Long Days, Restless Nights

Our trip to Italy proceeds as planned. The Canon PowerShot G11 stills poses a challenge. More details later. The last two days in Rome were tranquil, but long. On Tuesday, we hurried across Rome by metro for our appointed time to enter the Vatican Museums. There were long lines of people waiting to get in and security was quick to check our tickets. Once past screening and inside the entrance hall, there was an even greater press of people, many in large groups. However, we had our own group to join for a guided tour (recommended). Our guide was excellent. Using radio frequency devices, as we moved from room to room her commentary was detailed and interesting. She proved to be quite knowledgeable about key artistic and historical features. At one location, she amusingly exhaled a “mamma mia!” at the congestion in the room as she looked for a spot to stand to give her talk.

After the tour, we entered the Sistine Chapel where we remained looking up at the original images that one sees so frequently reproduced in various media: in books, on posters, in ads, etc. Silence was demanded; no photos allowed. You’re able to enter St. Peter’s directly when you exit the Chapel (to avoid re-screening). The open space and high ceiling were very welcome after dodging the earlier crowds. We happened to be there at a time of day when bright streams of light from the upper windows provided unique illumination and patterns.

It was warm and very sunny when we emerged into the square from the dim interior of St. Peter. Walking past Castel Sant’Angelo, we crossed a bridge to reach a nearby neighborhood looking for a restaurant for a late lunch.

We eventually decided upon a place, but I found the displays outside of restaurants along the way to be creative advertisements; the owners going a step further than just displaying the menu.

Wednesday morning we walked from our hotel to the nearby Quirinale to see the Caravaggio exhibit. The experience has heightened my appreciation of the “master,” as he was referred to on the audio guide. The exhibit was limited to prominent works proven to be painted by Caravaggio himself, including “The Musicians,” a familiar painting from the Met museum (NY). His work provides good lessons for photographers in the use of lighting effects to enhance realism in an image.

After this excursion, more walking; we saw the Trevi Fountain, then a late lunch. Later, we happened upon a martial band playing in the Piazza Navona. We returned to the hotel to rest. Dinner was at a nearby Pizzeria, one of the oldest in Rome: Est! Est! Est! The restaurant is atmospheric and welcoming.

Sometimes too much of good things during the day lead to restless nights. I become sleepy soon after downloading, reviewing and backing up my images from the day. No time left to write. That explains why you need to schedule a day of rest in your itinerary. We’ll have to see about that so I can catch up with reporting our itinerary and the challenge with the Canon G11.

Tomorrow, we travel by train to Naples. It should offer a contrast to Rome.