Roma

Chuck's computer was fixed and ready for pick-up so we had to go to Rome.  Instead of making it a day trip (making it for a very long day of traveling), we decided to stay overnight.  Though a weekend is not nearly enough time to see a lot of Rome, it made for a more relaxing trip than our previous trip.  It's very difficult to find a hotel near the city center for less than two hundred dollars and if there are any, it's probably really small, poor quality, or booked way in advance.....or I didn't spend enough time researching for decent hotels at a decent price. 

On Saturday, we arrived in Rome around noon and went to pick up Chuck's computer.  It was definitely much easier to find our way to the Apple store since we knew how to get there and we even took the bus and tram instead of taking a taxi.  It took us longer than anticipated as we missed our bus stop at the shopping center and rode the train to its last stop until it turned back around.  Oh well, I guess we got to see the outskirts of Rome.  So, Chuck finally had his computer and we headed back to the city center.

We checked into our hotel room, deposited our bags and decided to take a walk down to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum before dinner.  Unfortunately, both were closing down for the day and weren't able to go inside.  But it's an amazing view from the exterior. 

The weather was really nice.  For the entire weekend, it was really warm and sunny.  

In front of the Arch of Constantine.

One of the many historic buildings and fountains in Rome.  We are on our way to eat dinner at Kossi, a Japanese restaurant.  We were craving non-Italian food and needed our sushi fix.  

Chuck and I had miso soup, vegetable tempura, and an assortment of nigri sushi and rolls.  The fish was fresh, but they didn't have the assortment of seafood as in Seattle.  No yellowtail, tuna, mackerel, crab, nor scallops.  But we did have eel, salmon, sea bass, and shrimp.  It was a nice change from pizza and pasta.

After dinner, we went to  Trimani Wine Bar which is a very popular place to enjoy a glass of wine and choose from their very extensive selection.  After a glass of wine, we walked down to Flann O'Brien Irish Pub (pictured above) for a pint of Harp Strong beer.  It's a great place to people watch.

  

On Sunday, we woke up a little later than expected and had breakfast before heading out to St. Peter's Basilica.  Unfortunately, the Vatican Museum (thus, the Sistine Chapel) is closed on Sundays (except for the last Sunday of the month where it's free and very crowded), but we were able to see the most impressive church ever.  We took the subway to St. Peter's  and it was packed.  We didn't realize that the Pope gives a blessing at noon on Sundays and we were joining the masses to be blessed by him.

 

The Pope from his apartment on St. Peter's Square.

  

We waited in a very long line to enter St. Peter's Basilica as well as through metal detectors and getting our bags screened.  The church also strictly enforces its dress code:  no shorts, mini-skirts, nor bare shoulders or they won't let you in.  We saw a few people turned away.  In the picture above, we spotted the Pontifical Swiss Guard in their traditional uniform (very colorful and medieval-like).  

 

The atrium.  It's larger than most churches.

Looking up at the dome.

On our way up to the cupola, we stop at a balcony at the base of the dome and look down into the church interior.

Climbing inside the dome to the cupola.  

There is an elevator (seven euros) that leads to the rooftop of the nave.  Or you can take the stairs (more ramp-like) for five euros.  We opted for the exercise (plus, they couldn't break a fifty bill and we only had ten euros) and took the stairs all the way up.  Regardless of taking the elevator or not,  you still have to climb 323 steps to the cupola.  As you can see from the picture, you can't have claustrophobia!

 

The view from the top.  Rome has no modern skyline.  No building is allowed to exceed the height of St. Peter's.  

Heading back down, cautiously.

Michelangelo's Pieta, a sculpture of Mary with the dead body of Jesus.  

The Holy Door.  It was bricked  shut at the end of the Jubilee Year 2000 and won't be opened until 2025.  Every twenty-five years, the Church celebrates an especially festive year derived from the Old Testament of the Jubilee Year, which encourages new beginnings and the forgiveness of sins and debts.

This won't be the last visit to Rome as we still have so many sights to visit and explore.  But I'm glad that we started our sightseeing here with the Vatican City as I got to visit the most impressive church ever as well as caught a sighting of the Pope!