Coming here was a surprise treat by Trafalgar for our weary travelers. We were first treated to a wonderful pizza meal with fun entertainment and then driven to the Vatican for pics! Left for home the next day!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tivoli Gardens
Our group of "vol-cation" visitors got a bonus trip to Tivoli Gardens outside Rome. It was fantastic! Pictures - Ann Pierce w/mother Joelle Fuller at Tivoli Gardens and Father Mark surrounded by the delayed travellers.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Fantastic Time in Italy
Wow, wow, wow. What an amazing time. I wasn't prepared for the mental deluge of information about the many famous historical buildings, sites and art works we were able to visit in such a short time.
My favorite part of the trip was to be able to share these experiences and memories with wonderful companions and friends. The funniest part was when Andy did played Lidia on the bus. I video taped some of in on my camera.
I enjoyed most of the meals, especially the dinner up on the hill in Milan. Seeing the tower that was in the movie, "Room with a View" was very delicious. I think that chicken was the best!!!
I did also like the risotto with lemon juice in Venice.
I am very glad I decided to go on this trip. I always believe in "Carpe Diem", but I am really going for it from now on.
Thanks friends for encouraging me to go even though $$ was tight. I will never regret it. And thank you wonderful roommate Deb. I would share a room with her any time. You too, Linda.
By the way, I got the stain out of my new white shirt. YEH!!
My favorite part of the trip was to be able to share these experiences and memories with wonderful companions and friends. The funniest part was when Andy did played Lidia on the bus. I video taped some of in on my camera.
I enjoyed most of the meals, especially the dinner up on the hill in Milan. Seeing the tower that was in the movie, "Room with a View" was very delicious. I think that chicken was the best!!!
I did also like the risotto with lemon juice in Venice.
I am very glad I decided to go on this trip. I always believe in "Carpe Diem", but I am really going for it from now on.
Thanks friends for encouraging me to go even though $$ was tight. I will never regret it. And thank you wonderful roommate Deb. I would share a room with her any time. You too, Linda.
By the way, I got the stain out of my new white shirt. YEH!!
The Smiths - Home from Italy
Our trip to Italy was a celebration of Marv's retirement from the PW School System. We met with Tom and Ann and chose the hotel for the 3 extra days in Rome after the tour ended. I packed too much, as usual, and Marv didn't pack enough and so did a little laundry. We were armed with belly pouches from Rick Steves for passports and money purses from Meijer that hung around our necks. Marv purchased some Euros prior to the trip so they would be familiar.
I had never visited Europe, so I was anxious to experience the feeling of history, hear different languages, and enjoy pasta and wine. The first part of the trip was as expected. until we were to leave the plane in Amsterdam. Our friend seated ahead of us could not find her passport, so we stayed to re-look through bags and seats. Even the captains came back, but no passport was to be found. The decision to watch our friend go alone to the Immigration office was a difficult one to make. Keith, Marv, Mary Jane and I, trying to get through customs, finished our full-body security checks 20 minutes after our flight was to leave. We then had to transfer to another flight, using the unfriendly personnel of KLM, who had very ugly uniforms, right Mary Jane?). Marv's luggage had not arrived in Rome and was delivered late at night. We missed the introductory tour and initial information. A new passport was issued to our friend, and she made it to the hotel late that night.
There is no way I would try to recreate the entire trip, especially when you can read the highlights in the earlier entries in Ann's blog. Some things that made the trip special were the month-old Mercedes Benz bus for comfortable rides between sites. Salvatore was our young driver who impressed Marv with his hairpin-short turns and smooth shifting, "never a jerk". Lidia was our Trafalgar tour guide and knew Italy in every way. 'Ciao, ciao, ciao, ciao' (like our bye-bye) will ring in my mind. Lidia not only gave us the facts about sites, but volunteered stories about her own life and experiences in Italy. I was much interested in Italian family life and society, especially the comparisons of Catholic faith there and in the States. She wore neat reading glasses that split apart with a magnet between the eyes. A few of us had to have a pair.
I enjoyed everything we saw. I was amazed at the size of the churches and basilicas (a basilica means the church contains relics). St. Mary, Westphalia, is a large church, but the ones we saw would dwarf it. Enormous marble columns (so much marble!), intricate spires, ornately decorated outsides. The insides were full of gorgeous, huge paintings of all colors. I was especially on the lookout for the azure-blue of lapis lazuli and saw it vividly in the Sistine Chapel and in the Cistercian Abbey in Pavia. There is great care taken to preserve these paintings, with dim lighting and prohibition of photos. There was an abundance of mosaic images, looking as detailed as large paintings, made with small pieces of marble, glass, or gold. The floors themselves were intricate designs of different colors of marble. The churches often had a huge main altar with a high roofed pulpit. There could be from 6 to 12 side altars with their own beautiful decorations. In Rome, during our last days, we visited Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, and went to confession in one of the many bilingual confessionals. In a chapel of the church was a magnificent marble sculpture of a Pope buried there, complete with delicate lace trim on his gown. The viewing of the Shroud of Turin was sobering--I had not realized there were so many marks of Jesus' suffering to be seen. Michaelangelo's David was larger than I expected and so lifelike in marble, complete with veins under his skin. We saw DaVinci's Last Supper mural painting in Milan at Santa Maria delle Grazie. It covers an entire wall of what was a dining hall. We learned much about the configuration of Apostles at the table. If your picture of the Last Supper has a dog or cat in it, it was not in this original, but added in a later rendition.
The canals of Venice were not as dirty as I had been prepared for, and traveling by gondola and water taxi was fun. However, I would not like to live with no yard--to step out the back door into water. The island of Burano off Venice was lined with houses of every bright color, so beautiful to approach by water. Shopping for leather purses in Florence was a hoot. Our day in Assisi was a contrast in noisy, jostling crowds in the magnificent basilica and blue-sky serenity in the village and miles of breathtaking view. I could have spent more time there. In the north of Italy, seen on our long coach rides, were amazing miles of vineyards, clean and symmetrical, differing heights depending on water table. This farm girl was glad to see the countryside. In the mountains, where we might see patches of clear cut forest in the States, in Italy we saw removal of marble in huge swaths. I was struck by old farmhouses, some standing in the middles of fields, not torn down like we do here. In Italy, things are preserved, and it gives a sense of continuity and 'roots.' I can only think of the beautiful trim that we have overlaid in local churches after a few decades in favor of modernity. There, aging is respected and preserved. Of course, marble and concrete endure compared to wood, but the culture of preserving history is something we usually do not feel here.
In Rome, it was unbelievable to see the Colosseum, the Roman ruins, Circus Maximus (now an empty field that used to seat 250,000 spectators of chariot races), the Pantheon, with the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, still in use as a Catholic Church. During our last 3 days in Rome, Tom, Ann, Linda, Deb, Charlotte, Marv, and I rode the open air tour buses and stopped at the spots we wanted. I was just in awe of these 2000 year old sites in the middle of a world capitol city. Turn a corner on a busy street, and there are ancient columns keeping silent sentinal. Here and there were cornerstones, parts of statues and carvings, artifacts from so long ago it is hard to fathom, just sitting in the grass. The Castle of Angels, looking more like a dungeon, offered a panoramic view of Rome from the roof. The Bridge of Angels, leading to the castle, was lined with marble angels created by Michaelangelo, gravely holding items from Jesus' passion on the cross.
The sun warmly shined on us most of the time, except some rain while in the coaches. However, we were pelted with an uncharacteristic hail storm that lasted 15-20 minutes while in an open plaza in Rome. An aberration from the Iceland volcanic ash cloud? Tom's 2-Euro umbrellas helped save us. Although we were worried about whether or not we would get out on our scheduled flights due to the ash cloud's disruption of flights in Europe , 6 of us did leave on one of the first flights allowed out of Amsterdam Wednesday morning. A special last treat was flying over the rainbow of 'Holland' tulip fields as we approached Amsterdam airport. I woke Thursday morning to hear Rich Michaels on WMMQ radio mentioning the ash cloud and people stuck in Europe. I called and talked to him on the air and reported that we were home and the rest of the St. Johns/St. Thomas tour were leaving that day, thanks to Fuller Travel. He said he had read about us and asked about the ash cloud and how it affected us (and welcomed us home).
It was wonderful to strengthen old friendship bonds and meet new friends during the tour. I feel refreshed and refueled to get back to work and home duties. Marv and I are committed to seeing more of our big world. Our spirituality was enhanced by seeing the beauteous expressions of our Christian faith in the churches and religious art contained in them. I am anxious to see where Fuller Travel goes next in the following years.
I had never visited Europe, so I was anxious to experience the feeling of history, hear different languages, and enjoy pasta and wine. The first part of the trip was as expected. until we were to leave the plane in Amsterdam. Our friend seated ahead of us could not find her passport, so we stayed to re-look through bags and seats. Even the captains came back, but no passport was to be found. The decision to watch our friend go alone to the Immigration office was a difficult one to make. Keith, Marv, Mary Jane and I, trying to get through customs, finished our full-body security checks 20 minutes after our flight was to leave. We then had to transfer to another flight, using the unfriendly personnel of KLM, who had very ugly uniforms, right Mary Jane?). Marv's luggage had not arrived in Rome and was delivered late at night. We missed the introductory tour and initial information. A new passport was issued to our friend, and she made it to the hotel late that night.
There is no way I would try to recreate the entire trip, especially when you can read the highlights in the earlier entries in Ann's blog. Some things that made the trip special were the month-old Mercedes Benz bus for comfortable rides between sites. Salvatore was our young driver who impressed Marv with his hairpin-short turns and smooth shifting, "never a jerk". Lidia was our Trafalgar tour guide and knew Italy in every way. 'Ciao, ciao, ciao, ciao' (like our bye-bye) will ring in my mind. Lidia not only gave us the facts about sites, but volunteered stories about her own life and experiences in Italy. I was much interested in Italian family life and society, especially the comparisons of Catholic faith there and in the States. She wore neat reading glasses that split apart with a magnet between the eyes. A few of us had to have a pair.
I enjoyed everything we saw. I was amazed at the size of the churches and basilicas (a basilica means the church contains relics). St. Mary, Westphalia, is a large church, but the ones we saw would dwarf it. Enormous marble columns (so much marble!), intricate spires, ornately decorated outsides. The insides were full of gorgeous, huge paintings of all colors. I was especially on the lookout for the azure-blue of lapis lazuli and saw it vividly in the Sistine Chapel and in the Cistercian Abbey in Pavia. There is great care taken to preserve these paintings, with dim lighting and prohibition of photos. There was an abundance of mosaic images, looking as detailed as large paintings, made with small pieces of marble, glass, or gold. The floors themselves were intricate designs of different colors of marble. The churches often had a huge main altar with a high roofed pulpit. There could be from 6 to 12 side altars with their own beautiful decorations. In Rome, during our last days, we visited Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, and went to confession in one of the many bilingual confessionals. In a chapel of the church was a magnificent marble sculpture of a Pope buried there, complete with delicate lace trim on his gown. The viewing of the Shroud of Turin was sobering--I had not realized there were so many marks of Jesus' suffering to be seen. Michaelangelo's David was larger than I expected and so lifelike in marble, complete with veins under his skin. We saw DaVinci's Last Supper mural painting in Milan at Santa Maria delle Grazie. It covers an entire wall of what was a dining hall. We learned much about the configuration of Apostles at the table. If your picture of the Last Supper has a dog or cat in it, it was not in this original, but added in a later rendition.
The canals of Venice were not as dirty as I had been prepared for, and traveling by gondola and water taxi was fun. However, I would not like to live with no yard--to step out the back door into water. The island of Burano off Venice was lined with houses of every bright color, so beautiful to approach by water. Shopping for leather purses in Florence was a hoot. Our day in Assisi was a contrast in noisy, jostling crowds in the magnificent basilica and blue-sky serenity in the village and miles of breathtaking view. I could have spent more time there. In the north of Italy, seen on our long coach rides, were amazing miles of vineyards, clean and symmetrical, differing heights depending on water table. This farm girl was glad to see the countryside. In the mountains, where we might see patches of clear cut forest in the States, in Italy we saw removal of marble in huge swaths. I was struck by old farmhouses, some standing in the middles of fields, not torn down like we do here. In Italy, things are preserved, and it gives a sense of continuity and 'roots.' I can only think of the beautiful trim that we have overlaid in local churches after a few decades in favor of modernity. There, aging is respected and preserved. Of course, marble and concrete endure compared to wood, but the culture of preserving history is something we usually do not feel here.
In Rome, it was unbelievable to see the Colosseum, the Roman ruins, Circus Maximus (now an empty field that used to seat 250,000 spectators of chariot races), the Pantheon, with the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, still in use as a Catholic Church. During our last 3 days in Rome, Tom, Ann, Linda, Deb, Charlotte, Marv, and I rode the open air tour buses and stopped at the spots we wanted. I was just in awe of these 2000 year old sites in the middle of a world capitol city. Turn a corner on a busy street, and there are ancient columns keeping silent sentinal. Here and there were cornerstones, parts of statues and carvings, artifacts from so long ago it is hard to fathom, just sitting in the grass. The Castle of Angels, looking more like a dungeon, offered a panoramic view of Rome from the roof. The Bridge of Angels, leading to the castle, was lined with marble angels created by Michaelangelo, gravely holding items from Jesus' passion on the cross.
The sun warmly shined on us most of the time, except some rain while in the coaches. However, we were pelted with an uncharacteristic hail storm that lasted 15-20 minutes while in an open plaza in Rome. An aberration from the Iceland volcanic ash cloud? Tom's 2-Euro umbrellas helped save us. Although we were worried about whether or not we would get out on our scheduled flights due to the ash cloud's disruption of flights in Europe , 6 of us did leave on one of the first flights allowed out of Amsterdam Wednesday morning. A special last treat was flying over the rainbow of 'Holland' tulip fields as we approached Amsterdam airport. I woke Thursday morning to hear Rich Michaels on WMMQ radio mentioning the ash cloud and people stuck in Europe. I called and talked to him on the air and reported that we were home and the rest of the St. Johns/St. Thomas tour were leaving that day, thanks to Fuller Travel. He said he had read about us and asked about the ash cloud and how it affected us (and welcomed us home).
It was wonderful to strengthen old friendship bonds and meet new friends during the tour. I feel refreshed and refueled to get back to work and home duties. Marv and I are committed to seeing more of our big world. Our spirituality was enhanced by seeing the beauteous expressions of our Christian faith in the churches and religious art contained in them. I am anxious to see where Fuller Travel goes next in the following years.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Home at last on Friday at 2:00 a.m.
Ciao to everyone! A weary group of "vol-cation" travelers arrived in E Lansing very early Friday morning around 2:00 a.m. I remember nothing of the bus ride home from Detroit as I fell asleep before we hit the highway. Ingrid's husband, Ken, was at St Thomas to take us home-- yea!!! Can't say I remember much of Friday, as I slept and slept and slept. Today was spent washing clothes, resting, and petting Buddy and Mr. T, whom I missed very much. In a while I'll go to see John, Heather and the boys. I bought the boys a sticker book as this is what they love most. I have promised to write about our travels from Wednesday on, as this is when our large group divided up and some went home. Not today, though, too too tired! I must say, though, the trip was absolutely wonderful and I will never forget the new friends I've made, the wonderful sights, sounds and tastes of Italy.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
All Should be Home Tomorrow
Great News - I just heard from Lynn and she said everyone should be back to the States by tomorrow!
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Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
We are in Detroit
The 6 of us made it to Detroit. We will board the Michigan Flyer at 2:45. Ciao!
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Boarding in Amsterdam for Detroit
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Checked In and Through Security
Our (Tom, Ann, Marv, Barb, Linda, and Deb) flight leaves in one hour - we're all set to go and happy to be going home but we sure did have a great time!
We heard Sandy and MaryJane are leaving today too, but on a flight through Atlanta.
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We heard Sandy and MaryJane are leaving today too, but on a flight through Atlanta.
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The 6 fly through Amsterdam tomorrow
We just came from the airport and Tom, Ann, Marv, Barb, Linda, and Deb are told their plane is here in Rome and we leave at 6:35am for Amsterdam. Amsterdam is open for flying in daylight only. If everything goes on schedule, we'll be in Detroit at 1:30pm.
Charlotte is flying standby and her expected flight is set go at 10am. Ciao!
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Charlotte is flying standby and her expected flight is set go at 10am. Ciao!
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From Castle of Angels
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Bridge of Angels
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Ancient Ruins near the Forum
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Colosseum
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Monday, April 19, 2010
The 29 foot hole
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Hail to Rome
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More Lunch in Piazza Navone
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Lunch in Piazza Navone
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Ann & Barb Look at the Forum
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A Trip back to the Forum
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Florence on Friday
The museum had many plaster casts from the masters Phillipino, Peregrino, and Raphael.
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Pictures Added Later
I have been posting pictures taken from my phone so the clearness is not good, but better than none. I will be replacing the pictures in the blog when we get home and adding some pictures for all blogs. I had thought there would be better access through plug-ins but - don't have access. But I must say that it has been great communicating through the blog. We've had many comments and this often makes us feel like some of you are right here with us.
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Sunday, April 18, 2010
Moving Day
The 7 of us moved to the Atlantico Hotel located in Rome near many things we would like to visit. We took a cab at the cost of about 26 euros. We had dinner across the street at a very quaint pizzeria and then a gelato. Pizza is really very big here. Ciao!
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Be My Guest Dinner - Friday Evening
Our special dinner took place outside of Florence in a beautiful country setting at Fattoria De Maianoin Spaccio. 'Room with a View' was filmed here. It was located on an olive orchard. The dinner started with quite simple appetizers, then some pasta, then chicken cacciatore, salad, and dessert.
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Just Celebrated Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
We just celebrated Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. For the con-celebration there was one bishop, one cardinal, a dozen monsignors, and two dozen priests. Kristen from our group did the second reading - quite an honor.
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Mass at St. Peter's Basilica
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Farewell Dinner (Not)
We had a Farewell dinner at Papa Max with Opera singers throughout the meal. It was a little anticlimactic as no one is leaving yet.
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St. Croce in Florence - Friday
Four famous people were buried in St. Croce in Florence: the artist Michelangelo, Galileo the scientist, Machiavelli the politician, Rossini the musician. That is an unbelievable amount of talent, but Florence was the birthplace of so much talent. I am hoping osmosis was working for me in Florence and I will come back to Michigan and create, create, create.
There was evidence of a great flood in 1966 (the worst ever in Florence) about 10-12 feet high. Many works of art were destroyed and others took years to restore.
Ciao!
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There was evidence of a great flood in 1966 (the worst ever in Florence) about 10-12 feet high. Many works of art were destroyed and others took years to restore.
Ciao!
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Assisi
What a beautiful villa. We visited the graves of St. Clare (Elyse's patron saint) in St. George's Church and St. Francis of Assisi in the Basilica Papale de San Francesco Assisi. What a beautiful kind village this became.
In 1254 a stigmata appeared on St. Francis, the first stigmata ever confirmed by the Church. St. Francis was the first well known person to give dignity to animals. St. Francis started the order of the Franciscan Brothers and he was always a brother and not a priest. The frescoes (paintings) appeared simpler than those we saw in Rome or Florence and they had a chalky appearance but they were created by the best Roman artists and they were also very beautiful. I believe simplicity and appreciation of nature was the message left to us by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. Ciao!
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In 1254 a stigmata appeared on St. Francis, the first stigmata ever confirmed by the Church. St. Francis was the first well known person to give dignity to animals. St. Francis started the order of the Franciscan Brothers and he was always a brother and not a priest. The frescoes (paintings) appeared simpler than those we saw in Rome or Florence and they had a chalky appearance but they were created by the best Roman artists and they were also very beautiful. I believe simplicity and appreciation of nature was the message left to us by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. Ciao!
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More Pictures on the Way to Assisi
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On the way from Florence to Assisi
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Florence
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Florence as we were leaving
This was also a great shopping opportunity for leather and gold; of course we benefited with many purchases.
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Happy Birthday Pat & Nancy
Have a wonderful birthday Pat Simon and Nancy Thelen!
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Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Communication
I wanted everyone to know that if you have left a comment, I have passed it on. Mary Jane, Sandy, Linda, Joanne, Barb and Marv and Tom and Ann saw comments intended for them. I have been getting all comments through my email on my Blackberry.
It has been difficult to get to the Internet for many of the group members. Most hotels had one PC for about $10 per hour.
This is a strange time as most of our tour group was supposed to go home tomorrow. They will not be going home tomorrow for sure and if I hear anything more I will let you know. But tomorrow 7 members (Tom, Ann, Marv, Barb, Linda, Deb, and Charlotte) of our group parts ways with the tour group so I will only know for sure what the 7 are doing.
We are hearing that this is the biggest air slowdown since 911 and that it is one of the 3 largest air slowdowns in the last century. It's strange to possibly be involved in 2 of those air slowdowns.
By the way it is possible that you get better news coverage of the Iceland volcanic ash than we have. Most TV channels here are not in English.
Please keep the comments coming. Ciao!
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It has been difficult to get to the Internet for many of the group members. Most hotels had one PC for about $10 per hour.
This is a strange time as most of our tour group was supposed to go home tomorrow. They will not be going home tomorrow for sure and if I hear anything more I will let you know. But tomorrow 7 members (Tom, Ann, Marv, Barb, Linda, Deb, and Charlotte) of our group parts ways with the tour group so I will only know for sure what the 7 are doing.
We are hearing that this is the biggest air slowdown since 911 and that it is one of the 3 largest air slowdowns in the last century. It's strange to possibly be involved in 2 of those air slowdowns.
By the way it is possible that you get better news coverage of the Iceland volcanic ash than we have. Most TV channels here are not in English.
Please keep the comments coming. Ciao!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Ferrara on Friday - not for children
I had a small wonderful experience in Ferrara. I nearly bumped into a small woman about 85 years old. We both wanted to talk to one another but could only make motions and smiles. In the end we hugged and said good-bye after I took her picture and showed it to her.
Okay, now the scandal of the city lays with Lucretia Borgia. Legend claims she was the daughter of Pope Alexander VI (she also had a full brother). Lucretia was very beautiful and was given in marriage to join with a family from Milan. Then the family was no longer needed so an annulment claimed no consummation of marriage but apparently in those days this was true if the union did not produce a baby boy. In the meantime Lucretia got pregnant and she was not sure of the father. Lucretia married a second time and her husband was injured by Lucretia's brother who was now pock-marked due to syphilis. She then married into the D'Esta family. It is alleged that Lucretia went on to have numerous affairs. Ciao!
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Itinerary Change
For those who were expecting to arrive home on Sunday by going from Rome to Amsterdam and then on to Detroit or elsewhere in other cases, the flight out of Amsterdam has already been cancelled due to Iceland volcanic ash.
Trafalger and Fuller Travel agencies are working hard to make alternate travel arrangements. Everyone is in good spirits and luckily most people have travel insurance to cover all additional costs. Those without travel insurance will have hotel costs covered by Fuller Travel.
So as not to confuse my children or some of my friend's children, 7 of us already planned to stay in Rome until Wednesday; our plans have not changed. Ciao!
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Trafalger and Fuller Travel agencies are working hard to make alternate travel arrangements. Everyone is in good spirits and luckily most people have travel insurance to cover all additional costs. Those without travel insurance will have hotel costs covered by Fuller Travel.
So as not to confuse my children or some of my friend's children, 7 of us already planned to stay in Rome until Wednesday; our plans have not changed. Ciao!
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Picture of Grandma & Grandpa at Kate's Request
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Fisherman's Village
We were treated to an afternoon in the fishing village of Burano. We took a boat to another island about a half hour trip. First we had a wonderful fresh fish dinner - risotto, spaghetti with clams, breen (a fish), calamari and shrimp, followed by fresh fruit and cookies.
Then we shopped for some of our best deals - primarily linens. Tom talked to a local fisherman while I shopped. This was such a picturesque village. I could have stayed here a couple months.
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Then we shopped for some of our best deals - primarily linens. Tom talked to a local fisherman while I shopped. This was such a picturesque village. I could have stayed here a couple months.
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Gondola Rides
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Venetian Glories - St. Marks and Doge Palace
We visited the Byzantine Basilica of St. Marks (patron saint of Venice). The church was filled with stunning gold mosaics - covering the walls and ceilings. The floors were not in gold but they were also covered with unbelievable mosaics. Unfortunately we couldn't take pictures so books of Venice were needed to keep our memory alive.
Next our visit to Doge Palace(no pictures allowed inside), the home of the Venetian Republic for hundreds of years. The Doge ruled the Venetian Republic and he and his family lived in the palace. He had 6 advisers; when meeting with the 300 senators or the public, 3 advisers sat to each side of the Doge. The Doge was usually very old and hence served a short time and we learned he was not exempt from the law as one Doge was found guilty of planning against the State and he was executed on the very day he was found guilty.
There were also 2,000 representatives from various locations in the Republic taking up the largest single covered room not supported by pillars in Italy at that time. Then we visited the room where citizens appeared in front of the judges - known as the Terrible Ten. From here a citizen could become a prisoner for crimes against the State possibly for life or be sentenced to death by hanging which happened in the square right outside the palace as a public spectacle. The sentence occurred quickly - usually that very day. In the beginning the prison was in the castle and later it was built next door using the Bridge of Sighs to cross into the prison. It is said that prisoners often sighed as they took their last look at beautiful Venice. The jail cells were on several levels giving the highest level to nobility, but looking at the cells it is hard to imagine pleasure in these cells. This prison was used until 1921.
Next to the judges room was the Justice Room, actually an interrogation room. There were secret passages that led upstairs to the torture room - usually used only at night. Secret passages led all over the castle and the also led from the prison to the torture chamber. I felt a relief leaving the Doge Palace.
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Next our visit to Doge Palace(no pictures allowed inside), the home of the Venetian Republic for hundreds of years. The Doge ruled the Venetian Republic and he and his family lived in the palace. He had 6 advisers; when meeting with the 300 senators or the public, 3 advisers sat to each side of the Doge. The Doge was usually very old and hence served a short time and we learned he was not exempt from the law as one Doge was found guilty of planning against the State and he was executed on the very day he was found guilty.
There were also 2,000 representatives from various locations in the Republic taking up the largest single covered room not supported by pillars in Italy at that time. Then we visited the room where citizens appeared in front of the judges - known as the Terrible Ten. From here a citizen could become a prisoner for crimes against the State possibly for life or be sentenced to death by hanging which happened in the square right outside the palace as a public spectacle. The sentence occurred quickly - usually that very day. In the beginning the prison was in the castle and later it was built next door using the Bridge of Sighs to cross into the prison. It is said that prisoners often sighed as they took their last look at beautiful Venice. The jail cells were on several levels giving the highest level to nobility, but looking at the cells it is hard to imagine pleasure in these cells. This prison was used until 1921.
Next to the judges room was the Justice Room, actually an interrogation room. There were secret passages that led upstairs to the torture room - usually used only at night. Secret passages led all over the castle and the also led from the prison to the torture chamber. I felt a relief leaving the Doge Palace.
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Venetian Society
Centuries ago there was a lot of high Society in Venice. At the top were the noble families and they were blessed with great riches often living in homes that later became hotels. Then there were the politicians and they fought hard to be on the right side because being on the wrong side could mean death. And serving both these classes were the beautiful courtesans. The courtesans knew many secrets and eventually faced the Spanish Inquisition. Apparently the Inquisition only allowed one courtesan to be saved. The movie 'Dangerous Beauty' was recommended.
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Glassmakers
Glassmakers are enjoying their freedom in the 20th and 21st centuries. Glassblowing became very popular between 1300 - 1500 and it was most prominent in Venice. As Venetian glass became more popular the price rose. The rich wanted the glass throughout their homes - huge ornate chandeliers, goblets of all sizes, large vases, etc. Some people lured glass blowers to work under contract for their homes. Soon the glassblowers faced another kind of contract when all those glassblowers who had left Venice were murdered with a stiletto. This was a huge incentive for glassblowers to stay in Venice.
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Murano Glass Factory
Get out your wallets to have a memory of Venice with authentic Venetian Glass. Pretty much everyone purchased a memory with Murano glass whether it was a set of glasses and a decanter, vases, wine goblet, or jewelry.
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Venice - Second Day (Thursday)
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Friday, April 16, 2010
Venice at Night
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Iceland Volconic Ash
At this point we are not expecting any delays in travel due to volcanic ash. If there are delays I will publish a note.
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Venice on Wednesday
The population continues to diminish because the property is expensive and it is hard to live here having to walk every where or to take boats to the destination. Not many groceries are available on the island unless you are willing to eat out all the time or have a steady diet of gelato - my taste buds would like this! Imagine carrying two bags of groceries from the mainland every day. Wheelbarrows are used to carry construction materials, and there is always construction and reconstruction in Venice.
The canals are about 18 feet deep. Boats with freezers are required to supply the gelato.
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Verona - a City of Magic
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Verona - Adidge River
This was a quaint very busy town. We enjoyed a salad and gnocchi. The wine was only 2 euros. By the way did you know a euro is the standard throughout Europe. The financial market in Europe seems to bind the European countries together - maybe world wars could be avoided with this unity.
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Milan Center City
Our first visit was to LaScala Opera and museum that may have the best acoustics in the world. Milan is used to the best opera talent with the best known in all times: Judy dePosta and Giuseppe Verdi. One million people attended Verdi's funeral. There was seating for 2,000 people and there were 4 levels of boxes surrounding the theater that had half of the seating.
We visited the Duomo Cathedrale Di Milano, a beautiful Gothic Cathedral. The cathedral was built by a noble family in thanks for finally being blessed with a baby boy. The church had 52 huge pillars.
And then there was an hour of shopping in the fashion capitol of the world - Prada etc. - a bit too expensive for my taste.
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We visited the Duomo Cathedrale Di Milano, a beautiful Gothic Cathedral. The cathedral was built by a noble family in thanks for finally being blessed with a baby boy. The church had 52 huge pillars.
And then there was an hour of shopping in the fashion capitol of the world - Prada etc. - a bit too expensive for my taste.
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Last Supper by DaVinci
DaVinci is Milan's hero. We had a private 15 minute viewing with 25 people of the Last Supper by DaVinci. It was in a Dominican monastery that had been partially bombed during World War II; the painting was restored after the bombing. The guide gave a very interesting interpretation of the painting stressing the balance and unity in the painting that was very true to his engineering background. For all you DaVinci Code readers, the guide was clear that the person to Jesus' left was definitely John. Ciao!
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Sharing Limoncella
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Pavia - Cistercian Abbey
We visited the Cistercian Abbey yesterday. The Abbey was established in 1396 by the Cartusian Monks. The church takes the shape of a cross 80 by 60 meters. There were 42 beautiful wood seats in the front for the monks, but there are only 6 monks in residence now.
Then we took a look at the gardens that have not come to life yet this year. Around another garden area were 24 monk homes. Each had a lazy-susan where meals were delivered. Monks ate alone every day but Sunday when they shared a meal and they were allowed to converse for a half hour after dinner and then back to silence. Today's monks are not so quiet though as the take vows to pray and work but not silence. The monks residence includes a living room with fireplace, a study area an upstairs bedroom, and an outside garden inside a wall partitioned off from others. This was a serene setting with very kind monks.
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Then we took a look at the gardens that have not come to life yet this year. Around another garden area were 24 monk homes. Each had a lazy-susan where meals were delivered. Monks ate alone every day but Sunday when they shared a meal and they were allowed to converse for a half hour after dinner and then back to silence. Today's monks are not so quiet though as the take vows to pray and work but not silence. The monks residence includes a living room with fireplace, a study area an upstairs bedroom, and an outside garden inside a wall partitioned off from others. This was a serene setting with very kind monks.
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Lake Maggiore
We had a lovely visit at the Lake Maggiore yesterday. We had lunch from the vendors on the beach of the lake: Italian flat bread, cheese, fresh strawberries, bananas, chicken wings, cheese stuffed potato cake, and water. Chocolate is everywhere - my favorites are dark chocolate with orange filling and milk chocolate and hazel nuts. Ciao.
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Lake Maggiore
We had a lovely visit at the Lake Maggiore yesterday. We had lunch from the vendors on the beach of the lake: Italian flat bread, cheese, fresh strawberries, bananas, chicken wings, cheese stuffed potato cake, and water. Chocolate is everywhere - my favorites are dark chocolate with orange filling and milk chocolate and hazel nuts. Ciao.
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Talk with Father Mark
I had a talk with Father Mark about what we experienced in Bologna at St. Petronus. The fresco that showed Mohammad in hell was upsetting to me, but keep in mind that this was painted over 500 years ago. Fr. Mark reminded me that Pope John XXIII said that Catholics, Jews and Muslims are all walking to the same God. We both agreed that the fresco should be altered even though it is a historical treasure.
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The Shroud at Turin
We visited the Shroud at Turin yesterday. We were awe-struck to see our beliefs confirmed in this cloth. The evidence of almost 2,000 years ago was there in front of us - the blood stains were a reality! It was a somber and humbling experience that we shared with people from around the world.
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Turin
The journey to Turin was beautiful as we crossed the Apennines. We enjoyed our stop at Pisa - yes the Tower is still leaning. We saw beautiful mountains and quarries as we passed along the highway. We had a nice walk in Turin after dinner. The buildings have much French influence with balconies out of most front windows; it's just lovely.
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Monday, April 12, 2010
Viewing the Shroud in Turin
We were delighted with the surprise we received today. We have a 5 minute reservation to view the shroud tomorrow at 6:45 pm. We will be among 8,000 Americans to see the shroud in this 6 week showing. This is the first viewing of the shroud in this millennium. We are blessed.
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A Gastronomic Feast Sun April 11
Appetizers:
Mortadella flan on an artichoke salad
Ratatouille with porcini and spinach pastry
Vegetable quiche and omelette with onion stew
Cured beef with sweet and sour pickles
Wood mushrooms fritter
Entrees (we were served small portions of each):
Tortellini (big ravioli) filled with ricotta cheese and served with ripe cherry tomatoes and chives
Pasta cake with zucchini and culatello ham on a vegetable sauce
Deboned and stuffed guinea fowl in a mozzarella mantle, served with green asparagus and morelles
Beef fillet ribbons and salad
Grilled vegetables
Desert:
Fresh cream mousse flavoured with balsamic and sided by pineapple and strawberry salad
The wines:
Sparkling Pignoletto from the Bologna Hills - Santa Croce
Tocai from Friuli - Cormons
Sangiovese Superiore Torre di Ceparano - Zerbina
Marcello Dall'Aglio - Chef and patron
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Bologna
It took us about 3 1/2 hours to arrive in Bologna after leaving Rome. The most famous king from Bologna was King Gregory responsible for the Gregorian calendar. When King Gregory started the calendar 10 days were skipped and then 365 days were dedicated to each year with an extra day added ever four years - a leap year.
We saw Neptune's Fountain built in 1564 - controversial with sensuous mermaids. This is a very old city with modern buildings about 300 years old. Most buildings are at least 500 years old. In the center of the town we saw gallows used from 1604 - 1854. Bologna is well known for overhangs on all it's buildings, originally created to house students for extra income. The added advantage is that no umbrella is needed when it is raining. Bologna is an intellectual center for Italy, having more universities than any other place in Italy. Bologna had the first Medical School in the world. Unfortunately we couldn't see the spot where the first anatomy was performed because it was Sunday and most places were closed; I did however walk there and took a picture of the outside of the school.
A large building toward the center of town was once a prison. The son of an emperor was arrested and lived most of his life in the cushy castle fathering 84 children during his stay. It is claimed that he enjoyed life and lived into his 80's, much longer than all his free relatives.
We saw the St. Petronus Cathedral, the 3rd largest church in the world. This church is wrought with controversy. At one time it was controlled by a noble family from 1390 - 1507. The Pope seized control and had the family killed. There had been plans to add to the cathedral but that would have made the cathedral larger than St. Peters Basilica in Rome; construction was ended leaving a wing partially completed and it has remained that way for over 500 years. The front of the building looks very odd with the top half in a different facade than the bottom half. But that is not where the controversy ends. There are 22 chapels with 11 chapels lining each side in the back half of the cathedral. One of the chapels has a painting similar to the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel and in the hell part there is a monster that is alleged to be eating Brutus and Judas from two different mouths. But there is also a man with his foot on the monster and that man has a name printed as Mohammad. The cathedral has many threats for Muslim bombings, which is probably why no pictures cold be taken in the cathedral and security was increased. The cathedral also had a sun dial that was very cool as it identified noon for ever day of the year.
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We saw Neptune's Fountain built in 1564 - controversial with sensuous mermaids. This is a very old city with modern buildings about 300 years old. Most buildings are at least 500 years old. In the center of the town we saw gallows used from 1604 - 1854. Bologna is well known for overhangs on all it's buildings, originally created to house students for extra income. The added advantage is that no umbrella is needed when it is raining. Bologna is an intellectual center for Italy, having more universities than any other place in Italy. Bologna had the first Medical School in the world. Unfortunately we couldn't see the spot where the first anatomy was performed because it was Sunday and most places were closed; I did however walk there and took a picture of the outside of the school.
A large building toward the center of town was once a prison. The son of an emperor was arrested and lived most of his life in the cushy castle fathering 84 children during his stay. It is claimed that he enjoyed life and lived into his 80's, much longer than all his free relatives.
We saw the St. Petronus Cathedral, the 3rd largest church in the world. This church is wrought with controversy. At one time it was controlled by a noble family from 1390 - 1507. The Pope seized control and had the family killed. There had been plans to add to the cathedral but that would have made the cathedral larger than St. Peters Basilica in Rome; construction was ended leaving a wing partially completed and it has remained that way for over 500 years. The front of the building looks very odd with the top half in a different facade than the bottom half. But that is not where the controversy ends. There are 22 chapels with 11 chapels lining each side in the back half of the cathedral. One of the chapels has a painting similar to the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel and in the hell part there is a monster that is alleged to be eating Brutus and Judas from two different mouths. But there is also a man with his foot on the monster and that man has a name printed as Mohammad. The cathedral has many threats for Muslim bombings, which is probably why no pictures cold be taken in the cathedral and security was increased. The cathedral also had a sun dial that was very cool as it identified noon for ever day of the year.
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Sunday, April 11, 2010
Trevi Fountain and the Opera
Last night we threw coins in the Trevi Fountain (home of the Three Coins in a Fountain scene). One coin to return to Rome, two coins for hopeful marriage, and three coins for a needed divorce. We were conservative throwing in a maximum of two coins each.
Next was dinner and Opera at Tenatra; this was a Cafe Concerta. Surprisingly this very entertaining with crowd involvement. The 5 courses were splendid: antipasto, two kinds of pasta, salad, veal and potatoes, and tiramasu. And the wine was plentiful. Ciao!
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Next was dinner and Opera at Tenatra; this was a Cafe Concerta. Surprisingly this very entertaining with crowd involvement. The 5 courses were splendid: antipasto, two kinds of pasta, salad, veal and potatoes, and tiramasu. And the wine was plentiful. Ciao!
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The Catacombs
We visited the Domatilla (spelling?) Catacombs yesterday and we celebrated Mass there - what an experience! 250,000 bodies were buried here. There were 15 miles of tunnels on several levels. Pictures were only allowed in the large room used for Mass. There were openings in the walls that were large to very small for large adult bodies to babies. Bodies were buried with a cloth wound around the body and they decomposed within 25-30 years, so what we saw was the bodies returned to dust.
This was where Christians hid because no one would look for them in Christian grounds. Many saints and martyrs were buried here. Ciao!
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This was where Christians hid because no one would look for them in Christian grounds. Many saints and martyrs were buried here. Ciao!
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St. Paul's Basilica
St. Paul's Basilica was beautiful. It has one door that is sealed to be opened every 25 years by the Pope and it is left open for one year. St. Paul's remains are in the center of the church. There are pictures of all 265 popes along an upper border in the church. The remains are there for St. Petronila; she was St. Peter's daughter having come to Rome to follow her father - she was persecuted in Rome. Ciao!
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Colosseum
Half of the Colosseum still remains; it is larger than any football stadium in the U.S. It has 6 levels. 2 levels were underground for the gladiators, animals, and victims. This is where many Christians were persecuted. Unfortunately someone or some animal died in every exhibition. This was difficult for me to understand; I am relieved that this is not a sport today. The Colosseum began around 100 AD and for the first 100 days there were about 50 exhibitions each day. A hundred years later there were about 90 exhibitions each day. I felt sadness and horror everywhere; how could people cheer for this activity? I was pleased to hear that the intellectuals did not support this cruel exhibition. Women were not exempt as we saw graffiti displaying 2 women sparring with a tiger; the tiger became the victim. Women were often persecuted as Christians. Criminals were thrown in with no way to defend themselves. Gladiators stood to gain big money for a win to lose meant death.
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
St. Peter's Basilica
We moved outside to see where the Pope celebrated Easter Mass. And we saw the famous Swiss Guard.
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Vatican City
Then we moved on to the Sistine Chapel. Totally awesome! But no pictures allowed here. The Sistine Chapel has many stories to tell with 9 stories from Genesis in the ceiling center and prophets surrounding these scenes - and get this every other prophet was a woman! I never understood that women were prophets; I'm going to investigate further on this. It took Michelangelo 4 years to complete this epic work. The Last Judgement on the altar wall was incredible. Jason told me 15 years ago that this was the most splendid art he had seen and -totally agree. Then to walk across the beautifully tiled floor where cardinals gather to name a new pope just left me in awe. I could just imagine where that stove was placed to let out a smoke signal for the rest of the world. It is so hard to believe that we are really here absorbing so much wonder and beauty.
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Capitoline Hill and the Forum
We walked the soft steps to Capitoline Hill to see the Town Hall surrounded by museums. We could have taken the hard steps (very severe) but why should we do that when Michelangelo went to all that trouble to design those soft steps for the King of Spain who did not want part with his horse at any time. These steps are sometimes called the Spanish Steps. I'm finding Michelangelo to be the most talented man ever. We all knew him to be a famous painter, but he is just as famous for his sculptures and architecture.
Right behind the Town Hall was the Forum. Beautiful ruins of a life we can only dream about from the pagan church that is still standing because it gained protection when it was turned into a Catholic Church to all the rubble that includes the pillars of the Vestal Virgins and the Political Assembly. A government began here that was the roots for our own country. We saw in the back of the Town Hall how two eras contributed to this building, there was actually one civilization atop another. Ciao.
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Right behind the Town Hall was the Forum. Beautiful ruins of a life we can only dream about from the pagan church that is still standing because it gained protection when it was turned into a Catholic Church to all the rubble that includes the pillars of the Vestal Virgins and the Political Assembly. A government began here that was the roots for our own country. We saw in the back of the Town Hall how two eras contributed to this building, there was actually one civilization atop another. Ciao.
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Piazza Navona
We visited Piazza Navona on Friday. We took a bus there but we could have easily walked from our hotel. There were many sidewalk cafes, talented mimes, and artists selling their wares. The sidewalks are brick and very uneven so Kate and Jeff I am watching ever step I take so I don't break a leg. We ate a salad for lunch at a sidewalk cafe followed by little gelato.
The fountain was here that represented water in Angels and Demons and not far from here we also saw the Bridge of angels. Ciao!
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The fountain was here that represented water in Angels and Demons and not far from here we also saw the Bridge of angels. Ciao!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Phil and Diane
Happy 70th Birthday to Phil Post an Happy 39th (again?)Birthday to Diane Bertram. May you both live long joyous lives. Ciao!
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All Accounted For
Everyone is with our group now. The passport loser has a replacement and returned to our group last night at 10:30pm. The 3 missing suitcases have been recovered.
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Friday, April 9, 2010
Pantheon
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Good News
Most of our group that got delayed in Amsterdam are now in Rome. The person missing her passport is still in Amsterdam, but the consulate should soon have her on her way.
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Happy Birthday Dad
Please join me in wishing my Dad a happy 86th birthday. Happy day Dad!
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We're in Italy, but someone lost their Passport
We arrived in Italy 2 hours ago, but a few people stayed back in Amsterdam. Someone lost their passport and 3 friends and a trip representative stayed with that person. Our guide said they could be issued a replacement passport through the airport consulate. More later.
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Landed Safely in Amsterdam
It was an uneventful trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Ciao!
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Waiting to board in Detroit
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On the bus - departing for Detroit
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