Job burnout is a serious issue. Even the Pope, a man who’s supposed to work until death, retired. This reminds me to excuse myself from work to send a few postcards from the Vatican.
Feeling religious much? I came to Vatican during Christmas thinking it would be a wonderfully spiritual experience witnessing the most important Christian event at one the most holy sites of Christendom. This is the home of the man who rules over Roman Catholics all around the world.
St. Peter square was packed with camera-toting tourists, solemn pilgrims, uninterested Romans, devoted priests, nuns and idyllic people trying decipher the mystery of Rome by reading Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons.
It is the place to be for atheists and believers alike, together with opportunistic thieves. Yup, Vatican has a high petty crime rate, among the highest on earth. Please do yourself a favor and watch out for your pockets, bags and belongings too while you drop down your guard, immerse in this serenity, examine your belief and wait for some calling. It can be pretty damaging to your new found trust in men and the universe to suddenly realize: “Damn, some mother-f*ckr stole my camera.”
Contrary to popular belief, the Pope isn’t the most popular face in Vatican. He’s everywhere on the news, but not all who come to Vatican can see him. The most sought-after are his handsome tall white men in colorful uniforms who make up the Swiss Guards, Vatican military force. Switzerland, the country known for its neutrality, banking, clock, cheese, wrist-watch, cow, chocolate or anything but religion? Yes, before Switzerland became the country of chocolate, cow, wrist-watch, cheese, clock, banking; it, too, was a part of a chaotic, bloodthirsty, mercenary Medieval Europe. Before the Swiss became the neutral pacific they are today, they were fearsome fighters, masters of the halberd, a lethal weapon combined of spear, axe, spike and hooks. Perhaps prototype for modern day multi-purpose Swiss army knife. The Pope at the time, Julius II, impressed by their courage and loyalty, hired them to be his bodyguards.
Fun “Facts” about VaticanPhoto Credit
Swiss Guard ashleyhexum66 via Compfight cc
Throng of nuns waiting to see the Christmas service mass
Music of the night
I'm a motivation explorer, personality type hacker, behavioral investigator and storyteller. I help startup founders, entrepreneurs, and corporate managers to understand themselves, the people they manage and how to get the best of their people. Specialty is in psychological personality types and brain-based methods. When I don't do the above, I hop around planet Earth with TravelJo.com to learn the Art and Science of people from everywhere and to give you all the free travel and tips and advice in many cool destinations.
My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
One thought on “Travel Europe | #32 Postcards from Vatican”
CindyPosted on 12:23 am - Jan 4, 2015
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