I am using an app that’s supposed to reduce the effects of jet lag. It’s called Timeshifter. Through the use of periods of exposure to bright light and dark, sleep and wake as well as caffeine and melatonin, the program tries to move your circadian rhythm to the target time zone.

So, today, I got up at 2 am. I used my blue light lamp while running and generally got myself ready to catch my 7:30 am flight to Toronto.

Thanks to Air Canada’s reduction of flights, I really had no choice other than a 6+ hour layover. Scott and Sidney, who booked their flights later, are going through Montreal and avoiding the excessive time hanging around an airport.

Susur Lee has a small restaurant in the international wing so I started there in the belief that it would be better than lounge food. This was a mango and teriyaki satay chicken salad. It’s un-Italian but that seemed good as I anticipate there will be Italian in my future.

Toronto’s Air Canada lounge is pretty fancy with a lounge area but also a bar and restaurant like area, small rooms and even showers. But still I had a long time to kill.

I shifted the contents of my bags to lighten up the backpack. I finished one book I brought but the other is in Italian and English so it will take me longer to read. The lounge was comfortable but after a few hours reading, I needed to stay awake. I walked around the lounge then sat at the bar.

Over 4 hours I drank 4 glasses of water and 2 Laurent Perrier rosè brut and only used the bathroom once. That wasn’t a good sign. Sidney and Scott called me just before boarding was scheduled to make sure I hadn’t fallen asleep.

The flight was delayed half an hour but I got on in Zone 1 and settled in with a glass of champagne and a sleeping pill. I had hope the latest Mission Impossible was in Italian but sadly no. The trailers showed scenes of Rome but I fell asleep before I saw them.

We landed early. I needed to send a What’s App message to let my transfer service know I was early. I was in a car by 11:00. The driver estimated 45 minutes to Centro—the historic centre.

The drive in is not very picturesque although palm trees are a change from Calgary.

The Vatican Museums entrance didn’t look too busy.

It was too early for my room to be ready so I went wandering. Santa Maria Della Pace was open.

It has Raphael frescoes.

I went next door to the Chiostro del Bramante where you can get a light lunch on the second floor.

A Margherita piadina, which is like a pizza but an Emilia Romagna specialty. Too bad they put the basil under the cheese.

You can see the Raphael from the cafeteria but the room was so warm. It’s 17 and humid. The balcony was much cooler.

Checked out San Luigi dei Francesi where everyone was trying to look at Caravaggio’s Matthew paintings.

Sant’Ivo wasn’t open but the courtyard was open

I eventually was able to get into my room.

I mistakenly thought I was looking at the Vittorio Emanuele II monument, known as the Wedding Cake or Typewriter.

I had dinner on the rooftop area of the hotel restaurant. It was a bit chilly and dark so not very good for photos.