Running from tour groups

Posted by Leo. The Vatican Museum is a well-known museum. It is also in its own country run by the Pope. Yesterday, when we visited, so many people were there we were trapped between people on either side. It was bad. I skipped the art but I enjoyed looking at the Egyptian things like tombs and hieroglyphs. Everyone in my family disliked how unorganized it was with all the masses of people. We would try to run from a tour group and another would already be ahead of us.

Once we entered the Sistine Chapel I was a little embarrassed because you were not supposed to wear shorts but I was wearing mine. I thought I would have to be held back but it turned out the guards didn't care at all. They just yelled at everyone not to take photos of the frescoes.

Toward the end of our visit I was getting desperate to leave but we had to go through the whole museum. I was pushing past people and I was a little mad because other people were elbowing me. I elbowed them back. I was about to elbow another person but it was a pregnant lady so I felt bad. We had a short time where there was no one around but then the tour groups caught us. Finally I saw the exit down a circular staircase. The staircase was pretty cool. At least it was better than a statue holding a person’s severed off head.

Papal Audience

The view from our seats 

Posted by Griffin. On Wednesday we awoke before the sun, and set out to have an audience with the Pope. We took the subway to Vatican City, only about 15 minutes away, and then prepared to wait. We got in line outside of St. Peter's Square at 6:45 and waited until 8 to be let in. In this line we met a very aggressive Portugese father who was determined not to be behind anyone. He pushed and shoved his way to the front in order to see the Pope. At 8 the gates opened and peopled flooded past guards who were completely complacent. In the struggle that ensued everyone ran for seats, fortunately we had planned ahead and cut right to the best seats in the entire square, front row. 

Finally after about 2 hours of waiting the Pope emerged. He came surrounded by his entourage, who handed babies to him so that he could kiss them. After that it wasn't as exciting, however he blessed us, which was cool. As soon as the Pope finished speaking the whole section around us burst into cheers. Turns out we sat right in the middle of the Papal Cheer Squad. They screamed their hearts out for "Papa Francisco", imagine the Sounders cheering squad but more religious. Overall it was an amazing experience, definitely worth waking up at 5 for.

The pope and his entourage on the move

A welcome oasis in busy Rome

Posted by Elizabeth. Rome is a city of parks. I didn't know this about the city. There are a couple well known ones like Villa Borghese but there are also many, many others.

Beth and I stumbled on one blocks from our apartment without realizing it was a huge ancient valley full of green space and ruins and goats and a community garden. Oh and a castle or two. I think it's the most beautiful park I've ever seen. Full of happy people running and biking and kissing and playing.

Rome is also a city of horrible traffic, loud motor scooters, crowded subways and packed sidewalks. Which makes the parks that much better. 

Roman blood sport

Posted by Leo. Gladiator fighting was a common thing for the Romans. At first they only had fights when one of their dads died and they sacrificed the dead Gladiator in his honor. Then, people liked the fights and wanted them to occur more often so they had fighting whenever anyone died. People would claim their dad died 20 years ago and they would have a fight. Then there uncle died and more fights.

Under the Coliseum floor

The women watched the fights and most people called them "devils from hell" because they would laugh at a man’s death. The gladiators were famous even though they were the lowest of low. They were slaves. Many the people loved the fights and they had signals for live or kill if a man was going to slay another. Not many children came but, when they did, their mothers and fathers would tell them to yell for the death of a man.

This was known as the Roman blood sport. Many people died in these games and some people entered just for fame and glory thinking it was going to be easy.

When I went to the Coliseum I was shocked by its size and the corridors underground for the Gladiators. I felt bad for the Gladiators fighting one another, you could even fight your best friend. They always wanted a fair fight, 1v1 man to man, with only helmets, shields and a weapon of their choice. That’s all they were allowed to have.