Rome Day 5: Coca-Cola...The International Language

Well, the next day of exploring was considerably better than the day before. The first thing I did when I woke up in the morning was check to see if my camera was working. Miraculously, it worked! That would have made my day, but the amazing things I got to see in the afternoon topped my working camera by far.

We made it to our Vatican City Museums tour on time and skipped the lines thanks to booking it early and with a tour company. The museums were so extensive...our tour guide was very good and had some great information to share (much better than the previous day). There were fresco-style paintings in almost every room with hundreds of statues, paintings, and tapestries. The highlight, obviously, was the Sistine Chapel. The moment we crossed the threshold into the room, I was in awe. The colors are so vibrant (thanks to a cleaning in the 90s), and everything is so detailed. It absolutely baffles me how Michelangelo could have stood on a scaffold, looking up at the ceiling with paint dripping in his eyes for four years. Michelangelo didn't even like painting! And yes, I took pictures even though you are not supposed to. Oh well. I could have sat there for hours taking it all in. Unfortunately, we didn't have that kind of time.

It was a Wednesday when we visited and the weather was nice which meant that the Pope was having his Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square. We couldn't get into the square or Basilica until 1:30 (it goes without saying that the Pope reserves the right to use any space in the Vatican at any time he chooses). We wandered around the museums some more, but went back to the square when it was open. We went inside St. Peter's Basilica, famous in Catholic tradition for having St. Peter buried beneath the alter. It is the largest Christian Church in the world; it can seat about 60,000 people. It was so gorgeous. There were so many statues and frescoes including the famous La Pieta. The sculpture has always been one of my favorites since I had studied Michelangelo in high school. We walked around for a bit, and prayed in a side room, but other things were calling us.

We went outside to the square which had chairs set up because of the Papal Audience earlier in the morning, so the pictures aren't the greatest. But, the day was bright and sunny like the day before, so that was amazing. I got to actually see the square and experience how massive it really is. I knew there were thousands of people in the square on Easter, but I didn't think the area could hold that many people. It is still difficult to believe that so many people could fit in the space, but it is larger than I thought it was originally. Oh, and I finally got to the some Swiss Guard in the their outfits! In the words of Emily, "I love me some Swiss Guard!" ;) The Vatican was the number one place I wanted to visit, and I could have spent all day there...I wish I had! I have decided that I will go back someday. I don't know when, but I know I have to!

We got a late lunch at a pizzeria...I had prosciutto, mushroom, and mozzarella pizza with a good ol' Coke. The waitress didn't speak a lot of English, but they always know what I mean when I say, "Coke, please!" It was so good. Italian at its best. From there, we walked to Castel Sant' Angelo to see it during the day. Although it was great at night and tourist free, I was glad I got to see it in the sunlight. Again, if we had had time, I would have gone in, but time was something we were short of. Then, we walked to the Pantheon. It was under construction on the front, so pictures were impossible, but the inside is an amazing architectural feat. It was built in 126 AD as a temple to the Roman gods. Today, it is a Catholic Church dedicated to St. Mary. We had our daily gelato outside the Pantheon (just for you, Emily!) and enjoyed the sun. From there we saw the Column of Marcus Arelius, and we walked to the Spanish Steps. It was extremely crowded, so we didn't stick around long. We did learn that the fountain by the Spanish Steps was safe to drink from, and apparently it has the sweetest water in all of Rome. I'm not sure if that's true, but it was cold and very refreshing!

Sorry if these updates are coming at a snail's pace, but I have been sick and at my internship, so I am trying to get caught up quickly so I can actually update about things going on this week! Hopefully I will get another one up today...we will see how that works out.

Rome Day 2: Viva Papa!

Since day two of Rome was on Easter Sunday, Happy Belated Easter everyone! And was mine the best Easter ever? I think so! We got up at 5:30AM to get ready for Easter Mass in Vatican City. We reached the square just before seven as the sun was rising. Compared to the rest of the line that formed, we were at the "front." We stood in line for over an hour being pushed and shoved by anxious people. The weather was chilly with a bitter wind, but we braved the cold to see the Pope!

When the time finally came to get into the historic St. Peter's Square, a stampede broke out to get through security. I told Jess and Abbey I was going to run ahead to get decent seats. As soon as I got through security, I made a break for it. I was sprinting down the aisles with a backpack trying to get an aisle seat. I got the first section of seats about 15-20 rows from the front of the stairs. I took out Abbey's bright yellow umbrella, stood on the seat, and waved it in the air so they could find me.

Mass didn't start until 10:15AM, but we had seat at about 8:20. About 15 minutes in, it started to rain...everyone's umbrellas popped up, and we realized that we wouldn't see anything if it continued to rain! It rained on and off for awhile, but once Pope Benedict finally came out, it didn't stop pouring rain the entire time! I did get to see him, but it was difficult to see him or the huge televisions because of umbrellas!

And, yes, I could have complained...I was cold, tired, and wet from the rain, but I was at Easter Mass with the Pope in the Vatican (notice me not complaining as I block the wind with my umbrella)! As a Catholic, it was so meaningful. Even though I understood only one reading in English, I felt so connected to my religion, more than I ever had before. I just sat and listened to the languages, and realized how many Catholics there are around the world. We were all united in that moment, and I felt like I was a part of something bigger than just myself.

Because we were in the first section, we were able to receive Communion, but most didn't considering there were tens of thousands of people in the square, most standing. This was the only time it stopped raining, I seriously think it was a sign from God, because if all of us had tried to take Communion with an umbrella in hand, it would have been a nightmare! As soon as Communion was finished, it started raining again. One of the best moments was when the Pope gave his "Urbi et Orbi" which means "to the city and to the world" in Latin. He moved to the central balcony in St. Peter's Basilica for the speech which summarizes humanity's failings and hopes for the future. I was unsure of what he said because he was not speaking in English, but it sounded hopeful!

Eventually, he started speaking in many different languages, I didn't understand what he was saying because I missed the English version, but every time a new language was spoken, that group of people who spoke it would yell. There had to have been at least 80 languages! People were chanting, "Viva Papa!" and "Benedictus!" as they waved their country's flag. It really was a moving moment for me.

Easter Mass has been the highlight of my journey in Europe, and I don't think anything will top it. It was worth every bone-chilling second, and I would do it again in a heartbeat in weather ten times as worse.

The chaos after mass was a bit ridiculous. It took us over an hour and a half to get back to the hostel when it should have taken less than a half hour. Eventually, because the metro station was so crowded, the police opened up the exits to allow people on the platform without even paying...that's how chaotic it was. At one point, the gate that the cop opened was right next to me, so I was pushed against the metal bar and couldn't move. It was very painful as it was digging into my stomach, and when I finally pushed myself out, I accidentally cut off another woman who then proceeded to yell at me in Italian. I apologized even though all I wanted to do was yell back at her in English! It was very frustrating that people could be so inconsiderate towards others. And on Easter Sunday after mass!

We got back to the hostel, took showers, warmed up, and took naps until about six. We got up to go get something to eat, but basically all of Rome is Catholic so nothing was open. We went to the Trevi Fountain since it was kind of close and very touristy which meant restaurants would be open. We got to see the fountain at night, and had pizza and gelato. My pizza had massive chunks of mozzarella, whole tomatoes, and basil! It was very Italian, and I enjoyed it immensely! I had Nutella gelato (the three things I lived on while in Italy: Nutella, Coca-Cola, and Pringles...no joke). It was an amazing, yet tiring day!

I don't have many good pictures from mass (I have a few horrible videos that wouldn't upload), except for a lovely blurry picture of the Pope from far away! Enjoy!

Oh, you can't tell that's the Pope?!? Well, let me reassure you (as I was there), it is!