Today we went to the Vatican Museum.  Andy went several weeks ago on a ‘Skip the Line’ guided tour that was 50 euros…worth it to not stand outside in line for a couple of hours, inching your way to the entrance and having no guide.  Andy had a friend in town for the weekend, and she heard about the GreyLine tour for 15 euros.  Skip the Line and a guide.  What a deal!  Our guide was Fabio, and he was a delight.  Andy said this tour was shoulders above the tour she had.  So remember, The GreyLine Tour if you come to see the Vatican museum.  We also saw St. Peter’s with Fabio…Andy was on her own inside St. Peter’s when she went.  We got Fabio’s contact so we can get him again..he was a great guide.  St. Peter’s Square is getting ready for Palm Sunday.  There is a huge crucifix hanging from a red curtain behind where the Pope will sit outside.  It is between two huge colums that are wrapped with huge Palm fronds.  Under the obelisk in the center  of the square, they have put two very large olive trees and hundreds of pots of yellow flowers.  It will be very festive.  In the Sistine Chapel there is a scene painted by Signorelli of the Last Supper.  He always ‘signed’ his paintings by painting his dog somewhere in the scene.  A fellow painter who helped with the painting was Signor Gatti (cats).  He painted a cat in front of the supper table.  If Signorelli can paint his dog, Gatti can paint a cat!  Not to be outdone, Signorelli painted another dog…in front of the cat!  

I forgot to mention when we went to see Pope Francis on Wednesday, we had to pass thru security metal detectors.  That was a first.  Of course, Rome and St. Peter’s are under high alert because of terrorist threats. The metal detectors  have been used for years going into the Basillica, but for the Wednesday General Audience…no.  Did I mention the RAIN?  My clothes have finally dried out.  

Tomorrow, Andy and her friend are going to ride segways around Rome.  I’m not ready for,Segways!  So, I’ll be left to my own devices.  Will see what I come up with!  Alone on the streets of Rome!  Til tomorrow….