08-21-2018, 08:34 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-21-2018, 08:54 AM by Drunk Monk.)
Cheesey - dumb autocorrect. There were some fine rosaries for sure, but I got some cheap touristy ones just outside the Vatican. Not my faith. Tara got a nice cross in the Vatican, a modestly priced gold one with glass insets. She really wanted that souvenir.
The Vatican was overwhelming, like the louvre. Too much to look at - ceilings, floors, walls, and then there’s the art. We took a guided tour and the guide was this cute enthusiastic gal with a thick accent, and given the crowd, we were grateful for her guidance. The Sistine was so packed, literally elbow to elbow everywhere. The basilica was incredible. There was a terrific thunderstorm adding drama to our tour, and being there during the pope’s pedophilia ‘apology’ was really weird.
I really enjoyed the Castel. Got there when it opened with about a dozen other tourist and had the run of the place. It’s 3 room arms display was solid and you just gotta luva castle with trapdoors. I indulged in a cappuccino in their cafe overlooking the Vatican. Lovely.
The aforementioned special arms exhibit was excellent. Icing on the cake. Or gelato, which I think is just frozen wetter icing. Some of the collection was from the Castel, some on loan from Stibbert and most from the Venice Palace, which made me wish even more that I could see out the rest of this trip with my family. But I got to get home and start paying the rest of this trip off, not to mention the mortgage and tara’s tuition.
PWe walked the streets some more today and will walk more tonight. Cab picks me up early tomorrow for the long flight home. I have a layover in Stockholm, then to OAK, then bart to Fremont where hopefully my mom will pick me up (my car is at her place). Then back to the bungalow.
It’s been a truly wonderful vacation. Far exceeding my expectations. So much beauty in such a short time. I am grateful that I could share it with my family.
The Vatican was overwhelming, like the louvre. Too much to look at - ceilings, floors, walls, and then there’s the art. We took a guided tour and the guide was this cute enthusiastic gal with a thick accent, and given the crowd, we were grateful for her guidance. The Sistine was so packed, literally elbow to elbow everywhere. The basilica was incredible. There was a terrific thunderstorm adding drama to our tour, and being there during the pope’s pedophilia ‘apology’ was really weird.
I really enjoyed the Castel. Got there when it opened with about a dozen other tourist and had the run of the place. It’s 3 room arms display was solid and you just gotta luva castle with trapdoors. I indulged in a cappuccino in their cafe overlooking the Vatican. Lovely.
The aforementioned special arms exhibit was excellent. Icing on the cake. Or gelato, which I think is just frozen wetter icing. Some of the collection was from the Castel, some on loan from Stibbert and most from the Venice Palace, which made me wish even more that I could see out the rest of this trip with my family. But I got to get home and start paying the rest of this trip off, not to mention the mortgage and tara’s tuition.
PWe walked the streets some more today and will walk more tonight. Cab picks me up early tomorrow for the long flight home. I have a layover in Stockholm, then to OAK, then bart to Fremont where hopefully my mom will pick me up (my car is at her place). Then back to the bungalow.
It’s been a truly wonderful vacation. Far exceeding my expectations. So much beauty in such a short time. I am grateful that I could share it with my family.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse