Regularity on holidays is a good thing, especially in the 7:30 am timeslot before the eternal search for a toilet can happen, especially here in the eternal city. We planned on leaving at 8 am. As time grew near, I thought, even though nothing seemed imminent, that I should try. Turns out, it was at the door, but just hadn't knocked.
With the threat of hot weather again, it was decided that our first Roman bus was the number 90. Of course as we were walking, the bus drove past. So we decided on a 2 bus plan from the next stop up the road, then the numerous 90 turned up at the previous stop. We ran back and luckily got on board ... and the driver got off to go to the toilet. But we did make it to our destination bus stop so all was good.
Anyway, we made it to our much anticipated venue and it was good without being sensational (sorry, no photos allowed). I know that my art opinion does not sway a lot of people and I fully understand the difficulty and vastness of painting such a large ceiling, but in my opinion, the walls of the chapel, done by others, were better.
Our booking time to walk up to the dome was 4:30 pm. By the time we had done the Basilica, it was nowhere near that time so we sat on some rock or marble in the shade, filled ourselves with ancient water fountain water and waited.
We eventually went to the lift, and after first hesitating, the ticketing guy was nice and let us through early.
A lift and 390 steps down
and it was a 24 minute walk back home, plus 4 minutes in the wrong direction and 4 minutes back. It was a hot 37 degree walk back, we had a quick rest and went looking for somewhere to eat.
I suggested the trattoria with "to the right, to the right and to the left direction" that we had seen on day one in Rome. Annette did not believe my directional ability. It was there. But we ate at Old Bear. I went with goulash and mashed potato. Annette chose the special, price unseen, of fettuccine with lobster. My butt cheeks clenched in fear, just like when driving in France.
A quick walk home, last minute packing and to sleep, exhausted from way too many steps over a 6 week period.
The thing is, with walking around Rome, that in order to cross a road, you have to do it via 3 other crossings. But we found our way up the 79 stairs to the road that leads to the Vatican, turned right and got further away. This generally takes four minutes to process but we needed the steps ... again.
Now heading in the right direction, we joined the 50 or so metre queue with the 100s of other 9 am bookings. At least it's only just gone over 30 degrees.
Through security without a hitch, it was onwards to find the Sistine Chapel to check on Micky A's masterpiece. To get there, you go through many corridors and chapels, all filled with artwork. Some brilliant but many just with people with swords killing other people. It's a little confusing.
Editor's note: I was very impressed with the Trompe L'œile paintings everywhere (optical illusions created by painting), such as painted statues and curtains.
And standing and looking at a ceiling for some time is difficult and a bit dizzy inducing.
We discussed some of the scenes and I couldn't understand why a guy wearing a nappy was having his right thigh eaten by a fish.Turns out it's Jonah. It wasn't a whale that swallowed him, but a great fish. Artistic licence, I guess.
Annette pointed out The Creation of Adam, which I had seen, and Adam and Eve in the garden. That is when my Religious Epiphany hit.
In the MASH episode where Hawkeye orders ribs from Adam's Ribs in Chicago, I had just assumed that the owner was Adam and he made, you know, pork and beef spare ribs.
How did I not see that it was a double meaning based on the creation of Eve with one of Adam's ribs? Is this some sort of miracle or am I just really stupid?
OK, so the Vatican was done. We did make a purchase in one of the many gift shops for one lucky person and did note that the book on the last Pope had been reduced to 1 Euro.
It was now lunchtime and the pilgrimage would continue.
Back in 1972, my sister Lynne (I do apologise for putting you in the blog without prior consent) took me to see Jon English and Trevor White star in Jesus Christ Superstar. After the performance, I was taken to a newly opened restaurant by the name of McDonalds and had my first ever cheeseburger. I can still remember that taste today, mainly because it's exactly the same. What better way to celebrate your religious epiphany than by recreating that from 1972? It's rhetorical because Maccas was just on the way and easy, by the grace of a higher power.
When did Big Macs get so small? Annette, not wanting to enter into the beauty of this most powerful moment, ruined it all by ordering salad with her burger. And to show the power of Vatican Maccas, you could upgrade your Coke to a beer for 30 cents. Miracle after miracle for some.
After some effort, we finally got our ice cream sundaes that had been pre paid for pickup later, and left the golden arches to 37 degree heat. Good thing I'm wearing a black shirt, black shoes and courtesy of a problem the church has with knees, long black pants.Next stop was St Peter's Basilica which is also a pretty amazing place. I struggled with the downloaded audio and map, but eventually I saw it all.
One lift and 390 steps later, we had done the view over the Basilica and the rooftop. I'm sure our climbing strength has increased a lot in 6 weeks. Although Garmin has told me I'm retraining and is demanding running exercise.
She liked it. It was a lot. I was still reeling from drinking a litre of sparkling water and a Fanta, but all was good.
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