Rome Day 2 - St Peters Basilica and part of Vatican City

Restingin front of the Colisieum

Me and the Roman Gladiators, hanging out

Had to put on my tennis shoes before walking all those steps

View from the top of the Cupola at St. Peter's Basilica

Top of St. Peter's Basilica

Me and the Roman Gladiators

Statues inside the Basilica

Crest on the lawn in front of one of the churches in Vatican City

Popes from the past

Church in Vatican City - taken from top of St. Peters Basilica

Awesome painting.  Note the oman laying down on the right.  She died after lying to St. Peter.  Not a smart thing to do

St Peters Basilica Square

Waiting on the Metro

Waiting on the Metro line.  Our condo was 2 blocks away. 

Mime in Novona Square.  He latched on to me for some reason

Fountain in Navona Square

Sisters - in front of Trevi Fountain

We had an awesome day today.  The weather was like really gorgeous - hot hot hot - and we went to the Colisieum the first part of the day.  Got there around 11:30 or so and spent a couple of hours there just roming (hehehe) around.  Saw a lot of really great sites and people.  It is so hard to imagine all the things that took place there back in the Roman days.  Found some Romans and couldn't resist a photo op.  They were really nice.  Dragged me up to their stage, dressed me in their Roman costume and I loved it.  I am an extrovert at heart. 

Decided to buy a ticket on the Hop On - Hop Off bus and it took us on a wonderful tour of the city.  Got off at Saint Peter's Basilica and had a very hard time leaving.  It was so beautiful and there were so many things to see.  Took a lot of pictures outside and then decided to take the 380 steps up to the very top.  Jeremy is in WAY better shape than we are so me and Suzie had to stop ever so often to just rest and catch our breath.  But we made it.  Even her bum knee was blessed and it cooperated nicely.... and there has been no major reprecussions so far. 

Once we got up to the top of the Cupola, we stayed as long as we could...probably about an hour.  On the way down, I don't know if it was the altitude or just the awesome atmosphere of being in such a blessed, breathtaking place, but we got an attack of the giggles and we laughed at each other all the way down...I mean to the point of we were laughing so hard that our stomachs hurt.  It was such a beautiful view and you could see the entire Vatican City area.  We then started our trek down the 380 steps.  Woo Hoo....There are actually closer to 600 steps, but We paid the $7 instead of $5 and it got us us up to the point where we only had to walk 380 steps.  The elevator took us up/down the first 200 some odd steps. 

Once we were down and recovered a bit, we went inside and were even more overwhelmed with the inside of St Peters.  It is beautiful.   They were having mass and it was so beautiful that I was just crying like a baby.  My nephew has this thing with nuns....so you will see several pictures of random nuns.  I asked him "what is the deal with you and nuns" and he said that he just was so in awe and that they didn't look like Whoopee Goldberg...LMAO..He is hysterical.  Stopped at every picture and were even fortunate enough to be there when the choir sang Amazing Grace.  That about did me in because that is one of the songs that I sang my grandbabies when they were infants...as their lullaby.  After that, i guess the hormones kicked in and I was just a blubbering fool.   We got through all the pictures and statues and then went to a gift shop inside the Basilica.  We bought a lot of stuff and wanted to pay by credit card, so we got a private escort back to an area where they had more statues, etc and were able to get some really nice things.  We got to buy bottles to fill with Holy Water and they let us go into the area where the holy water is.  I couldn't figure it out and guess I wasn't using my 'quiet voice' (not sure I have one of those) so the Padre had alter boy escort us out and he filled them for us.  Not sure if that was good or bad !!  But I guess my voice just carries. haha

After a full day of St Peter's, we hopped on the bus again and went to Hard Rock Cafe in town and enjoyed some good ole American food.  Suzie had Steak, I had wings and Jeremy has Mac and Cheese (?)....We bought a few souvenirs and then had to haul it to the Metro cuz they stop running at 9 on Sunday nights.  We made it home around 9:30 and then we got on Facetime with Mitch and kids and caught them up on our day. 

What a great beautiful fun day.  I am in awe of all of the beautiful sights and we were able to see and learn so much more on the open air bus.  We got a little sun, but it was good.  Great day. 

We have to leave at 7 tomm night and its back to Sicily to spend the rest of the week in Catania with Jeremy just doing local stuff.  I will be very sad to leave but I miss my kids and husband and need some rest. 

PS  Our Apt in Rome was amazing.  The owner had the cabinets stocked with pasta and coffee and fruit so we have been very blessed.  Will highly recommend Mr Wade Smith, owner for anyone who is planning a trip in the future.  It is beautiful and we feel like we belong here. 

More tommorrow.  God Bless and Good Night all.  I'm a tired bunny wabbit

xxoo

sharon