Tuesday, April 26, 2016

V is for Vatican City




We’re on the home stretch in this April’s A-Z challenge and I am exploring places I’d like to travel.  The letter V provides four countries as possibilities.  There’s Vietnam, and I’d love to go back, but I’ve been there.  A wonderful country, especially if you can get out into the countryside.  Then there is Venezuela, one of our neighbors to the south, a country that is often at odds with America.  Hopefully, like with Cuba, the tension will ease but that doesn’t bring it to the top of my list.  Then there is Vanuatu.  And island with volcanoes sounds right up my ally.  I loved how reading Getting Stone with the Savages.  J. Marten Troost knows how to travel the islands of the Pacific (find a girlfriend working for NGOs).  Of course, he was able to parlay his experiences into a couple of very funny books. 


For me, my V destination will be the Vatican City, a sovereign country within a city. It’s not very large and no, there are no railways.  There’s only around 500 people who live here, mostly clergy within the Roman Catholic Church.  This is one country where I’d probably have to stay in another country to visit, but that would be okay.  And it won’t take a long to see it all, but to have a chance to see St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Sistine Chapels, the museums, and just to be at the site where so much history has taken place over the past two millenniums.

15 comments:

  1. I have never heard of Vanuatu. Is it like Xanadu?

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  2. I love museum and cathedral hopping. So much rich history. I'd love to visit as well.

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  3. My son has plans to see it this summer.

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  4. Hmm? I guess I have a curiosity about seeing all the art there, but I think I would be cynical having seen too many documentaries about the history of the Catholic church. When I go to Italy, it will be Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi coast.

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  5. Troost is a riot to read. His last book describing his addiction to alcohol was a bit more sober.

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  6. I think the sculpture alone would drive me absolutely wild. Just thinking about all the great art, music, and sculpture in such a small area is intoxicating!!!''

    @Kathleen01930
    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZchallenge

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  7. I was a the Vatican, but the Pope was out. Next time I'll have to do more astute planning. The art was intoxicating and what I discovered was that this place is a lot like an iceberg. Most of the art is stored below.

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  8. The Vatican would be a magnificent place to visit. I could spend hours in the museums alone.

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  9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Vatican_City :-D

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  10. Finally, a place I've been, several times. World's smallest country with an annual birthrate of zero.

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  11. I suggest Venice also....been to the Vatican and Venice, the latter would be my choice to re-visit.
    Nice post
    Mike

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  12. Indeed a fabulous and breathtaking place to visit. I've seen great photos from a few friends that have been there! Especially their trip to Venice as well!

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