Venice and the Vatican

After much delay I finally have the Internet again. It has been rather hard to find a hotel that offers free wifi or even the Internet for cheap. Typically it has cost about $5 per hour for any Internet use. Speaking of costly events today we just spent about $10.50 for one load of laundry. It was absolutely wonkers, which is a new word we picked up from a friendly Scottish fellow we met at an airport.

Recently we had a chance to roam the canals of Venice via gondola (pictured). The city was very crowded and hot, but still magnificent. While walking around we saw Marco Polo’s home and Casanova’s home. After our journey through the city we had a chance to eat at a Pizzeria with a couple we met from North Carolina. It was nice to finally sit down with other Americans and speak American English. Hopefully, I will get a chance to meet up with them in Frankfurt during the closing stages of my Eurotrip. While in Venice I had a chance to drink the bitter ale of Nasturo Azzurro. The beer has many similarities to Heinken, but has a harsher after taste compared to Heinken. Most of the beers in Italy appear to be very light and somewhat tasteless. However, it still taste great when enjoying an Italian pannini.

Today we are in Rome and just finished up visiting the Vatican. While it is my second time visiting the Eternal City, it still never gets old. The Sistine Chapel is simply stunning. There are not enough words to explain the feeling you get when looking up at every little detail that flows from the ceiling to the painting of the Last Judgment behind the alter. As the Sistine Chapel wasn’t enough for Michelangelo, he also sculptured La Pieta. The sculpture is finessed with details from the head of Mary down to the piercing in Christ side (look at the picture). Later today we will be heading to the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and many other sites. As for tomorrow we head off to another city filled with history, Athens. Hopefully, I will have a chance to blog and upload pictures for you in a timely matter. Feel free to check out more of the pictures on my facebook profile albums. Ciao!