Day 15: Friday
Friday’s journey to class was much more usual, and as soon as we got to class Tobin knew most of us didn’t actually read Book 5 of Livy, so for class instead we contemplated what politics is and how it relates to other abstract terms we talk about in PTCD. We were let go about a half hour early, but we spent that time talking to Tobin about crazy Italians and Jersey Shore. We had big plans for after class, so we made our way to Campo de’Fiori for lunch (we had a cute waiter) then it was time to head back to Vatican City to conquer the dome. We started out inside and it was nice to be able to walk around and see things because it was much less crowded and not set up for mass. We all get separated however, so Elli, Brandon, David, and I spent a good half hour sitting in a corner waiting for everyone else. Finally we gave up and went over to the dome. We paid five euro to climb the stairs instead of the elevator. The initial climb was not that bad, at least not compared to what was to come, but we had no idea. Going inside St. Peter’s basilica was very cool because we were able to see the detail up close and look down on the inside of the church. One thing I didn’t realize is that all the detail on the walls and ceilings is mosaic.
Friday’s journey to class was much more usual, and as soon as we got to class Tobin knew most of us didn’t actually read Book 5 of Livy, so for class instead we contemplated what politics is and how it relates to other abstract terms we talk about in PTCD. We were let go about a half hour early, but we spent that time talking to Tobin about crazy Italians and Jersey Shore. We had big plans for after class, so we made our way to Campo de’Fiori for lunch (we had a cute waiter) then it was time to head back to Vatican City to conquer the dome. We started out inside and it was nice to be able to walk around and see things because it was much less crowded and not set up for mass. We all get separated however, so Elli, Brandon, David, and I spent a good half hour sitting in a corner waiting for everyone else. Finally we gave up and went over to the dome. We paid five euro to climb the stairs instead of the elevator. The initial climb was not that bad, at least not compared to what was to come, but we had no idea. Going inside St. Peter’s basilica was very cool because we were able to see the detail up close and look down on the inside of the church. One thing I didn’t realize is that all the detail on the walls and ceilings is mosaic.
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| Inside of St. Peter's |
We found Joe and Dylan in the dome, and together we set out on a journey to the Cupola. The stairs were narrow, and as we progressed the walls started to slant. It was smelly, and we were surrounded by French tourists (at least I was able to listen to what they were saying). Then the stairs began to zigzag, then finally we climbed the last set of stairs, which were crammed and spiral. When I heard the little French boy in front of me say, “On a arrivé!” it was the best news ever. We stepped outside where it was a million times colder, took one look at the view and knew immediately everything was completely worth it. We were all sweating like crazy and unbearably hot, but all of that seemed to disappear when we finally made it. It was very crowded on the top and we did our best to push through and get pictures, although no picture can truly capture the amazing view from the top. Seeing the ominous-looking rain clouds moving in, we decided to head down, which was much easier but still not fun. We stopped on our way to buy souvenirs, so I got postcards. Then we walked to the tram, stopped for gelato and amazing strawberry lemonade on the way, then made it home just in time to turn around and go grocery shopping, which we needed desperately. Then I took a nap, and when I woke up we made dinner. Then we began getting ready for Naples tomorrow by packing and showering and all that. Then David came over and we watched Mean Girls. After the movie was over we should’ve gone to bed, but instead we spent at least two hours having philosophical and meaningful conversation. Finally at 3:30am, Elli and I realized we had to get up in three hours for the train to Naples, so hopefully we can get some sleep on the train. So excited!
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| View from top of Cupola |
