Day 30 - Roma 3 - Tuesday 11th October.

Day 30 - Roma 3 - October 11th

Arnie's birthday. This was the second of my children's birthdays I missed as April's was the week before when I was in the Camino. I had contacted Arnie the night before just before she headed off to school and had a good chat to her on FaceTime this morning before she went off with Jane and the girls for tea. I was glad. I've been eating out all month and it hit home how much a treat that is when we are at home.

Walked to the Lido Centro railway station, stopping half way at the fruit shop to buy some fruit as I did the day before- those grapes yesterday really sustained me. The graffiti mobile trip into town went quickly. Here in London at the moment, I read in the paper yesterday that one train was abruptly taken out of service in the middle of its run because of a piece of sexually inappropriate graffiti. I guess they do take notice.

I caught a few other connecting trains until I'd travelled around the city underground. Roma's rail system is just as efficient as London's I found - just not as extensive or interactive. The trains seemed wider though - if that's possible.

I had booked a tour for the three parts of the Vatican I'd saved to see today which I was very glad about. The queue for the museum was quite long and although we still had to wait a bit, it was nowhere near as long. Half an hour instead of 2-3 hours I believe. It was also nice to have company and someone talking to you in your ear the whole time about interesting stuff.

The museums was first. There were more than collection as rich popes added to existing collections as they were elected. I'm not sure how I feel about all the church's wealth and opulence. I guess though it was similar the Medici's wealth in Florence and these guys were kings as well as church heads. At least our papa now is much humbler than these popes of a past era.

With the large number of people moving through the hallways  I felt a bit like cattle being herded into the milking shed - the Sistine Chapel - and found myself wanting to be there much quicker than we were. I did enjoy the map section

and learning a bit more about the tapestries. Also about Michelangelo. His history was fascinating and our guide painted the picture if his development as an artist and the works in the Vatican that influenced him.

The chapel itself was awe- inspiring however once again - too many people in there to really enjoy it. The guards who kept on calling out on the PA in there "Silenzio ... No photo... No video." Kept me amused though. As did those people who were trying to take sneaky photos, protected by the people they were with. Some people just can't help themselves. I've realised on this trip how there is a balance that needs to be struck between recording your memories with a camera, taking photos artistically and the important need to put the camera away and be in the present. It is a decision that needs to be made every time the button is pushed. I must admit though it has been a struggle for me.

The art work in the chapel was spectacular I must admit and more creative by far than any work in churches i had seen to date. I really wanted to buy a jigsaw puzzle to look at and appreciate the work more. I missed the chance in the cattle run unfortunately and never had the opportunity again.

The best part of the tour was the end though. St Peter's Basillica. The biggest church in the world. According to the guide and my memory, it is 220 metres from the back of the church to the altar, over 100 metres wide and can fit 60,000 people - I'll have to check that later. It doesn't seem right. The square out the front can hold 150,000 people she said ... And it was set up for an outdoor mass and there were a lot of seats. A Michelangelo sculpture was particularly impressive here

As was the crypt of past popes. Some didn't hold the job very long I noticed. I stood near the tomb of St Peter - sounded pretty legitimate too - unlike a lot of Jesus' places in the Holy Land.

When the tour was finished I went for a wander. It was dreary outside - a bit of rain and I was ether tired. Tried to find. Place to eat but nothing interested me. Went to the place called  the Castle of Angels. Built a long time ago - vague of me I know - to defend the Vatican area I think. Luck for my Roma card which allowed me to skip the queue and pay half price .... Because it wasn't really worth it as a museum - it did have a good vantage point to see the whole city ... which I guess was worth the 5€

I wandered some more but I was very hungry. It was around 3:30 so I decided to stop at a restaurant for a meal that would do for both lunch and tea. A pizza. It wasn't the friendliest of places and service was poor. I wished I'd waited a bit longer and bought some fresh pasta for 5€ like Hannah bought for us uni Florence. Local knowledge you see.

After this more wandering a. Found a nicer fountain than the Trevi in my opinion with hardly any one around it. Bought an ice cream, stupidly perhaps as it was starting to rain a little. I discovered of the map if I found and followed the river, I would eventually get to where I wanted.

Success and what's beautiful walk it was. Away from the crowds.

Too bad I didn't count on the storm. Boy did get wet. And I was so pigheaded that I kept walking. By the time I for to the station it had toned right done. I should have waited. My pants were dripping wet and I found out later my charger was in the bag and when I checked out later inwardly short circuited the hostel. The cool guy sitting next to me in the train got more than he bargained for when he was forced to lean up against me. He thought he'd missed our getting wet.

That night I was in my room by myself which was good because I'd strangers my wet clothes on all the bed ends.

Tea was dip and crackers. It was enough. The receptionist was very helpful. He tried recharging my phone from his computer but by 10:30 it was still only half charged. I was going to be in trouble the next day - I correctly guessed.