It's VatiCAN, not VatiCAN'T

I know, I know. I haven't blogged in a while and I'm sure you all are both devastated and on the edge of your seats. If not, you should be.

I think I left off on Thursday.

Friday was V-Day. That's right. I finally went to the Vatican. And it was good. It was like being in Disneyland. Seriously. First things first though, I had gelato from this one place everyone says is the best and they were right! As with most of my Italian transactions, it involved a lot of pointed and smiling, and compromising because I don't know words like "dish."

I went with a bunch of girls I met in Assisi, who shared my affinity for Catholic culture (if you get the reference, five points) and we did the typical mass picture-taking thing in front of the fountain in the Piazza. Then we saw a long line and thought, "Hey! They seem to know what they're doing!" So we jumped in line w/ them and ended up going into St. Peter's Basilica. Before, though, we were screened by Swiss Guards, who, by the way, weren't wearing the full costume, so a part of me is thinking that they were just creeps.

What a beautiful place! My one big regret, though, is that I didn't get a tour and didn't do research beforehand. I completely missed the Pieta! I did, however, see Pope John XXIII, Pope Pius XI, and, most importantly to me, Pope John Paul II, who had a Swiss Guard at his, along w/ a dozen or so people praying and a 1/2 dozen roses. St. Peter's still had their creche scene up. For my parents/ those in on the story: I verified that indeed, Judy with the jugs is part of the creche scene. I took pictures to prove it. We debated on whether or not to go to the Vatican Museum, but seeing that we are poor college students and that I'm sure my parents will be more than happy to pay my admission when they come to the Vatican, we passed. All was not lost, though. On our way out of St. Peters, we (FINALLY!) saw Swiss Guards in the full get-up and yes, I got pictures. And yes, I have no shame.

On to lunch, where there was more pointing and nodding, and then we went to Castel Sant' Angelo. Little known fact: Castel Sant' Angelo was actually the secret Church of Illumination, the Illuminati Lair. I learned that from Dan Brown. Once again, we didn't do a tour because it was getting late and we were trying to meet up with some girls.

We headed back via Piazza Cavore to Via Balduina to Via Massimi.

I don't want to overload you, so I'll write more later!!