The Vatican and a little more on Rome

Well, I've stayed here in Rome for a few days longer than expected. It’s been hard, and yet comforting at the same time. I feel so lonely, so it’s good to be in an area that feels familiar, but at the same time I have a lot of history in this city. The Muslim guys here at the hostel remembered me and are so nice; they are giving a sweet discount and pretty much free internet, hence all the blog (plus, she’s got me writing like crazy...).

I ran this morning, all the way to the colosseum and then the Grand Vittorio and back. I don’t know how far I ran or how long (since my watch battery stopped), but I would venture to say that it was probably about two hours and somewhere around 8-10 miles…

Small world- I met a friend of Rachel’s last night at Campo di Fiori. It’s funny, because I didn’t even mean to go there- that’s where she and I first danced salsa (fuck, if I want to go that way, I could note that the hostel where I’m staying is where we first met). But nevertheless, this girl remembered me from a party back in Manchester. What a strange night that was...

I walked all over the city and checked out the Vatican again. I’m so very glad to have gone back, because apparently I saw St. Peter’s Basilica before, whereas this time I actually stood in line for an hour and a half and paid the 13 euros to see the ‘actual’ Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s portraits are so freaking cool. I spent over an hour in the one room looking at the murals, which began with creation of the world, light and dark, and then the creation of man (the finger touching) and the last sin- the whole the eating of the apple where Adam and Eve are cast out of Eden, and then Noah’s Ark and that whole deal. Then, there is an entire wall which depicts the Day of Judgment. Man, I could’ve stared at that wall forever; it was by far the most intricate piece of art I have ever seen. They don’t allow you to take pictures, but I managed to sneak a few (I had to).

I hadn’t seen the Colosseum at night, but it’s really quite beautiful (pictures below). Rome is so damn amazing in general, I’m glad I came for a second go. I might stop by here on my way back, but I’ve got to move on tomorrow for sure. For those of you who might want to reach me, I just got my Italian cell phone re-activated and the number is: 039 (Italian country code) and then 339 656 2587. Good luck and Godspeed. It would be good to hear from you all…