Another day of touring Rome is in the books for the Panthers, who just wrapped up a team dinner down the road from the hotel. While everyone had time to do their own thing this afternoon, the traveling group got the once-in-a-lifetime experience of touring Vatican City this morning.
The tour started with the museum, where people lined up early in the morning to buy tickets. But, groups with reservations speed by those lines, so everyone was inside in good order. Our second Italian guide, Flavia, again led the way with all of the details, everyone listening intently on their radio transmitters.
I don’t know if anyone in the group really knew what to expect. I mean, everyone has heard of the Vatican and everyone has seen the Pope on TV, but how often do you truly consider the incredible things that lie inside the smallest nation in the world? Yes, that’s right, the Vatican is its own sovereign state, with its own laws, police, embassies, etc.
I’m not here to write an Italy guidebook, so I will spare you all of the minute details on everything we saw in the museum. But, perhaps the most striking and memorable things were the tapestries. The three-dimensional qualities of the work make it seem as though some of the subjects and items are moving as you move. So, a subject might be looking “at you” when you approach from one side, and then still be looking “at you” even once you are to the other side. Not sure that’s the best explanation, but I’ve never seen anything like it.
From the museum you head into the Sistine Chapel. I couldn't find the words to do it justice, but it is perhaps the most amazing thing I have ever been inside. Flavia actually explained what we would see in advance as guides aren’t allowed to talk in the Chapel, but even she couldn’t prepare us for what we would see. Michelangelo worked some four years painting in the Chapel, creating some of his most memorable works. You don’t have to appreciate art – or religion – to realize you are staring at something incredible.
The team also spent a fair amount of time in St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church. And, of course, out in St. Peter’s Square as the tour wound down.
You can read more about the Vatican Museum here.
It is also important to stress just how into this tour the entire group was. Our friends from Basketball Travelers said that sometimes teams will fly through the Vatican without really soaking it in. But, with the players stopping at every turn to take pictures in the museum, then clearly taken aback by the amazingness of the Sistine Chapel and finally checking out every corner of St. Peter’s Basilica, it was clear the Panthers were soaking in a famous spot many probably never thought they would see.
Attention will slowly shift to basketball tonight with the first game of the tour set for tomorrow night against Lombardia. We’re only about 30 minutes or so away from the gym, so there will be some time for on-your-own touring tomorrow. But, I’d guess a fair amount of the guys may get off their feet at some point and get ready for some game action.
A few other notes … Big Kudos to Fabio, who hounded Alitalia and got my bag delivered. I won’t have to rock the white t-shirt for a second day … Fabio also gets a shout-out for tonight’s team meal. No one walked away hungry … Wake-up calls were a little sporadic this morning they were ordered for 7 a.m. for everyone but some came as early as 5:30. I think a few others never came. But, the breakfast that awaited at 7 was solid, and may have everyone out of bed by 7 tomorrow morning.
I will have a basketball-related posting for you in the morning, Italy time, with five things to watch for in the four games of this trip. We also have been taking some videos but I don’t know that we’ll be able to get a strong enough and length enough internet connection to get them uploaded. If we do stumble into that, we’ll get them to you. Otherwise, we’ll get them up upon our return to the States.
