The Vatican really must discourage guided tours…they get annoying beyond a point…

St. Peter’s Square is actually a very large circle and a beautifully maintained one. Can’t imagine the chaos when this place is filled to the brim with thousands of people during the papal elections.

Successfully climbed the cupola. Partly because I paid for it and partly because once I started climbing, there was no way to stop.

The climb is difficult but worth the effort. The view from the top is marvellous.

If you’re planning on visiting Rome, don’t miss climbing the Cupola. The climb starts as a five foot wide ramp, narrows into winding stairs of 3.5 feet. The stairs get progressively narrower as you climb until it’s just about 15 inches. At this point, I thought I was going to suffocate! Then it gets worse because the climb is not only steep, but the ground is inclined at roughly 10 degrees. But the view from the top compensates for all the trouble!

Peak hour traffic in Rome metros resembles Chennai trains in peak hour. No space to stand.

Really not enough trains for the demand.

Neck pain because of the camera. Didn’t realise it was this heavy.

Now, this is what I call blogging on the go. However, for lack of internet connection or even phone connection all day long, I will post my impressions gathered through the day at the end of the day when I get back to the hotel!

• First impressions: Rome is like Chennai. Taxis refusing to ply, cars parked on pavements, traffic lights that everyone ignores. Yay for Italy!
• Trying to find the hotel: Lost in Rome, when I requested help, a very nice couple took the trouble of directing me to the hotel, after having looked it up on their GPS. Sweet! Don’t think people in Paris would ever do that!
• Getting used to the idea of being alone with my thoughts and moods. Must bring a book and a pen along tomorrow. Makes it easier to write.
• There is something liberating about being able to go into a restaurant alone and order something to eat. Equally a relief is when people don’t wonder why someone would be vegetarian.
• Lunch! Just finished a decent meal after nibbling inedible morceaus in Paris. Cheers to the Italians who are so helpful. The guy actually made something for me that didn’t contain meat or fish.
• I am the only idiot waiting for a green signal to cross a road. Everyone else just walks.
• Just saw the most beautiful set of rosary beads. Pity I am not Christian and don’t know any religious ones. Would have bought one otherwise…
• I can buy condoms from a vending machine outside a pharmacy but not lip balm or BandAid. Strange place.
• People look happy. I actually see them smiling at others. So unlike Paris.
• There is something so beautifully peaceful about the St. Paul’s Basilica, that I couldn’t help praying at the chapel.
• These are men of God. Their devotion and faith touches the heart, however misguided the brain may claim it is.
• First pizza in Italy not impressive. Too salty and soggy. Damn my taste buds. They never seem satisfied.

And finally, I spent Valentine’s Day attending a special prayer (which was beautiful by the way) at the St. Paul’s Basilica and having dinner by myself in a pizzeria decked in red and while balloons! Can there be anything more…unusual?

I leave you with one picture to end the day!