The Vatican

So today was a great day here in Rome. After horrible downpours yesterday and into this morning, Ken and I got out to visit the Vatican today, since it's right down the street from us. It was amazing. We started out walking there not knowing too (my metro stop...also the Vatican metro stop)
much about how to get around or what we would be able to so once inside, but we were in awe at the size of it, as well as the amount of people there, and how open they are about letting everyone seeing various parts of it. The nativity scene and Christmas tree that they had out from Christmas was like no other, and from there we wandered around a bit, and then ended up going into both the tombs of the popes and the Basilica. Both were amazing. The tomb was very interesting, and we were able to see the tomb of Pope John Paul II as well. No photos are allowed down there in respect for the sacred place, however you will see some of my photos of the Basilica instead. The Basilica is unlike anything you can
(the Vatican Wall at the end of my street)
imagine. Seeing it and imagining how hard it must have been to create, and the time that went into making it the brilliant piece of art that it is, plays with your mind. Despite what we had been told, they were allowing photographs inside, so i ended up with a few good one. The pictures on this page are just a few of them. I'm going to end up uploading all of them soon onto a website, but for now this is the best I can do. For those of you that have Facebook, they'll probably be up there first. It's still weird for me to think that I am this close to the Vatican, and that I am actually in Rome. I have added
(me leaning on the Vatican Wall)
some extra pictures below just because I had more pictures to show then what I had to say. I hope you all enjoy, and good luck with the snow!

~Mike















(the Vatican's Nativity Scene)








(Me outside St. Peter's Basilica)





(The inside of the Basilica)










(Vatican City)