Vatican City, Part 3

After our departure from St. Peter’s Basilica it was already 4:30pm, so we ran to the Vatican Museum.  Can you spot Karen in this picture?

One of the famous sculptures in this museum was the Torso.  I thought it was some unfinished piece of…  I later found out that this wasn’t the entire work, but what’s left of it.

Check out the impressive depth on the wall…

This being a Catholic museum, I didn’t expect to find pagan goddesses here.  Apparently they carried Antemis, goddess of fertility.  There’s a debate on whether those are breasts or bulls’ balls.

Anyway, after this, we went to the highlight of this museum, the Sistine Chapel.  When we entered the room, it was dim, the room was packed body to body with standing tourists who couldn’t squeeze into a seat, and signs were posted at the entrances saying “No Noise. No Pictures”.  Of course, it didn’t prevent people from attempting to take pictures or talk.  Periodically, a loud “shhhh” would originate from a guard as the crowd quiets down, and the audio level would gradually build up in this again in this perpetual cycle.

Can you find the famous Adam and God portait?

After this we went to Campo ‘de Fiori (Field of Flowers), where we had dinner.  We got here around 6pm, but unfortunately the Italians typically have their dinner around 8pm, so most of the restaurants haven’t opened yet, except for the touristy ones.

As we had dinner, we were treated to the Italian music with accordion et al. 

Again, the Italians really try to preserve old artifacts, such as Theater of Pompey where Julius Caesar was assassinated, so these apartments were built right into the outer wall.  Either that or they were trying to save material costs…

After dinner, we went on the “Night Walk Across Rome” tour from Rick Steve.  Along the way, we noticed this poor dog chained up, with no owner in sight.

After this we went to Piazza Navona, the most interesting night scene with street music, artists, ice cream, fountains made by Bernini, etc.  We tried the “Tartufo” ice cream, “Death by Chocolate”.  Fortunately it didn’t taste like it sounds.

About half way through our enjoyment of the chocolate ice cream, some police cars, followed by some antique cars, started driving into the piazza, circling around, honking.  After examining the Rick Steve’s guide more closely, we realized this piazza used to be a race track back in the Roman days, and they kept the original shape of the tracks.  I wish we had more than a couple centuries of history in the States…

After this, we walked to the Trevi fountain.  The place was multitudinous even at 10pm.  The magic of the place was that if you threw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, it’ll grant a wish and ensure your return to Rome.

At first we were planning to visit the Spanish Steps after this, but unfortunately it was approaching 10:30pm and we dreaded being locked out of our rooms by the punctual nuns, so we decided to skip our last destination.  Maybe the coin at the bottom of the fountain will ensure our return, but for now we could only enjoy the sight of the Spanish Steps in postcards.  For more pictures of this day, check out the Vatican City gallery.

What will James and Karen’s experience be as they arrive in the urban Siena?  What was the most awkward train ride that James has ever had?  And what about the church that deceived James and Karen?  Find out next time on my blog!  🙂