Rome!

We really only had one full day in Rome (and parts of a couple of others), so we were determined to pack as much into that day as we could. Papa, Scott and I headed out early to see as much as we could see. That meant that we hit the busses and trains at rush hour. Boy, they can really pack a lot of people into a bus in Italy! We were crushed up against people, which made it possible for the unfortunate to happen--Papa's wallet was picked from his pocket. Darn! Not a fun way for him to start the day. Once we called Becky, who in turn called Mama, to get the credit card cancellation going, we started off at St. Peter's Square. The lines to get into the Bascillica were super long, but moved quickly. The Cathedral was breathtaking. Scott's favorite piece of sculpture, Michealangelo's the Pieta', is housed therein...a beautiful piece of art work. After touring the cathedral we headed outside and enjoyed the beautiful flowers that had been placed on the steps for the Easter Sunday service a few days before. From there we headed down the street to view the fortress that was built centuries ago to guard the Vatican. At that point Becky joined us and went back to their home with Papa and Scott and I returned to the Vatican and enjoyed the magnificent beauty of the artwork found in the Vatican Museums. The newly restored Sistine Chapel was a real treat. From there we got on a bus and rode over to the area of the Coliseum and the Forum and then headed back to Rob and Becky's villa to re-pack to head off to Sicily the next morning. Another beautiful day coming to and end.

Picture 1: St. Peter's Square
Picture 2: the Pieta'
Picture 3: Easter Flower's at St. Peter's