ITALY – DAY 5: VATICAN CITY

This is my first post in about three months. I was able to write and post every few days during my maternity leave, and even after I went back to work when my husband went on his paternity leave. But when we both started working, after his paternity leave was over, it got pretty difficult to juggle work, caring for the baby, and indulging in hobbies. I found that I had little time to work on my website. I finally found time today while Dash naps to work on my website again.

On our fifth day in Italy, which was a Friday, we walked to a few tourist sites in Rome, then took a cab to the Vatican City. We had purchased tickets to the Vatican City a few days earlier.

Trevi Fountain, built in the 1700s. Baroque style and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

First, we went back to the Trevi Fountain, after seeing it lit up the night before. As expected, there was a large crowd already, even though it was early in the morning.

I showed Care Bear how to do the custom Trevi coin throw. Because there was no space right in front of the fountain, he threw from the side walk, a few feet above the fountain. And he made it!

The Spanish Steps, built in the 1700s.

Then we walked to the Spanish Steps and took a few snaps.

Inside the Vatican Museum

Because we had reserved tickets, we skipped the very long line to get into the Vatican City. It only took about 5 min for us to get inside, instead of what would’ve been 2+ hours without those reserved tickets.

Once inside, we did the free walking tour of the Vatican Museum, which ends in the highlight of the Sistine Chapel. Care Bear and the parents-in-law rented the audio tour players. I remember doing this same tour when I was a teenager. It was so fun to reminisce and enjoy the art work all over again.

The Belvedere Torso statute, famous for being the inspiration for Michaelangelo, inside the Vatican Museum. Built in around year zero.

The School of Athens, a masterpiece by Rafael, painted in the 1500s. In Rafael’s Rooms in the Vatican Museum.

King Leo the Great

St. Peter’s Basilica, built in the 1500s.

Once we finished the Vatican Museum walking tour, we ate some pizza and salad at the Vatican Museum Cafe. Then we exited the Vatican Museum and walked around the big wall to get to St. Peter’s Basilica. The line was about 15-20 minutes to get into the Basilica. They did not allow strollers inside, so we checked it in.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The famous La Pieta Statute by Michaelangelo, from the 1400s, his masterpiece. I feel like when I was a teenager, this statute was not so protected by the glass and was instead viewable from a closer distance. I almost feel like people were even able to touch the foot of Jesus in the statute back in those days.

St. Peter’s Square, built in the 1600s.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Square

Breast feeding in St. Peter’s Square

Breast feeding in St. Peter’s Square

Breast feeding Dash in famous tourist sites all around Italy continued. On this day, I fed him inside the Vatican Museum, outside the Vatican Museum in the gardens, and in St. Peter’s Square.

St. Peter’s Square

After that, we hopped on a cab to get back to our friends’ place and rested a bit. Then hopped back on a cab to go to a restaurant called Pecorino, where we met my friend from middle/high school. It was so good to see her, her husband, and her precious son. Hope to see her again!

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