But first a pic of Michelangelo’s famous work. Now don’t tell a soul, but I smuggled this image out of Italy and risked my life to bring it to you. Because taking pics inside the Sistine Chapel is strictly forbidden even though many took photos anyway; and those who used their flash were followed outside the city walls, kidnapped and then decapitated. At least I had my thinking cap on which in the end saved my head: my camera was attached to a strap that hung from my neck to my hip; I sneaked the shot by reaching down and clicking the button so anyone who cared to looked would have thought I was scratching my bottom. But you can’t hide anything from children no matter how smart or sneaky you think you are. Our children knew what I was doing. They also knew that it was strictly forbidden—and that anyone using their flash would be hunted down before nightfall—giving me the “You’re dead. You’re very dead.” look. To which I have figured that that’s why we have children in the first place: so they can catch us doing things we’re not meant to be doing and nark about it to God. But I told God later that I paid 79 euros for this tour but if he could forgive me anyway for taking such a lousy pic.

And now back to our regular schedule:

The School of Athens by Raphael.

This and the following pics are of ceilings from different rooms of the Vatican Museum.

And now for the most interesting thing I learned from our tour guide:

Looking back I find it a curiosity as to what information registered with me from listening to our guide. It seemed I was only interested in what she had to say if it included the words: nude and naked; and she used both words at least twice in shedding light about this sculpture. Apparently this guy’s body was thought to be the most perfect in ancient Greek (which is rather sad seeing that he doesn’t have a reproductive organ). Painters and sculptors copied his form as a model for their work and one famous painter (forgot who) copied his body for his painting of Christ. So I’ll have you know, I told the kids, that Jesus was in fact Greek. But as usual they didn’t believe a word I said.