Once we hit the Sistine Chapel, some
two hours later, we were tired but were
suddenly woken up by the beautiful
vision before us. Words cannot explain
what we saw. We were all told to not
speak, but you could still hear the
mumble of people commenting on what
they saw or praying and occasionally
security would blow their whistles
and demand the noise be kept down.
Photographs were not allowed, even
though some people chose to ignore this
and show lack of respect and continue to
take them, to which they were instantly
stopped by staff who were scattered
around every point possible. We stayed
only in there for a little while, once you
have seen it you have seen it, but the
memory we can take with us.
We then walked out and headed towards
St Peter’s Basilica without the tour guide,
she left us to our own devices for the last
bit of the tour. I can honestly say what we
saw upon walking through these doors
was one of my favorite parts of Rome;
I enjoyed this more than the Sistine
Chapel so that’s saying something.
It was this huge building containing
so much history, art and wealth along
with a feeling of tranquility. We could
not help taking photos, in particular of
the walls and ceilings which were just
full of creative skill and beautifulness.
Breathtaking was how it felt and
something again we will hold with us
together.
As we walked back slowly to our hotel
our second day in Rome was nearly over
and was tiring but worth every ache in
our legs and feet. We ventured into the
hotel and chilled for a while and then
got ready for the evening and again with
an important football match…Italy v
Germany. There was me thinking I would
be getting a romantic weekend away in
Rome…..
Entering the Colosseum we hit the
security checks and then the tour
commenced. The guide took us up some
very steep steps to the third level, my
god my legs ached when I reached the
top! How the hell did they climb those
steps in those days?! Everyone in the
group was out of breath by the top of it,
we were promised no more steps…. but
how were we to get down? What we saw
at the top was amazing, so much history
before us. It was not too over crowded,
but boy was it hot! Our tour then
proceeded to the Roman Forum and
then Palentine Hill, sadly we had to cut
our trip short at this point as we had to
head back to the Vatican City for our next
tour and grab some food on the way.
We again met our tour guide who took
us in through security checks, and
then we hit the crowds. It was very
hot, uncomfortable and you could not
really take everything in as you were
concentrating on keeping up with the
tour guide, but what you did take in was
pretty amazing.
The restaurant we chose on the Piazza
Navona was the one we had been in the
night before, but it was worth the second
visit for the food and the TV screen. We
were lucky to get in when we did as soon
the crowds started to appear and people
were gathering to watch the game.
Another pleasant meal was consumed
along with wine, beer, vodka and the
good old Limoncello. The crowds
gathered in the Piazza and watched the
game. The cheers from both nations
who were present in the restaurant
were infectious and you could not help
cheering Italy on. Sadly they did not
get through and table of Germans who
sat next to us proceeded to run around
the square with their flags tied to their
necks, and then returning to the table to
continue with their meal and continuous
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