Saint Peter and Everyone Else

In the days since we last wrote, we have become exhausted and weary travelers. but also filled up the magic of big, important Roman things. Mom arrived yesterday, and despite a good deal of confusion and communication issues, met us at our hotel near the Vatican, well-rested from the sleep aided plane ride and ready to take in some sights. We made or way to Piazza San Pietro and had a nice long walk through the Basilica while Itzel took the opportunity to sleep in the Ergo. Later after the hike back to our cute and quirky Hotel Alesandrino, we again headed out to Piazza de Spagna, The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, where we were soundly jacked for a nice chunk of change because we let our hunger get the best of us and sat down at of those sidewalk cafes where hawkers push menus into your hand. We knew better than to order wine or beer, which costs 5 times the price of the same beverage in a less touristy spot, and were sure to ask about the price of the pizza we ordered (8 euros), but at the last second decided to order 2 slices of potato pizza, which we were charged an outrageous 12 euros for.

We got back to the hotel and Josh worked his bedtime magic on the kids while mom and I took a little chilly walk around the winding, hilly neighborhood. We slept pretty well for 5 in one room and today went for it and headed to the Vatican Museum. Itzel was kind enough to time her nap so that she slept on Josh's back while we pushed Ezra around in her stroller. He listened to stories and music on our little Nano IPod, while we listened to an audio guide tell us about the frescoes we were looking at. The Sistine Chapel was as amazing as one could hope and the museums around it brimming with awe-inspiring art. The guards in the chapel hush the crowd about every 2 minutes and remind you that God will strike you down if you try to take any pictures, but the rest of the museums are fair game.

I should note that with the arrival of my Mother, our daily photograph quota has increased exponentially, much to our delight.

We said goodbye to the holiest parts of the city and collected our collective luggage and hiked across town to a new hotel from where we are about to go scare up some dinner and finally get the kids some well-deserved and long promised gelato.