Sistine Chapel and Vatican City

We got up early and left the apartment by about 8:25 to catch our bus to the Vatican. I purchased a timed entry at 9:30 am. If you come here, definitely pay for the timed entry. Loads of people waiting to get in and buy tickets. The morning entries were already sold out a couple of days ago!

We had to show our passports (it is another country) and our tickets, go through security, check our long umbrella, and show our tickets a second time to get into the museum and Sistine Chapel. The place was packed!

We stopped and mailed a postcard to my step-mom, Chris, at the Vatican Post Office. Then I waited in a really long line for the women's restroom while Phil just zoomed right into his. Several women were firmly evicted from men's bathroom by the female attendant, which had no line. I tried to leave a tip as the sign said tips were appreciated, but the attendant declined with a thank you.

We walked through endless hallways and rooms filled with art, sculptures, murals, etc. We went up and down stairs. Finally, we arrived at the Sistine Chapel. No photos allowed, and quiet is enforced. Honestly, it wasn't much more special than what we'd already seen! This is where the new popes are elected when it isn't filled with tourists. It was beautiful, but so was everything!

If you aren't special, you have to walk all the way around the block to see St Peter's Basilica. I didn't realize we also needed a special entry time to see inside, and by the time I checked, it was sold out for the next 2 days. There is no charge to go in, but it does cost 5 euros to book an entry time. The lines were crazy for late February. I can't imagine what tourist season will be like!

We came back home and had leftover warm soup for lunch. We'll organize ourselves today. We get picked up for a ride to the airport tomorrow at 8:30 am, so we will run more load of undies later today. When you only have 3 sets, you have to wash often! From here on, we'll be just washing in a sink or looking for a laundromat. I don't reserve on the Camino, and we'll be staying mostly in hostels with bunkbeds.Read more