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  • Day 5

    Mosaic tour

    November 24, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    I slept until 9 am. because I wanted some breakfast, which closed at 10 am. I didn't sleep great, but I need to get a somewhat early start because the museums/churches close by 3 or 4 pm. I had some cold cuts and a cappuccino for breakfast and talked to Aurelia a bit.

    I headed out around 11 am. and found the first stop. I bought a ticket for all the main places which cost 12.50€.

    Basilica di San Vitale
    Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
    Baptistry of Neoniano
    Archbishop Museum and Chapel of Saint Andrea
    Basilica of Saint Apollinare Nuovo

    All but the Archbishop Museum had a lot of mosaics. Actually, even that had a small chapel. I was going to go into details for each, but honestly, they all started to look alike after a while! The mausoleums were beautiful and small. The last place was really beautiful, with long mosaics along both walls of saints--"Guys" on one side, "Dolls" on the other.

    The sites were all pretty close, with 2 in one place and another 2 in another. The last place was alone. The mausoleums had a timed entrance because they were so small.

    Before I reached the last church, I walked past Dante's tomb, house, museum, etc. Apparently, he lived in Ravenna after he was exiled from Florence. If I ever read the "Divine Comedy," I will come back and see all of this. I also tried to visit another church that had a water filled crypt, but it was closed for another 1/2 hour. I was sort of "churched out" anyway.

    So I went back to the B&B and rested. It was about 3 pm, and I wanted to nap. But instead, I pulled one of the big armchairs in front of the TV and watched NCIS LA. (I find I watch shows that I never watch at home, only because they are in English).
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