(no subject)
Day 13
Today was our free day in Rome. We woke early, grabbed a quick breakfast and headed into town on the train (what an experience) so we could go straight to the Vatican City. We had all morning there to look around which was good, although I think you really need a whole day to do it, there is so much to see and do at the Vatican. It was really cool to be able to there too, it was also very cool we were in a totally different country but two steps over the gate and we were back in Italy. We first went to the Sistine Chapel, well, we walked all the way down these long hallways trying to find it until we eventually did. It wasn’t as big as I thought it would be but still very beautiful and Michaelangelo’s work is amazing and so very intricate. I can‘t believe the detail in all of his paintings and mouldings on the ceilings. We took photos even though I don’t think you were supposed to, but eveyrone else was doing it... when in Rome!!
We stopped in a gorgeous souvenir shop that was run by nuns and looked around for quite a while. We even got a bit of a history lesson from one of the nun’s who told us about the previous Pope as well as about the current one. Everyone was buying rosary beads, but me not being religious at all I think it would be a bit silly for me to get them. I think the Vatican is a must do, even if you are not a religious person. It is so fascinating and very cool to know the Pope was in his section of the buidling as we were walking around looking at everything. After exiting the souvenir shop you could head straight down into the Tomb of Pope’s, which was a little creepy but still interesting though. We got to see Pope John Paul II’s grave/tomb as well, but we were hurried off to the side as people were praying right in front ot it.
We were also able to see the changing of the guards, which was amazing as well. The Swiss Guards are the only guards that guard the Vatican City. After the guards were slain trying to protect Marie Antoinette and King Louis, the Swiss government said that no one else was allowed to have their Swiss guards protecting them, however they made an exception for the Vatican. I think these guys are the angriest guards I’ve seen though, they were much more forceful and had more interaction with the crowds unlike other guards I’ve seen (at Buckingham Palace and at the London Bridge). In any case, they have a beautiful uniform, much nicer than other guards and the changing of the guards is always interesting.
We lined up for St Peter’s Basilica next and even though the line was massive and circled the square, we were at the security gates within ten minutes. We had to go through metal detectors-I beeped of course and proceeded to panic as I went through 3 more times and beeped each time before realising it was my belt. Once I hung my head in shame we waited for Amy, Nicole and Kayla to join us-they made a pit stop elsewhere and had to jump back in the line again. The Basilica was beautiful, as always. I’m not getting sick of churchs/cathedrals/basilicas yet. We spent a good deal of time in there too, there was so much to see and take it that it was impossible to just rush through it. Again we took more photos when I don’t think we were allowed to but it was too amazing to not take a photo or two! We also got to watch a sermon take place as well, and although I didn’t understand a word of it, it was still nice to see.
After leaving the Basilica, we had a few minutes to kill so we looked around the square and grabbed a quick bite to eat. Also tried to find an ATM but there wasn’t one in the Vatican, I had to go back to Italy to get money out ;)
Next up we had a pre-booked tour with an Italian lady, Isabella, who was going to show us around the Colesseum and the ruins right next to it. It was so very interesting, she was very knowledgeable and her English was perfect. She was very funny too, wasn’t afraid to tell other people who were not part of Contiki and were trying to sneak into the tour to rack off (well, she was a lot nicer than that). We spent about an hour at the ruins and saw where there was a memorial for ** and listened to all the history behind everything. It’s amazing to think that the Rome today is actually built on top of the Rome of yesterday, which is quite a few feet down underneath. The ruins are in almost a quarry type area and it’s quite deep. Very fascinating stuff, makes me want to learn more about Rome’s history.
It was a short walk over to the Colessum next, where we immediately found out it’s real name is the Amphitheatre. This place is amzazing, I highly recommend anyone who goes to Rome to definitely check out the Colesseum. It’s absolutely massive but so worth climbing all the steps and looking around. I would have loved to have gone right down the bottom of it but it is closed off to the general public because I think it is getting too damaged. Again it was very interesting to hear the history of the Colesseum-how there were two layers to it, that you had to rush to buy tickets to see any of the gladiators’ sparring, how many dead bodies were pulled throguh the back doors, how different socio-economic classes of people were sat to watch these sparring matches. Very very interesting, and wow, so high up once you get to as far as you can go! Great views :)
Once the tour was over, we caaught the train back to the hotel where we had a provided dinner. It was nothing special, just chicken and potatoes. I am craving fresh vegetables something cruel though-you don’t seem to get a lot of them over here. Oh yeah, I forgot to bring Vegemite with me as well. I’m dying without it! :(
Tomorrow we’re on our way to Venice, apparently we get to go to Carnivale, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Can’t wait!
x
Today was our free day in Rome. We woke early, grabbed a quick breakfast and headed into town on the train (what an experience) so we could go straight to the Vatican City. We had all morning there to look around which was good, although I think you really need a whole day to do it, there is so much to see and do at the Vatican. It was really cool to be able to there too, it was also very cool we were in a totally different country but two steps over the gate and we were back in Italy. We first went to the Sistine Chapel, well, we walked all the way down these long hallways trying to find it until we eventually did. It wasn’t as big as I thought it would be but still very beautiful and Michaelangelo’s work is amazing and so very intricate. I can‘t believe the detail in all of his paintings and mouldings on the ceilings. We took photos even though I don’t think you were supposed to, but eveyrone else was doing it... when in Rome!!
We stopped in a gorgeous souvenir shop that was run by nuns and looked around for quite a while. We even got a bit of a history lesson from one of the nun’s who told us about the previous Pope as well as about the current one. Everyone was buying rosary beads, but me not being religious at all I think it would be a bit silly for me to get them. I think the Vatican is a must do, even if you are not a religious person. It is so fascinating and very cool to know the Pope was in his section of the buidling as we were walking around looking at everything. After exiting the souvenir shop you could head straight down into the Tomb of Pope’s, which was a little creepy but still interesting though. We got to see Pope John Paul II’s grave/tomb as well, but we were hurried off to the side as people were praying right in front ot it.
We were also able to see the changing of the guards, which was amazing as well. The Swiss Guards are the only guards that guard the Vatican City. After the guards were slain trying to protect Marie Antoinette and King Louis, the Swiss government said that no one else was allowed to have their Swiss guards protecting them, however they made an exception for the Vatican. I think these guys are the angriest guards I’ve seen though, they were much more forceful and had more interaction with the crowds unlike other guards I’ve seen (at Buckingham Palace and at the London Bridge). In any case, they have a beautiful uniform, much nicer than other guards and the changing of the guards is always interesting.
We lined up for St Peter’s Basilica next and even though the line was massive and circled the square, we were at the security gates within ten minutes. We had to go through metal detectors-I beeped of course and proceeded to panic as I went through 3 more times and beeped each time before realising it was my belt. Once I hung my head in shame we waited for Amy, Nicole and Kayla to join us-they made a pit stop elsewhere and had to jump back in the line again. The Basilica was beautiful, as always. I’m not getting sick of churchs/cathedrals/basilicas yet. We spent a good deal of time in there too, there was so much to see and take it that it was impossible to just rush through it. Again we took more photos when I don’t think we were allowed to but it was too amazing to not take a photo or two! We also got to watch a sermon take place as well, and although I didn’t understand a word of it, it was still nice to see.
After leaving the Basilica, we had a few minutes to kill so we looked around the square and grabbed a quick bite to eat. Also tried to find an ATM but there wasn’t one in the Vatican, I had to go back to Italy to get money out ;)
Next up we had a pre-booked tour with an Italian lady, Isabella, who was going to show us around the Colesseum and the ruins right next to it. It was so very interesting, she was very knowledgeable and her English was perfect. She was very funny too, wasn’t afraid to tell other people who were not part of Contiki and were trying to sneak into the tour to rack off (well, she was a lot nicer than that). We spent about an hour at the ruins and saw where there was a memorial for ** and listened to all the history behind everything. It’s amazing to think that the Rome today is actually built on top of the Rome of yesterday, which is quite a few feet down underneath. The ruins are in almost a quarry type area and it’s quite deep. Very fascinating stuff, makes me want to learn more about Rome’s history.
It was a short walk over to the Colessum next, where we immediately found out it’s real name is the Amphitheatre. This place is amzazing, I highly recommend anyone who goes to Rome to definitely check out the Colesseum. It’s absolutely massive but so worth climbing all the steps and looking around. I would have loved to have gone right down the bottom of it but it is closed off to the general public because I think it is getting too damaged. Again it was very interesting to hear the history of the Colesseum-how there were two layers to it, that you had to rush to buy tickets to see any of the gladiators’ sparring, how many dead bodies were pulled throguh the back doors, how different socio-economic classes of people were sat to watch these sparring matches. Very very interesting, and wow, so high up once you get to as far as you can go! Great views :)
Once the tour was over, we caaught the train back to the hotel where we had a provided dinner. It was nothing special, just chicken and potatoes. I am craving fresh vegetables something cruel though-you don’t seem to get a lot of them over here. Oh yeah, I forgot to bring Vegemite with me as well. I’m dying without it! :(
Tomorrow we’re on our way to Venice, apparently we get to go to Carnivale, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Can’t wait!
x