Day 2 – Rome - Saturday, January 4th 2014: Mr Scritchley

The Vatican

Last night there was a general quietness that settled early upon the rooms containing our little band. Complete exhaustion coupled with mild jet lag probably had something to do with that.

So this morning there were a lot of sleepy groans that came from behind the doors at 7:15am, however a good breakfast helped with getting the boys ready for another busy day.

Today was the day we were visiting the Vatican Museum. Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica. The first thing that impressed the boys was the huge line up of people waiting to get in. Fortunately people that have an official tour do not have to stand in line. So we were given our radio receivers and ear pieces so we could listen to the guide and went straight in.

Emmanuele, David and Matthew with their green earpieces taking pictures in the Vatican plaza

Bryce, Carey, Matthew, Emmanuele, Robert and a cool (note the shades) Liam

The whole group in the Vatican with the dome of St Peters in the background

Once past the continual security we began the tour by viewing the Basilica dome from the terrace overlooking the Papal gardens, and then going into the “Pine cone “ garden. I wonder why they call it that?

There are also modern works in the Museum. This one showing the “fractured world” that is in dire need of repair.

However there are still many ancient works of art in this magnificent Museum. From huge carved pieces to beautiful paintings, tapestrys and ceilings

A massive carved red granite bowl (believed to be from Nero’s collection)

2 of our parent helpers Danica Bodey and Linda Lane with a golden ceiling above

The statues varied from the most intricate human form to just about every animal you could think off.

Another Parent helper Arthur Girgolas and his “little friend”. Nice Doggie!

A beautiful Mosaic floor

From the rich treasures of the Museum to the sublime Sistine Chapel. We all stood in silenced awe at the majesty of the ceiling and walls painted by Michelangelo 400 years ago. The colours as vibrant as they were when it was first painted now it has been painstakingly cleaned. Unfortunately I cannot show you a photo, as it is not permitted for visitors to take pictures of the art work. So you will have to talk to the boys when they get home and get them to try and describe the things they saw and the atmosphere they experienced.

Our next stop was another source of visual overload, and that was the interior of St Peters Basilica. This vast church is the home to Roman Catholicism. The biggest church in Christendom.   

The central Nave of the church with the great bronze canopy.

The church and its interior was the end of our tour, we left our guide with great thanks and headed for some of the tourist shops outside. Many of the boys also sent postcards with stamps from the Vatican and made sure they posted them within the Vatican boundaries, thus sending them from the smallest country on earth.

The group in St Peters Square with the Basilica behind. (It is just starting to rain in this picture)

After lunch we all went to look at the Spanish Steps, Unfortunately we were not aware that today was the first day of the New Year sales. So we underestimated the number of people that might be in this area, which is also one of the very upmarket shopping precincts. 

Shopping for bargains in front of the Spanish Steps. Note the crowd.

In this location the boys also learnt about not becoming the victim of a scam. There were a lot of flower “merchants” who would try to hand you a rose for your girlfriend and if you take it out of reflex action they would then try to make you pay them 5 Euro. Or people who try and tie a little rope or ribbon work bands around your finger or wrist and then want you to pay for this unwanted “lucky charm”.

I am pleased to report that none of them fell for any of these ploys, and the hawkers went away no better off.

A public bus ride brought us back to the hotel for another very filling and tasty meal. So ended a very busy day.

Jim Scritchley