Rome - Vatican City

We were all pretty jazzed up to meet the pope at the Vatican.  Little did I know I would actually get a couple of feet away from a pope, but that he was in a glass coffin.  Honestly I'm not real sure about the glass coffins.  Cory pointed out a group of nuns posing and taking pictures with the late Pope John XIII. 

The outside of the Vatican is fairly standard issue.  The large stone wall is functional, but doesn't have much character.  Inside the Vatican however is an impressive world of religion, history and art.  Some come on a religion pilgrimage, others want to appreciate the beauty of the arts.  Even if you are not an art lover, there are some spectacular things to be seen.

St. Peter's Basilica

The paintings in the Sistine Chapel are simply amazing.  You are not supposed to take pictures while you're in the chapel so I abided by the rules although I saw many people sneaking in photos.  Learning about how Michelangelo stood on scaffolding and painted with dust falling into his eyes for years to the point of causing him near blindness just amazes me.  Despite having thousands of tourists visiting each day it is still a serene, peaceful place.  We did get a bit of a chuckle because you are supposed to be in complete silence in the chapel and Brady started signing Happy Birthday in full volume to Everyone.  "Happy Birthday to Everyone" he sang.

Swiss Guards, not the most masculine uniforms.

St. Peters Square