As I had promised in the Vatican blog post, I am here to tell you about the conversation I had with the Cardinal in the picture above. After a tired trekking (As I call it) to the top of St Peter’s Basilica, I stood at the entrance of the Basilica, along with many other tourists around. I was watching the famous Swiss guards at the gates, which reminded me of my Buckingham Palace trip. They all of a sudden did their respectful march to and fro in front of the gates and there came out a very old cardinal with his walking stick. I could see everyone around capturing the Swiss Guards and the Cardinal. 

There were so many visitors trying to capture, the cardinal and the guards, but I stood still with a wide smile.  Pravin did take a few pictures which I have attached here. The cardinal to my surprise, came straight to me and asked,’’ English or...,’’. I was so happy, as he came straight to me to talk. I said, ‘English Father,’’.  He instantly said,’’ You have a real nice smile,’’.  I couldn’t just believe my ears and said, ‘Thank you Father,’’. 

He asked me if I were a Lebanese, I said no father I am an Indian. He said he had been in India for 9 years. He asked which place, Mumbai or Delhi. I said from south India. He goes on like Ernakulum, and then I was like Chennai. He said oh ‘’Madrasi?’’ I said yes father.  He stated again that he had been in India for 9 years, and asked if I were a catholic. I replied saying no. Then he said India is a beautiful country with lovely people and I thanked him again. By then there were so many people wondering, do I know him or what?  In fact, some were very jealous, which I could see in their facial expressions. Then I asked his name, the Cardinal gave his name asking if I knew the family name, I said no for which he said this is the family electing the Pope. I was like oh OK father. 

 

Then he said it's Friday and that’s why the guards were paying their respect. I said ok and then he went on saying he would bless me, so I gave my hand and he did bless me. I asked if I could take a picture with him, for which he agreed. There are a few...

After a lovely chat with the cardinal, this turned out to be a unique chat only with me. I marched with a smile and happiness to the famous and best-ranked Italian restaurant to have vegetable pasta with cheese and ordered their specialty dish the Carbonara. I must say it was delicious, but couldn’t finish the whole. 

 
 

 

This is a product review about Neutrogena. This post is by my sister who is into healthcare domain.

Hello to all

Well, first I would like to make an introduction about myself

What am I now: A TECHIE

Hobbies: Reading novels, listening to music and taking selfie’s (new add on recently ;)

Favorite movie: All Fun filled ones (I don’t watch sad ending movies).

Skin type: Combination skin

Okie then I think that’s plenty for today…

Let me start with the first product, which I got after I started thinking, I should start caring for my skin.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturespf-15

Price: Rs 349 for 115 ml bottle.

What the Neutrogena product claims

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15 is clinically proven to combine long-lasting moisturization with effective sun protection for softer, smoother, younger looking skin.
• All day moisturisation: Lightweight, non-greasy lotion keeps skin moisturized for 12 hours. Sheer formula absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it smoother and softer.
•  Effective Sun-Protection: UVA/UVB SPF 15 sunscreens help prevent damage to the skin caused by daily exposure to the sun’s rays.
•  Extra Gentle: This allergy tested formula contains no fragrance, no dyes, and no excess ingredients. Non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores that can cause skin to break out.
•  Dermatologist tested formula: Allergy tested, Fragrance-free and Alcohol-free. 

Directions: Use 1 pump and apply all over face and neck. Use daily on its own or under make-up.

Detailed information from Neutrogena website

My personal opinion after using the product:

• First of all, as I said above, I am gifted with combination skin. I get oily near my T-zone and dry in the rest of the areas of my face. I tried many moisturizers which made me look like I poured oil on my face but this one made me look good.
• My skin looks healthy instantly after applying.
• No fragrance-> this impressed me a lot, because I get headache if the fragrance is too strong.
• This is two in one product-> moisturizer plus Sunscreen (SPF-15).
• Packaging is very convenient and hygienic; it comes with good quality pump dispenser with lock.
• Consistency is good-> not too runny and not thick too.
• I have not experienced any break out after using it even though I use one more product about which I will be putting a review soon.
• One pump is sufficient enough, for the whole face and neck, thus lasts long.

In my opinion what I feel, could have been better

• People who like fragrance will get disappointed.
• Price could have been little less.
• Hope they release smaller sized bottles so that it can be travel friendly.

Where I bought this product:

www.nykaa.com

Also available in

www.medplusbeauty.com  

Will I re-purchase this product?

Well right now, I am using my second one. Yeah definitely till I find a better replacement ;).

This post is about the smallest country, the Vatican City. I had a heavy breakfast at my hotel as I knew it’s going to be a long day. It was so serene and calm as soon as I entered the Vatican City. I had full spirit and energy to walk the whole country. After all, it’s a small one, yet the most beautiful and powerful one.  There were fathers and nuns around, many in number, all around the city. I could hear the word ‘’ signorina’’ and ‘’Gracie’’ all around. I walked through the artwork and splendid paintings in the Vatican City, mostly the duplicates of the famed Italian sculptor and painter Michelangelo. The masters were found in the famous Vatican museum. As learned from many who had been to Vatican City, I followed them, by starting my journey from the 500-year-old museum, which had 3000 years old sculptures and several other works of many sculptors and painters, notably of Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. I will blank out the remainder for your eyes to peek through...

The Ceiling filled with paintings in Vatican Museum.

The Stonehenge picture painted on the Jar.

The staircase had Artwork.

There happens to be a long queue always at St. Peter's Basilica, which remains one of the largest churches in the world.  This is the famous place of pilgrimage, so I stood in the line for nearly 1 hour. This waiting time didn't go waste; I managed to click a few pictures of the long queue and St Peter’s Square.  St Peter’s crucifixion took place near an ancient 4000-year-old Egyptian obelisk, which stands tall in Saint Peter’s Square. St Peter’s Square stands right in front of the St Peter’s Basilica. After a long wait, I entered the Basilica, which has the tallest Dome in the world (448.1 ft). Wherever I open my eye, be it any corner of the Basilica I can only start to see sculptures and paintings which just doesn't let me pass by without drawing into its details. Take a look here...

Bronze Sphere

Inside Basilica

Famous Michelangelo's Sculpture

The Roof had this painting.

Shrine built upon St Peter's Grave 

Paintings all the way up on the Dome

I decided to go up, on the Dome to have a look at the whole Vatican City and the Rome. I couldn't proceed halfway through; it was becoming steeper as I go up. I could not back out, nor proceed further because I was in the center of the line even there. The steps were narrowing up, initially when we started at the ground level of the Dome, it was around 7 to 10 people climbing up with me, but as it got narrower, it has been just one person at a time while climbing towards the climax. I received a thick rope to grab on those extremely narrow steps. So I understood why old aged and heart patients were not allowed up. I have never trekked before, but I can say I have already done trekking. 

I got to the top and I was happy to have made it there. I just don’t find words to describe the beauty that I saw yet, I managed to capture as far as possible for you.... 

View of St Peter's Square.

After the mind-blowing view, again I had to climb down all the way, which was again a haunting task.But I descended with loads of joy and memories.

The principal plaza where the pope sits in the Vatican is in the Sistine chapel, where I was heading to after my mini trekking. I was just looking up and nowhere else. The famous Michelangelo’s work was speaking itself very well. The whole divine place was filling with Frescos. The massive ‘’The Last Judgement’’ by Michelangelo and ‘’the Last Supper’’ by Leonardo DA Vinci stood out. I sat down and just kept admiring the whole place and its magnificence. The prayers were done every now and then, but mostly in Italian language and finally ‘’Gracie’’ was told. I sat down and thought to myself ‘’this is where all the cardinals meet up and elect the Pope, somewhere here the powerful Pope stays.’’ No one was forced to leave and could sit up until the closing time if wanted. The crowd kept coming and eventually had to leave, so I came out with a feeling of calmness. After all, this is the place of dream for millions around the world, to be able to be there at least for once in their lifetime. Inside the Sistine chapel, no one is allowed to take pictures so I have no pictures to share.

This is how I ended my Vatican tour and yeah, I have to state that I got lucky to have a chitchat with a senior Cardinal who elects Pope. There were hundreds of people standing at the entrance of the Basilica and so did I, but Cardinal walked straight to me and spoke to me, allowed me to click a few pictures with him and blessed me. I will tell in a detailed story about the conversation, which I had with the Cardinal in the next post.

Till then Cheers...