Vatican Museum

Today, we plan to visit the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel that is inside it. We have read that there always long lines to get in during the tourist season, but we try to head out early and beat the rush. We are up early and out of the hotel by 8a.

For the first time, we ride in a taxi. When we reach the Museum, I can't figure out what the actual fare is, but hand the cabbie ten euros, which he gladly accepts. It is 8:45 a and the line is already huge, snaking around the edge of the Museum. We join the end of the line and wait patiently; our plans of beating the rush have taken a backseat. In front of us, a gaggle of Japanese tourists provide constant entertainment; wife is amused by their tour guide who has the funkiest set of shades she has seen and a shirt that defies description. After an hour and a half of waiting, we get into the museum at 10:30a.

As we ride up the escalator, wife points to an entourage that has gotten on behind us. I recognize a familiar face; it is India's railway minister: Laloo Prasad Yadav. What's he doing at the Vatican museum, we wonder.

Inside, we spy the Vatican Post Office. Locals tell us that the Vatican Post is more reliable than Italian Post and the stamps are a collectors item. On a whim, we post ourselves a card.

The signs inside the Museum are confusing and that makes navigating difficult. But we follow Rick Steve's advice and soldier on.

There are a bunch of exhibits that one has to pass through, before getting to the Sistine Chapel. On the way, we see some amazing paintings, wall carvings and frescoes. Finally after a romp through the Modern Art gallery - that is very ordinary - we reach the Sistine Chapel.

On one side of the room is a raised platform; a Museum guard stands on it and walks back and forth urging people to move on. On the other three sides of the room are benches - all occupied by tourists. We crane our heads upwards; the paintings on the wall are extraordinary. It took Michaelangelo four years to complete the paintings and each one tells a story. This is the room that the Cardinals are locked in when they gather to elect a Pope.

There are many visitors like us and faint whispers can be heard. The Museum guard shouts for silence every few seconds and quite ironically he seems to be the only one creating a racket with his constant admonitions.

There are two exits out of the Sistine Chapel and we take the one that leads directly to St. Peter's Basilica. We liked the Church so much, that we decided to visit it again today.

On the way out, we locate another branch of the Vatican Post office and mail our parents a card.

Yesterday, we saw the Pope and today we got to view the Sistine Chapel. This trip has been well worth it.