Vatican City

On our first day in Rome we decided to start with the best--Vatican City.

Getting to Vatican City proved to be our first struggle. Public transportation in Rome is quite different than anywhere else I have travel, and especially for Lauren (and throw in there that everything is in Italian...it just makes it that much more confusing). However after lining up in several wrong lines, we bought our tickets for the metro and headed to the stop. But the fun didn't stop there! I have never been on such an incredibly crowded subway ever! We were honestly smashed up against everyone...no room to move. We even had to get off the train two stops before the Vatican exit because Lauren thought she was going to pass out. So after a bottle of water and resting on a bench we were prepared once again to withstand the crowded subway to get to our destination.

Finally we arrived and after a short wait in lines we entered the Vatican Museum. The museum was amazing with everything from Egyptian artifacts to hundreds of statues, paintings, tapestrys, and murals. Of course I always found the architectural and decoration of the building itself to be the most beautiful and often found myself gazing at the ceiling. But it was a great museum where I could have easily spent a whole day. The tour through the museum ended with the amazing Sistine Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel was a lot different that I expected. I honestly do not know what I expected...but basically it was a large room covered in the amazing art work of Michelangelo. It is very difficult to describe how beautitful it really is. The "Genesis Scene" is simple amazing. I really found the depictions of God seperating the light from the dark and and him creating the universe particularly interesting and beautiful. The Last Judgment mural was also so amazing. It was so incredible the way he showed the judgement day. Just being in the Sistine Chapel was very powerful and moving...it brought me to tears. It was simply incredible.


After we exited the Vatican Museum we headed to St. Peters Basilica. Now that place is incredible!!!! I was in awe the whole time I was inside! I now know why it is the center of the Roman Catholic faith...nothing comes close to it's beauty nor how much you feel God's presence. Once again I was moved to tears and sitting down to pray in there was an extrordinary expereince. I could never try to describe St. Peters Basilica's beauty to you and give it justice...just take look at my pictures.

Lauren and I in the Vatican Museum Courtyard















Me infront of St. Peters Basilica in The Vatican City

Inside of St. Peters Basilica...

Simply INCREDIBLE!!!

There are just so many more beautiful pictures I want to show!!