We didn’t feel too pressured to see a lot of Rome since we have been here before. Three years ago, we spent three days in Rome (longest of any European city) and got to see it pretty thoroughly. This was a trip to revisit, remember, and retry some things that were missed the first time.
After storing our bags at the train station (LOVE that we can do this!), we made our way to the Vatican Museum. On our last trek to Rome, we of course visited the museum, but it was on Easter, and there were literally shoulder-to-shoulder people throughout the entire path of the museum. This trip we intended to find the pieces we missed the first time around.
Time was still limited, so we moved on the path to the Sistine Chapel, taking everything in as we went (or everything we could through the thousands of tour groups!). The tapestries and maps were beautiful. However, our favorite part was the compilation of Raphael Rooms, which included the infamous School of Athens painting (missed three years ago!). This is such an important painting, in general and to me, because of all the philosophers and mathematicians who are represented in it. I wasn’t expecting its presences, when all of a sudden, I turned around and said to Steven, “Oh my gosh! That’s the School of Athens!” I have studied this painting in length and have a very large poster of it in my classroom. LOVE. IT. I can’t describe the feeling an art lover has when they finally see a piece they’ve been admiring from a distance for so long. Amazing!
We eventually reached the Sistine Chapel after what seemed like a maze of stairwells and corridors, which neither of remembered from before. The chapel is so awe-inspiring, and we had to take a seat to really enjoy all of it. Our admirings were occasionally interrupted by the sounds of the guards hollering, “No photo!” or “Silencio!”. They were clearly not school teachers. Unfortunately we couldn’t take pictures of any sort. Good thing I was able to sneak some pictures three years ago, when it was 90% Asians in the chapel. Let’s just say I blended in very well with my camera and was NOT the one drawing attention to myself with hundreds of flash photos. But this time, no photos.
After the museum, the Colosseum was calling our return! We paid 4 extra euro each to skip the ginormous lines and be part of a certified tour group. This was a great idea, as we were very short on time! I think I could listen to people talk about the Colosseum ALL day; that’s how much I enjoy it! …well, maybe not the guide we had, as he was a little dry…
Since the last time we were there, they had added two new awesome features: One, BATHROOMS! And two, a temporary gladiator exhibit featuring replicas, reconstructions, and original gladiator ware and weaponry. Very cool!
On our way to the Pantheon (closed for Easter last time), we stopped in the grocery to get some essentials for our next train ride and stop: apples, bananas, and twist-top adult beverage. Perfecto!
The Pantheon was amazing. It’s so small, yet so intriguing; the beautiful frescoes and sculptures, the large and geometric ceiling, and Raphael’s tomb made our quick stop very well worth it!
We had some delicious blueberry gelato on the way to Trevi Fountain, which is so amazing because it’s this massive, breathtaking building-sized fountain, in the middle of an itty bitty piazza. The contrast really does make it that much more beautiful. It was fun walking down the side streets that we explored three years ago, now knowing that, “Oh, it’s just around the corner!” We’re so seasoned…
Leaving Rome was sad, but I feel like I’ll be back…someday, and that’s all the consolation I need right now!
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