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Today's visit to the Vatican was absolutely spectacular and amazing! We had to be there at 9AM which meant leaving our appartment at 8, but it was totally worth it. We hardly battled a line for security, which was almost a mile long when we got to the front of it.
Today we explored the Basilica of Saint Peter's Cathedral. Words nor pictures can depict how ornate, beautiful, and breathtaking it was! I was also very thankful that we had a tour guide to explain exactly what all the statues and artwork were of and who made them, it really added to the experience to know exactly what I was looking at. We then went down and explored the "crypt" as our tour guide called it, where the majority of Popes are put to rest. Their caskets/tombs are exquisite and beautiful.
Once our tour was over, the leaders of our program gave us the option to climb tot he top of the cupola of the Basilica or we could leave early and have time to go home before class. Having brought all my school things with me and not wanting to miss any opportunites, of course I opted to climb the Cupola. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. For the climb, there was also an option of climbing all 570 steps to the top, or for 2 Euro more, taking a lift that but out ~200 of the steps. Our group decided that we wanted the full experience and climbed all 570 steps. That doesn't sound entirely terrible until you actually see what the steps look like. Between an awkward mix of spiral staircases, cramped, skinny, short stairwells, and no air conditioning, it was the hottest experience of my life. I have never before had sweat dripping from my forearm, but I guess that's anothing thing to cross of my bucket list, right? At one point, the climbing was so awkward, that we were climbing at a slant because of the curvature of the walls as the dome started to curve - it was bizare; would have never been up to code in the USA. Although the climb was unvearable, the sights we saw from the top were totally worth it! You could see all of Vatican City and a large majority of Rome. I can't put into words how awe-inspiring it was!
Another benefit of today: i realized my camera not only takes high-quality photos but also takes video! So I took one of the inside of the Basilica and one from our Dome-top view, in attempt to show the beauty as a whole and not just in a still-frame from a camera. These still can't do it justice, but it is a step in the right direction!
Tomorrow we tour the two Vatican Museums! I can't wait to see the remainder of this sacred place. I made the Vatican its own album just because there is so much to it (and it is technically its own city) so feel free to check out the pictures and videos!
Oh! And on a completely unrelated note, I tried Italian McDonald's food for dinner tonight. My happy meal came with a pizzola (pizza pocket type thing), fries, peach slices (different from our typical apple slices) and a coca-cola. It was an interesting experience and I'm glad to be able to say I tried it.
A Domani!
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