The City of the Dead

Walking along the ancient pathways of Rome, the spring sun following you around every corner, was entrancing, addicting-there is nothing like it. This was my second time in the Eternal City, and each time I yearn to go back for more, to see more. I feel like I haven't even begun to understand what Rome truly has to show, and can't wait to go back. My last visit was in early October where Kylie and I wandered for hours in the Vatican museum, and promised ourselves that one day, we would come back and go down to the Necropolis, from the greek εκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead" under St. Peter's Basilica. I tend to say that I'll do a lot more than I actually can, or do, and I feared that this would be the same.

We were insistent, and determined, which led to us asking the Swiss Guard for directions to the Ufficio degli Scavi for our booked tour (which we booked more than a month in advance) to see the Necropolis and the tomb of St. Peter more than two stories under the basilica. The history is long and complicated, but extremely interesting and truthfully, I am so happy to have been able to experience such amazing history that only 50 people a day have the opportunity to do. The tour lasted an hour and a half, winding through very narrow and uneven pathways as we slowly made our way up towards the grottoes to finally exit near Pope John Paul II tomb.
The rest of the day we explored Rome, even taking the Hop On Hop Off bus, and simply enjoyed a stress-free moment in our lives, if only for a little while.

(For pictures of Rome, check out my link: Photos (next to Home) and you will see a link to my tumblr page which will have most of my photos for the rest of the year.)
Here's a quick link if you are too lazy! :)
meghanmcfadden.tumblr.com