Am I jinxed?

Ignore the title for now. 

Today we had an early start with a new driver and new bus. We headed into the centre of Rome, more specifically St Peter's square. There we joined the lineup to enter St Peter's Basilica and were only in line for a little over an hour before we got in. We were moving, slowly, but moving and finally got to the metal detector which we all passed. The basilica is huge and beautiful. There was a mass or other ceremony happening behind the main altar but I never found out what it was.

This was my second visit. The first was in 1971 where we had to return a second day to gain admission. Crowds? Nope. Our dresses were too short. We returned the next morning wearing long pants and in we walked. No lineups. There were lots of people inside but there was no waiting anywhere. I don't really remember what it looked like and in those days you rationed the photos you took, so I have nothing to compare. Today, I took tons of photos. And I lit a candle for a cousin. It was not an actual candle and the transaction required a credit card and a charge of €3. Then I flipped a switch to turn on a candle. I have no real way to know which candle I ignited, but I'm sure that the intention was good enough. 

Here are a few of the pictures I took inside and outside. To see a larger view, click on a photo.

St Peter's Square in Rome under a clear blue sky

In the upper centre of the picture you can see the chimney,
atop the beige gable, where white smoke indicates the election of a new pope.
Obviously there was no smoke today as Pope Leo is well established now.

A view of the main altar, that is likely on hundreds of thousands
 of smart phones and other cameras.

A Swiss Guard on duty

Our group reunited outside after visiting the interior of the basilica. This guy was just outside the exit and I couldn't resist taking his photo.

Following our visit, we followed our guide's flag for about 15 minutes to an area that was more or less behind the square and enjoyed a wonderful lunch. We had chosen either pizza or caprese salad the previous evening to speed up service at the restaurant. I had select the salad thinking this would be a light lunch for a change. And here are our three courses. 

Bruschetta for starters - that's my plate and not for sharing

Caprese Salad with roasted peppers, eggplant, zucchinin on mixed greens

This was followed by a small cup of chocolate and vanilla gelato. What an amazing meal.

From here we walked to meet the bus driver and were driven to a drop off point for our visit to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Somehow, someone in "the office" had booked the tickets for the wrong day. No amount of pleading or attempts to rearrange the visit were successful. This was my second visit to Rome and the second time that errors meant I never got to see the Sistine Chapel. 

As compensation we boarded the bus again and went for a short stroll in Trestevere - along with thousands of others. It's a maze of restaurants and narrow streets and shops.

We rested briefly in the shade of a fountain that I didn't take a photo of.

Then we re-boarded our bus for an early return to the hotel. After about an hour's rest we assembled outside on the patio for drinks, compliments of the tour company, for missing the Sistine Chapel. Yes, there was disappointment, but there's nothing that can be done. Tomorrow is Sunday and it's closed. Monday we depart for Pompeii. No use crying over this missed visit.

We had a nice small dinner at the hotel and are enjoying an early night. Tomorrow we'll be walked off our feet. Today I only took about 11K steps. My feet are swollen and begging for relief, but tomorrow won't be that day.