatican! We got to some of the ancient Roman architectural sights as the sun was setting. I'll just show the pictures because they are pretty great.

Ancient Roman site.

I forgot the name of this building but it is important and political. 

I don't like posting pictures of myself but I feel like I need to prove I was actually there and not making all this up.

Rome is so pretty at sunset and I'm glad we got to experience it before we left.

The normal version of this picture was blurry so here is our purposefully silly "Look, it's the Colosseum" picture.

Hello Colosseum. The place where Lizzie McGuire's dreams were made.

 Last delicious gelato in Rome.

This night was the absolute perfect way to remember Rome! It was so beautiful and made me forget about all of the annoying struggles of travel and being in a foreign place. We had one more morning in Rome and then we made our way to Florence.