Catching flies

Today I spent the majority of my time catching flies from having my mouth open in awe of everything I saw. Today we went back to the Vatican but just went into the museum. I could have spent my entire two weeks in that museum and still wouldn't have enough time. From the paintings to the sculptures, even every room had detail work floor to ceiling.  It was incredible. .. and huge. Within the museum is the sistine Chappel.  I almost cried when in saw it. It was one of those moments you have when you realize the magnitude of this experience and how one day you will tell your kids and your kid's kids about this very moment. My favorite part was the roman greek mythology sculptures section. I love both roman and greek mythology so this part of the museum was very interesting for me. Got a shot of one of my favorite goddesses athena/minerva. Sorry to say no shots of my other two favs, dionysus/bacchus (god of wine) or hypnos/somnus (god of sleep... my muse).

Something to keep in mind. Sistine Chappel also has a dress code. Same as the Vatican. 

I know I said we planned to go to the catacombs today. Arguably my number one must see. Welllll... it's closed on Wednesdays.  Should have looked kt up prior to the night before.  We plan to go at the end of our trip when we come back to rome before we fly home.

Also we did get to see the trevi fountain today but its completely blocked off for construction.  It was pretty disappointing but they have a selfie station where you can take a selfie and scan a qr code to drop your selfie in front of the fountain. Gotta love technology.

I could go on for hours about the vatican museum but they say a picture is worth a thousand words and I've got lots of pictures.

Tomorrow we leave roma (sigh) for sorrento. We will stay in sorrento and visit capri, amalfi, and Pompeii.

Also eataly is amazing so is italian soda.

Until tomorrow.  Chiao.

Perspective

So first I'd like to explain the name I chose for this blog. I intended to do this yesterday but I forgot (and was slightlt delirious spent 40 hours awake).  So on the plane ride from lisbon to rome I was listening to midsummer station cd by owl city and the song embers came on.  The song is all about hope and remembering to keep dreaming and loving your dreams. There were many times when I thought this trip would not happen between the finances and timing it was a struggle. Especiallt when I discovered I would be transfering job locations 2 days after I get back, I didn't think I would pull it off.  But I found a way. It isn't easy when you are doing all on your own but if you want it you can have it all as long as you keep that fire alive ;).

So let's get intoit shall we. Roma day two. Last night we took the metro to the Vatican.  We arrived at about 4pm. While we were able to go into the church we missed our opportunity to take a guided tour or even rent one of the audio tour things.  The last one is at 2pm (14:00).  Keep this in mind if you want to do a tour. Also the Vatican is free. Nice to figure that out when we arrived . Another thing to keep in mind; the dress code. Luckily I did a bit of research before went and figured out that women need to have their shoulders covered and down to their knee. Men need to have long trousers.   We saw many many people get refused entrance into thw church because of this. If you go remember this.

Today we went to the coliseum and the roman forum. Amazing sites to see. The coliseum is massive. Entrance fee is 12 euro and it covers both the coliseum and the roman forum for 2 days. Avoid scalpers outside they will tell you line is an hour long and 30 euros for guided tours. It was not. We were able to do a guided tour for 5 extra euro which was worth it for the stories.  Pictures of course below.

The roman forum is a maze. Get some good walking shoes for this you will walk until you feel as though your legs will just say eff this and collapse from under you.  We saw maybe 1/3 of the roman forum today in about 6 hours. It is incredible.  The museum within the forum was closed but honsetly there is more than enough to take in just around the forum.  There is a part near the gardens in the forum that you can climb up with most amzing view of the city. I have desided that it is the place I want to die. When I grow old and someone else has to bathe me I will travel to rome climb to this area and just jump. That view is the last thing I want to see before I leave this world.

So I'll wrap this up with some advice. Bring a water bottle.  Everwhere you turn in rome there is a fountain to fill your bottle with surprisingly good cold water. Don't waste your money on the scalpers with water.

Oh and I tried some dark chocolate gelato for the first time. It was everything I expected and more.

Tomorrow we will head back to the Vatican for the guided tour and the catacombs.  Until then. Chiao.