Sunday, 25th of August, 2019.
Curious people you find in this hostel. There was an old lady, a little out of the box, who believed that the Jehovah Witnesses were following her; The cook from U.S., who was preparing Italian recipes in her own way (she actually made me a ravioli with ricotta and lemon that it was delicious; The Brazilian guy, who works at night and unfortunately, one of his clients got violent and he lost an eye because the jerk threw it a glass on him. We supposed to go to the Vatican together, because I told him it was free, but he did not show up so I had to go alone.
I leave the hostel at 5 a.m. because it is one hour walking to the Vatican. I get a bit lost (of course) so when I arrive at the entrance, it is 6.15 a.m. There is already almost 20 people waiting in the queue. The first lady looks like Russian and I assume she arrived there around 5 a.m.. because the small group of Indians, priests and students, said out loud they arrived 5.30 a.m. Since they would open just at 9 a.m., I take a nap on the floor and the guy beside me too. But the rest of the time, it is funny to watch the people. Most of them are damn surprised because of the size of the queue. Probably they did not believe in which everybody say, that you must to be there early, or they simply did not get the right information, as I almost got from the hostel, if I had not did my research myself. They said that I could be there late, around seven or eight and would be fine. I actually believe that everyone who was there before 9 managed to enter because they release a lot of people per time anyway. But going back to the people’s behaviour, they would come and ask, a thousand times, if there it is the beginning or the end of the line; then some would go and ask to the security guard, at the door; one woman came and ask at what time we arrived (it is when I heard the Indians); the funniest moment it is when this couple, after going and ask the security guard and knowing (for sure) that where we are it is the beginning of the line, remain in there, as they could simply walk in and wait. I wait just one minute, until they were settled, so I say – Excuse me! This is the beginning of the line, not the end. They look a bit lost and muttered some “I am sorry” before they left. The guy beside me is laughing in gratitude as much as an old Asian lady with her young girl. Sur moi? No!
So we finally get in. I was told not be able to bring my backpack with me because it is too big. So annoying! I have everything that I might need for the whole day here. First time, I get the water, the camera and the food. I walk away for a bit and then I think I should also take the money (and I do not even know why I brought it). Second time I need to come back because I forgot my water but I am determined this time to convince them to let me bring the backpack with me. I do not even need to say anything, when I try to start to explain, the guy just give to me and say: “Here, take it!” Laugh. I think he was a bit pissed. Good for me!
The museum? To be honest? Eh… I was expecting more. I do not know what exactly but in somehow I left disappointed. Maybe my mind it was to amazed by the stories from the movies around the Vatican documents, not the Vatican Museums… I think that I was actually expecting something extraordinary to happen, some adventure thing, someone running, police officers, Robert Langdon, etc. But nothing. Just a lot of tourists, most of them with no sense at all of regarding for other people and their photos. People are just so stupid. The works are nice but nothing that actually caught my attention in a crazy way. The ceilings are great, thought. Most of them are incredible beautiful. Talking about ceilings, Rafael’s frescoes are definitely something to give featured. And of course, The Sistine Chapel. But I must to say that as soon as you walk in and look up it might not catch your attention immediately. It takes a few minutes of staring at the painting to really get into and notice how perfect it is, and once you notice that, you cannot come back. You become fascinated by the geniality of someone to be able to create something so unique, perfect, and in the conditions which it was made it. You forget you are in a chapel, it is like being in one of the rooms of the museum, designated just for the art.
After spend enough time admiring the Sistine Chapel, the visit to the museum is finished. You can, of course, start over again. Instead of that, since I had not paid for the visit plus I was not excited that much about it anymore, I decide to go to see / listen the Pope. Why not? Yeah, he does not mean anything to me but I was in there, in the right day at the right time, so why not? He is kind of famous, almost an actor (you must to be if you are religious, mostly christian) and he is from far one of the best Popes we ever had, with his kind of “open mind”, so why not?
To get in Saint Peter’s Square is easy: just follow the crow leaving the museum. In case there is no one in the day or time you are leaving, just take the right side after you leave and then the next right again. You basically will feel like going around the museum. Which you are. The entrance for the square it is just in front of you. Do not worry, it will be crowded, does not meter which day of the week, at which time. Metal detectors and bags in the tray. I do not really know if it is every time you want to go to the square or just when the Pope will show up. Perhaps the second one. A lot of people waiting for the old man, under a strong sun. I take a picture to a young man, he takes a picture for me and we both take pictures of the Pope. I think he talked for about fifteen minutes. Just that. I eat something at the shade, just admiring the square a little more. Then it is time to another queue, this time to the Saint Peter’s Basilica. Remember: Bernini project the square but Michelangelo project the Basilica. To de Basilica you do not need to pay, just if you want to go to the Dome. I do not know about the Dome but the Basilica it is a must because it is incredible beautiful and huge! It gives you a sensation of being a tiny and miserable and ugly ant when you are inside.
Coming back, exhausted but very happy, I am again thinking why people are not more happy. Why they do not smile more on the streets. Why they do not sing more. Why they do not put their happiness in first place more.
I eat something before I take my things and leave. Simon gives me a big hug, lifting me up. The plan is the same, camping outside town to hitchhike next morning. Just this time I decided to take a bus at least half of the way, actually I think it was 3/4. Just 1.5€ and saved me 6 km of walking, almost two hours. The only thing it is that, when I arrive at the place, near the river, I see remnants of other people also “camping” in there. Kind of living in there, you know? So what to do now? Walking around the road I see a hotel. I think twice before actually go inside and ask to put my tent in the garden. Luckily I do!
The attendant, an old man, is so kind and generous with me. He says that there is a guest who just spend the afternoon, just a few hours, and is about to leave, so if I do not mind, I can have her room for the night, because he will need to clean anyway, so… What? If I do not mind? Of course not. Thank you very much nice old man! He even gives me a bottle of water because I stupidly dropped mine somewhere. He just asked me to leave at 6 in the morning and of course it is no problem for me because I was planning to leave that time anyway. Of course I had an wonderful night of sleeping and luckily I could say goodbye to him in the morning.
