Rewind: The Vatican

Today we went to The Vatican.  I bought tickets online again, so we could bypass the ticket lines.  However, we got so lost and turned around (there are no signs) that we got suckered into taking a tour.  I regret it because the tour guide was so dry and boring!  I couldn't even pay attention!  Anyway, let's backtrack.  Here's when we first arrived at The Vatican:

Saint Peter's Basilica:

You have to cover your knees and shoulders to enter the Basilica and museum, but we saw people with miniskirts on, so I'm not sure how much they regulate.  

This is where we got lost because The Vatican Museum is around the block and we had no idea.  There are no clear signs and no one working there to help guide people.  So, we got suckered into buying the tour and were led about 7 minutes around the block to the museum entrance:

Got our tickets and our headphones, so we could hear the guide without having to stand right next to him (it was so super crowded):

Here we go!

It was HOT outside and we ran out of water fast.  There's a restaurant that WON'T sell you water unless you sit down to eat and there's no water anywhere in sight.  To top it off, the guide made us stand outside for 30 minutes while he explained each panel of The Sistine Chapel.  It was torture!  Finally we went inside, but still no water!

I barely paid attention to this insanely boring guy, but I remember him saying this is known as the most violent statue in The Vatican.  This guy is standing in front of his children because they are all being slaughtered (I can't remember why):

This statue is missing it's appendages, but if it had them it would show this guy shoving a sword into his side, committing suicide because he was supposed to inherit his friend's weapons and the friend's mother decided to keep them for herself.  Weird reason to kill yourself, but whatev.

There were a bunch of tapestries depicting babies being murdered.  The king ordered all newborn babies be murdered (I forgot why...I was thristy!): 

Really old books:

Ceilings:

Seriously beautiful.

Then we went into The Sistine Chapel and even caught a priest saying a prayer.  It was forbidden to talk, stand in certain places or take any photos/videos, so I don't have any.  Take my word for it, it was really stunning.  not just the ceiling, but the walls were painted as well.  We were told that by the time Michelangelo was finished, he was practically crippled from craning his head and neck for so long.  Talk about dedication to your craft.  Here are some pictures I got online, just to show you:

It was much more crowded than this when we were there, just FYI.

Now we're heading to Saint Peter's Basilica.  View of outside from the museum:

Basilica:

Stunning!  People keep asking if we saw The Pope.  Unfortunately, he is currently on vacation in ARGENTINA!  Can you believe that luck??  We just came from there!  I did hear that when he is in The Vatican, he comes out every Wednesday to say hello to the people.  Isn't that so cool?  

Now we're heading back outside:

Very serious guards:

We bought some rosaries at a stand outside and were told they were blessed in The Vatican.  I know it's touristy, but I have Catholic friends that might like them (I got you one, Karina!).

They smell like perfume or something.  Pretty neat!

I hope you enjoyed Rome.  I know we did!