Feeling a little weary at the moment...still haven't caught up on all that missed sleep. Had an early start as we wanted to get to Mass in St Peters Basilica...we had been told every hour from 7.30am. Decided to go for the 8.30...not many people about in the streets or the Vatican....but they have it permanently set up with all those seats you see on TV & we had to walk miles just to get to the entrance...the boys were behind us & Di decidied to wait for Ron & the boys. Luckily Lynley & I decided to head on in. We found a Mass which was halfway through, then were told the 8.30 was in a particular little chapel. Sat there for 10 mins waiting for it to start...then we were all told it was now cancelled & Mass would now be at 9.00...& in front of the big altar!!! We were all shepherded along like schoolkids & led through the barrier. These barriers are everywhere & we discovered the magic word to get past them is to say we want to go to mass. Anyway, it started late but was lovely...even though it was in Italian, I knew exactly where they were up to just by the rhythm of the prayer they were saying...just the same as in english!! Unfortunately, we two were the only ones to get to mass....the others had no idea where we were inside & by the time we came out, the queue was right around the square & was doubling back on itself...all the tourist buses had started to arrive!! John & Rodger were waiting at the bottom of the area where everyone exits...thank goodness. It's so organised for the tourists now....& has lost some of the "feeling" I rememeber from 30 odd years ago...
Anyway, back to our accommodation for a change of clothes...by now at 10.00am it was already 29 deg. We decided to do the Hop on Hop off bus tour...it was the most boring I have ever done...hardly any commentary & the traffic was sooooo bad that we barely moved. Got off before the full tour was over & got some lunch, then Lynley became our guide & we wandered back in this direction...but through the back streets. It was much nicer & she read out all the points of interest as we went. Saw the Pantheon, Piazza Navona (?) & Hadrian's tomb....& lots of old buildings. There were queues everywhere for everything....& summer is only just beginning...
Have had a snooze now & John & some of the others have gone for a walk to see where we collect our van tomorrow...
So next news will be from Orvieto, I hope.
Love to all....
Glad to see you got there safely and with an upgrade too. at least you would have been able to get a few hours with the near horizontal beds. No going back to cattle class now :)
ReplyDeleteWith all the prayers said at mass i'm sure the driving out of rome will be fine. Plus there are 5 backseat drivers and mum with the extra brakes (try not to put a hole through te floor mum in the effort to help dad) hehehehe.
Hopefully the van has air con and that the next stop isn't so hot or with such a hard bed.
Love to you both, stay safe xxx
29 degrees already? What a great way to start , getting the feel of Rome....and a Mass too. Both waiting to get results ofthe car trip. Lynley sounds like a good guide for you all. Expecting Paul to pick up dad for his infusion. Stay safe Much love Mum and dad
ReplyDeleteDid the engines on the plane go round and round - round and round all day/night long?? And now are Johnny's wheels on the bus going round and round - round and round all the way round and round the roundabouts of Rome???
ReplyDeleteI hope RB is behaving and not praying to Mecca in St Peters Basilica.
Catch you soon
Saint Peter of the Como-ina