A, E and K had earlier flights so set off for st peter’s on my own. encountered school groups with banners on the way there and wondered if it was some kind of demonstration. turned out to be a mass dance in st peter’s square organized by a radio station. the kids wore yellow caps and had yellow and white streamers while bunches of yellow and white balloons dotted the crowd. there were exhortations of ‘long live the pope,’ ‘wave your caps’ and ‘with vigour!’ (forza!) was surprised when the music that came on was set to a thumping beat and featured the word ‘cioccolate’ prominently in the chorus.


decided to enter the basilica. managed to join the line for ‘cupola,’ thinking it was the cappella. ended up paying €4 to climb yet another 320 steps, which led into the dome of the basilica. could smell the incense and hear the choir as mass was being celebrated. onward and upward until i emerged from the dome for a great view of st peter’s square. left before the pope made his usual appearance at noon from the window of his living quarters.


asked the front desk about a shuttle service to fiumicino airport as i had seen an ad for a €26 service. was offered a €50 limousine service, so the metro it was. quite glad i didn’t end up buying the volumes on Italian art as i lugged the backpack about.
while the food on KLM was fine, the thought that they’ll be serving it again on the next flight (from amsterdam to singapore) was less than appetising. too bad if you don’t like cold pasta or cream cheese spread with onions and herbs.

ok, that was just the short-haul flight snack box talking.