What Do Papal Opulence and Flea Markets Have in Common?

June 27 Answer: we enjoyed both today. Being a bit OCD (what? You hadn't noticed?) I had the troops out the door at 8am sharp to make our 9am reservation at the Vatican Museum. We walked to the Termini Metro stop (down three levels - ugh) for a relatively easy (and air conditioned!!) ride to the Ottoviani stop and then had a ten-minute walk to the museum. It was SO nice to walk past literally hundreds of people waiting in line for tickets. Thanks to Rick Steves we breezed right in the front door to exchange our voucher for tickets.

We loved the Vatican Museum. Really interesting exhibits with English translations. Even the girls were interested. Beautiful surroundings. We took our time, despite the ever-increasing number of annoying tour groups. The Sistine Chapel was something I have looked forward to seeing for more than 30 years and it did not disappoint. Again, thanks to Rick Steves, we avoided the enormous St Peter's Basilica line by using the "shortcut" between the Museum and Basilica - which also saved us a 20-minute walk. The Basilica was just gorgeous. The way it tricks the human eye into thinking it's smaller than it really is is quite remarkable. Upon emerging from the Basilica, we caught sight of the hundreds of people waiting in line in the heat. I felt bad - but also a little superior for doing my homework. Is that bad?

Strolling through St. Peter's Square.

We worked our way through the square and then slowly back to the Metro - stopping for lunch along the way. We decided to take the Metro to San Giorgio, where there is a huge section of old Roman wall as well as a huge flea market. We had SO much fun at the market. Really great finds and the girls had a blast haggling for the best prices for things. Very little cost more than four euros! After shopping we walked back to our apartment via the Colisseum. It happened to be the shortest route, but I didn't mind seeing it again.

Next, we took yet another "siesta" that allowed us to do some packing, clean up the apartment, and buy some fresh bread for another of our famous scavenger dinners. After dinner, we took a ten-minute walk to meet a family whose daughter was adopted at the same time and from the same orphanage as Sydney. Because they live in Georgia, we have not seen them since the girls' adoption in 2005. As Joe pointed out, we have now seen them on two continents and neither one is North America. In any case, Syd and Claire really seemed to enjoy catching up with Sophia as did the parents and the older sisters. It was just really cool to see the girls together and try to wrap our heads around how much (and how beautifully) they have grown since their days in Maonan. Ying-Mei and Ying-Yan have come a very long way indeed.

Meeting up with Sophia in Rome!

As have we, and now, it's time for us to wrap up our adventure and head home. It's been an incredible experience that I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have experienced. Thanks to all who have listened to my ramblings.