The Vatican

Hello,

Our last full day of being tourists before starting the trek home had an early morning tour of the Vatican. When we had been asked about 7:30 as a good time for this tour it all sounded fine from the comfort of home. However the day before this tour, a later time seemed like it would have been a good idea as we had to get up plenty early to eat breakfast, get ourselves organized, ride the Metro for about 30 minutes, walk another ten, and be in place at 7:15 when we did not know precisely where we were to be. There were instructions, but when none of us had been there it felt a bit more daunting.

We did have to do a bit of backtracking with our walk, but we got there in good time. It was raining lightly so again I was pleased to have our umbrellas and raincoats. After meeting with our guide, we got in line at the Vatican. As we were waiting, he did talk with us a bit about what to expect and some of the outside features of the structure. To our shock, a woman who was in front of us, fainted. Her daughter wanted someone to call an ambulance, but our guide stepped in, and called his assistant over. The assistant quickly returned with a person and a wheel chair. By this time the woman had come to. They helped her into the chair and took her to the Dr. Our guide than told us that the Vatican hospital was the best place for her to go as it was very close and well equipped.

After we got in the building, he had us wait while he went to check on the woman. He said that she was going to the hospital because of an irregular heartbeat. Her daughter would be joining us when she could.

Certainly I learned that there is health care in the Vatican. I will have forgotten many things, but not that. It really brought home the idea that the Vatican is its own country and quite self sufficient.

Paula