The Vatican in Rome

Just back at the room after leaving at 8 AM to catch the bus and metro to the Vatican Museum and Tour, and 4 hours later, another must to see in Rome. I was joined by 20,000 others expected to go through the Museum and St. Peter’s today…and massive crowds, but well worth it. We had an excellent guide that, although very Italian, and as she said, Roman…really was good at English and through in many English phrases. We had 25 in our group….and the total tour was 4 hours….tiring but really well done and very thorough. I will write more later…but I am running out of time, and want to get a couple of additional visits in today. I am going on the speed train to Naples tomorrow…then head home on Wednesday, so time is precious.

Sunday afternoon highlight was a 30 minute concert by the Grand Organ in the Basilica at Republica Piazza. This is a massive organ with 4 keyboards….and the organist literally pulled out all of the stops for 3 or 4 of his 6 numbers. It was amazing for me, as I have never heard an organ this big…literally shook the building on a couple of his endings. I managed to speak to the organist afterwords…very Italian….very dedicated and said he has been playing for 25 years and 10 at this church. On the bulletin it had his name and a bunch of degrees…one a PhD…probably in church organ. Immediately following his concert, he transitioned right into the Mass…which he did by memory and then played off and on for about 30 minutes. More on this later.

I had been told that one must see Trevi Fountain at night…so did…and it is spectacular. You can see why it is world renown in movies, etc. I was also told to check out Rome on the River….and this is basically a night market with restaurants and bars and music and on and on..runs for about a mile right along the River. Families come here for their evening activities, plus others just stroll…and others shop. Very unique and very pretty and very crowded…but well worth it.

More to come….