The Vatican City and then some...

May 12, 2011, Day three


Today, we visit The Vatican City, a tiny independent country contained entirely within Rome.  We have scheduled an early guided tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.  In  summary, they were all grand, ostentatiously breathtaking and very crowded!  Fortunately, Brad booked all our guided tours with "skip the line" access, limited (max 8) guests, and this one in particular with early entry (1 hr 20 minutes before the museum opens to the public).  It's supposed to be a warm day today but the Vatican's rules, as well as other churches, require that shoulders and knees be covered…so no shorts today.  And you won't find photos of Michelangelo's awesome creation in the Sistine Chapel here since taking pictures weren't permitted inside.

the City's walls

long ass lines

Vatican Museum

while this appears to look sculpted and 3D, it isn't…it's just flat painted surfaces 

there were tons of beautiful artwork including the ceilings
our necks were cramping halfway through the tour
they should consider laying guests down in conveyor belts

St. Peter's Basilica

La Pieta of Michelangelo

St. Peter's Square

The Pope had just addressed the crowds yesterday that's why the Square or Piazza was filled with chairs so we really couldn't wander around much for photo opps. 

Piazza San Pietro or St. Peter's Square
this aerial shot (which I borrowed) gives you a good perspective of the enormity of this Piazza
you see that small fountain on the right? that's where our pic above was taken…this place is huge!

This politically powerful city has its own armed guards, helipad, mini-train station, radio station  and its own postal system…so, like most tourists, I sent myself a postcard which I'm excited to see when i get home!

the Swiss Guard and the Matto Americano 

Btw, when I arrived home on May 24, I still hadn't received the postcard I mailed on May 12! I told Brad it was probably because the Roman Catholics delayed delivering it having seen my Jewish last name. Lol!  I did receive it on May 27…15 days later. :)


Today's lunch plans…Roman style pizza at Pizzarium, another Chowhound recommendation.  This place was a hike from the Vatican City but well worth it.  Gabriele Bonci is considered by the locals as the "Pizza King" and his Pizzarium has become a mecca for anyone who knows anything about food.  He has a beautiful assortment  of pizzas which varies daily and lucky us, the "pizza server" spoke English which helped us narrow down our decision to 4 choices.

lines = good eats

slices are weighed and prices vary by topping

rabbit and artichokes 4.5 stars (top)
four cheese 4 stars (bottom)

prosciutto 4.5 stars (top)
baccala (fish) and cherry tomatoes 4.5 stars (bottom) 

Pizzarium only does  "take away" (to go orders) so we found a nearby park and enjoyed our picnic with our diet cokes.  Pizzarium only sells beer and wine so I had to hunt down a Tabacchi (tobacco store) which really isn't difficult as they are ample throughout Italy.  

Speaking of tobacco shops…there's a ridiculous amount of smokers throughout Italy that it was unbearable at times especially at restaurants since we always preferred to take advantage of the alfresco dining to enjoy the views and people watching, and unlike in America, smoking in the dining patios are allowed in Italy. I was also concerned that it might get Brad to start smoking again. It  seemed that everyone was smoking from nonnas to young teens!

We found ourselves returning to the Trevi Fountain.  I think between the high energy of the crowd and sweet sounds of the gushing water, it is clearly our favorite hang out spot.  Although for some reason, this afternoon was standing room only...the Policia were strict and wouldn't allow people to sit on the steps which hasn't been the case at other times we've hung out there.

Since Wednesday night's dinner was my choice, tonight was Brad's dinner pick.  Because he was drooling over the salumi counter at Roscioli's the night before which btw they are also known for having an amazing selection of meats and cheeses so he decided we were going to pick up some salumi and formaggio and have a picnic...and so we did at Piazza Navona! 5 stars. 

hoof and all!

the meat: Jamon Iberico de Bellota, with it's own melt in your mouth lardo (fat)…yum!

Along with some panne (bread) and pastries at Il Fornaio Pasticerria, and some honey from Roscioli's gourmet grocery section to go with our cheeses, we had a delicious and romantic picnic by the fountain...with our diet cokes!  Although we did enjoy wine during various meals, we really are just not wine aficionados.  Sodas are simply more enjoyable for us.  I was hoping to have a better appreciation for wine as the mere house wine in Italy tastes better than some California wines I've tasted besides the fact it costs less than sodas.  For comparison, sodas at restaurants cost €3 a can versus 1/2 liter of house wine starting at €5.

Our last evening in Rome was topped off with gelato while chilling by the Trevi Fountain (again).  

this makes me smile

Gosh, the photo above doesn't do it justice but the Trevi Fountain in the evening is even more beautiful…


On our way back to the hotel, we came across two incidents -- 
2 tram lines collide with thankfully no major injuries; 

...and someone got thrown out of the apartment! Hmmm a lover's quarrel perhaps?

 clothes tossed out of the window

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Just as there are tons  of gelaterias, there are pizzerias, tobacco shops and pharmacies!  Even pharmacy vending machines!  

No nail salons to be seen!  Most of our time in Italy involved walking through the streets of each city we visited and I did NOT find one mani-pedi salon!  In SoCA, the Vietnamese have the monopoly of nail salons, in Manhattan - the Koreans.  My Italian-Pinoy peeps...get your naill clippers out and get some entrepreneurial spirit...this can be very lucrative!  Believe me, I saw some gnarly toe nails out there!

Italians are very trendy and dressed very stylish with their designer clothing and shoes.  Naturally, we, tourists, have to dress appropriately comfortably so we stand out like a sore thumb with our jeans, shorts and tennis shoes.  But what I don't understand is how the Italians can dress in leather jackets and knee high boots at 80 degree temps!  I guess they don't get easily warm as we do.  I must admit that these women walking (and some running!) with their stilettos on cobblestone roads is quite impressive!

Traffic in Italy and Italian drivers remind me of Manila...controlled chaos!  How we only saw one car accident during our entire trip is a miracle.  Most vehicles here are mini-cars, motorcyles or Vespas/scooters.  Everyone drives with speed and harmony and they park so intimately close to each other with no concern about getting out because they will without a ding or scratch.  Try asking an Asian driver to parallel park this way...pinoys exempted cuz we are excellent drivers!