Day 9:  Mon: Rome & The Vatican

This morning we had free time to visit parts of Rome on our own. Some set out to see the Coliseum and the Roman Forum while others just took it a bit easier and strolled the street and shops near our hotel.

El & Al had an interesting experience with a "con artist" looking for directions to the Vatican and trying to "give them " a 900 Euro leather Versace bag for their help.. SURE IT WAS!!! But, oh, guess what, he needed gas in his car and he didn't have any money!!!  They gave him 10 Euro and he exclaimed "this is like $1!!!!" I need more than that. He then proceeded to stick his hand into Al's wallet to see what bills were in there. WRONG!!!! Thankfully Al only had 35 Euro in his wallet...so held on tight and then quickly grabbed his 10 E. Threw the bag back into the car and we walked away.  Our tour guide has never heard of this scam either.  Thankfully the guy didn't have a gun and was trying to be friendly as he tried to "rip us off!" When I think how bad it could of been, it sure scares me. But good that it all turned out ok:-)

This afternoon was the tour the Vatican with a local guide to see the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo's famous paintings of the ‘Creation’ and ‘Last Judgment.’ Our guide was very knowledgeable and helped us learn so much we would have never known without her.

We then explored St. Peter's Square  and St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom.

Side Note from El: I had wanted to read "Angels & Demons" before heading to Italy, but just wasn't able to fit it in. So I brought it back home with me and just finished it. What a suspenseful novel!!!   I am sure it must be just as controversial as his "DaVinci Code" but I have to admit I could not put the book down. 

So, I think it was much better that I read it after returning home so I could place myself at the various sites and churches as the thriller evolved.  Maybe I would have looked at some of the churches and statues a bit differently if I had read it before the trip, but for me...this helped "cap" the trip for me. My next book to read will be a totally different style: Under the Tuscan Sun. Which I hope will inspire our next trip to Italy:-)

This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Galeassi Restaurant in the Trestevere area of Rome. I personally wish we had been able to be here earlier as I would have liked to see more of the artists and shops of the area.

Menu for the evening: Grilled Vegetables with olive oil ( red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini), Pasta Zucca with zucchini squash blossoms, beef, mixed green salad, tiramisu and more vino!

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