Well, actually, some of them really did, but not when it came to building massive monuments to themselves. Today, we did a tour of St. Peter's and the Vatican museums, including the Sistine chapel.
My oh my....St. Peter's is the biggest church in the world, and if not my favorite church that we've seen, easily the most impressive. You don't really realize how big it is until you see from not too far off that the people going in look like ants at the entrances. And then, once inside, there are all these tricks to make you feel like it's not as overwhelmingly big as it really is, so you don't feel so insignificant and tiny. (At least that is what our guide said. Hmm. I also noticed that they have markings on the floor that show how the world's other huge churches would fit neatly inside St. Peter's with room to spare.)
The Sistine Chapel....same experience for me as seeing David. You think you've seen it, because you've seen all those photos, but then you're there, looking up and all around, and you can't believe how beautiful it all is, and that there's nothing else even close to it anywhere. Despite the crowds, and the guards announcing sternly, over and over, for everyone to be quiet and stop taking pictures and video, there is still room for amazement and wonder at what Michelangelo did. Even better, they left a small patch unrestored, so you can see what it looked like before they cleaned it up in 1993 or so....the colors really are brilliant.
We left the tour group, climbed the dome of St. Peter's, and then back down again with shaking legs...we are pushing ourselves pretty hard. After a little pizza and restorative gelato, we're doing OK again, and ready for our last day tomorrow.
I'll write more tomorrow, for the last time!
Buona Notte,
Erin
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3 comments:
Can't believe you guys are coming back already! It will be great to see you. We had a GREAT time at Les Mierables--nosebleed seats, but still wonderful. Kate finished Book 6 yesterday, so it'll be ready for you when you return. She told me the highlights, so I'm not so into reading it. Plus I have so much other reading to do. Still, it was a shock to learn that Herminone Granger elopes with the Half-Blood Prince. What will that JKR think of next!?!
sorry for all the typos in these posts. am typing fast and not checking carefully enough.
Home again, home again, that's the sailor's way...
Wait!! What?? It's over??!!?? Must say, reading your blog has been very transportive! I'll miss it. Perhaps you should continue... Erin's adventures through Berkeley?
Hope you, D and Mama make it home safely!
Love,
Dana
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