Day Three--Rome
Day Three--amazing to awaken in Rome--an espresso from Anne's machine with breakfast was invigorating. Then Anne buzzed off to work and Katherine and I began our day's 28,000 step journey (that's 14 miles) to the Vatican and then to the "historic city's" main attractions. The wisteria outside Anne's apartment smelled sweet and we walked through a neighboring rose garden, across the Tiber, through the artsy Travestere district to the Vatican. Weather...absolutely the best. Sunny, slight cooling breeze in the shade, dazzling warming glow in the sun. We fell in love with the narrow streets, learned to hear the approaching scooters (to scoot out of the way) and trusted our sense of direction when the street names changed in the middle of the block.
The Vatican in late morning was naturally filled with tourists. To say a late April visit is beating the crowds is a misnomer. It was packed with people of all nationalities, and it took us a good 20 minutes to find our way to the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel entrance. Thank God for online tickets! We were ushered into a queue that led right to the counter where we exchanged our voucher for the actual ticket. But we had passed at least half a mile of others who were waiting in the regular line. Purchasing online was only an extra 4 Euros, so...why wait in line for hours if you can just zip to the agent for what turns out to be about 5 bucks? It's a mystery to me!
We were never without a swarm of others around us as we wound our way through one fantastic gallery to another. Some areas become congested with tour groups and we became pretty adept at making our way around the slower ones--eventually ending up entering the Sistine Chapel through a tiny door. Tones were hushed, and school children were shushed. And then...there before us and above us was the magic of Michelangelo, now in full color, some figures appearing nearly 3-D with intensity. We stood in the middle and took in each amazing fresco, each story, each creation. Wonderment.
Afterwards, we trekked on to discover Rome's historical district--did Rick Steves' "historic Rome" walk. From Campo de' Fiori, we marveled at Piazza Navona, then on to the Pantheon, Piazza Capranica, then the Trevi Fountain (under reconstruction--what a bummer!) and then to the glitz of the spring flowers on the Spanish steps. When our walking tour ended, we realized we needed to find our way back to Anne's Aventino district, so we started walking...eventually spotting the Colosseum (Colosseo) and reaching home around 5:30, realizing we'd been walking 8 hours!
Eventually Anne arrived home from work and we took the opportunity to hit the Rome Beer Company, where a beverage and tapas for 8 Euros fed us well. Great brushette.
Now we're winding down, planning our day tomorrow, as it's a holiday (May 1) and we hope to visit Ostia Antica, said to be as memorable as Pompei, but without the crowds. Will try to go by train tomorrow.
As of right now, 31,531 steps. What a day...!