"Roma e bella... Roma e magnifico... Roma e perfeto..."

A ten minute walk. Yep... the Vatican is a ten minute walk from my apartment, and so I decided enough waiting for people. It was time to go. I had class today only from 2-3pm, giving me plenty of time to use my morning for something productive.

Make like an Italian and cut the line, and so I did. By 8:45am, I was in line for the Vatican museum. By 9am, I was in. :)

I made it through in record time. Though this has its pros and cons, I had been to the Vatican before, and only spent time on art work that "spoke" to me. Sistina Capella was just as glorious this time around, if not more. I stood right under the famous scene of touching fingers, and thought, "Wow! How cool is this?!" I even made it to the Pinotecca, which is a separate gallery within the Vatican museum filled with religious works of art.

When I was done with the Vatican Museum, I still had time so I made my way over to San Pietro's Square and Basilica. Sistina Capella is one story,but this is simply remarkable. The building in all its glory is really under appreciated. I even got to see the Pope speak!

After making it through, I decided to make the journey to the top of the capella. This is no laughing matter. They tell you it is 321 steps. False! It's much more, and most of it is small, narrow, spiral steps. In many instances, I felt as though if I weighed just one pound more, I might not fit. It's a perfect time to be claustrophobic...

Step after step I kept thinking, what possessed me to not buy water? Clearly, I was a bit of a moron. Step after step I kept thinking, what if I die right here in this spot? How would someone even get to me? Step after step, I looked at the SOS call button and thought, why am I not pressing this?

When I finally got to the top, I forgot all about my dehydration and exhaustion. The sight was spectacular. I heard a woman cry, "Roma e bella..." and I thought to myself, "Roma e molto bella." It was definitely worth the near death experience.

After taking a million pictures and trying to take in all I could, I realized that I was still molto dehydrated and still felt like I was going to die... and oh wait, I still have to make it down.

Luckily, half way down there was a water fountain, a bar, a gift shop, and a place to sit and chill for a moment... Remembering I still had class, I decided to keep going. :)

When I got to the bottom, I walked around an outdoor market in Pratti, which is where I live, and also the neighborhood surrounding the Vatican. I found the Italian version of the evil eye, and decided to treat myself. I bought a Murano glass bracelet, with Italian evil eyes... sort of. Then, I hopped on a bus and made my way to school. I even had time to grab a sandwich at our deli. I ordered completely in Italian!

I felt so accomplished! I couldn't wait to tell Christiano about everything. When I arrived and told him, he bashfully told me that he himself had not yet climbed to the top of the capella. A Roman! This had made me feel that much more accomplished!

Class was a great time. We discussed the ire verbs, which included festiggire, to party. It's an inside joke. We also taught Christiano the difference between Party and Partaaay, as well as how to "raise the roof." haha

After class, you would think I would go home and nap. I had a long day. No, not me! It was only 3pm. I had the whole evening ahead of me. And so, I made my way to Piazza del Popolo with the intent of sketching a piazza for my sketchbook drawing class. It wasn't moving me though. So, I began to make my way down Via Del Corso... Roma's equivalent of 5th Avenue. Maybe I would find a piazza further down.

I found a Piazza all right. I walked all the way to Piazza Venezia! This is a very far walk. Most people would take two metros to get there, or at least some strange bus. When I got there, I was blown away. Vittorino is simply magnifico! The great white steps with its grand statues is truely a sight to behold, and so in the spirit of the day, I began to climb all the way up these grand steps.

When I had made it to the top, you'd think I would be satisfied. Most people were. They stopped at the Cafeteria... which in Italy is apparently mainly just alcohol... and enjoyed the view. You could see San Pietro, the Coloseum was close by, the Roman Forum, and many other famous sights. I wanted to continue. I walked through the museo, which was in Italian, but I understood that it had to do with the Risorgimento, and then decided to buy a ticket and go all the way.

I took an elevator to the top of Vittorino. Once again, I had found myself on top of the world. How can one be expected to be bothered with class and homework when the world is our classroom and there is so much right at our fingertips! I felt like a bird. "Roma e bella... Roma e magnifico... Roma e perfeto..." I found myself thinking this all in Italian. The English translation would simply not do. It was breath-taking.

I took my time up there, and really just sat and enjoyed the view. It was spectacular. Don't worry, I took a million pictures.

*** PS - I put 200 of the 300 pictures I took up on facebook today, instead of waiting for Sunday. I'm splitting this week up into two parts... maybe three... we'll see how much I see.***

When I had finally made peace with leaving, remembering I can still come back... and will, I began my descent. Though I could have taken numerous ways home or at least to Piazza del Popolo, I decided to walk. I felt like I was on a cloud floating above Roma.

On the way back, a painting caught my eye and I stopped in a gallery to check out the exhibit. It was the Ottaviani exhibit. He's a sculpter, but it was his paintings that I found appealing.

Before going home, I even stopped at the supermarket. When I got home, I made made dinner. The menu was as follows; chicken, mashed potatoes, and spinach with tomatoe and onion salad in a homeade balsamic vinigrette. Yummm...

And now... just after 11:30pm, I begin my school work for tomorrow. :)

What a fantastic day...

Signing off,
Ciao Bella...