Salvete Romani!
Dec. 25th, 2012 09:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
misspotterUpon our arrival in Rome, we got on a coach and went straight to the Vatican. Because...it was Christmas Eve, and the Vatican is closed for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so we only had this one opportunity to see it! I was especially keen to see the Sistine Chapel, having missed out on it in April 2005 when we landed in Rome...on the day of the Pope's funeral. When it was closed for the papal elections. Christmas, unfortunately, is another not-great time to visit the Sistine Chapel as there are hundreds of people squished in queues trying to see it before it shuts. We had to rush through a bit (but that was ok, as I've seen all the tapestries, sculptures and maps before, and I didn't have my dSLR to take good photos). We went straight from the Sistine Chapel to the St Peter's Basilica (where the Chorale did an impromptu performance of "Ave Verum"), then explored the square. There I had my first gelato of the trip (it was a balmy 12C in Rome!) and tried to avoid being accosted by gypsies.
Our next stop was the Colosseum. Just like with my school tour, our group had a photo in front of the Constantine Arch before going in. It seemed like this time, there was a lot more security - a sign on the entrance said that we weren't even allowed to bring in handbags! But then, they didn't exactly check us...so...
It brought back good memories, and I half-wished I'd brought my old tour jersey along to recreate my photos. But, apparently my face hasn't changed much, so it wouldn't be that funny. Maybe I have to wait til I get some grey hair...
Oh, and I feel like watching Gladiator now!
The night was still not particularly cold, to my delight! This meant time to bust out the skirts and patterned tights. Dinner was enormous - antipasto followed by two types of pasta, then salad/fish/potatoes and gelato. We had two kinds of wine, coffee, limoncello and soft drink to wash it all down. And this was just our Christmas Eve dinner! I shudder to think of what happens on Christmas Day! We then did a quick drive around town, admiring the beautifully lit city. Seriously, all the streets were decked in christmas decorations! It was glorious...there was even a Christmas tree next to the colosseum that had lights that gave the effect of falling (omg I want some!!)
On Christmas day I woke up, put on my black jeans, and found they were uncomfortably tight. This was more than enough motivation to take them off and do some exercise before breakfast. Also, my dad had woken me up at 7:15am and I'd slept fitfully afterwards (my brother's snoring didn't help). So I went down for breakfast at 8:30am.
We had a walking tour from 10am, where we got to visit all the places I went to on my first day in Rome in 2005: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and various squares. Lunch was supposed to be "light" but consisted of entree, pizza, pasta, dessert...and they were still asking us if we wanted salad!!
And then after an afternoon nap, there was our Christmas Dinner...wow. I'll put up pictures later :)
Our next stop was the Colosseum. Just like with my school tour, our group had a photo in front of the Constantine Arch before going in. It seemed like this time, there was a lot more security - a sign on the entrance said that we weren't even allowed to bring in handbags! But then, they didn't exactly check us...so...
It brought back good memories, and I half-wished I'd brought my old tour jersey along to recreate my photos. But, apparently my face hasn't changed much, so it wouldn't be that funny. Maybe I have to wait til I get some grey hair...
Oh, and I feel like watching Gladiator now!
The night was still not particularly cold, to my delight! This meant time to bust out the skirts and patterned tights. Dinner was enormous - antipasto followed by two types of pasta, then salad/fish/potatoes and gelato. We had two kinds of wine, coffee, limoncello and soft drink to wash it all down. And this was just our Christmas Eve dinner! I shudder to think of what happens on Christmas Day! We then did a quick drive around town, admiring the beautifully lit city. Seriously, all the streets were decked in christmas decorations! It was glorious...there was even a Christmas tree next to the colosseum that had lights that gave the effect of falling (omg I want some!!)
On Christmas day I woke up, put on my black jeans, and found they were uncomfortably tight. This was more than enough motivation to take them off and do some exercise before breakfast. Also, my dad had woken me up at 7:15am and I'd slept fitfully afterwards (my brother's snoring didn't help). So I went down for breakfast at 8:30am.
We had a walking tour from 10am, where we got to visit all the places I went to on my first day in Rome in 2005: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and various squares. Lunch was supposed to be "light" but consisted of entree, pizza, pasta, dessert...and they were still asking us if we wanted salad!!
And then after an afternoon nap, there was our Christmas Dinner...wow. I'll put up pictures later :)
