Thursday, February 4, 2010

Day 4: Aaaaaah the Sistine Chapel

Roma
Having packed our bags we leave them at the hotel and rush off to Vatican City. The line to enter Sistine Chapel snaked all the way to the main road. It took almost an hour to get to the gates. Then there was a security check, baggages screening that were just adding to my anticipation. But the moment you walk up the stairs you know that every minute was worth the wait.

Our tour at the Sistine Chapel began with frescos done by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, 
Raphael, Bernini and Sandro Botticelli. As I walked by each of them, I was filled with a deep sense of respect for each of the artists. The detail to each painting was so well done that it brought tears to my eyes. As an art student you always imagined seeing these masterpieces. Now all I could do was stare at them in wonder. WOW!

As we proceed, following the floor plan, we made our way to Raphael’s rooms. Amazing! Simply amazing each and every one of them. But nothing, I mean nothing, comes close to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescos. We were not allowed to click any photos and right so. No photograph will ever be able to capture the beauty of this masterpiece. I almost died of vertigo, staring up looking to absorb each and every detail. I don’t know how he achieved such perfection, but hats down to Michelangelo and his craftsmanship.

After this everything else passed in a blur. Went back to the hotel, picked our bags and… it rains! Looks like Roma was sad we were leaving. I promise to come back.

At Roma Termini we board the Eurostar. Wooohooo! We sit next to two gentlemen and to pass time, Tan and I begin to play Name, Place, Animal, Thing. These dudes we so amazed by this, that they kept stealing glances at us and our game. Damn Tan won.

Bologna
We reached a new city in a foreign country very late. No information counter open at this hour, it think it was about 9 at night. Bus was out of the question, so we ended up taking a taxi. That will be 18 Euros ma’am. Damn!
The hotel was at the end of the world. Nestled away in the woods. Modernity in the midst of serenity. I felt it was so out of place. It was so different from the one at Rome. Hotel Relais Bellaria was in every way modern. The room uber col. But as usual at the end of the day we are tied and munch on some snacks to keep the energy levels up. Today there wasn’t much of sightseeing as the day went at Vatican City and then shuttling between cities. Tomorrow we will explore!




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