Lucky Vatican

4/28

Yesterday we went to the National Roman Museum, ventured around the city getting lost in the back streets and eating lots of gelato.

We got up and out early this morning to get in line for the Vatican Museum, we read that lines are extremely long in mornings and on Saturdays. Well we proved Rick Steve's wrong yet again, got in line at 815, it open at 9 and by 910 we were inside. We immediately went to a courtyard to sit down and get a lay of the land when I heard an eruption from the sky, I looked up and see a pigeon making a u-turn. I then look to Michael who is now standing with half his body covered in pigeon poop! This bird got a double score hitting his shirt and pants. I try to stay calm and not vomit in my mouth for Michael's sake but the runny multicolor stains are making me gag. I told him I thought I saw somewhere that it was good luck to get pooped on and it must be extra lucky since it was a holy pigeon. We located a bathroom where Michael tried to clean up. When he comes out he's has a wet pigeoned pooped outfit.
He said he had to remove his shirt to try and clean it off, I can't even imagine the dirty looks he got. I try to be good sport but if this had happen to me we would have left, Michael was a trooper and walked around ALL day in his stains clothes. He did have a mini freak out about the chances that the acid from the poop would stain his new Italian pants (I have no idea where he came up with this one).

I've come to realize that when a guidebook or other travelers say you need 2 hours for a museum I actually have to plan for 5 or more because most travels don't read EVERY plaque, piece of art work or exhibit. The Vatican took us 5 and that was with me speeding things up, how many body less Commodus does one person need to see? We did use Rick Steve's trick for getting to St. Peter's Basilica although it felt like we were cheating, enforcement was non existent. When you leave The Sistine Chapel (A-mazing!) there's a door for regular people and a door for groups. The group door takes you right to St. Peter's which is the one we took.

There's a beatification ceremony this week for Pope John Paul II, well we think he was already beautified, this says veneration of The remains of Blessed John Paul II but we're not sure what that means. It in our list of things to look up. Anyway they are already setting up for it so touring St. Peters was a bit hectic and confusing as we couldn't follow the tour we downloaded and a lot of sections were blocked off but even with all that it was still absolutely stunning.

From there we found some gelato and pizza and along the way popped in some other beautiful churches where we saw a wedding and a concert and a nun practicing her organ skills. Did some piazza hopping and ending the evening at Trevi Fountain people watching. We were there yesterday but read its a great sight at night the problem is (ok this is bonus in all other cases) it doesn't get dark until after 2100.

It was another wonderful day in Rome! So sad that we only have one more.

Pics:
Michael and one many body less heads this one is Socrates

The Vatican has its own post office!!

Michelangelo's Last Judgement at the Sistine Chapel and yes this was a no photo zone but Michael saw everyone else disobeying so he thought he'd join too.