Sunday, January 27, 2008
Another photo along the hike to San Miniato al Monte
The fog was lifting and the sun starting to shine as I snapped this photo nearing the church.
A view along the path
on the way up to San Miniato al Monte. This tree resembled the Whomping Willow of Harry Potter fame.
A portrait of Galileo...
which grace the building which was once his home, it was interesting to me to think that I had seen some of the sights, walked the streets, entered the churches where such instrumental individuals in our history had once had parallel experiences hundreds of years ago. Vastly different lives and times, but some slight essence of similarity.
Fountain
When we arrived in Florence and were walking towards our apartment, one of the first architectural elements I notice was this 16th century fountain by Buontalinti. Now, it might just be me, but I kept thinking that it resembled a Disney character, I can't place which one, but something about it was familiar.
Carnevale costume
Many of the shops in Vencie were preparing and selling costumes like this for Carnevale.
Inside the Pantheon
A view inside the Pantheon, which in the 7th century was converted into a church.
Filling in the gaps...
Now that I am back and have a bit of time to fill in the gaps, I thought I would post a few things that I had trouble or not enough time to while I was abroad.
One of the sites we visit in Rome was the Pantheon. While the square was quite crowded, the building was notheless impressive. And my guidebook indicates that it is estimated that it was built in 118 AD. Nearly two centuries later, it doesn't look to shabby. With the exception of the front entrance it is circular with a large circular opening in the roof, called an oculus, which lets in the only light. The building is spectacular and it leads you to wonder what we are creating today will still be as impressive in a century or two.
Returning home...
We left Venice Friday morning, taking a water taxi from our apartment to the airport. Flying KLM from Venice to Amsterdam and I feel compelled to pay compliment to KLM airlines. As far as airlines go, they just felt like a class act. The stewardesses in their light blue suits were a bit more attentive and accommodating that we have become accustomed to. On the two hour flight, we were served complimentary drinks (alcohol included), two different types of sandwiches, and ice cream.
After a short layover in Amsterdam, we boarded the plane for the next leg. It is hard to get motivated for a 9-hour flight, but it did go well. Being on an Airbus makes a big difference. The individual video screens with games, music and movies on demand go a long way to breaking up a long flight. I was able to see a couple of films including "Into the Wild" and "Moon over Miami," a bit different genres, but enjoyable nonetheless.
For people watchers, flying can be a quite entertaining experience, this flight was no exception. From the moment he walked into the plane there was one gentleman, probably in his mid to late 40's that you could just tell was going to be trouble and it wasn't long before those thoughts had been confirmed. From the moment he sat down and informed the flight attendant that he was in the mood to party and to keep brining the drinks, you knew it would be trouble. The arrogance and inconsideration of this man were astounding.
Now, I don't claim to be a germophobe, but after roughly the 5th or 6th sneeze of this man without covering his mouth was giving me a much greater appreciation for the life of Howard Hughes. Not the little "oh I can't believe I just sneezed" variety, his sneeze was the "everyone in a 5 mile radius is going to experience this one" type. Pop another "Airborn" and tell yourself he doesn't "look" as though he was dying from any communicable diseases.
As the flight progressed, this gentle man was finding great entertainment in a movie was was laughing boisterously in order for the entire plane to notice. He had also made himself comfortable by reclining his seat and then wedging his feed on the chair ahead of him preventing that chair from reclining and forcing his chair back even further.
Nearing the coast again, in the upper regions of Canada, we hear an announcement over the intercom, "If there is a doctor on board, please report to the rear of the plane." Well, so much for sleep. Now 3-4 people walked to the back of the plane including one which appeared to be a pilot, I surmised that they appeared to be "doctors" and had there not been a potential-life threatening activity developing in the back of the plane, I might have been compelled to have them check out Mr. Sneezy to make sure he wasn't spreading the plague or the like.
Shortly after the call for a doctor, our friend Mr. Sneezy starts protesting that he wants another drink and where is the flight attendant. She was in fact in the rear of the plane as far as we know saving a life or perhaps helping to detain a terrorist. Your drink buddy, wasn't on the top of the priority list at that very moment. So he gets up, goes to the galley and retrieves it himself, I watch in amazement.
As this all progresses, your mind can't help but wander to the possibilities of what is happening in the rear of the plane, will be be diverted to a Canadian city for medical help, was it an elderly person, a child, was it communicable, had someone in the rear of the plane actually expired. Thoughts of an article I had recently read where someone had passed on flight and they moved them to first-class, strapped them into the seat for the remainder of the flight. My brother Brian, with much greater Howard Hughes tendencies, was surely to be walking down the aisle any moment, hyperventilating and refusing to return to his seat near the corpse until he was assured the cause of death wasn't contagious.
In the end, as far as we know, no one died, while the thoughts of the murder of "Mr. Sneezy" had run though my head, I attributed it to an anxiety attack of someone, nothing more than a little oxygen and some hand holding. I don't know that to be the case, but that is the one I am going with.
With all the entertainment and paranoia, the flight did seem to go a bit more quickly, as quickly as 9 hours in hell can go. But it was, as always, a good feeling to touch down in the US and know that you soon would be home.
The flight to Fargo was uneventful and I was excited to see Tom and the girls waiting for me at the terminal. It was great to be home and in their arms again.
A sample of Mosaic at St. Mark's
This is an image of one of the mosaics on the outside of the building at St. Mark's. No photos were allowed within the church.
There as sunset was approaching the soft warm sunlight coupled with the the abundance of reflective gold tile within the church was spectacular.
Wednesday - Venice
I wasn't able to get an internet connection while in Venice, so I am posting some highlights, photos, and commentary to round out the blog.
Wednesday morning, we said arrivederci to Florence, and ventured via train to Venice. The ride was about 3 hours, but thanks to several bottles of wine and some delicious snacks coupled with a train car all to ourselves, and great company, we had a great time.
The apartment in Venice was beautiful, spacious and a bit more modern than that in Florence. It was although, over 150 steps up to it. So we did get a workout, but it was well worth it.
By this time, I had been experiencing some pain in my neck and shoulders and had developed quite a headache, so I did spend a bit more time, hanging out and relaxing resting thanks to some muscle relaxers.
I was able to spend some time with the group at St. Marks square and cathedral, which was absolutely beautiful. A fan of mosaic, St. Marks was breathtaking. Oh to be the seller of metallic gold tile in those days!
The city was preparing for Carnevale a "mardi gras" type of celebration, so the city was full of masks, capes, confetti, and costumes. Preparations we being made and a stage built for a major concert in St. Mark's square, but we were unable to find out who was performing.
The city is very beautiful and quaint and the canals and gondolas we abundant.
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