so that's what 'cupola' means...

The Beehive
Rome, Italy

Actually ended up going to bed at 7 pm, but was OK since woke up at 9:30-- over 14 hours sleep. (!!!!!) Blissful shower & brush teeth. Head out to change $$ and buy Florence tix. Got yummy ham & cheese panini on way to Termini, also Kinder egg (YAY!). Bought tix after 20 min spent in wrong line; Eurostar all sold out so bought slower train instead, leaves 4:40 pm Sunday. Headed off to Vatican on Metro. Metro v. crowded, ticket machines v. confusing. Windy like crazy all day, glad I wore cardigan. Also some kind of protest/demonstration parading thru Rome with red flags. Many police present.

St. Peter's plaza/basilica v. beautiful. Amy & I wonder how many places you can bury dead Pope? Got in line for what we thought was Sistine Chapel (labeled 'cupola'), turned out to be line for going up through dome! Amazing though we didn't know what we were in for. Stairs got crazier and crazier, but view totally worth it. Bought postcards at souveneir show on top of church. Since Sistine closed at 12:30, decided to walk through Rome. Walked along river and across bridge, then to Piazza Navona (bought gelato, 'crema' flavor tastes like cake batter). Then to Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Stopped in some lovely churches along way. Got on Metro at Spagna (crazy crowded, packed like sardines), then at Termini grocery store bought pasta, cheese, tomato sauce, spices, Kinder chocolate, and yogurt for breakfast, all for less than 7 euro. Go us! Made dinner at Beehive, oven issues (forgot to take stove cover off), nice conversation w/ retired Texas couple. They shared their wine. Pasta excellent and filling. All done, relaxed, bedtime!

so that's what 'cupola' means...

The Beehive
Rome, Italy

Actually ended up going to bed at 7 pm, but was OK since woke up at 9:30-- over 14 hours sleep. (!!!!!) Blissful shower & brush teeth. Head out to change $$ and buy Florence tix. Got yummy ham & cheese panini on way to Termini, also Kinder egg (YAY!). Bought tix after 20 min spent in wrong line; Eurostar all sold out so bought slower train instead, leaves 4:40 pm Sunday. Headed off to Vatican on Metro. Metro v. crowded, ticket machines v. confusing. Windy like crazy all day, glad I wore cardigan. Also some kind of protest/demonstration parading thru Rome with red flags. Many police present.

St. Peter's plaza/basilica v. beautiful. Amy & I wonder how many places you can bury dead Pope? Got in line for what we thought was Sistine Chapel (labeled 'cupola'), turned out to be line for going up through dome! Amazing though we didn't know what we were in for. Stairs got crazier and crazier, but view totally worth it. Bought postcards at souveneir show on top of church. Since Sistine closed at 12:30, decided to walk through Rome. Walked along river and across bridge, then to Piazza Navona (bought gelato, 'crema' flavor tastes like cake batter). Then to Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Stopped in some lovely churches along way. Got on Metro at Spagna (crazy crowded, packed like sardines), then at Termini grocery store bought pasta, cheese, tomato sauce, spices, Kinder chocolate, and yogurt for breakfast, all for less than 7 euro. Go us! Made dinner at Beehive, oven issues (forgot to take stove cover off), nice conversation w/ retired Texas couple. They shared their wine. Pasta excellent and filling. All done, relaxed, bedtime!