At the top of Vesuvius

There was no reception (at all - wifi or cell) in Capri so these pictures are a couple days late :(

We hiked (quite a steep hike) to the top of Vesuvius. We we were super sweaty and our bodies were complaining. But we made it. We were able to look into the crater of Vesuvius and off the side down to the coastal town below.

Roman skyline from the top of the Spanish steps

Sent from my iPhone

Spanish steps

After the one million miles of HOT walking this morning and early afternoon, we took a nap and then went out for more walking. This time we saw the Trevi fountain and climbed the Spanish steps. Why are they calls the Spanish steps you ask? Well, you see, they are in Italy. Which was once roman. And they were paid for by a French guy. So there, that makes sense, right? Yep. Yes, there is more to it. Like they connect or connected the Spanish embassy to a church. Really, that matters? where the steps lead? Henceforth, I shall call all walkways that lead from my car in the parking lot to Pappsito's the Mexican walkway. Thy really were beautiful and more so than the stairs themselves, I found the coolest thing is how everyone just lounges about on them. Very casual, like they aren't just randomly laying on this piece of architecture that, until today, I have only seen in movies.

Onto the killing arena

After the morning tours, we headed to the Roman Forum and Colosseum. You know, enough love, light, forgiveness, and gold - time to go see where the people killed each other!!!

Here we are "inside" the colosseum. Though it was a place of battle, torture, and death, we learned some cool facts about it -like the ground in the colosseum was actually a wooden stage covered in sand. And they would have circuses before the slaughters. (Nothing negates the negativity of a slaughter like a juggling clown.)

St. Peter's

This is us standing in St. Peter's square staring up at St. Peter's basilica. We couldn't really take any good pics inside the basilica. But I must say - it is remarkable. Beyond remarkable. Huge, ornate, filled with symbology, and even a mummified pope, seriously. We could see his body - all brown and mummified. Seriously.

Heavenly door

So every 25th year (which is a holy year) the Pope rips through the concrete on the other side of this door with his bare hands and then open these bronze beauty doors. It is said that anyone who walks through them will pass straight to heaven. (Not sure if that means after you die - later - naturally or if right there on the spot you ascend to heaven. Whatever, I'm in.). They really are a giant but magnificent work of beauty.

Kicking off the day catholic style

Our day started with a huge dose of Catholicism. We got up super early to head to the Vatican museum, Sistine chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and St. Peter's square.

No photography allowed inside the Sistine chapel - no talking either. Your voice might disturb the paintings! But here is a cool picture of the steps leading from the chapel. They actually go down several flights and were designed by Bernini.