Vatican

This morning, we were encouraged by the early sun! As we started walking toward the Vatican, it started to downpour, again. I feel like it always rains when we want to go outside! We stopped in a cafe for a breakfast cappuccino and a cornetto - the Italian version of a croissant.

We then tried to find the bus, which we missed, and then had to walk in the pouring rain. We did manage, however, to get to the Vatican museum on time. We had reserved tickets at the Vatican museum at 9:30 am. Amanda had researched it all and thank goodness for the pre-booked tickets! There were massive lines and so many tour groups. I can't imagine what it's like during the peak of the summer.

The first part of the museum has a courtyard and the Etruscan and Greek sculptures and artifacts. A few pictures below:







Then we walked through numerous galleries - here's a picture of the Gallery of Maps:



One of today's highlights was the Rapahel rooms - several frescos filled with amazing detail. Here are two of them - "The School of Athens" and "The Coronation of Charlemagne":



However, the point of going to the museum, is really to see Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. The frescos were painted in four years and the amount of detail is unbelievable. I sat here for awhile enjoying the audio guides that Amanda had pre-booked. Unfortunately, you cannot take photos in this holy room - the location of the conclave when electing the pope.

We then went to the Pinacoteca galleries. Here is Leonardo Da Vinci's "St. Jerome":



Caravaggio's "Descent from the Cross":



And four Raphael paintings:



Indeed, we saw the works of three out of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at the museum! Just kidding...

At this point, we were a bit hungry, so we went to a nearby restaurant where Amanda had the Cacio e Pepe and I ordered a caprese panini. We both also enjoyed a glass of wine. We then headed to St. Peter's square where we stood in line for about 2 hours in the rain to get into the Basilica. Here's a picture of our experience:



As a throwback, here's a photo of three out of four Kims in the same square in 1992:



After having to call out a few people for trying to cut the line, we finally made it to the front. Ironically, this is when the sun came out! We entered the beautiful Basilica which is as ornate as I remembered. Here are some photos of the dome, Bernini canopy, and vaulted ceilings:



Here are some more incredible works and the chapel where Pope John Paul II is interred:



And of course, we saw Michelangelo's "Pieta" which I recalled being so large and magnificent on my 1992 family trip:



After a walk through the crypt or the Tomb of Popes and while trying to find Amanda in the crowds, I witnessed the changing of the guard of the Swiss guards. Here's a collage of them - wearing their nice raincoats, you don't get to fully appreciate their unique uniform:



After we left St. Peter's square, we tried to walk home, but unfortunately the Roman gods were not smiling upon us as it began to rain, again. So we walked and then decided to jump into a cab. We got home and rested for a bit while it down poured outside. We then ventured out to a restaurant near our apartment where it was lively and crowded. We enjoyed eavesdropping on nearby customer conversations as we were cramped in. I had the carbonara and fried Roman artichoke while Amanda had a pizza - a photo below:



We then headed home to relax for our final day in Rome. Unfortunately, I think it's supposed to rain again tomorrow. Forget the nickname of "the Eternal City", I'm calling it "Rainy Rome"!