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This
shady old chapel was situated in the courtyard of our hotel. As peaceful as it looks this is where our tour manager was
pickpocketed by thieves. It was her worst nightmare, yet she
carried on and made sure the tour didn't skip a beat. I can't
imagine what she went through, but she didn't bother any one
of us with it. The tour must go on!
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The
day began with a guided walking tour of Rome. We covered a
lot of ground for such high summer hear, but the scale of
the tall monuments and ruins kept us mostly in the shade. The amount of labor it would take to construct some of these
buildings is mid boggling and the shear economics of these
feats tells us nothing like them is likely to be built again.
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The
Vatican courtyards are central to the complex fronted by
St. Peter's and hidden by Bernini's doors. The Sistine Chapel,
the final room on the tour, just doesn't seem as spectacular
after viewing everything else inside. Though if you stare
long enough, you'll surely think Michelanglo's creatures
will fall out on you. All and all, its a world wonder.
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The
monument to the first King of Italy, Victor Emanual, contains
the tomb of the unknown warrior from W.W.I. It is locally
called the Wedding cake because the Marble is immaculate. In the summer's heat, all one can picture is the icing melting
off. Fortunately, Neptune's fountain refreshed us. Yes, you
can safely drink out of most Roman fountains.
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The
Pantheon, a combination of a domed circular temple and rectangular
cella was made possible by the Romans use of concrete. It
is lit from the occulus at the top of the dome and has served
as a holy place to a number of religions over the centuries. The space is very powerful and somewhat serene, since only
a fraction at the bottom is occupied by people.
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A roman dinner in the Vatican city is serenaded by local bands
looking for donations. Funny, they only know Bob Dylan songs.
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Days 11 & 12
