This is a long journal entry, and I don't have much time to write it, so please forgive the haste.
Yesterday morning, I woke up ready to tackle the Vatican Museums (which includes the Sistine Chapel.) However, Derek's knee still wasn't feeling very good, so he decided to sit out the day by surfing the internet and watching a movie.
We checked out of our room, had breakfast/lunch together, and then headed our separate ways.
The day was hot (I don't think Rome has a "cold" setting), and even worse because I still had to wear jeans in order to get into the Vatican.
Luckily, the line to the Vatican Museums was not too long. When I arrived, I quickly went into the building, bought a ticket, and then started seeing exhibits. I had never really thought that there would be so much in the Vatican. I knew that there was the Sistine Chapel, but there are also rooms and rooms crammed full with sculptures, paintings, maps, tapestries, and more. This museum has to be one of the bigger museums I have ever seen.
In order to get to the actual Sistine Chapel (which is just a room covered in paintings... well maybe not "just"), one must walk through many other exhibits. And in so doing, you are confronted with many historic pieces of art. Many people were just whizzing by me in order to hastily get to the Sistine Chapel, but I took my time, taking photos and contemplating what must have gone into making such awesome masterpieces.
The Sistine Chapel itself is work of art (duh). Every inch of the walls of this room are covered with detailed paintings that leave the viewer in awe. The painting of God creating Adam is but a small portion of these splendid pieces of art.
After the museum, I hurried back to the hotel (stopping by an internet cafe on the way). Near the hotel, I bought my last authentic Italian Gelato (How could I resist chocolate chip again??). I then grabbed my large backpack, which had all my clothing in it, and went to the laundromat.
I washed my clothes with the help of an old man who was running the place. He was very nice and helped me even with my limited Italian. By the time my clothes were done, it was about 5. I went back to the hotel where I grabbed my duffle bag (Andrew lent me this in order to carry all the items I bought in Europe.)
Then, I headed out to meet Derek, saying goodbye to the Pantheon and Albergo Abruzzi. I will miss you.
Derek was there, on the bottom floor of easyEverything Internet Access. Earlier in the day he had watched Evolution. Basically, he says that we had seen the best part when we saw the last 15 minutes the other night. I'm glad I didn't have to sit through that one.
Well, we spent the remaining 5 hours in a nearby McDonald's with air conditioning. At the peak of our time-killing, we bought a twenty piece chicken mcnuggets and played cards in order to see who could eat one. Out of twenty games, Derek won 10 and I also won 10. So, neither of us came out the clear victor.
At 10:30 we headed over to the train station, where we caught our jam-packed train to Nice. Our compartment had pleasant company... everyone spoke english, so we could carry on a conversation about our travels.
I slept great last night. Sure, I woke up every couple of hours because we kept getting interrupted by the conductor or making stops at train stations, but I had an unusually good night of sleep.
And, of course, that made me a better target to have my stuff stolen, which is exactly what happened.
Well, not everything, but sometime in the late morning, someone must have come in our car and swiped my day pack, because it wasn't where I left it, and I could not find it anywhere. Hmmm.... I guess no European journey would be complete without having something stolen.
Contents of my bag:
And that's it. Guess it's back to our adventure. Like I said before, God was (and still is) good. No physical harm to anyone, none of my money or credit cards were stolen... things could have been a lot worse.
Right now we're in Nice, and should be heading over to the train station any second.
Au revoir!
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