Sunday, Sept. 17th by Lynn and Caroline

We went to the Vatican on Friday. The line wasn't too long and the weather was not too hot. It was probably 80 degrees Farenheit.

Michelangelo's Pieta is right inside the door to St. Peter's. It had shorter lines than the Mona Lisa, much shorter. We got right up to the glass and were able to stand as long as we needed. Caroline did her report on it. She taught us that it is the only sculpture by Michelangelo that he signed. He signed it because he was mad that no one admired the sculpture when he unveiled it at St Peter's. There was no ceremony.

We did have one disappointing incident. A woman tried to pick-pocket Mom. Sadly for her, Mom knows exactly what it feels like to have "little paws" in her purse so Mom immediatly grabbed at the hand to scold the perpetrator, thinking it was a young Henry. We were both shocked by the confrontation and she bolted. In hot pursuit, Mom notified the guards, but with the language barrier, it did not go too smoothly. We did not lose any money. The thief was frightened away and the gaurds followed her for the rest of her visit through the cathedral.

From there, we had a comical incident that led us around the entire perimeter of the Vatican. Next time, we will stop and ask exactly where the entrance to the Sistine Chapel is!!

All is well. Ciao, lynn.