Travels with Alyx: Roman Empire

July 12

I had no plans originally to visit the Baths of Caracalla, but after passing by it on a tour bus yesterday, I added it to my to- do list. We used a combination of the bus, the metro, and scooters to get to the site. The fact that we successfully used the metro was a win. We did a self guided tour of the site, taking our time to read plaques and learn the history of these thermal baths, which were constructed during the rule of the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who was also known as Caracalla.

Entry road into the Baths

More of the arch- based construction that the Romans were fond of

Entrance into the baths

These thermal baths were in use from AD 216-537 and were open to the general public. While were walking we encountered people who were doing a tour using VR goggles. I wish I had known that was an option because it would have been really cool to see what the baths were like when they were in use by the Romans.

The tile floor in this section is composed of white marble and basalt

Four types of stone used for the tile in this floor section:
white marble, red porphyry, green porphyry and numidicum marble

After we left we grabbed some scooters (These have come in really handy.) and went to get lunch at a restaurant I found through a Waze search. We took an Uber to our afternoon tour of the Vatican Museums. We had pre-purchased just a basic skip the line ticket to get us into the Vatican, and then we had the opportunity to wander the floors of the museum on our own.

A bust from the Egyptian exhibit in the Vatican Museums

Me in front of the statue of Sehkmet, the lioness goddess

Coffin of Anet

We spent some time on the first floor, but skipped the second and followed the crowds through the Egyptian exhibit, and then into the galleries that lead to the Sistine Chapel. It is spectacular. I had not researched it before I went, so I spent time gazing at the panels, and trying to interpret the biblical scenes I saw represented there. There were people praying near the back of the Sistine Chapel, which Lindsay noted with some surprise.

A shepherd

Some of the beautiful ceiling detail in the Vatican

Two things to know if you’re going to the Vatican: shoulders and knees must be covered. Also, no pictures are allowed in the Sistine Chapel. We left the chapel and headed into St. Peter’s Basilica, walking through hallways lined with an astonishing display of Papal robes and goblets and Bibles created with precious metals and jewels. In the end this was yet another place where I could have spent more time.

Goblets made of precious metals

Figurines, Bibles with gilt detail, gold trays

What we didn’t find was the supposed fountain that has water that is blessed daily by the Pope. We had purchased two small bottles with which to get some water, but since that did not happen, we took the bottles back to the shop where we bought them and then headed back to the Airbnb where Charisse and Ross had returned due to an oversold flight. Tomorrow we head back to the United States, having completed our Mediterranean adventure. There is only one thing left to say: Veni Vidi Vici!