Il Vaticano e Castel Sant'Angelo

After class on Friday Lindsey and I decided to walk to the Vatican. We hadn't been there yet, but it looked close on the map... Oh ye of little faith. Within 3 minutes of leaving my school we saw Castel Sant'Angelo.

Lindsey and Castel Sant'Angelo

We were literally floored, having another one of those moments where you don't know whether to freak out, cry, jump up and down, or just sit down because of all of the awesome power of the fact that you live in this city. I LIVE here. Sorry, just hyperventilating a bit over here! Another cause for awe was definitely Bernini's bridge of Angels. Yes, I am obsessed with Bernini.

Bernini is said to have sculpted two of the angels completely by himself, but they have since been replaced by copies. I'm not exactly sure where the originals have got to, but believe you me, I will do research and create another very educational post pertaining to the Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican. I felt like you all needed a break after the baroque info-overload. 

We then waked the short distance to the east and ended up at the Vatican. All the way we were making fun of the tourists and their maps and the way they wait for the green walk signal to walk (you'll never get anywhere in Rome that way). I personally believe that it is much more beneficial to be a traveler than a tourist. A traveller attempts to take part in the local customs and way of life, taking it all in, being a participant as opposed to an observer. I firmly believe in getting lost and accidentally finding yourself at a historical monument, a tranquil park, a stylish shopping district, or a fantastic restaurant. Only use your map for finding your way back! I don't even do that... in Rome all I have to do is find the Tiber river and I can get home!

Reigning in this tangent... So we went to the Vatican! No, the Pope was not there. He's at his summer home, Castel Gondolfo.

il Vaticano

I love standing in Bernini's arms in his Piazza and looking upon Michelangelo's dome and Maderno's façade. I am awed by what the love of God can inspire people to do. 

Unfortunately this day we didn't go inside, we had all of our school books with us. I do intend to take more pictures! I have a promise to fulfill to my dad. The challenge: take a photo with a member of the Swiss guard.