Turns out that we arrived in Rome at what forecasters predict will be the hottest weather stretch of the whole year! It is Dallas-summers hot, and air conditioning units are about as common as a hummingbird in (a Vancouver) winter: you know they are there, somewhere, but you rarely see them.
In spite of that, and in spite of a crush of crowds that had our guide’s eyebrows raised in surprise, we had an amazing early-morning visit to the Sistine Chapel yesterday.
Photos not allowed. (Bummer!)
That was followed by hours of tromping for miles (ok, kilometers) around buildings and gardens that had astonishing artful creations covering every surface and filling every space.
Then we went into St Peter’s Basilica, and when the guide explained how it is built over the rocky site where Peter was buried, and how Romans and Catholics believe it fulfils Christ’s prophecy about Peter, “Upon this rock my church will be built,” I got goosebumps.
Amazing. I can hardly believe we’re here.
And today, we go to the Coliseum, the Forum, and Ceasar’s Palace.
Wow…
I just hope we don’t melt!
