A Heavenly View

After classes today, we met up with Andrea (an employee of CEA) at St. Peter's Basilica. For being the world's smallest country, I had forgotten how massive that place is!

We began our climb up St. Peter's Dome. Holy Cow! Although they warned us the cupola itself had 320 steps, we were not aware that number did not include the hundreds of steps before (there was an elevator option we foolishly ignored). There was a moment where we could look down the dome from inside. It was insane! Mass was going on far below, and we got an extremely close look at the intricate mosaics you wouldn't be able to appreciate from the ground.

Who knew it was all mosaics?

View of Mass. 

After climbing for what seem like ages in very twisty and tiny passageways (we passed many older tourists taking pit stops to catch their breath) we finally reached the top! What a view!

A tad out of breath, but still smiling

Just like a postcard

We then climbed back down (much easier than the way up) and cheated by taking the elevator the rest of the way. We ended up inside the Basilica. There was so much to see, it is so overwhelming! Everything is beautiful and elaborate and big! But my favorite remains The Pieta by Michelangelo.

Such a powerful sculpture!

 We met outisde and took several pictures of the Swiss Guard. I decided this was probably the worst job in the world. They have to stand perfectly still and stoic in outrageous clothing while people treat them like zoo animals and take their picture. They really are a fascinating sight.

What if you have to sneeze? 

We ended our trip with gelato at Old Bridge courtesy of CEA. I got a massive cone of black cherry, dark chocolate, and carmel. It was AMAZING!  Abby didn't finish her's so at one point  I had two cones. It was definitely a good day.