The Good,The Bad and the Unlucky

Rome

Sunday 31st August

Well we farewelled our traveling companions after a short breakfast, and packed our bags for the short taxi ride to our new accommodation. It is a lovely B&B a short stroll from the Vatican. We were very early but Simone heard us outside and came down to let us in. 

The impressive entrance to our accommodation. It shares the building with other businesses, but nonetheless we feel special coming into it.

The internal courtyard, no doubt for the carriage!

Situated on a lovely quiet street but then it is Sunday.

It has everything we want including a novel use for the bidet. Other hotels in Italy did not have tea and coffee in the room, but this little establishment does.  Simone went to great lengths to provide us with information about local eateries and transport in the area.

But the one thing we really wanted to do this trip was mass at St. Peter's Basilica. We had to hot foot it past the huge lines waiting to enter the Vatican museum (we discovered that it was free today), but our hearts sank when we entered the Square. The line to enter the church was even longer. Surely they can't all want to go to mass??? But the majority simply wanted a look inside and the faithful had to queue up with them. So we took our place and made the almost complete circuit of the Square, before finally entering. We just about sprinted up the have and pushed and angled our way into a spot in the mass of worshippers. It was a mass in Latin, sung and concelebrated with at least one cardinal several bishops, a few Monsignori, and dozens of priests. We would not fit such a throng in St.Brendan's in Shepparton! We respectfully did not take any pics during the mass. The less reverant guy beside Pop did try but had his arm tapped by attendants frowning fearfully at him with very clear instructions that deterred other would be photographers. After mass was OK to photo, Si !

Under the dome almost over where we stood for mass. But afterwards it was back into the Square for Pope Francis' Angelus Address. There were thousands and thousands. What a view we had.

There, building on the right second window from the right.. What? You Don' t see him?  Pop use the zoom!!!

That is much better! We didn't understand what he said until he came to bless us - and the few others gathered there. That was special.

We decided to go to a lovely pizza restaurant recommended by Simone. It was delicious - the best yet. Then decided to reconoitre the public transport for a trip to Ostia Antico tomorrow. 

On the way back in a very crowded train with much jostling and pushing as the train lurched, Pop was relieved of his wallet!!  Did not feel anything and I thought it was secure in a leg pocket held down with Velcro tabs!! What an expensive lesson and I guess unlucky to be the target. Money and a card they cannot use (immediately suspended) but a sour edge to our day.

Need to go and have a drink next door!

Well done Hawks!

Ciao you lovely people.

Poss an Pop