Rome, Italy

Colosseum
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Arrived in Rome without sleeping a wink on the plane.  To top that, I had breakfast on the plane about 3 hours after dinner completed.  Jet lag will definitely kick in within a day.

I took the Leonardo express train from the airport to Termini rail station in Rome.  Then I took a taxi which was a waste because the convent was about a 15 minute walk.  I stayed at the Suore di Santa Elisabetta which is a convent near the (almost next to) Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.   It is ideally situated near the things I wanted to see.  Yes, it's a real convent with nuns.  The other guests range from families to singles whether male or female - just like any other hotel.  I found this through MonasteryStays.com.  Interestingly, there are well over 100 monasteries/convents in Rome alone which cater to tourists.  I did have difficulty finding it after the taxi dropped me off.  I walked up the street but didn't see it.  There was no big neon Holiday Inn sign.  Finally, I asked a policeman and guess what?  I was standing right in front of it.  Go figure.

Colosseum
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The Pope even drove by the first night I was in Rome.  No, not to see me.  I saw people lining up the street around 7:30 pm and was told Il Papa was coming by.  Then, a man said he wasn't coming this direction, and instead was going to San Giovanni up the street.  He told a priest who followed him so I felt sure he would be honest & followed him too.  About 9pm I went back to my original spot and the Pope drove by at 9.30 pm. The proper protocol is to applaud when he drives by. The popemobile followed him.  I don't know what he was doing or where he was going but he did drive by.

Inside of colosseum
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I did see as many of the Rome sights as I could:  Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican (Sistine Chapel), St Peter's Basilica, Gallerie Borghese, Spanish steps (but only by accident when I was looking for Gallerie Borghese).  You would think that the Vatican & other religious sights would offer some sort of evangelism.  No, none.  If a non-Christian toured the churches, would they understand what they are viewing?  I was disappointed in the Sistine Chapel.  It was a three ring circus.  It was crowded with everyone saying "shhh" while tour leaders were trying to whisper to their groups.  There were so many people that you couldn't enjoy the view.  Gallerie Borghese is an interesting art museum located in Borghese park near the zoo.  You have to make reservations which is limited to a two hour window.  All purses, parcels must be checked in.  That being said, the statues were remarkable; I didn't care too much for the paintings.

waiting for the Pope to come by. Sta Maria Maggiore church
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Did jet lag hit me?  Yes.  On the first day I didn't want to wander too far so I went to the Colosseum.  I saw a long line to enter so I purchased a ticket for a group tour.  We still had a line but it moved faster and was much shorter.  Once inside, the tour guide started talking but that's when jet lag hit me.  I couldn't stand in one place very long so I wandered around.  I notice a few others in our group doing the same thing.  All I remember the tour guide saying was the ancient Roman men were "real" men not like the ancient Greeks whose male statues pose in a feminine manner.

the lower altar of Sta Maria Maggiore
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The shopping district around the Pantheon was nice.  This is where I fell in love with Italian glass jewelry.

I found Rome easy to get around.   The metro was also easy.  Food was delicious.

I leave Rome by train to go to Naples to join my tour group.