DAY 6 EUROPE TRIP
ROME – Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
A special day today – it is hubby’s birthday. Our daughter rang and her daughter sang happy birthday over the phone to him. Seconds later our son rang to wish him a happy birthday and his son got on the phone to make sure hubby had seen the gladiators.
We took our time this morning and it was very hot by the time we set out for the Vatican Museum. Once we reached the Vatican it was quite a distance to walk before we hit the cue for the museum. On the way I bought a hat, as it was so hot. We cued for over a half an hour. It was annoying that the authorities were not stopping people from jumping the cue at several vulnerable points as we snaked towards the entrance. An accordionist serenaded the crowd at one point in the line.
Finally we were in and really looking forward to exploring the museum. We walked along the spiral ramp to get to the top and what a disappointment. We were herded like sheep through the museum. We couldn’t choose the path we wanted to take to get to the Sistine Chapel. When we reached the first exhibition hall we were constantly told to keep moving. The crowd just took you along. There was no way one could stop and examine an artefact, or read a caption. The crowds forced you to move. Through the crowds one could see the ceilings and things that were high on either side.
We made our way through the picture gallery with wonderful tapestries that one did not have time to absorb. Then on through the map gallery went. We walked through Pio CLementino Museum, the Borgia apartments and Raphael Rooms. Finally we got to the Sistine Chapel to stand in an extremely crowded room whilst some attendant kept shouting to tell us to keep quite, not to stand in one spot but to keep moving. Michelangelo’s painting dominates the chapel. However, we couldn’t take it all in as we were soon moved out to continue our walk through the museum. We felt ripped off. There was no way of being able to back track and revisit areas. We payed 14 euros each for the privilege of being herded through a museum. What a disappointing experience. On top of that the fold up hat I had bought disappeared from my handbag somewhere during our time in the museum.
Very tired and hot we made our way home. After a rest we enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner. My brother and his wife joined us. Thirty one years ago, whilst in Rome we had veal marsala for the first time and loved it. It has been amongst hubby’s favourite dishes every since. So I made veal marsala for all of us followed by a bought local roman speciality for desert. We toasted my hubby and my brother whose birthday will be tomorrow. Another wonderful evening.
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