Gelato! Gelato! Gelato...and The Pope.

What is it about gelato that is soooo much better than American ice cream? Is it it's smooth creaminess? Yes! It's so good yummy! I've been sure to have it with EVERY meal since I've been here. Hey I need something for a milk substitute.

The past 2 days were spent trying to make my way through St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. That about took two whole days. Exhausting! The Vatican is the smallest country in the world by both area and population. It exists on about 110 acres and has a population of only 900. The Vatican obelisk was originally taken by Caligula from Heliopolis, Egypt (a suburb of Cairo) to decorate the spina of his circus and is thus its last visible remnant. This area became the site of martyrdom of many Christians after the great fire of Rome on 64. Ancient tradition suggests that it was in this circus that Saint Peter was crucified upside down. The Pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City, and is one of the few countries that has not become a member of the United Nations.

I have to say though, the Sistine Chapel? Not what I expected. I thought it would be this huge domed room. Nope, the ceiling was more of a curved arch (no pictures allowed) and I really had to look for the famous finger of Adam and God touching (it was right in the middle). I'm not so sure why it's the most famous. I'm not saying it wasn't beautiful - it was - just not anymore impressive to me than the other chapels I've seen here in Italy, ore anywhere else.

The food is so good here (yes, I mentioned this). Tonight, for 16 Euros, I had a four course meal. It began with some Pastina (yummy, like grandma used to make!), then went on to a green salad, (why does Italian salad always taste dirty) and on to 1/4 chicken with potatoes and my favorite...gelato!