Siena to Roma

Today we packed up and hauled ourselves up the hill to the car to reluctantly leave Siena.  Getting out of town was a little confusing and the road we thought was a decent sized highway turned out to be a wild two lane road through small towns loaded with crosswalks and turns.  

We decided on a side road that was curved around and around through the hills to the "SS" or superstrada.  The countryside was worth the accidental side trip with sweeping panoramas of Tuscany and fields of olive groves, bright sunflowers and perfect rows of grapevines.  The grapevines are a bright green that alternates with the sage color of the olive groves add the bright yellow sunflowers and the red poppies dotting the roadsides and the entire view is a watercolor. 

We pulled into our campsite around lunchtime, set up, made a sandwich and took the bus to St. Peter's Basilica.  Touring St. Peter's begins with a walk through the tombs underneath the sanctuary where the Popes including Peter are interred.  The tomb of John Paul II is where most people linger to pray, sing or leave a letter on the tomb.  

Upstairs in the cathedral the place defies description.  The height of the ceilings alone is unreal but to see the detail everywhere, the artistry, the gold - it is incredible.  There are remarkable paintings in all of the side chapels but the most incredible piece there is Michelangelo's Pieta.  The emotion evoked from that sculpture is deep - people stand in awe and you feel like you might be at the scene.  There was so much to see here everywhere - the main altar has an incredible sculpture as well as a beautiful understated stained glass window.  

We mailed a few postcards in Vatican City and enjoyed St. Peter's square for a while.  The museum and Sistine Chapel must wait for tomorrow as it was closed when we arrived.  We settled for a walk through Rome to some incredible places.

Winding through tiny streets and past cool cafes we came upon Piazza Novanna and watched the artists draw portraits and sell paintings on the square.  Further on we sat on the steps outside Pantheon and admired the Roman greatness.  We then walked to the Forum, the Arch of Constantine, Palatine Hill and saw the Colosseum from the outside.  Having toured a Roman Arena in Nimes we are okay with not going inside this trip.  

The Roman ruins are EVERYWHERE - around every corner there is another archeological site found by someone hoping to build a hotel or some poor guy trying to plant a tree.  Can you imagine digging your shovel in and finding an ancient Roman sculpture in the garden?  The sites are also full of feral cats that snooze on the marble and wander in and out of hidden arches.  

We took the metro and bus back to our campground and had a late dinner. Thanks to everyone who prepared me for this city by saying how dirty it is.  My expectations were so low that I am pleasantly surprised! Tomorrow we are off to the Sistine Chapel and on to Anzio.