And if you can find them ...

I got some good advice before leaving on this trip. Basically, don't worry about missing stuff/sights.

Instead, I'm basically doing the opposite.

Saturday I found myself looking at the map and seeing what was relatively nearby. I hit the sights I wanted to see, but then ended up checking out many others I hadn't considered or even heard of.

On some level it's been quantity over quality, but I'd rather get a taste of many rather than delving deep into a few sights. And I'm coo wit dat.

On the agenda was...

The Vatican/Sistine Chapel/St. Peter's: Signed up for the tour to skip the insane line, got in, they ran out of headsets, so I got a refund and followed along anyway ... Though I lost the group. Twice. The green dots bailed me out.

Lots of art -- much of it very impressive, most of it biblically inspired. The Sistine Chapel, not surprisingly, is amazing. What's even better was how subversive Michelangelo and other artists were, protesting by sneaking various images or poses into their works that the emperors surely would not like.

St. Peter's -- also very impressive. Obviously these sights hold greater meaning for some, but it's easy to appreciate the history and the, well, Mecca-like status (can't think of another way to describe it).

They were setting up for Sunday mass -- thousands of seats. It was barricaded off, but that didn't stop some idiotic tourist from accidentally dropping an empty bottle of Coke Zero (which, at this point, should be sponsoring this blog -- otherwise I might have to try the acqua no gas thing) down the steps, creating more noise than one thought plastic and marble could combine to make.

Oops.

The tour guide said, "The pope is going to be mad at you."

Thankfully, I'm outside his jurisdiction.

At one point he (our guide, not the pope), asked it there were and Americans on the tour. I raised my hand. Referring to a nearby statue that was pointing, he said to me "it's the world's first pull-my-finger statue."

I'm glad Americans are viewed as so high-brow.

FUN FACT: The Vatican, the world's smallest country, has the most reliable postal service and the highest crime rate. Still trying to figure out a "going postal" connection.

Castel Sant'Angelo: As far as castles go (which, if built well, isn't very), this one was a little too museum-y. The older rooms and exteriors were great, but so many others were redone ... They even had a row of rooms dedicated to advertising tourism for different parts of Italy. With TVs showing videos of them as representatives passed out free literature. There also was a bar/café ... Which was nice, but clearly not part of the original. Unless the Romans were waaaaay ahead of their time.

The castle - previously a tomb of sorts for popes -- still was interesting, and offered great views. And apparently there is/was a secret passage from the Vatican to the castle, which would have been great to see. But in all, the English and Irish do their castles a bit better.

Maybe I'm bitter b/c I told myself I was going to go light on souvenirs, but I got suckered outside the castle (though I did negotiate pretty well). Now I have to figure out where/how to carry this stuff.

Then I wandered to Piazza Navona (possibly the caricature capital of the world), the Pantheon (yes, I did have the gelato there -- good stuff), Piazza di Spagna (lots of steps), Mauselo di Augusto (closed for excavation -- which was too bad, as it looked really cool), and finally Piazza del Popolo. And saw a few dozen impressive basilicas along the way.

It's interesting in that many of these must-sees basically turn into hangouts for tourists and Rome's young folk (mostly teens). Going from place to place I walked through central Rome -- winding, narrow cobblestone-like streets, restaurants and shops everywhere, great architecture -- and all very pedestrian-friendly. This is a great place to just bum around -- though my literally bleeding toes weren't too happy.

I finally make it back to the hostel and check into my third different room in as many nights (I knew this was the case going in). This one was a six-bedder. I open the door and for a moment I thought I had stumbled upon an orgy. One couple was cozy on a cot, another was half-naked ...

They actually turned out to be very, very cool. Five of them, from outside Bologna, often vacation together (USA this summer). They spoke just a little English, but enough. Did drinks (beer -- they like Bud! -- wine and limoncello) and dinner (a standard local pasta dish) in the Trastavere, which is great. More cool streets, restaurants tucked away in alleys. This is a fun town -- when not burning or being invaded, of course.

Our Italian friends apparently like The Simspons, The Griffins (Family Guy), Dr. House, Beautiful Housewives (Desperate -- and I think they were butchering the names, though maybe they are different over here), Big Brother, Madonna and Timbaland. And U2. And Justin Timberlake.

Oh, and they also made references to the Goonies and Zoolander. Great stuff. In all, had an absolute blast hanging w/them. Even when I couldn't understand what they were saying, just listening and watching their reactions was entertaining.

Thanks, guys. And go see the Yankees! Or the Mets...

FUN FACT: The pope is catholic.

By the was, this room features a stencil of the A-Team logo and pictures of B.A. Baracus. I have no idea why.

Today, once I finally get moving, will include some catacombs and a Da Vinci exhibit.

Blue Steel will change the world.