FRIDAY TO TUESDAY

After a short trip to Rome on the high speed train(292 km/hour) we arrived early afternoon to a huge train station…definitely a shopping Centre with a direct link to and from the airport.We had a taxi deliver us to the shadow of the Vatican.It was a 7 minute walk ,and one could see the dome from our window.

It was another third floor walk up! I can now do the walk up without having to stop to get my breath!!Our apartment overlooks a narrow street with many restaurants.

Another nice apartment with the necessary washing machine.As always,the next step was the grocery store..the usual GPS challenge,but we got the usual.Across the street was a wine and beer store.It has been an interesting challenge buying the correct coffee for the machines in these apartments…we have usually left coffee(some pods)sugar,salt and olive oil.

Saturday was relatively quiet ,as we did some research in how to get to the Vatican Museum on Saturday and to the Colosseum Tour on Monday.The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel were a 10 minute walk.We had pre booked our tickets,but then a second line at the Vatican Museum to get “Real Tickets”,security and Head sets.It was self guided and a challenge to follow the map.The museum is huge and follows the history of Egyptians,various rulers,their tombs,items from archaeological digs. They were buried with items that they might need including food,drink,clothes.

As we toured some of the rooms full of. art,cultures,cases of ancient treasures recovered during multiple digs there were many windows that allowed one to see the inner court yard,the moon,and the city at night.

The walls and ceiling were with frescos,as well as spectacular ceramic floor patterns that reflects years of work. It was the longest exit route after the Sistine Chapel with 5 Book Stores.The chapel was considered a church,and no pictures were allowed.It is the room where the Bishops gather after the death of a Pope to choose the next pope.

Our plan for Sunday was to go to Mass at St. Peters.Normally the Pope is only involved with the Angelus.BUT this day 2 men who had been beatified previously,were to be canonized…therefore the Pope would indeed be there.It was significant event with extra security,and police.There was control of the entrances and limited volume in the St. Peter’s Square.There were probably in excess of 25,00 people in the Square and down the Mall. We were close enough ,and early enough to get a seat..but behind the first barrier.There was much pomp,ceremony,,an orchestra and choir.The pope arrived in a wheel chair and participated throughout the celebration. Although all of the mass was in Latin,one could follow it with the booklet.

The Pope delivered the Homily,received several outbursts of applause from the audience.I am going to try to insert the homily

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The Homily was Germaine to Thanksgiving.All those seated were able to receive communion.Once mass had closed,the Pope got in his Pope Mobile and was driven around through the crowd and around the periphery.As he rounded the last corner,that crowd section exclaimed loudly PAPA FRANCIS,as he is affectionately known.

After mass we crossed the Tiber (Tevere) River.The city has obviously experienced drought,as the river has visible grass growing.

We walked to Piazza Navoni,one of our previous food destinations.We had pasta and shared their classic dessert,Tarufo which they claim to have created.

Monday was the tour of the Colosseum and the Palatine hills.The number of tour groups was astounding,and we were all herded with a flag.The structure is massive,the history complex and the gladiatorial combats ended by the 6th century A.D. This was partly due to the struggles of the Roman Empire.Over the centuries there have been a lot of damage.Since becoming a Heritage site,much has been done to try to restore some of the structure.There is a Cross within the Colosseum.The Pope comes once a year to pray for the souls of those killed.Perhaps the most amazing fact for me was that they once had a retractable roof(although done by hand) to manage the heat.

On to the Palestine Hill and more steps to climb.Much of the area were palaces,manicured gardens.Due to the weather in Rome,flowers and fruit trees flourish year round.There were more ruins of the city of old.

And one more trip to the HardRock Cafe in Rome.It was a loong walk,and the only way back to the apartment was taxi vs subway.A subway back to the shadow of the Vatican.

Michael felt Mass with the Pope was his # 1 of all that we have done during our oddessy!!

One more packing,another train ride to Naples and from there to Sorrento.

We discovered that Katie and Brent were in Italy for their first anniversary celebration.They were in Rome and we will see them on the Almalfi coast!!