The Wandering Genealogist: No - not a jinx. We got in!!

Our intrepid tour guide, Francesca, never gives up. She found that the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum, are open for free on the last Sunday of the month. And this happens to be the last Sunday in April. Yay. Five of our group, including me, opted to take our chance of getting in by lining up. We departed the hotel at 7:45 and arrived near the end of the lineup as it was then, about 20 minutes later. There were thousands of people ahead of us, but no sooner had we joined the hopeful throng, that more and more folks were lined up behind us. I can't begin to estimate the total number of hopeful visitors who endured the lines.

Initially we thought that the corner of the street just ahead of us, about 60 yards, was the final turn before the main entrance. In fact, we had three more corners to turn before the gate was in sight. Not to be deterred we waited - and were rewarded for our patience.

In the courtyard of the museum

During the week, admission means taking a paid tour of the Vatican Museum before being admitted to the Sistine Chapel. None of us were interested in the museum, so we got to skip that tour today. But all of us were astounded at the size of the museum. It seemed to extend as far as the eye could see every time we turned another corner.

It is said that if you stand in front of each statue and each painting or, map above, you would not leave the museum for seven years. That's a lot of looking. Believe me there's a lot to look at.

Once in the Sistine Chapel, no photos are allowed. Every nook and cranny harbours a painting. It's a wonder to behold and we all decided it had been worth the effort and waiting. I logged 6000+ steps in this endeavour.

When we got outside again, Francesca called our driver again and we were delivered to the door of the restaurant where we were eventually joined by the rest of our group. They'd had a three-hour walking tour of the Colosseum, and other historical locations. We had bruschetta (of course) and a pasta whose name I don't recall but it was a huge serving and the sauce made with peccorino cheese was tasty indeed. The meal was topped off with the lightest imaginable chocolate mousse. I think they used clouds in the recipe.

Subsequently, three of us didn't think we could manage another two hour walking tour, and took a cab back to the hotel where I've enjoyed a nap and general lounging. My feet are grateful. Here are a couple of views the driver included en route.