Rome and the Vatican

It's Saturday! Yipee! We get to go on a trip. How about Rome and the Vatican City? Let's visit the Colosseum first, ok? Don't forget to click to enlarge the photos if you want to see more deatails. Presenting none other than my ever willing travel companion and beloved granddaughter, AJ! The Arch of Constantine is in the background.
It is truly amazing how this massive building is still remarkably standing today after almost 2000 years. No wonder it is one of the wonders of the world. It is huge, 165 ft. high and 600 ft. long, enough to accomodate 50,000 roaring spectators when it was inaugurated in 80 AD.
Imagine watching a bloody fight of the gladiators against gladiators and against wild beast. Ugh! I don't think I would enjoy watching that. Would you? The Flavian Roman emperors actually built it for that kind of entertainment. Perhaps if they had computers at that time, they might have preferred blogging. LOL!
We could not go in when we were there because Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to perform mass later in the afternoon and they were preparing the place so they closed it. But we tried to take pictures through peep holes.

This is across from the colosseum. I am so glad that they have kept the place in its original condition so we have an idea of how it looked like in ancient times. Just like Pompeii, it's a little odd that while driving, you see a modern Roman City and then you pass a wall to an ancient city.
A part of the modern city.
Now let's go to the Vatican City. Are you aware that the Vatican City, the Holy See, is a state on its own? It is a sovereign state consisting of a wall enclave within the city of Rome. At only 44 hectares with a population of about 900, it is considered the smallest country in the world. and as everybody knows, it is ruled by the bishop of Rome, the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope.

The lovers, Tina and Scott, posed in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Aren't they just the cutest couple? Good thing Tina was a gymnast and a dancer so she is used to tippy toeing. LOL! I had the privilege of hearing mass, which was officiated by Pope John II here in 1993. It was such a wonderful feeling when he raised his hand to bless us.

This is the right side of the Basilica, facing it. If you recall, Pope John Paul II died on the top right apartment. His aprtment was the second to the last one on the top floor.

and this is the left.

The columns are humongous!

Ok, I know, I know the line is long, about 3 blocks long, but we have to stand in it so we can see the Sistine Chapel. I promise you, it will be worth it.

After that long walk, my exhausted pregnant daughter had to rest. Luckily, we left AJ at the camp cause she wanted to play or she would have complained a lot from all the walking and climbing up and down stairs.

Gorgeous ceilings!

Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper"

"The Genesis", the famous Sistine Chapel ceiling painted by Michaelangelo.

This is the most famous of them all, the "Creation of Adam", it portrays the iconic Hand of God giving life to Adam.

Can you spot it?

and of course you can recognize this sculpture, The Thinker by Rodin. Sorry, the photo is a little blurred. If you have been there, you probably know we aren't allowed to use flash. At least we were allowed to take pictures this time. The first time I visited the place, photography was not even allowed so I am fortunate to be able to take these. I wish they took us to see the Pieta again though. Somehow I missed it on this trip.

I think Chari of http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/ and Vanna of http://lvroftiques.blogspot.com/ would like to own some of these busts.

I tried to take some to give to them but they're solid marble and they're too heavy:-) Sorry, girls! Besides, I did not want to be detained in Italy. I also meant to tell you. You have to be careful with your belongings when you visit there. There are a lot of pickpocketers.

I think after that long walk, Tina deserves a gelato. Yummy!!

I hope you enjoyed taking another trip with us. I have to remind you about wearing comfy walking shoes everytime you come along. Join us again next Saturday for another exciting travel adventure!