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Friday, March 13, 2009

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!

23 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos from Rome Christine! Have a great weekend!

    Susan

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  2. Beautiful photos. Helped me relive my own trip to Rome a couple of years ago. Thanks.

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  3. Oh Christine, what a fabulous trip to Rome and your pictures are just gorgeous. The Colliseum and the Cistine Chapel are both so gorgeous and your picture were so good. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Marty

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  4. As always, beautiful photos Christine. I was so young when I visited Rome. I didn't know what a chance in a lifetime it was. As a teen, I was more interested in flirting with guys than seeing the gorgeous sights! I was totally in awe of the Sistene Chapel though. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures. laurie

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  5. I was there, but when I went in 1994, they did not allow any indoor photos to be taken. Thanks for sharing. Happy Saturday.

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  6. yeap,Smilingsal its right!,we went in 1992 and we weren't alowwed to take pics inside..
    it truly is very beautiful and impressive..thank for taking me there again...silvia.

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  7. Hi Christine, I so enjoyed your tour today. Such a wonderful trip. I just think it is so marvelous that AJ gets to go on all these wonderful trips with you. What a wonderful education for her. I am just putzing around the house this weekend. My son is here and we are having a great visit. It is always so much fun to have him around. Hope your weekend is a great one. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Wow! What a trip C! I think my favorite pics were of the paintings...UNBELIEVABLE!! Must have been amazing to see those up close and personal! Thanks for sharing! :-) L~

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  9. Oh my gosh, I loved that tour! I would love to go to Rome one day! Yes, I am a Catholic girl! I am doing my happy dance! Thank you for this tour!!!

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  10. Evening, Dear One! Oh, we've been to Rome and just love it. I think we've been three times and want to go back! I took movies instead of photographs! Shoot! It is an amazing place, isn't it? Thanks for sharing your travels.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  11. Christine you are making me so jealous with all these photos! STOP IT! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Have a great rest of the weekend~

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  12. That was such a fun trip, except for the part where I was sick for four days! Love you.

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  13. Hi Christina...great pictures from Rome..I couldn't believe the line for the chapel...I was there 38 years ago and we walked right in...my daughter is going with her family next month so I sent her a link to your site...she already has her tickets to the Vatican so maybe she won't have to wait in that long line....thanks for the tour I enjoyed it and your granddaughter is so cute...Sue.

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  14. Hi Christine...the coliseum is AWESOME...I remember when we rounded the corner & I first laid eyes on it I went, "Ohhhhhh"...out LOUD... I want to go back to Rome again...Thanks for the tour! ;-) Bo

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  15. Christine:

    My Mom, Sue, sent me a link to your blog. Your photos from Rome and the Vatican City are *wonderful*!!! I'm visiting there next month with my husband and daughter (who is almost two) and I can't wait to go, especially, after seeing what a fun time you had with your family!!!

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  16. Oh, how I enjoyed this trip. You are so lucky to have been on this journey.

    Have a wonderful Sunday, Nicole

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  17. Wow! I have not been to Rome, so those pictures were really fun for me. I have been to Florence and Venice, so I can appreciate that gelato pic - yummy! Looks like it was an outstanding trip, and how fun to have family with you. Linda

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  18. Oh, sweet Christine! Thank you for popping in! You're right! Our little darlings are having a marvelous time, I just know it! Take care Dear One,
    You are a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  19. Christine, I just love your vacation posts! Thanks for this tour of Rome. My nephew Aaron proposed to his wife Megan at that very fountain in 2004! They went with a church group. She was totally surprised! They also were blessed by the Pope John Paul II. He was so excited that she said yes - that he called me on his cellphone to tell us! Your photos of the Sistine Chapel are amazing! I'd love to go there some day. ~ Robyn

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  20. DEAR CHRISTINE,
    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING US TO ROME....I HAVE JET LAG..LOL....
    BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.......
    YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT TOUR HOSTESS
    HUGS
    BLESSINGS
    debbie

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  21. Hello Girlfriend...

    Ohhh my, the Sistine Chapel!!! Girl, I could just spend hours upon hours in that beautiful chapel...and I'm sure with a neck ache to boot! Hehe!!! Russell and I made it to Italy but not to Rome...boohoo! Maybe someday, until then I'm so pleased to tour Rome with you, Sweetie!!! Ohhh my, the history, the ancient buildings, it's still hard for me to imagine buildings that old, still standing!!! When we were in Venice, I couldn't help but touch the walls of the Basilica de San Marcos...thousands of years old and I was touching it!!! I loved seeing the infamous Roman Colosseum and you're right my friend, such attrocities that went on in that place...eeekkks!!! I remember in Theology classes, studying about the murders of the first Christians...they set hungry lions out in the Colosseum, the Romans were a blood thirsty people, it's unfathominable!!!

    I'm really excited for our kids, Darrin and Danielle will be going to Italy with their Mom as soon as school is out...Rome is on their travel agenda! I'll have to show them your blog and photos while they're here this weekend!!!

    Well Sweetie, I really didn't mean to write a book but you know how I get excited about all of these foreign travels! Thank you so much for sharing yours with us!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  22. Girl, I am senile!!! hehe!!!

    I just realized that I had wanted to say thank you for the sweet mention in your blog post...and forgot to do so in my last comment! Sheeeshhh...old age!!!

    Thank you, Sweetie, that was so nice of you! And you're absolutely right, I'd love, love, LOVE to have one (or more) of those pretty busts!!! And I don't know...I can think of worst places to be detained than Italy...hehe!!!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  23. Hi Christine,
    What wonderful pictures you have taken. They are just beautiful and the Vatican is unbelievable.
    We see it on tv, but it doesn't do it justice. You are a very good photographer !!
    I love your table settings, also. I don't do well in that department, sorry to say.
    Enjoyed the trip through your eyes, and thanks.

    Connie

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