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Modern Art
We actually managed to get up early and straighten out the problems with our room reservations again. Took another long walk to the park called something Borghese. It is the home of three museums, and we
were interested in the modern art one. Unfortunately, half of the collection was in limbo, but we saw many interesting works. Not a lot of really wacky stuff like that Asian show at the contemporary in Bordeaux, but it was nice. The big famous works were by Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet.
Enjoy the Vatican
We took the right tram the wrong direction and ended up quite far away from the meeting spot of today's tour. Ended up taking a taxi, which worked out to a decent price for three people. We had Suzi again. Starting with the Vatican Museums, we took a rather tiring tour of the extensive art collection that the church has amassed. I think it was partially lack of sleep, but I was really dead to this tour. I think there is something unimpressive about seeing epic painting after epic painting, and then rooms lined with a thousand marble sculptures. Sure they all have a story, but it felt like a movie marathon or something. Very drained.
Sistine Chapel
By the time we made it to the big chapel, I think most of the group was feeling pretty tired. I did not realize that the entire chapel is painted with these murals. The famous story of the birth of man found on the ceiling is quite cool, but all of the other stuff was a bit overwhelming. Not my style.
St. Peters
The church was also trying to impress when they built the largest cathedral in the world: St. Peters. In fact, on the floor, there are little markers to show how small other monuments are in comparison to the might of the church. It is the same story for every religion the world over. People try to honor their precious gods while their neighbors live in poverty. Perhaps these stones should have been left at the Colloseum, where the slaves originally placed them.
All This Time
The big news from Britain today is the funeral of these three boys who perished when their house was burnt down by some wacky protestants. I can't help thinking how silly religion and its wars are. Just as the church laughs at paganism today, in the future, people will laugh at Christianity. Sting said it this way:
"Teachers told us, the Romans built this place.
They built a wall and a temple in this edge of the empire garrison town.
They lived and they died.
They prayed to their gods, but those stone gods did not make a sound. And their empire crumbled till all that was left were the stones the workmen found."
Evening Stroll
After a fine dinner with Sandra and Josh at a great vegetarian place, we made another evening walk of the fountains and plazas. The tartufo at Piazza really is great. However, it didn't stop me from
continuing my cynical attacks on anything that came up (maybe I should sleep more). Talking to Sandra who married at age 19, I told how marriage is a waste of time. When she started telling me about true love and stuff, I said that I only believed in loneliness and death. Marriage and religion are the cures for these ills, but they are false cures for weak people. I just came up with that little theory right on the spot. Maybe it wasn't a nice thing to say to her, but she seemed a little overconfident about life. Positive that special vitamins and teas, true love, and reincarnation were going to keep her happy. Maybe Arthur C. Clarke was right: it is better to be happy and un-sane than sane and un-happy.
Late-nighter
As if we hadn't already spent enough money, we headed for the internet cafe which didn't close till 1am. Got some nice updates from people back home as well as people I have met along the way. Then, to really top things off, we stopped by a British pub down the street. I ordered a Kahlua and cream, but they just gave it to me straight on the rocks. We poked fun at each other and traded more stories till they kicked us out at closing time. Back at the hostel, there was actually a line for the bathroom until after 3am. No sleep in Rome.
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