Vatican City - Part 2

More

of 

the Vatican experience...

again..

it can really get overwhelming.

You will not see pictures

of

The Sistine Chapel

they are strictly forbidden.

The guards walk through the crowd and are very stern with 

their

"No PHO-TO  policy"

"Hush, quiet please"

If they even see your cell phone or IPOD on they make you

turn it off!

There have always been debates

over flash destroying paintings.

This chapel was the torment and the masterpiece of Michaelangelo...

It belongs to the world.

The silence policy I believe is another part of the ,

what I call

"Respect" policy 

Italians

 embrace.

The Chapel is a very holy and moving place for many.

I saw people who were wonderstruck

others who simply sat and were moved to tears by the

emotion they felt being in this place.

Here are two images I Googled

just to give you a small glimpse at the magnitude..

although photos don't do it justice.

  Alter with the levels from Heaven to Hell...

notice the doors on the left and right?

Scale!

Truly gigantic...

The ceiling itself is mindblowing..

this stock photo in no way shows how large 

and beautifully painted it is.

I decided to read the story of Michaelangelo

after this trip.

I remember tiny details from Art History

but not a lot.

Now
 for my photos.....

 The square where people

come to view and hear the Pope.
Next is St.Peter's Basilica.

That is St.Peter on the right.

I never really got what I thought were amazing photos in 

St.Peter's Basilica

There was a  lot of changes in light throughout
and throngs of people to contend with when trying to take photos.

I started to get really frustrated by the end of my time there

and decided to stop taking pictures

so I could remember to enjoy the moment.

The stained glass window

is of a white dove.

My husband and I bought a replica of it

years ago.

We never knew this is what it was a copy of.

When I walked in and saw it 

I was so surprised.

It kind of made me feel like I was meant to be here.

 The Pieta is one of the few behind glass

and off limits sculptures...

The Swiss Guard

 O.K.

In the building above...

There are two black windows on the left side of the building..

That is where the tiny figure of the Pope can be seen on Sunday...

I did not go back on Sunday to see him..

but my new friend Heidi said it was wild!

Thousands of people and they went  crazy when he came out...

Definitely an experience.

 I had to include this pic

of Heidi...

I noticed early on we kept stopping to photograph the same things.

By the end of the trip 

we were either

snapping pics at the same time

or

 one of us was in the others shot

or

 I was calling to her

"Ohhh, Heidi...come get this...Look!"

 

 Leaving..

love the backpack...

All in all
 the trip to the Vatican was pretty

awesome,

overwhelming,

and

inspiring.

I also think I did pretty well considering that

as we were on our car ride there I started to realize

I was having a bit of ol' PMS

trying to rear her ugly head.

Not a great thing considering I was about to head into a crowded

crazy atmosphere.

Sort of not a good place to have a "excuse me if I snap your head off"

moment.

I just told myself I could control it and laugh at it

when I felt those moments coming on.

Women

the stuff we have to deal with!

I don't know how Father Bruno lasted for 2 and a half weeks

with all us women!

St.Bruno should be his new name!

Here he is at the head of the table

he definitely deserved

that bottle of wine!

Happy Wednesday to all!