Rome part 1: St. Peter's Basilica

June 7, 2:30 pm, St. Peter's Basilica

We went to the cathedral today after getting some good information and directions from our proprietress, Federica.  It was a bit of a hike to the Vatican City, but since it was downhill the whole way it wasn't too bad.  Alfred wanted to climb to the top of the dome, so we got in the incredibly long line to wait our turn to climb.

Amusing thing about standing in line in Rome.  Apparently you can meet the most unusual people.  We met a man studying for the priesthood in Rome who was originally from Kentucky.  He had a very unusual story, and was very helpful in giving us some information about where we needed to go to get to the correct place for climbing the dome.  Then we went and purchased tickets and set off.  We knew going into it that we would be facing over 500 stairs.  Kinda daunting!

Well, in what seemed far too short a time, we arrived at a landing which led us to the inside of the dome.  It was pretty cool to see all of the art closer up than you could possibly do from the ground level.  At first we thought that somehow 500 stairs had become far easier than we expected, until we realized that there was another viewing station higher up, on the OUTSIDE of the dome.  This set of stairs was far steeper, and progressively narrower and warmer.  Thankfully, however, just when you think you can't take it anymore, you find yourself at the viewing area which surrounded the dome, allowing for a gorgeous view of the city from every angle.

We finally made it back down all 500+ stairs and found ourselves within the cathedral proper.  It was neat to see all of the different religious art created by some of the masters, Raphael and  Michelangelo just to name two of the most famous.  However, it did also make me sad that so much money and time has been put into a place where most of the emphasis is not on God the Father or Christ and His sacrifice, but on the apostles and believers who came afterward.  It is a sad thing, for I am fairly certain that Peter especially would have been very upset by the focus on himself.

June 7, 5:30 pm, Home B&B

Well, after we went to the Basilica, we then went across town because Alfred wanted to see if we could watch the Pope who was scheduled to perform an outdoor mass this evening at 7:00 pm.  By the time we traveled by metro to the far opposite side of Rome, wandered about for almost an hour looking for a place to eat, and then made it to an area outside under a huge shade tree to wait, we were even more exhausted than we had been at the Basilica.  And we still had 3 hours to wait until mass was supposed to begin! After about 30 minutes of waiting, we decided to head back to the B&B and try to see the Pope on Sunday.  It took us about an hour to make it back but now we are finally here, and exhausted.  I have a feeling it will be an early evening for the two of us.