Day 6 Roma
Wow – wow – wow
I’ve found my new favorite city
This town is totally me and what I like in a city – lots of everything. The history and culture is the perfect fit to make it an extraordinary city.
I cancelled my structured tour with the ship ($239 US) and went on my own risking screwing things up and not seeing anything. The ship lecturer helped me a bit and I went with it. To make the most of the day I wanted to be ready. I was up at 5AM and had breakfast outside as we entered port. I was the first one off the ship at 6:45AM. At Civitavechia (the Rome port) is not close to anything at and this time in the morning, there is no one around yet. So I put my runners on and ran for 25 minutes to the train station. Just like home I caught the 7:38 train for a 55 minute rush hour ride into the city and jumped out at San Pietro station. Only cost 8 euro return. Found my way to the Vatican after another 15 minute hike and got in line for the Vatican museum to enter the Sistine Chapel. Was in by 9:15 and cruised through the museum area. So much to see but in a rush so spent only about 30 minutes checking things out before heading into the chapel to see Michaelangelos masterpiece. No video or pictures allowed but that didn’t stop me, I was very creative by holding the camera at my waist pointing up and just hoped it would work and it kind of did. I was more impressed than I expected to be with the whole Chapel and museum. I could see why people could spend a day there.
I was out by 10AM and off to St.Peter’s Basilica. Whoa – there was like over 100,000 people out there – the big man himself was on his way – Pope Benedict. So I weaseled my way around, I have a knack of getting through crowds with my rock concert experience and I got as close as a non invited person could get. Watched some latin mass prayer and snapped some shots and headed on out to my next place since St. Peters was closed until 1PM.
I loved walking around the shops and restaurants of Piazza Navorra and threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and walked the Spanish steps and ate a Gelato which was delicious. She used a spatula to make my cone, not an ice cream scoop. Loved it. Walked the main roads and side streets. Every time I turned a corner there was something else to see that put you in awe. I went to the Pantheon which is 2000 years old and saw the forum ruins and coliseum and walked to the top of the tomb of the unknown soldier building – big white massive thing. I saw so much stuff but without a guide and proper book, I just took pics and will learn what I saw later.
I then hiked back to the Vatican – long way from the Coliseum by foot but made it there and was surprised to see a huge line up for St. Peters. Well the time was around 3PM and didn’t have time to wait in a line. I tried to go in the exit but that didn’t work so I did what anyone would do that was in a rush, I budded in. I was in the Basilica in no time and made the decision to see the dome rather than the tombs where the popes are. Another line up for the dome – sigh. To get to the top of the dome you have to walk up about 500 steps at least. I was exhausted already, the temperature was about 80 outside so I was beat. But this was my one chance so I ran (jog fast) up all the steps and ran out of water half way up. The view was spectacular from up top and was thrilled that I did it. Took a bunch of pics, ran down, checked out inside the Basilica area under the dome and then grabbed an Italian pizza sandwich thingy and headed for the train. Caught the train and was at the port by 6PM. Called Linda and mom with an update and met up with dad who just hung around the boat and did a load of laundry for us. I skipped out on the fancy dinner as I was beat and just had some pasta and chicken and banana ice cream. Dad wasn’t impressed that I got on the boat 45 minutes before departure but he calmed down afterwards. I had him worried I would miss the boat. Saw a good violinist show and drinking a few beers now.
Loved Rome, women very classy, drivers very scary, atmosphere very upscale.
Looking forward to Monte Carlo and the French Riviera tomorrow.
One of our best friend father passed away this week and I’m sad that I won’t be at the service. Elisabeth, thinking of you.
Wow – wow – wow
I’ve found my new favorite city
This town is totally me and what I like in a city – lots of everything. The history and culture is the perfect fit to make it an extraordinary city.
I cancelled my structured tour with the ship ($239 US) and went on my own risking screwing things up and not seeing anything. The ship lecturer helped me a bit and I went with it. To make the most of the day I wanted to be ready. I was up at 5AM and had breakfast outside as we entered port. I was the first one off the ship at 6:45AM. At Civitavechia (the Rome port) is not close to anything at and this time in the morning, there is no one around yet. So I put my runners on and ran for 25 minutes to the train station. Just like home I caught the 7:38 train for a 55 minute rush hour ride into the city and jumped out at San Pietro station. Only cost 8 euro return. Found my way to the Vatican after another 15 minute hike and got in line for the Vatican museum to enter the Sistine Chapel. Was in by 9:15 and cruised through the museum area. So much to see but in a rush so spent only about 30 minutes checking things out before heading into the chapel to see Michaelangelos masterpiece. No video or pictures allowed but that didn’t stop me, I was very creative by holding the camera at my waist pointing up and just hoped it would work and it kind of did. I was more impressed than I expected to be with the whole Chapel and museum. I could see why people could spend a day there.
I was out by 10AM and off to St.Peter’s Basilica. Whoa – there was like over 100,000 people out there – the big man himself was on his way – Pope Benedict. So I weaseled my way around, I have a knack of getting through crowds with my rock concert experience and I got as close as a non invited person could get. Watched some latin mass prayer and snapped some shots and headed on out to my next place since St. Peters was closed until 1PM.
I loved walking around the shops and restaurants of Piazza Navorra and threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and walked the Spanish steps and ate a Gelato which was delicious. She used a spatula to make my cone, not an ice cream scoop. Loved it. Walked the main roads and side streets. Every time I turned a corner there was something else to see that put you in awe. I went to the Pantheon which is 2000 years old and saw the forum ruins and coliseum and walked to the top of the tomb of the unknown soldier building – big white massive thing. I saw so much stuff but without a guide and proper book, I just took pics and will learn what I saw later.
I then hiked back to the Vatican – long way from the Coliseum by foot but made it there and was surprised to see a huge line up for St. Peters. Well the time was around 3PM and didn’t have time to wait in a line. I tried to go in the exit but that didn’t work so I did what anyone would do that was in a rush, I budded in. I was in the Basilica in no time and made the decision to see the dome rather than the tombs where the popes are. Another line up for the dome – sigh. To get to the top of the dome you have to walk up about 500 steps at least. I was exhausted already, the temperature was about 80 outside so I was beat. But this was my one chance so I ran (jog fast) up all the steps and ran out of water half way up. The view was spectacular from up top and was thrilled that I did it. Took a bunch of pics, ran down, checked out inside the Basilica area under the dome and then grabbed an Italian pizza sandwich thingy and headed for the train. Caught the train and was at the port by 6PM. Called Linda and mom with an update and met up with dad who just hung around the boat and did a load of laundry for us. I skipped out on the fancy dinner as I was beat and just had some pasta and chicken and banana ice cream. Dad wasn’t impressed that I got on the boat 45 minutes before departure but he calmed down afterwards. I had him worried I would miss the boat. Saw a good violinist show and drinking a few beers now.
Loved Rome, women very classy, drivers very scary, atmosphere very upscale.
Looking forward to Monte Carlo and the French Riviera tomorrow.
One of our best friend father passed away this week and I’m sad that I won’t be at the service. Elisabeth, thinking of you.
posted by Slurpee Guy at 3:13 PM
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