This is what we did right:
1. The day before we researched how to get there. It is only 10 minutes by underground train. We went there, bought tickets in advance, worked out the correct line, platform, etc.
2. Read all of our paperwork so we knew what we could and couldn't wear.
3. Checked maps for meeting spot (seemed a bit vague!)
4. Planned to travel light (no handbag as we knew it would be crowded), just a small backpack with water, camera, hats, etc.
4. Organised an early breakfast, etc
What could possibly go wrong?
1. When we came above ground from the underground there were masses of uniformed folk everywhere. Apparently there was some huge police event at St Peter's Basillica. The crowds were overwhelming and all moving in one direction. We asked one of the uniformed folk for directions and they pointed to follow the crowd. So we did. Wrong! We even ignored the sign to the museum because we were sure we had been given directions by someone 'in the know'.
2. By the time we found ourselves surrounded by black and red uniforms outside St Peter's we knew we were in the wrong place. Because we like to follow the rules and not be late we 'ran' back the way we had come (on the road of course because the crowds were so dense). We still had time to get to the meeting point on time.
3. Lots of 'helpful' Indian's trying to sell us 'skip the queue' tickets into the Vatican pointed us in lots of different directions. 7.45am became impossible and we started to aim for 8.00am, confident that we still had 15 minutes up our sleeves. For anyone who has ever met a tour group outside the back entrance of the Vatican you will have some idea of the chaos. Whilst we could find the cafe we were meant to meet at we could not find our tour. Panic set in around 8.00am. Being English speaking worked against us. Other tour leaders simply shook their heads and directed us left, right, north, south and back in the direction from which we'd come.
4. We then crossed the road and asked a museum guy if he knew where our tour company met. He directed us back to the square and said they met at footlocker. Clearly these were not the instructions we had but he seemed the most confident. And so we ran again. This was no short distance and it was backtracking once again. If you are confused reading this then you will have some idea how we were feeling. At this point we were ready to jump back on the train and forget all about the Vatican.
5. Finally at footlocker at about 8.15 (maybe even later, I tried not to keep looking at my watch) we found someone leading a tour by the same company. She seemed amazed that we could not find her colleague amongst the millions on the steps near the cafe. Not prepared to make a call to her colleague for us to see if there was any point us going back we were left with only one option. Run!
6. Back in the general vicinity of the meeting place, surrounded by the millions, we found her. Lucky for us her colleague mentioned that she'd be wearing an orange vest! Obviously we were the last to arrive. Half of the group seemed to pity us for our shenanigans but the other half seemed quite cheesed off. We calmly brushed the sweat off our brows and tried to disappear. Remember we are still following all the correct rules and both wearing neck to knee attire. Our jeans were bloody hot! Glancing around I couldn't help but notice folk in sleeveless tops, floaty skirts, cool dresses, shorts, etc.
7. Our group could now progress to the 'skip,the line' queue. Apparently nobody gets in before 9.00 anyway! Once inside you have to put your belongings on a conveyor belt for scanning. Tony got pulled aside about our backpack. When we asked what was wrong with it, we were told it was too big! Glancing around I saw 'handbags' twice as big and plenty of backpacks. But of course it wasn't our day and we were directed to the cloakroom. Remember I am not even carrying a handbag so we are now juggling a collection of sunglasses, reading glasses, wallet, purse, hats, water with only pockets to stash our belongings. Some folks are in with 3 bags! The cheesed off members of our group,are still shaking their heads at us. Now we are not rebels, but we thought the guy wasn't looking and given that 4 others in our group still had their backpacks we stuffed our belongings back in and kept walking! Wrong move, the guy came looking for us. When Tony apologised he just kept saying "you are not sorry," and he was right!
8. After Tony disappeared (under escort) and arrived back to our group, they handed out tickets but they were two short. Of course we were left standing with no tickets and group members left thinking we had probably gate crashed the whole tour. 15 minutes later, the problem was sorted and we were given 'children's tickets'. Go figure!
Finally we all began the tour. When all is said and done we had a lovely tour leader and the group warmed to us eventually (I think). When we were given a 20 minute coffee and toilet break the leader looked right at us when she insisted we all return promptly to the meeting point. I rushed to buy coffee while Tony had the luxury of going to the loo. I obviously went to the cafe with the longest queue. Got our coffee with 5 minutes until we had to be back. I threw it back, Italain style, crossed my legs cause I really needed the loo too, and dashed back to the spot. We had a point to prove!
Tony says the Vatican was educational and he is right but boy did we have to jump through hoops to tick that one off our bucket lists. I have never experienced such crowds. Please send me back to rural Italy!
Here is the proof that we really did make it!
PS. Did I mention we lost our tour group much later on?
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