Blog #4 - We've Arrived!

Our trip over went smoothly arriving in Rome early. Our driver was waiting at the airport to take us to our B and B. Driving into Rome was like arriving in any large city - lots of commuters trying to get to the city's core. The driving here follows different rules and only the brave should drive here. There are no lanes identified so depending on the size of the cars you may have 2 - 3 lanes available. Forget shoulders and motor bikes and scooters pass freely on the left of the cars between the lanes! Our driver spoke a little English and helped us with some common words with the correct accent. Everything sounded better when he was speaking Italian.

Our B and B is located right in the city centre, near a subway station and walking distance (10 minutes) to the Vatican. Our room was ready for us when we arrived and the owner Serena met with us and reviewed the keys - 5 in all with us. We have a key into the building, an internal key for an inside door, a key to get into the apartment, a room key and our own bathroom key. The B and B is charming with a common room and then bedrooms and bathrooms.


We decided to keep going even though it was technically the middle of the night - I really try to set my watch and forget about the time back home. Serena reviewed the map of Rome with us and we are right beside the train station. We mentioned we would like to see the Borghese Museum and Serena grabbed her phone and in no time had reservations made for us.

Today was the day for exploring the Vatican, Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Cathedral and square. It is magnificent and very grand! Large columns surround the square that has an Egyptian Obelisk and 2 large fountains. St. Peter's Cathedral is amazing also.  You don't have to be Roman Catholic to appreciate this place. It is spectacular. TV can never capture how large it is!

The Vatican Museums are wonderful too - so much  - almost too much to take in. We had the audio guides which was great so we could proceed at our own speed through the several museums. It is important to continually look up at the ceiling - there you will find wonderful works of art! All individual paintings! The Sistine Chapel is also remarkable with the vivid depictions of bible stories. Michelangelo's paintings are beautiful and serene, and those of the earlier artists on the walls are stunning as well. The rich colours used make this truly room incredibly beautiful. At St. Peter's Basilica there was a small service (it is a standing church - huge with large marble statues) and as we were walking through the crypts of the Pope's we heard lovely choral music coming from the church. It is very moving to walk past Pope John Paul II's crypt - white marble, simple, elegant with flowers, plants, and tokens surrounding the crypt.




We dined al fresco on a side street and had guess what - pasta! Delicious home made pasta and pizza with crispy wood fired crust - with of course red vino! So far so good - next stop historic Roma! Ciao!