tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15084920470227210902024-03-06T01:15:40.639+01:00Retiring in italy giorno di giornoNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-69910886067990492882016-06-19T16:09:00.002+02:002016-06-19T16:09:51.748+02:00Copenhagen and Norway: our last trip before moving back to Seattle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWkzDmCLljQO0-b6KlSm-0eF6X3br9Te1ww_2OmlBQzri0mpKDHXOgFcP50FqWjTLwsXJaR137nzx3hvmr6rjhJ3ARCHhokVF8w8SXS0kXcRBCCqd7vsyRaHy4sintgZbZegQ97KutwL_/s1600/norway+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWkzDmCLljQO0-b6KlSm-0eF6X3br9Te1ww_2OmlBQzri0mpKDHXOgFcP50FqWjTLwsXJaR137nzx3hvmr6rjhJ3ARCHhokVF8w8SXS0kXcRBCCqd7vsyRaHy4sintgZbZegQ97KutwL_/s320/norway+124.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Once we decided to move back to Seattle on June 30, thereby avoiding having to pay Italian tax (less than 183 days in Italy = not a tax resident), we planned a marathon of travel, trying to get to as many places on our list as possible: Spain, Greece, Berlin, parts of Italy, and finally, Copenhagen and Norway, which lived up to their reputations: beautiful, full of reserved but friendly English speaking citizens, and incredibly expensive.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Copenhagen</h4>
Our first clue that we were not in Italy anymore was the plane ride--very quiet and no clapping when the plane landed, plus, everyone filed off the plane silently and in order, without trying to get ahead to be first out the door. The train ride to Copenhagen was a similar experience--silent, no one on a cell phone, no one taking up more than one seat--it was a little eerie but the train was highly convenient, quiet and clean, just like the city itself. No graffitti, no littering, beautiful modern buildings, and a great public transit system. People were friendly and willing to help with directions and restaurant recommendations, and often volunteered information on "must see" attractions.<br />
<br />
During our 5 days in Copenhagen, we walked all over the city, visited parks, museums, took a canal boat ride, and spent an evening at Tivoli Gardens, and did a day trip to Riskolde to visit the Viking Ship museum (a highly recommended side trip). We also tried Danish beer and the popular open face sandwiches which are served everywhere. It would be very easy to spend twice as much time there without running out of things to see and do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UDXptzeYNze6_PuGw0guK9HggiDQ3QmmAu5nQHoNjDv6iCi7Opo2x5jJEQL8jyHJcmhDT_K0qTOsnHxT4nLKFwgPzUPAF3ReIaswUJMINFJIpYtY6LQ-h2ova-2tuIrovtkHBFuXX6L5/s1600/norway+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UDXptzeYNze6_PuGw0guK9HggiDQ3QmmAu5nQHoNjDv6iCi7Opo2x5jJEQL8jyHJcmhDT_K0qTOsnHxT4nLKFwgPzUPAF3ReIaswUJMINFJIpYtY6LQ-h2ova-2tuIrovtkHBFuXX6L5/s320/norway+080.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeqtqa6GGSQWw-aM02VEjzjxPpqT-Deigs7hGwd9RU7Nt56wIJ6mwuUwwIRbMoOwkpUGWeftLXe2MnfesAjSEtAfzwkAhe1lJIOrCAw58jpYBcRQoRgBNH6Wb0h_K-uCTBaMEFhtMx5n0/s1600/norway+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeqtqa6GGSQWw-aM02VEjzjxPpqT-Deigs7hGwd9RU7Nt56wIJ6mwuUwwIRbMoOwkpUGWeftLXe2MnfesAjSEtAfzwkAhe1lJIOrCAw58jpYBcRQoRgBNH6Wb0h_K-uCTBaMEFhtMx5n0/s320/norway+086.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Han Christian Anderson (above) and the<br />
Lur players in town square (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1exd-O48Yj24xCDj-7M3sup2z1SBVi4nW9dpA2N4-RgnhrJFn2mvz7vDyuvXPVrj5zOKWduMUpIhuso6iIHlVG_7QGDWGtXA63Fgr7ZrZzL1Q0isX7iUjf8MEF1ud0gQa94bHLBn_oYpQ/s1600/norway+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1exd-O48Yj24xCDj-7M3sup2z1SBVi4nW9dpA2N4-RgnhrJFn2mvz7vDyuvXPVrj5zOKWduMUpIhuso6iIHlVG_7QGDWGtXA63Fgr7ZrZzL1Q0isX7iUjf8MEF1ud0gQa94bHLBn_oYpQ/s400/norway+124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new opera house<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSxRInY0HtdC1HhmTZaPOeIoRNu5EXUhH6OLCHo4caahyphenhyphenO1YO4Mb7JV4oP-vLyzali2LTAyBo4f0YQAApt2oxJN0AosC6MoW4ngeOorUP5Ky7-TELX6dY9IbpguOhv2tr9me1yOaWVHB7/s1600/norway+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSxRInY0HtdC1HhmTZaPOeIoRNu5EXUhH6OLCHo4caahyphenhyphenO1YO4Mb7JV4oP-vLyzali2LTAyBo4f0YQAApt2oxJN0AosC6MoW4ngeOorUP5Ky7-TELX6dY9IbpguOhv2tr9me1yOaWVHB7/s400/norway+139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">city views from the canal boat tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfgXDM_lydgYakmW7WdcBn61MsJQcLEY5WB3op5mT3yezwUA3QXgYOtvoz9ggBVtmh7zbz-ewsLTlXGf9Chi_28mSfYdg9BnII2qfOxMTUh3YWA8nR65wUs2JH9k2_0ohlPcHjVqaNiwV/s1600/norway+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfgXDM_lydgYakmW7WdcBn61MsJQcLEY5WB3op5mT3yezwUA3QXgYOtvoz9ggBVtmh7zbz-ewsLTlXGf9Chi_28mSfYdg9BnII2qfOxMTUh3YWA8nR65wUs2JH9k2_0ohlPcHjVqaNiwV/s400/norway+145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqJWiVvPA7Mkj_gTtf_2AXgfT_eLJNreeBJes-6-SGoC6qtHwEHnQTLnrAVzmqdJJVAuVImntdSsglcf0-4OgTjz5yNth9bbW69qMMnxbJWtdMQ7tdMCQQLTtQcPXGFiPgLv5ebkB76Hu/s1600/norway+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqJWiVvPA7Mkj_gTtf_2AXgfT_eLJNreeBJes-6-SGoC6qtHwEHnQTLnrAVzmqdJJVAuVImntdSsglcf0-4OgTjz5yNth9bbW69qMMnxbJWtdMQ7tdMCQQLTtQcPXGFiPgLv5ebkB76Hu/s320/norway+141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcdgwS0dY59U1rVWKaarKUCx_sR2BW53gYGqI6W8dVqWqR8ZmEZSIlMoAMUmq8il_gCjXCrNvki7FBbZD56gNJfLHYeGDSoXqpWBR23nzbFCiUJGfoLlIViTfBZsNtCakJGgrtImLloJy/s1600/norway+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcdgwS0dY59U1rVWKaarKUCx_sR2BW53gYGqI6W8dVqWqR8ZmEZSIlMoAMUmq8il_gCjXCrNvki7FBbZD56gNJfLHYeGDSoXqpWBR23nzbFCiUJGfoLlIViTfBZsNtCakJGgrtImLloJy/s320/norway+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwdblJJLDHjqD7-S6KoSbPBqWedFhyjruSwDvquKyFaC7JZsA-iZcNhgd2rDvt3hGGMKVyd84k_i_OlpW4IkxsiPQ8IMb3hyphenhypheneT3f9frQJDNPpCXak-PNPjJSTTqbJBdjlo7dYp0mmj1Uw/s1600/norway+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwdblJJLDHjqD7-S6KoSbPBqWedFhyjruSwDvquKyFaC7JZsA-iZcNhgd2rDvt3hGGMKVyd84k_i_OlpW4IkxsiPQ8IMb3hyphenhypheneT3f9frQJDNPpCXak-PNPjJSTTqbJBdjlo7dYp0mmj1Uw/s320/norway+135.JPG" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little mermaid (above) and<br />
an elephant/anchor statue in front<br />
of the museum (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAqNTSTDmJJY9chxjlQg3bOgdGT54FLulcY1lN4nGVH_xP4Rzkh19MVYtfBCmFe6g4MmNjKj-yVa3L8qccs6pHVJJU_9eNZH4xXRd9Bp6XuFhBraYNm0_7GRAGed3xR1Y95hEgT9mUroa/s1600/norway+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAqNTSTDmJJY9chxjlQg3bOgdGT54FLulcY1lN4nGVH_xP4Rzkh19MVYtfBCmFe6g4MmNjKj-yVa3L8qccs6pHVJJU_9eNZH4xXRd9Bp6XuFhBraYNm0_7GRAGed3xR1Y95hEgT9mUroa/s320/norway+147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The black diamond," the new library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDfyescLavVkNB-TxcgW4DTTgtOQUkibhV4elGperLKHIY97ipFqB79388Y-QZJm-4k0fgb58KPmpl2RlN2McSBC6-T_ShAqHlLHoJ82ODRqJ7i2DfJs6z-J1YETFlhppW_iED6ZWtK_z/s1600/norway+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDfyescLavVkNB-TxcgW4DTTgtOQUkibhV4elGperLKHIY97ipFqB79388Y-QZJm-4k0fgb58KPmpl2RlN2McSBC6-T_ShAqHlLHoJ82ODRqJ7i2DfJs6z-J1YETFlhppW_iED6ZWtK_z/s320/norway+161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixm_Y2suoz42dkhYkX8LSFSVrrfiTs1ixDe4tJjEKl_gkWgrGWNtmAQWLuJovjZsJ-gpkNOg5eH42QootadYdIMRxmPbF1-uyaG48sMeqzBGo5tMP0Jx39Rf7wlqRrszMrFIYAt4451psQ/s1600/norway+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixm_Y2suoz42dkhYkX8LSFSVrrfiTs1ixDe4tJjEKl_gkWgrGWNtmAQWLuJovjZsJ-gpkNOg5eH42QootadYdIMRxmPbF1-uyaG48sMeqzBGo5tMP0Jx39Rf7wlqRrszMrFIYAt4451psQ/s200/norway+166.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmmhbYC1u4nzbIT190tw0E7yWzG0dy4q4pMJR6DIDe8DaacYsvQkbjEsPtLJRYyN7D6nflgtNZWGYWEKFpMWbSgw6iDXmERpEs5eev0OplZ7pQ9LQHgJFYbx7vD4XcKQVGKXG264-clTA/s1600/norway+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmmhbYC1u4nzbIT190tw0E7yWzG0dy4q4pMJR6DIDe8DaacYsvQkbjEsPtLJRYyN7D6nflgtNZWGYWEKFpMWbSgw6iDXmERpEs5eev0OplZ7pQ9LQHgJFYbx7vD4XcKQVGKXG264-clTA/s320/norway+191.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the winter garden (above)<br />
old Norsk rune (left)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Tivoli gardens is the second oldest amusement park in the world, opened on August 15, 1843, and the second most visited theme park in the world (second presumably to Disney). It is much more than rides and fair food however. There are multiple stages with many free performances (we saw a pantomime on the Peacock stage), as well as performances by touring stars, and by local and international dance companies and symphonies. There are beautiful gardens, fanciful buildings, fine dining restaurants (I had the best pork chop of my life at one of them), and a funky light and smoke show every evening at 11:00. It is a great place to spend an evening enjoying the summer weather and long evenings, and to watch Danes (and tourists) enjoying themselves.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A7XE8sbQfGS8i7xYz8o_svi_ug2Jfn9sRUSojrSDijYTY2H8RQaDy3_dBRxfjvoz4A42L7iOiDycZYscjSGC-LfrWBOaMHJcN4VWHEFEsknjFlvVH2vE1BpMosAG3XRPjkBgpxm3cGVq/s1600/norway+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A7XE8sbQfGS8i7xYz8o_svi_ug2Jfn9sRUSojrSDijYTY2H8RQaDy3_dBRxfjvoz4A42L7iOiDycZYscjSGC-LfrWBOaMHJcN4VWHEFEsknjFlvVH2vE1BpMosAG3XRPjkBgpxm3cGVq/s400/norway+213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performers take a bow on the peacock stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiub5X_bUrLM-NVzZrC8afGZIc3PE11WinEtEt5amy6DaqmXeEUx9DGX-3Oe7neKA1qJ8too4oYhKZ7T5Bg1CAVH_gl4_q29qlG67ELCwDzmZwADWriTA2GvAhke-IZh5U62HnBmxZzphi/s1600/norway+215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiub5X_bUrLM-NVzZrC8afGZIc3PE11WinEtEt5amy6DaqmXeEUx9DGX-3Oe7neKA1qJ8too4oYhKZ7T5Bg1CAVH_gl4_q29qlG67ELCwDzmZwADWriTA2GvAhke-IZh5U62HnBmxZzphi/s320/norway+215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the curtains are closed you can<br />
see where the stage gets its name</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bB9Df548kKR9cgQs_aD_hwL-NjfiBSWwXyxdyDUJyPWPR5OZA64PybxEgQr2KM-eA7vLw2wo8dv5lkt2ffmou-oPCQzINyKW8yN0BDbDglTUanWoDFYTbgASp4c04bp1wM61AZy_TStF/s1600/norway+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bB9Df548kKR9cgQs_aD_hwL-NjfiBSWwXyxdyDUJyPWPR5OZA64PybxEgQr2KM-eA7vLw2wo8dv5lkt2ffmou-oPCQzINyKW8yN0BDbDglTUanWoDFYTbgASp4c04bp1wM61AZy_TStF/s640/norway+239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
It was a short (25 minute) train ride to Riskilde to visit the Viking ship museum and the charming town. Even if you are not interested in the ships, it is a good day trip because it is a chance to see a small town outside Copenhagen. It is a pleasant stroll from the train station through the town to the old cathedral where 39 kings and queens are interred, then through a park to the museum which is on the water. Five Viking ships were sunk in the harbor for defense purposes, recovered in modern times, and restored over many years. There are also replica ships large and small, workshops where you can watch craftspeople making rope, sails, etc. using the same tools the Vikings used, and a cafe that serves some pretty good food (we tried the 'Viking platter', five types of typical Norwegian food. Yum.) You can even row one of the replica ships if so inclined.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-g9lyYNemTtv396DgPcY7LpcjY2iavuWOuf2GbvWYGTX3-zczLnT2erBB_f5X3Vi_oblgMKhEA9XZH9fHU1giTPMGwDs26mjJ-Wg0Kqtwo4PzjQlO2FItY83XFjJ1fr325KN6m14zOzGo/s1600/norway+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-g9lyYNemTtv396DgPcY7LpcjY2iavuWOuf2GbvWYGTX3-zczLnT2erBB_f5X3Vi_oblgMKhEA9XZH9fHU1giTPMGwDs26mjJ-Wg0Kqtwo4PzjQlO2FItY83XFjJ1fr325KN6m14zOzGo/s320/norway+019.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom imagines life as one of the village<br />
people at the metro construction site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs-uFEg-Fv4yqRH8iAUrbshyphenhyphenDepg_ZuvzGZErxGjuTCKubAjTToglAxNmsDBUm4-EmpcX8BZawb4Ka7VbepG3NH6ZFY6R7dHXY5YUSziK1MkMPeVzZ1uSvSujrwSOv_v8BJVNsfs36PWU/s1600/norway+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs-uFEg-Fv4yqRH8iAUrbshyphenhyphenDepg_ZuvzGZErxGjuTCKubAjTToglAxNmsDBUm4-EmpcX8BZawb4Ka7VbepG3NH6ZFY6R7dHXY5YUSziK1MkMPeVzZ1uSvSujrwSOv_v8BJVNsfs36PWU/s320/norway+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide and seek at a sculpture in Rosskilde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbxJCBL67h4qQskOrZT4OmJQaJH0oGHQg8-BtvIIIuDcAEOVEh9KZhqHaZ5aC5uk2GOzieFClf-6Zl5Dh3fXY91DYUacPOcCyxK7_lsgvT9UbNm9T2qI_fDKDE0FwCkoCNZcho1WF1UDx/s1600/norway+304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbxJCBL67h4qQskOrZT4OmJQaJH0oGHQg8-BtvIIIuDcAEOVEh9KZhqHaZ5aC5uk2GOzieFClf-6Zl5Dh3fXY91DYUacPOcCyxK7_lsgvT9UbNm9T2qI_fDKDE0FwCkoCNZcho1WF1UDx/s400/norway+304.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a crew of tourists rows the replica viking ship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0rlgX27IhQ_cbEnD_Qc9PVbgfj_p3MpAIr4PHvz7iFgn95MKBxHpeFA88N0sHXFp1X8B1VJPJv1bGVdmz6tQBy1AAT0D99fjApbtSeqxbTrjCIycGSExAI-0dlIn-j7VMv5RMBZvsvIY/s1600/norway+315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0rlgX27IhQ_cbEnD_Qc9PVbgfj_p3MpAIr4PHvz7iFgn95MKBxHpeFA88N0sHXFp1X8B1VJPJv1bGVdmz6tQBy1AAT0D99fjApbtSeqxbTrjCIycGSExAI-0dlIn-j7VMv5RMBZvsvIY/s400/norway+315.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEig21O6_UVfLh7HfIyqDeOqqWuo-9rqfprZ3pKN4fYQ3Wbh1PYVpHbujBdi1Bn2NThHC4Q_pYIlL8SxyquIvIWu6gK7d7Rt3hy7kRs8AJoJBJxR4PmUe_QCHE3FgkS_vkT8Y5I48lII6/s1600/norway+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEig21O6_UVfLh7HfIyqDeOqqWuo-9rqfprZ3pKN4fYQ3Wbh1PYVpHbujBdi1Bn2NThHC4Q_pYIlL8SxyquIvIWu6gK7d7Rt3hy7kRs8AJoJBJxR4PmUe_QCHE3FgkS_vkT8Y5I48lII6/s320/norway+278.JPG" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosskilde Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17.5px; line-height: 28px;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP4KDJ0YC1CmRY0dM3G8w9nOWC7wFplMvDkAtHlBQrlxOYPcqcch9ZOG2WJTi5-nXw9NoRWFEd5-pA2w4XkwbttqZ17KvKwa2zuvpMJ9lJtvwZ_jcV03pdK22-moEja3gZbItMdq47mAX/s1600/norway+302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP4KDJ0YC1CmRY0dM3G8w9nOWC7wFplMvDkAtHlBQrlxOYPcqcch9ZOG2WJTi5-nXw9NoRWFEd5-pA2w4XkwbttqZ17KvKwa2zuvpMJ9lJtvwZ_jcV03pdK22-moEja3gZbItMdq47mAX/s320/norway+302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom hams it up in the children's corner<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Of course no trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Christiania, a city within a city, started when hippies squatted on unused land in the 70s. At the time, the land had little value and no one cared. Now, the land is very valuable, but the commune lives on. It is self regulating but buys electricity and water from the city. Residents build homes but do not own the land the houses sit on, that belongs to the community. When someone moves out, the community decides who may move in. There are many, many tourists, some of them apparently quite titillated by the sight of people openly selling marijuana on aptly named "Pusher street." The vendors wear scarfs over their lower faces and there are signs posted saying no photos and no running (it makes people nervous). No hard drugs are allowed, as represented in one of the two symbols of Christiania.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNN9LQEpns-SEEf-FC7aJ6_NwWE9tN9W7Ifs6tEHs8YBxNCFddXiLgLrvuv7dMMTnKF8Kd6duuhtAU38D6C42Ap5GDfyJtVeLzdZQ9d8vhcDwBiq_einIFzE2wet9IKw4LIV3TXbUh-ao/s1600/norway+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNN9LQEpns-SEEf-FC7aJ6_NwWE9tN9W7Ifs6tEHs8YBxNCFddXiLgLrvuv7dMMTnKF8Kd6duuhtAU38D6C42Ap5GDfyJtVeLzdZQ9d8vhcDwBiq_einIFzE2wet9IKw4LIV3TXbUh-ao/s320/norway+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R0rWje5AZpvyKhWq_bWK-Q_dSuhJZUQJmCajDDkhsTMHc7H-79Os8PcoqSLFN3cl8izei7exS2eecW63V0kBhL5wBPzIzWD1B7IltO51leXFZztoMw9PwYhEzeCkXgxUnQj5COQ3cL2j/s1600/norway+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R0rWje5AZpvyKhWq_bWK-Q_dSuhJZUQJmCajDDkhsTMHc7H-79Os8PcoqSLFN3cl8izei7exS2eecW63V0kBhL5wBPzIzWD1B7IltO51leXFZztoMw9PwYhEzeCkXgxUnQj5COQ3cL2j/s400/norway+053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKzcl9hDS7IhCKUE4xCIho5fj3vSW6AfGNdt508IalUyC17znn1PCan9lZx2NtUthP92PtN5awNF-ykD7avqXYHhUHLGtNnA3H6LmHU9e-M1I-fzkaDX3s20eFHbtaDtbPOWWDk5pnCkY/s1600/norway+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKzcl9hDS7IhCKUE4xCIho5fj3vSW6AfGNdt508IalUyC17znn1PCan9lZx2NtUthP92PtN5awNF-ykD7avqXYHhUHLGtNnA3H6LmHU9e-M1I-fzkaDX3s20eFHbtaDtbPOWWDk5pnCkY/s320/norway+056.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">leaving Christiania, "you are now<br />
entering the EU."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Norway with Kelly</h4>
<div>
After a 55 minute flight we arrived in Oslo, Norway where we met Kelly at our hotel, Ellingsen's Pensionat. Like Copenhagen, it is easy to walk to all the main attractions in Oslo, especially when accompanied by a FitBit fanatic! Oslo is a pleasant, clean city with a lot of public spaces, parks, and museums. Like Copenhagen, much of the architecture is new, and there is little over 150 years old because the city was built with wood and suffered many fires. We were introduced to some new artists, went to more ship museums, and enjoyed wandering around the city. We visited the National Museum on our first afternoon to see Norwegian artists as well as a small but impressive collection of impressionists and modern art. The most popular spot was "The Scream" by Munch, the most famous local artist. It was amazing to watch every tour group troup by and stop for pictures in front of the painting making the 'scream' face. There were any other works by Munch, demonstrating his range, interesting for those of us familiar only with the Scream.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S4Egvnq1M_CDAk6DNIE4yASIOVLu3P8Jpj59wTLjChLtiG2AwWH283Fv7vqaJGXhkLhvWw1u8Yg7qXd4t7BsYwK5n4ZgagGrFPEnQT7CzguXQA6uC9g6Ih-AwAal6eFK6fQsqH5IyJlO/s1600/norway+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S4Egvnq1M_CDAk6DNIE4yASIOVLu3P8Jpj59wTLjChLtiG2AwWH283Fv7vqaJGXhkLhvWw1u8Yg7qXd4t7BsYwK5n4ZgagGrFPEnQT7CzguXQA6uC9g6Ih-AwAal6eFK6fQsqH5IyJlO/s400/norway+061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Vigeland park sculpture garden. Vigeland is a Norse sculptor<br />
who dedicated much of his life to creating over 200 statues representing<br />
the life cycle that are on display here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbF8poY-vV7z-WphGsn-aU4S-ETfZrQD8IJFO8a60dWdg0hpPMHEeO8-6osHL12pqv8buMbnegsYOOTD4By4nVSi7WFS3awBJZxoCDlyYt-6OnDL3eU6EeA0XMMfcTTdZrWxXpDXEiC2c/s1600/norway+379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbF8poY-vV7z-WphGsn-aU4S-ETfZrQD8IJFO8a60dWdg0hpPMHEeO8-6osHL12pqv8buMbnegsYOOTD4By4nVSi7WFS3awBJZxoCDlyYt-6OnDL3eU6EeA0XMMfcTTdZrWxXpDXEiC2c/s320/norway+379.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAl0bq-PiNfk8LluakleIXYVm1sKODamBXH6gx-b-69fLXzGieZf122Nc7AhQki_sDpRN0RAhVNDnTYBG9ERMLnLewr9BjonaCBfOHVIdGoxjXUB4JX4OuRVuLG9SCjUbfUXOeovUGoKf/s1600/norway+386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAl0bq-PiNfk8LluakleIXYVm1sKODamBXH6gx-b-69fLXzGieZf122Nc7AhQki_sDpRN0RAhVNDnTYBG9ERMLnLewr9BjonaCBfOHVIdGoxjXUB4JX4OuRVuLG9SCjUbfUXOeovUGoKf/s320/norway+386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of intertwined bodies (above)<br />
Mother and child (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We took a ferry to a nearby island to visit another Viking ship museum, the From museum (voted the best museum in Norway, dedicated to the polar expeditions on the ship Fram, and the Kon Tiki museum. The Viking ship museum here was not as interesting as the one in Copenhagen, but the Fram museum lived up to its reputation. You can explore the actual boat used in the expedition as well as seeing many exhibits and interactive displays.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamKGWLXHGcKdCbn7SKCcnLI6WPxSJK4ANY-Mqc1tgP3hzeiDebBL6VXAtYtBt1WEQYDeKizqbjRsuI0mKA-vTyHhHnZhOToOHpqDsQk7K3O81ZDX1GW68NVSExIs6aGZ-jjUkf6TP0gYf/s1600/norway+327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamKGWLXHGcKdCbn7SKCcnLI6WPxSJK4ANY-Mqc1tgP3hzeiDebBL6VXAtYtBt1WEQYDeKizqbjRsuI0mKA-vTyHhHnZhOToOHpqDsQk7K3O81ZDX1GW68NVSExIs6aGZ-jjUkf6TP0gYf/s320/norway+327.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyjPrDm8hzvLB9x0cd8TIvSzP5-fNl0FGpcvTKkUR9U-sqZ9Wj5cLLEJ0Xz5S_ZBU74aWqJxrSnoopwa8WQEB_EamwDCukaJxIcWrAeebwXz4zN-zpEjkT5PCZyYdSUSOHDHha5nWWngo/s1600/norway+413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyjPrDm8hzvLB9x0cd8TIvSzP5-fNl0FGpcvTKkUR9U-sqZ9Wj5cLLEJ0Xz5S_ZBU74aWqJxrSnoopwa8WQEB_EamwDCukaJxIcWrAeebwXz4zN-zpEjkT5PCZyYdSUSOHDHha5nWWngo/s320/norway+413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTM3yKKzkzXoNPuyaQbYlwc_YAGx05kJpUGjRZnb_DcGhJ0t2nJadWtezgk-h531Z-NVmTYzlyE-thnv_Cxw3mzqQ1ybHAgNBjECVvFZZr37ds665vtxAsNhzbQ9vbAHJVX5CzFkA64Fy/s1600/norway+468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTM3yKKzkzXoNPuyaQbYlwc_YAGx05kJpUGjRZnb_DcGhJ0t2nJadWtezgk-h531Z-NVmTYzlyE-thnv_Cxw3mzqQ1ybHAgNBjECVvFZZr37ds665vtxAsNhzbQ9vbAHJVX5CzFkA64Fy/s320/norway+468.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viking ship (left)<br />
The Gioia (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOFVtM6yv3jAC1E7VKSupDZ4n4z-Gwwe3HtETjWPNvBVLo_72kSPf7elzU1QbgGhrHIDY7G8pqkh7q0MdBX9CJXGaZiQSa-Wt2K5au-80wOYI14sLqEySNfxmxcFdUjgXyCm8Wz_zqF06/s1600/kelly+at+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOFVtM6yv3jAC1E7VKSupDZ4n4z-Gwwe3HtETjWPNvBVLo_72kSPf7elzU1QbgGhrHIDY7G8pqkh7q0MdBX9CJXGaZiQSa-Wt2K5au-80wOYI14sLqEySNfxmxcFdUjgXyCm8Wz_zqF06/s1600/kelly+at+museum.jpg" /></a></div>
Kelly enjoyed the children's section at the Fram, pulling 200 kg to test the effectiveness of her work-out regimen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Back on the mainland, we visited the modern art museum, located in a striking building on the waterfront with a a municipal swimming area in front of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7_XUOjAx0E5gLeSKDyCz8JyLQ_FVamDibc9W6sMvZd8bqaWafJS1lkBX_Q7kq1Fg6FlRKbIZEVWRFbGfOh43VrvHPncPDRrAghjJ8vE7lEFPeyCN8B7ODKjv1KKjoMVNZJfPMkBCcgBs/s1600/norway+496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7_XUOjAx0E5gLeSKDyCz8JyLQ_FVamDibc9W6sMvZd8bqaWafJS1lkBX_Q7kq1Fg6FlRKbIZEVWRFbGfOh43VrvHPncPDRrAghjJ8vE7lEFPeyCN8B7ODKjv1KKjoMVNZJfPMkBCcgBs/s320/norway+496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly at the museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBH2yeOgP-JhksySH7QzPB7yh5Jqz4R0RbMtkL611JR0TNaD2W_mntRvIN0P53FAu22iM-dWJFNYdVAh1mP9NJYFq35oB-rxM0XC2AgV16bCJVXtiKHg4yLqY35Dnsuqo0JFiIe-wK7D-q/s1600/norway+503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBH2yeOgP-JhksySH7QzPB7yh5Jqz4R0RbMtkL611JR0TNaD2W_mntRvIN0P53FAu22iM-dWJFNYdVAh1mP9NJYFq35oB-rxM0XC2AgV16bCJVXtiKHg4yLqY35Dnsuqo0JFiIe-wK7D-q/s320/norway+503.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mural in city hall<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3US99PB084mkDBuAKZn8lS5tRgFb1Op-EP51A64laqpduqPIPRju7YqX8GtrNEt3-UlFKkWqcnE-6jGS_BlrwumRlcMCkzbtO0kMcMOGak1pHIZbIikDTmCL3MQ3TIpdTH6PmRkcbEX1w/s1600/norway+516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3US99PB084mkDBuAKZn8lS5tRgFb1Op-EP51A64laqpduqPIPRju7YqX8GtrNEt3-UlFKkWqcnE-6jGS_BlrwumRlcMCkzbtO0kMcMOGak1pHIZbIikDTmCL3MQ3TIpdTH6PmRkcbEX1w/s640/norway+516.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of harbor from ferry with modern art museum in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From Oslo, we started on a modified version of "Norway in a Nutshell," leaving the Oslo station at 6:35 for a 5 hour train ride through magnificent scenery to Flam, where we transferred to a small train for a 12 mile, hour long trip through the mountains to Balestrand, a small town on the Sognefjord.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisCN5sz7JreDq99kJBPVdxbqpMNCMTn6C66p3bE0I_2lH2Pks7vz_fmSVFydEqvvb8SZtHqJDswWpBsqio0HWerDI5NOxpvD5pJe3zvf52QUdPoKSuJqUKiyr0jpTYTT-VS0fnWEMQPQc/s1600/norway+547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisCN5sz7JreDq99kJBPVdxbqpMNCMTn6C66p3bE0I_2lH2Pks7vz_fmSVFydEqvvb8SZtHqJDswWpBsqio0HWerDI5NOxpvD5pJe3zvf52QUdPoKSuJqUKiyr0jpTYTT-VS0fnWEMQPQc/s400/norway+547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3qdqiI6OBy6zyvxIQ3QX0kZsSKXolGNJtVBfa34IlgOkacEw3WFMFzrEh72W2GWaYsJTmr__JCVWu9QVPj3bzlz15aJcKSs5rewt6x1n7ablleWh_djKNUIQSLQGG9wLYyVivK-XwB3H/s1600/norway+548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3qdqiI6OBy6zyvxIQ3QX0kZsSKXolGNJtVBfa34IlgOkacEw3WFMFzrEh72W2GWaYsJTmr__JCVWu9QVPj3bzlz15aJcKSs5rewt6x1n7ablleWh_djKNUIQSLQGG9wLYyVivK-XwB3H/s400/norway+548.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3Q-Et1OZ-HUx5slHVwCuqI70gsVVyaC-Yo02W5YblO4-Ffdunn1N5Zjohg5CDkez0oNVJS2hkb3AnNGtPkFr7ruoSYLwpXuaq5_uSbd4rMoe4l81zTWrsQ7AWEhQG6pHzirr9B2sgCUS/s1600/norway+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3Q-Et1OZ-HUx5slHVwCuqI70gsVVyaC-Yo02W5YblO4-Ffdunn1N5Zjohg5CDkez0oNVJS2hkb3AnNGtPkFr7ruoSYLwpXuaq5_uSbd4rMoe4l81zTWrsQ7AWEhQG6pHzirr9B2sgCUS/s320/norway+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGR7naWkTQKdsKbh067-mJsrI3DWhWCfRlf-CFPYkMRq7QOKjP2RirJwkE0IDdNUHVablqAdyR2AsIjYj-gTCIkF6Eo1fKfUoR9EJ6Ew1HbyumQFXAnIadl3TFKBspyls9hWh-AnU4nfy1/s1600/norway+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGR7naWkTQKdsKbh067-mJsrI3DWhWCfRlf-CFPYkMRq7QOKjP2RirJwkE0IDdNUHVablqAdyR2AsIjYj-gTCIkF6Eo1fKfUoR9EJ6Ew1HbyumQFXAnIadl3TFKBspyls9hWh-AnU4nfy1/s320/norway+096.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">short stop on at Finse for some<br />
fun in the snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M5tqtKK30HI9RnaNuErKV3jl2YKnrRcHQDsHwcsohq-Zq_xrIBzfauHwcm1k7nVre2p_IohFdXylZqB8C9D9ujeHuCtOO1YvPeuubMe64UmMCQUllKGLMaj_j-rWKS10gFeqTbIjYnAu/s1600/norway+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M5tqtKK30HI9RnaNuErKV3jl2YKnrRcHQDsHwcsohq-Zq_xrIBzfauHwcm1k7nVre2p_IohFdXylZqB8C9D9ujeHuCtOO1YvPeuubMe64UmMCQUllKGLMaj_j-rWKS10gFeqTbIjYnAu/s320/norway+117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gzG7HTWtj3oEYonUkE2M9QvBAMrYQC6YHmmPxQSnmph71aqHzN0qULmkQUlEm-iY-IG4xyGrnljqef7AgF1KFWjUoZ3MLgFs1Ms5ZrLkiOb31NR3xjo8hzwiLQ3TdNes079oqpNz7w9j/s1600/norway+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gzG7HTWtj3oEYonUkE2M9QvBAMrYQC6YHmmPxQSnmph71aqHzN0qULmkQUlEm-iY-IG4xyGrnljqef7AgF1KFWjUoZ3MLgFs1Ms5ZrLkiOb31NR3xjo8hzwiLQ3TdNes079oqpNz7w9j/s320/norway+105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaV1A-xcLppLdVaBPiDWX0aps7z745iZkYzp7xxCfOQnxUlyip0VY4ogE8kyRE2pYh3HC9NCjF_XE82oJ3EukCKKhfswNOePQbO-ATxo_nQ724eLYOWUfiextNPhJUy3N-Cn3O1-ODX9p/s1600/norway+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaV1A-xcLppLdVaBPiDWX0aps7z745iZkYzp7xxCfOQnxUlyip0VY4ogE8kyRE2pYh3HC9NCjF_XE82oJ3EukCKKhfswNOePQbO-ATxo_nQ724eLYOWUfiextNPhJUy3N-Cn3O1-ODX9p/s320/norway+106.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24.92px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kjosfossen falls with a dancer<br />performing for the tourists</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2cdODXW9G9bXjmXV7cPF1x9yjGmr6lM72tuGfKtaDAEyTFj0871gAog9yPRE5kMiiZXVzMlRr6x5WhTaX3h7MTMGl2G-MUW2V2NZGEUzDRo55HMSSKUeMXlQAEfwe-owujJv0kSnpanY/s1600/norway+581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2cdODXW9G9bXjmXV7cPF1x9yjGmr6lM72tuGfKtaDAEyTFj0871gAog9yPRE5kMiiZXVzMlRr6x5WhTaX3h7MTMGl2G-MUW2V2NZGEUzDRo55HMSSKUeMXlQAEfwe-owujJv0kSnpanY/s320/norway+581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruise ship docked at the Flam kai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpo9iqxoG6GH8v_FqT7_lNNbHSY121654Saqb-VPxLAhDAxC-fuKQWMUtfDe9bgd3r8J2FWsH1CqCiNcDtV1FV-e37qCZhsW-d7h08n1FLMZu8OBVoNhBWbVlacqF_XV2rP-x7NiiGILM/s1600/norway+600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpo9iqxoG6GH8v_FqT7_lNNbHSY121654Saqb-VPxLAhDAxC-fuKQWMUtfDe9bgd3r8J2FWsH1CqCiNcDtV1FV-e37qCZhsW-d7h08n1FLMZu8OBVoNhBWbVlacqF_XV2rP-x7NiiGILM/s400/norway+600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLByfv-anVL-bRyRudODMlXAN_vVUhszFbf3AM8BQR0DK1YV4QiAsirsr_L3lIlSyptVfROe3L-OOXp2LYHMxh51MZyl_f3LslTDUvvHKsMDzYP2xvQlszN84rKgvtc_h-nVBrUcU68kkZ/s1600/norway+608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLByfv-anVL-bRyRudODMlXAN_vVUhszFbf3AM8BQR0DK1YV4QiAsirsr_L3lIlSyptVfROe3L-OOXp2LYHMxh51MZyl_f3LslTDUvvHKsMDzYP2xvQlszN84rKgvtc_h-nVBrUcU68kkZ/s320/norway+608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balestrand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRry2jhKcDzvYgZcXo-tTHlU4H6_VXPN-34DSi5q_-3i2FNsgTnICEptTklin7rL4xSm7ZYskZ1ncmlL8SAjo82dhYhOhcFqL8RZ58CR4YwwB4exPkaJ-CTUiFWxZ4DgPYvJVd6vOecKi9/s1600/norway+623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRry2jhKcDzvYgZcXo-tTHlU4H6_VXPN-34DSi5q_-3i2FNsgTnICEptTklin7rL4xSm7ZYskZ1ncmlL8SAjo82dhYhOhcFqL8RZ58CR4YwwB4exPkaJ-CTUiFWxZ4DgPYvJVd6vOecKi9/s640/norway+623.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXL9imRT25-PruTCE1Y4jPqNlNweWbhnelwZTlOhe9rtsVko5wclrkwAEbyscvEPW97xXtUMskia1BT7A-uxAs9X-sdqYZEEPu5SwJxrauFJPozi1HU1wqO4FBHaNfEZ0Cc_FbUhu-_f8/s1600/norway+628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXL9imRT25-PruTCE1Y4jPqNlNweWbhnelwZTlOhe9rtsVko5wclrkwAEbyscvEPW97xXtUMskia1BT7A-uxAs9X-sdqYZEEPu5SwJxrauFJPozi1HU1wqO4FBHaNfEZ0Cc_FbUhu-_f8/s400/norway+628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifMpIN8RKbYhzeFZWipvjTD5fbu5LfEIhcn_IKh-EgTzeNTCaPVB9KqS5FLhMCpPh3nlrGUK4vVdllwwSGUxZUckHWisDUzvhbMTn9lLxHV1KdcMyNPca9qwZ9SS5ZiY0BMZc9IsBpTGj/s1600/norway+631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifMpIN8RKbYhzeFZWipvjTD5fbu5LfEIhcn_IKh-EgTzeNTCaPVB9KqS5FLhMCpPh3nlrGUK4vVdllwwSGUxZUckHWisDUzvhbMTn9lLxHV1KdcMyNPca9qwZ9SS5ZiY0BMZc9IsBpTGj/s400/norway+631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ferry from Hella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_efZFAGRes0SeNvR_F4-ZUCoLkxlWaYIT2-hbME_vs38NcQWxDU9_HGTOqHPy0HzB-7AzyPKj53QIS0PQltPru8CBokMsCG-IneWxfyUEJKwqSJJn4E6smLNeDVu75paVxR08fw4CJxaZ/s1600/norway+662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_efZFAGRes0SeNvR_F4-ZUCoLkxlWaYIT2-hbME_vs38NcQWxDU9_HGTOqHPy0HzB-7AzyPKj53QIS0PQltPru8CBokMsCG-IneWxfyUEJKwqSJJn4E6smLNeDVu75paVxR08fw4CJxaZ/s200/norway+662.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-rI-JFaOxYs3cHPJupZs1DetqUDri_SFwbk1ZLDbTPY9P9tVdzACJEt2UyJaLE04C6RWQ7VKwQcweBAY-CR7easQtiitaYg4BaLQYid5KyMoqXOR6ZddkD05qBjA7HEqCWEAopGarJz4/s1600/norway+664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-rI-JFaOxYs3cHPJupZs1DetqUDri_SFwbk1ZLDbTPY9P9tVdzACJEt2UyJaLE04C6RWQ7VKwQcweBAY-CR7easQtiitaYg4BaLQYid5KyMoqXOR6ZddkD05qBjA7HEqCWEAopGarJz4/s320/norway+664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left, sculpture in cave on snow road,<br />Above, on a walkway along the snow road<br />Below, hardy cyclists </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCKMsgeuABP07Qyk_yFhTE0Ghz5lULCgJFVcGgTRBMNMEY88_2wFwKwAijm7I-ZDQ6w1jRu7A1xPTx-owmPDHCJq83hBniedjzadsB3mW6p4qtGDW4jD0p75klCLaNhDbaNjXrPnflN3q/s1600/norway+674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCKMsgeuABP07Qyk_yFhTE0Ghz5lULCgJFVcGgTRBMNMEY88_2wFwKwAijm7I-ZDQ6w1jRu7A1xPTx-owmPDHCJq83hBniedjzadsB3mW6p4qtGDW4jD0p75klCLaNhDbaNjXrPnflN3q/s320/norway+674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCazPG_RbvwubqzFFuhkej9ahhly4kAt-7TslmST6lNQsOvOg3KJZU-6t9bhf9xQQpaWcKK2T7__8mpV87kgmx-zY452z90u2UxZRuT2Xyq-Ybw3sZtZnlEm4mkK8uA_xexaTbwF5JItdO/s1600/norway+676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCazPG_RbvwubqzFFuhkej9ahhly4kAt-7TslmST6lNQsOvOg3KJZU-6t9bhf9xQQpaWcKK2T7__8mpV87kgmx-zY452z90u2UxZRuT2Xyq-Ybw3sZtZnlEm4mkK8uA_xexaTbwF5JItdO/s400/norway+676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj-o7K2HY_OSzXAEF7slEm4n04SXrZwzt2IjPpqklO57RfFTYrlcU-XfAxjwXxEflqkTvLxCpT89jlYq2kx_lrXDho_PwtpIvGzrEgTl48oo1lECQpSG1Re-44pFCpLo6OLBnh65kjpqZ/s1600/norway+681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj-o7K2HY_OSzXAEF7slEm4n04SXrZwzt2IjPpqklO57RfFTYrlcU-XfAxjwXxEflqkTvLxCpT89jlYq2kx_lrXDho_PwtpIvGzrEgTl48oo1lECQpSG1Re-44pFCpLo6OLBnh65kjpqZ/s640/norway+681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aursland fjord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x4oKusPIMbIv3mu9Fwtf3jn5AM_XgTmD8sZtgkp-Zev3afJ6xyMooEvGFTV8sace8q5IVw9QAAHFb0kUC1je_K6tuLUFOiZx3rcyKpda1MnsCdRoKdKBogEeVPefWJODJ6RfsaQsf4YO/s1600/norway+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x4oKusPIMbIv3mu9Fwtf3jn5AM_XgTmD8sZtgkp-Zev3afJ6xyMooEvGFTV8sace8q5IVw9QAAHFb0kUC1je_K6tuLUFOiZx3rcyKpda1MnsCdRoKdKBogEeVPefWJODJ6RfsaQsf4YO/s320/norway+154.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm2SKiEMQehrqNfsR9qVJ_d3agmVrpfjQ-K6QwL0EsnnMWDfbR5gD5i9WPIkTfZvmGI_PaXA6_vAxHUep_J6_SGZF6za1VoAnyppnJz8mYIBpSjkA_gYWxx3P4UwH3qsxPg7_99_WimnA/s1600/norway+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm2SKiEMQehrqNfsR9qVJ_d3agmVrpfjQ-K6QwL0EsnnMWDfbR5gD5i9WPIkTfZvmGI_PaXA6_vAxHUep_J6_SGZF6za1VoAnyppnJz8mYIBpSjkA_gYWxx3P4UwH3qsxPg7_99_WimnA/s320/norway+191.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left, stave church, above, Kelly<br />photographs the fjord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI47aMUlUQCHGUbt-LfyCrTmw810Viwff34llhbv2xbjcpImlRekjYHcsI3PljVGn__16rOdI_HzZfZC34nRmkTQsqJ_yQa-nmq9n_M6hB2n560Co9G_Ih-TYIRzqX_47WMv-7h3jDlA0/s1600/norway+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI47aMUlUQCHGUbt-LfyCrTmw810Viwff34llhbv2xbjcpImlRekjYHcsI3PljVGn__16rOdI_HzZfZC34nRmkTQsqJ_yQa-nmq9n_M6hB2n560Co9G_Ih-TYIRzqX_47WMv-7h3jDlA0/s400/norway+198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small town along the fjord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCSUelb6DHXWlkVG2Vqhb8gRb47Hpi3uDAPVt5jIuTkSdwxz9Rx3YgwFowWG38hxIrGvjoXizPAsv1HwehcsDnZ1PR4xSthLNwhDKwcV8b2nP56h_oENhdgVC7B0j5II0JKTvSKlnGijg/s1600/norway+201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCSUelb6DHXWlkVG2Vqhb8gRb47Hpi3uDAPVt5jIuTkSdwxz9Rx3YgwFowWG38hxIrGvjoXizPAsv1HwehcsDnZ1PR4xSthLNwhDKwcV8b2nP56h_oENhdgVC7B0j5II0JKTvSKlnGijg/s320/norway+201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFE3VJBiYtp-D8zmbNbcGUUb02e9W6hb7MkO73nirHCe6cgfFu3eeRyIZ2omqjh6fpJSHuktarxFgwMqDFI6CIbh26K8HOTwFBDub6NTX3NtN8O-XltwT7idTo7XS5FokczVDBxuB_m_c/s1600/norway+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFE3VJBiYtp-D8zmbNbcGUUb02e9W6hb7MkO73nirHCe6cgfFu3eeRyIZ2omqjh6fpJSHuktarxFgwMqDFI6CIbh26K8HOTwFBDub6NTX3NtN8O-XltwT7idTo7XS5FokczVDBxuB_m_c/s320/norway+203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the studio in Bergen--she always<br />wanted bunkbeds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Td667I2w2LM29Bhkk4EEQe2rItiT3YxjY3RUFOa9mrRY_jTwnSt1sx9cH6swczPe1i_sMbJ4TERlphJvPdY3_uCDdyyXs8CmNd-6McPzi1XvZd6hpjdiQDqgWgkYdQQ9kDD5Tq5X_oEe/s1600/norway+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Td667I2w2LM29Bhkk4EEQe2rItiT3YxjY3RUFOa9mrRY_jTwnSt1sx9cH6swczPe1i_sMbJ4TERlphJvPdY3_uCDdyyXs8CmNd-6McPzi1XvZd6hpjdiQDqgWgkYdQQ9kDD5Tq5X_oEe/s320/norway+207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Theater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpdBvaDIAp2l-FNqxzfBm-0jciOn5aWDhgCkW-eUcEWi2z0YMwcxn5-e3jBgfrvXjMlIg-cVo0lpja96hkqr3zEMNijucpyrmfdWQNZzQDyyan1tDRMXNj-fMGc4Oazi7fpu3alSfw-ID/s1600/norway+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpdBvaDIAp2l-FNqxzfBm-0jciOn5aWDhgCkW-eUcEWi2z0YMwcxn5-e3jBgfrvXjMlIg-cVo0lpja96hkqr3zEMNijucpyrmfdWQNZzQDyyan1tDRMXNj-fMGc4Oazi7fpu3alSfw-ID/s400/norway+210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Bergen with Brygge in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2qIv1mDK0FA2fOW-YKP2-jKXizPuJ3np2TupjEmiq4aVG1VehnkbjZL_4lXgyg_Dk8HKPQValpMbHtXX4ZPfW07XW_wnDINpRp9wxc7pwSiDfr8xsO1HqBXrxViySb9ppYA5PT7JWH9w/s1600/norway+220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2qIv1mDK0FA2fOW-YKP2-jKXizPuJ3np2TupjEmiq4aVG1VehnkbjZL_4lXgyg_Dk8HKPQValpMbHtXX4ZPfW07XW_wnDINpRp9wxc7pwSiDfr8xsO1HqBXrxViySb9ppYA5PT7JWH9w/s320/norway+220.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YhO_YgPE4bmVDNLm_f8SBlaAj39JXOD1jhh4uAt69mNq-_hgVCZFYUb_-Ud_JGiqGAzMv97BbtapUefrFAbOqcV1KBKBQYq_qKQQGICAEQJ3cWRzJ7WbnIIHGMJI33j3SLyxAZ3e1Lwf/s1600/norway+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YhO_YgPE4bmVDNLm_f8SBlaAj39JXOD1jhh4uAt69mNq-_hgVCZFYUb_-Ud_JGiqGAzMv97BbtapUefrFAbOqcV1KBKBQYq_qKQQGICAEQJ3cWRzJ7WbnIIHGMJI33j3SLyxAZ3e1Lwf/s320/norway+225.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reindeer for lunch in Bergen,<br />Moose on the wall in Brygge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6odbbnb0E0chIpAUJepXzeoMKSPRMncouR39xNPEGx0R_c4QlA4FtepKQDWFg_xixcL_scOVrVzJraYhZXkWn_pzaM7nRv_lu5l8Casm8Kp2OhCKtBtC5qj91RgBYjvkqdk3YOHrfYb_y/s1600/norway+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6odbbnb0E0chIpAUJepXzeoMKSPRMncouR39xNPEGx0R_c4QlA4FtepKQDWFg_xixcL_scOVrVzJraYhZXkWn_pzaM7nRv_lu5l8Casm8Kp2OhCKtBtC5qj91RgBYjvkqdk3YOHrfYb_y/s400/norway+233.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">monument to the ages in new town square, Bergen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We arrived back in Arezzo just in time for the biannual Giostra di Saracino, won this year by Santo Spiritu. Check out the Arezzo website to see how seriously the Arrezzini take their giostra.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tTgZtNTVYCuR1Bp8LN-4ugtib1cWxMUCaULAU_ID2pstQ8armA3TDk2R49mAWhqolptHbWYG2sSeQ2Hp_iEHbHAciojFCbQXGb6Xd_QbqBOJod45-gzTz0Gt790_7CjkUgjSPjCny0um/s1600/norway+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tTgZtNTVYCuR1Bp8LN-4ugtib1cWxMUCaULAU_ID2pstQ8armA3TDk2R49mAWhqolptHbWYG2sSeQ2Hp_iEHbHAciojFCbQXGb6Xd_QbqBOJod45-gzTz0Gt790_7CjkUgjSPjCny0um/s400/norway+056.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly at the art museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-35163592748405423602016-05-10T21:15:00.001+02:002016-05-12T00:00:19.353+02:00Thessaloniki to Crete: a month in Greece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yo9eyXr8XWciFFXNEDdLsNnSDDlzXGO6phm8BHnLEhrpWq28t7ZSIfvAwCMIhIYiltN4PmbazaewMl9rhulW1afCxBVsbp6pnILUSPs2uFOWnsybmV-lCL0HiVXZdgRHf9adPbx_QWx_/s1600/greece+2016+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yo9eyXr8XWciFFXNEDdLsNnSDDlzXGO6phm8BHnLEhrpWq28t7ZSIfvAwCMIhIYiltN4PmbazaewMl9rhulW1afCxBVsbp6pnILUSPs2uFOWnsybmV-lCL0HiVXZdgRHf9adPbx_QWx_/s400/greece+2016+250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
A month in Greece is like a refresher course in fifth grade world history and mythology (I kept channeling Sister Joan talking about Athena, Zeus et. al., of course in a PG-13 fashion, no mention of Leda and the swan for example). It was a great trip, but comes in third to Italy and Spain in our hearts.<br />
<br />
We started in Thessaloniki, in the north, which is the second largest city in Greece. The old town is charming and has several well known sights and museums along with a deep water port. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuce21vg3wkvZsl-BXGIk9jU4ALIujZHNSSOSiNiOTEaVJijSdpPi_CqhDggPcoIcp5VzLglo1V_gwooPgpe_dTm5pJi4njG1uGjxn2s1Y3NdRO-mzAuGfCV9JQIJH2EJZgr1Ziyx2z05_/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuce21vg3wkvZsl-BXGIk9jU4ALIujZHNSSOSiNiOTEaVJijSdpPi_CqhDggPcoIcp5VzLglo1V_gwooPgpe_dTm5pJi4njG1uGjxn2s1Y3NdRO-mzAuGfCV9JQIJH2EJZgr1Ziyx2z05_/s320/IMG_2630.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modern art and selfies by the port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineEmMdZS8WyYN-8TJf_Dqxh1TacbqfhyphenhypheniABjEEDp4TVcDhyphenhyphenFgGW0QufOx2ATkzDKrZpuTf_WPGv9GNhrpRnF8rKEvhAcsxQOIRasDmL179-d6plP34KfPPoT8ueCjdBCKbl9fk2sR9ZZh/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineEmMdZS8WyYN-8TJf_Dqxh1TacbqfhyphenhypheniABjEEDp4TVcDhyphenhyphenFgGW0QufOx2ATkzDKrZpuTf_WPGv9GNhrpRnF8rKEvhAcsxQOIRasDmL179-d6plP34KfPPoT8ueCjdBCKbl9fk2sR9ZZh/s320/IMG_2636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH6Gv01cF76q-6m_UdHz-ff4D_Xelp8Vc-6jWIq3qVfBUqk28Mr0ZZ4SaNIaTToDfL5gXxDEpre8czDXZCev5tYtPEenkIJPuakhSN-1xQXy0A3NPSJNEtA1LaJt-I3gbWpfm5KJ22t5h/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxH6Gv01cF76q-6m_UdHz-ff4D_Xelp8Vc-6jWIq3qVfBUqk28Mr0ZZ4SaNIaTToDfL5gXxDEpre8czDXZCev5tYtPEenkIJPuakhSN-1xQXy0A3NPSJNEtA1LaJt-I3gbWpfm5KJ22t5h/s320/IMG_2645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mSvoGej5xP5rdwf_-mwF4L_mTK2sl5EzCpHG4eAnH0BQ1p2aFv8sw0oMtwXXFTxafpGJwaJyKyd7k5AAywbXgvvP7Dviy6f6SPO8hR4XhLXWFGLzIRa-36eCbzoDxCgUNPRrTh_3dTt5/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mSvoGej5xP5rdwf_-mwF4L_mTK2sl5EzCpHG4eAnH0BQ1p2aFv8sw0oMtwXXFTxafpGJwaJyKyd7k5AAywbXgvvP7Dviy6f6SPO8hR4XhLXWFGLzIRa-36eCbzoDxCgUNPRrTh_3dTt5/s320/IMG_2650.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is a charming shopping area packed<br />
with restaurants in the old town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFMTYkCzR-Mk6roi0rZSfTQwKhIVfSPnKVJ4mJpKA1n32KEQJWjA4b9Ptn_u5ek2F8hD3SWsWpqFl5c7Rd0ZxZDDUkDeu8i2EfDOSl0oEp_jWGpjx9YQZmGiGSsUOye8cXuRKujo8t4IQ/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFMTYkCzR-Mk6roi0rZSfTQwKhIVfSPnKVJ4mJpKA1n32KEQJWjA4b9Ptn_u5ek2F8hD3SWsWpqFl5c7Rd0ZxZDDUkDeu8i2EfDOSl0oEp_jWGpjx9YQZmGiGSsUOye8cXuRKujo8t4IQ/s320/IMG_2654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5uGIFP6C6Nbq6FGo-fjrCtGlT69j1CS-bPQjzNRkZycRw7-Z4ctmXo-Zg1fTnXzmf_pEH_WUxGW4vW-FaJuBdpWuehGVpya4pg2mrPq5Pe89oMAqlHkzdkEVtGCEd6p_nj6UlnkLpkFG/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5uGIFP6C6Nbq6FGo-fjrCtGlT69j1CS-bPQjzNRkZycRw7-Z4ctmXo-Zg1fTnXzmf_pEH_WUxGW4vW-FaJuBdpWuehGVpya4pg2mrPq5Pe89oMAqlHkzdkEVtGCEd6p_nj6UlnkLpkFG/s320/IMG_2655.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old covered market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGId4G1I86dybX9vchfAAd8iWA-hOrKJwtWellIo5IP856m_MojC82EsxUYL258TXaIInXzr8mRMAxzXFu9aMdMYUVa9_j6Ails9PMIunLy8qGd5lx-QoodNGl5YYXn7AQTXV6PMOhrHki/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGId4G1I86dybX9vchfAAd8iWA-hOrKJwtWellIo5IP856m_MojC82EsxUYL258TXaIInXzr8mRMAxzXFu9aMdMYUVa9_j6Ails9PMIunLy8qGd5lx-QoodNGl5YYXn7AQTXV6PMOhrHki/s400/IMG_2665.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">remains of city wall around the kastro (castle)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT9Iwy8FhthmBg8n6VPuqo9jHGVKqXmcnGA1HNjdKIAmQpRCdGaODO4Ph7S1y7R_w64VoHXJg6Z6EpZYe6_8iyIF2_tfjpbYlCOBWBOOYgOaVxxlgGCGDEjedzpDNGwlrdNRzw9A8sT43/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT9Iwy8FhthmBg8n6VPuqo9jHGVKqXmcnGA1HNjdKIAmQpRCdGaODO4Ph7S1y7R_w64VoHXJg6Z6EpZYe6_8iyIF2_tfjpbYlCOBWBOOYgOaVxxlgGCGDEjedzpDNGwlrdNRzw9A8sT43/s400/IMG_2668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">city view from the kastro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL9565OSIc4owtKWTXdZHhHWlX882G8gHk7IHNT_uMIbthdy5zG3_4Qa_MMVr1U6X6x_UtMRZqXYWh4YuqtF6QJ6T5sNgKhhYqkDErVeq0iG88DbOrTyIgNV1IxmZneGNJCOHJjvEEs1I/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJL9565OSIc4owtKWTXdZHhHWlX882G8gHk7IHNT_uMIbthdy5zG3_4Qa_MMVr1U6X6x_UtMRZqXYWh4YuqtF6QJ6T5sNgKhhYqkDErVeq0iG88DbOrTyIgNV1IxmZneGNJCOHJjvEEs1I/s320/IMG_2670.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMrfB6enmm07Gz0Xnsad4FoJ9qt1N8du5MFKUYK8XY5YjAwNEzKUM0I4jzzeEfZBm5aZcMhYASBKcDLEpcFOKp0MPiTdXHeGsMdKWULdNyL-Evg0dQpu6NWpG0I88cfYmnFGf17ZSn31o/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMrfB6enmm07Gz0Xnsad4FoJ9qt1N8du5MFKUYK8XY5YjAwNEzKUM0I4jzzeEfZBm5aZcMhYASBKcDLEpcFOKp0MPiTdXHeGsMdKWULdNyL-Evg0dQpu6NWpG0I88cfYmnFGf17ZSn31o/s320/IMG_2671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local residents in the kastro area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnn3r2l5D1VbUf8IHXAfMS0fVxJh0bELwqbhPANHgI8fzlnfZvo2VUfU0bN9fP6rXUKYRIU2wWcMeNZCtX3MNiDieXr8DhMxWU33D3ePOVaLT056VWTvi5GHNWFCAVgs_VIZ9TeOyLHkq/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnn3r2l5D1VbUf8IHXAfMS0fVxJh0bELwqbhPANHgI8fzlnfZvo2VUfU0bN9fP6rXUKYRIU2wWcMeNZCtX3MNiDieXr8DhMxWU33D3ePOVaLT056VWTvi5GHNWFCAVgs_VIZ9TeOyLHkq/s400/IMG_2686.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new friends who invited us to their home when they found us<br />
lost and searching for a church, which turned out to be next<br />
door to their house. They introduced us to tsiporou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJvMgJZi-mXocMiM4QcCAP0azj1QB4Gdc-i0eD0NkuEbYhaE_b8fT1qY348mralmavbhxCBa-LNf5i20jQlPLKx9XVBSL946Yd61oj1TzgEcB0hy3pxAJgi4-E0AB2ZH6gNLa0fmBMSX6/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJvMgJZi-mXocMiM4QcCAP0azj1QB4Gdc-i0eD0NkuEbYhaE_b8fT1qY348mralmavbhxCBa-LNf5i20jQlPLKx9XVBSL946Yd61oj1TzgEcB0hy3pxAJgi4-E0AB2ZH6gNLa0fmBMSX6/s400/IMG_2696.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">medieval fresco of jesus without a beard--he is believed to be<br />
around 15 years old in the fresco according to local experts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnxolfhyxGAU92ETMsspesrsrNK7mmHaIm55O_mgUCtRwGUBSfnKKn1_-NUOdJFXVUrD32rU5ajj2UgKCT6rL2Pr29an4V2l97WuHoaC5E7xr2xkaeUXibCwGiOfDQmWzNTweyEFMvcMo/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnxolfhyxGAU92ETMsspesrsrNK7mmHaIm55O_mgUCtRwGUBSfnKKn1_-NUOdJFXVUrD32rU5ajj2UgKCT6rL2Pr29an4V2l97WuHoaC5E7xr2xkaeUXibCwGiOfDQmWzNTweyEFMvcMo/s320/IMG_2699.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9JzycrZzy5-3i602GUubtykRNMWd6nt-xKrYTnzHWvbqVP0Ugi3JrgDxImgjAKGbXis3atQN8SmpfKsNbNoVfB2VajJlvgwaYlV3HXm5Yy44mjx9Mlf8gtYoGnZpZI0ZteFBspa1wVi_/s1600/IMG_2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9JzycrZzy5-3i602GUubtykRNMWd6nt-xKrYTnzHWvbqVP0Ugi3JrgDxImgjAKGbXis3atQN8SmpfKsNbNoVfB2VajJlvgwaYlV3HXm5Yy44mjx9Mlf8gtYoGnZpZI0ZteFBspa1wVi_/s320/IMG_2704.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresco in San Demetreo (7th century)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbwlgHIcC3DP-BHEdyANbLdLZKDFe2EAurm2FV-KTjOU7ocYjcTxqA3BbaRBzcKhrAPu1Rff4NoXjrUaXdPyWHXg_8UdiOWMbuXL8DrhyCDpxQrONihQkbFDFaVcm0eR9PPD-veZc1M09/s1600/IMG_2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbwlgHIcC3DP-BHEdyANbLdLZKDFe2EAurm2FV-KTjOU7ocYjcTxqA3BbaRBzcKhrAPu1Rff4NoXjrUaXdPyWHXg_8UdiOWMbuXL8DrhyCDpxQrONihQkbFDFaVcm0eR9PPD-veZc1M09/s400/IMG_2707.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roman ruins in Thessaloniki town center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
After a few days in Thessaloniki we headed for Meteora, a UNESCO world heritage site with 7 medieval monasteries built on pillars of rock to afford protection from marauders and infidels. We got off to a bit of a bumpy start when we checked out and asked them to call us a cab to the station--turns out there was a national taxi strike! There was a bus to the train station but we were worried we hadn't left enough time to make it since we were planning to be lazy and cab it. Fortunately, much as in Italy, the train was 25 minutes late, so we made it with ease. Other than the tardiness, the train system was quite efficient and our assigned seats were very comfortable. The air conditioning even worked! We are not used to such luxuries on the local Italian trains.<br />
<br />
When Meteora was built, the only access was by scaling the cliffs. Staircases were added in the early 1900s, and you can now reach several of them by road. We took a Meteora by evening tour in a mini van and saw all of the monasteries and a museum. Much better than renting a car and driving the twisting roads ourselves, I don't think our GPS would have been much use trying to find the monasteries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6OgvPx4J97cu0-3aoQo2d7p2XDk9JPWO2_xQpmtUNrRA6SWyB9ozxWupLjRyXqbvUMUxO5q16hbgqvdzlktFX8LxF3GJef8NWXB4qXZ-7p9d4aH4XcfndFcp8BjTCjYO9qutxHGvH6KA/s1600/greece+2016+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6OgvPx4J97cu0-3aoQo2d7p2XDk9JPWO2_xQpmtUNrRA6SWyB9ozxWupLjRyXqbvUMUxO5q16hbgqvdzlktFX8LxF3GJef8NWXB4qXZ-7p9d4aH4XcfndFcp8BjTCjYO9qutxHGvH6KA/s320/greece+2016+064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sMYNjOUIYgW3rLoxYg4cMxaw6AcHzi8DzPXWiTuvMKXo019Ck46UPriibGKOJmICLGdEmW4PM-IQrlzucvE3-SDfqi5fsSeaFPqBJ3nWmK9Bd2cjON-0fCjYTbCaaCn4KrWxbCzN3j0Z/s1600/greece+2016+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sMYNjOUIYgW3rLoxYg4cMxaw6AcHzi8DzPXWiTuvMKXo019Ck46UPriibGKOJmICLGdEmW4PM-IQrlzucvE3-SDfqi5fsSeaFPqBJ3nWmK9Bd2cjON-0fCjYTbCaaCn4KrWxbCzN3j0Z/s320/greece+2016+069.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPoi3pxwV1YkNcx4IuDVnmP2VrB-nzuFvdLN7_qpO-SQ0tg_JTBqNirz_LG_wHLzZlcWzKlpmJQXqsTgJDgrPZJ5jXrm5YBS4NJQSJU77pUiQ3YlpvLywfV5mRVmCzV-4QJpMG-b_gqb5/s1600/greece+2016+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPoi3pxwV1YkNcx4IuDVnmP2VrB-nzuFvdLN7_qpO-SQ0tg_JTBqNirz_LG_wHLzZlcWzKlpmJQXqsTgJDgrPZJ5jXrm5YBS4NJQSJU77pUiQ3YlpvLywfV5mRVmCzV-4QJpMG-b_gqb5/s320/greece+2016+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3W443zIQryWEPYD7x1MmhWPb78vKgyDc-7wM7bvfD2CfVqifzKeTc2wW2bv4S9w06pwMHohJq_Em73CtT0uNT9x0Kk_oZO7RpX2UnN2NyF5jhNFY_GYS8WpFKf4-Z6onJTzi6imc5Z9I/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3W443zIQryWEPYD7x1MmhWPb78vKgyDc-7wM7bvfD2CfVqifzKeTc2wW2bv4S9w06pwMHohJq_Em73CtT0uNT9x0Kk_oZO7RpX2UnN2NyF5jhNFY_GYS8WpFKf4-Z6onJTzi6imc5Z9I/s320/IMG_2752.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiurtdertBqbemoKVSVatDN5nfVJOWtokbNlKdl-vWbEnn-5qdRFfTw8eRVeWvELHViWWKMu_hmwcomiL19XiXNs6esKl02Aqte7cy8A9u9Hg2xUt3D9_ZFCgp3Icm4XcgApfqn58fN5_s/s1600/IMG_2754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiurtdertBqbemoKVSVatDN5nfVJOWtokbNlKdl-vWbEnn-5qdRFfTw8eRVeWvELHViWWKMu_hmwcomiL19XiXNs6esKl02Aqte7cy8A9u9Hg2xUt3D9_ZFCgp3Icm4XcgApfqn58fN5_s/s320/IMG_2754.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture taking frenzy at sunset<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We had planned to take public transport to our next stop, Delphi, but found that it would be over 8 hours due to problems with the trains, so we splurged and had a driver take us in minivan splendor, less than 3 hours to get to our doorstep. He was very friendly and showed us sights along the way, including the battlefield at Thermopylae, marked with statues and a museum.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1vJoPGHSXBkSDwP4tcRrpRvrbIR_a-bI5COh5FosAibA_xMeZVprcz-kh2k8nXyCVHJNh7CaEOOP7BaQR4GrVCUrpP-JfCnnjpkc5p99QUV1ZNyJeBaK4BXzd7aRG-c6iq-kOYpnEBEI/s1600/greece+2016+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1vJoPGHSXBkSDwP4tcRrpRvrbIR_a-bI5COh5FosAibA_xMeZVprcz-kh2k8nXyCVHJNh7CaEOOP7BaQR4GrVCUrpP-JfCnnjpkc5p99QUV1ZNyJeBaK4BXzd7aRG-c6iq-kOYpnEBEI/s320/greece+2016+137.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Leonidas at the site of the 430 BC battle at Thermopylae. Leonidas led<br />
a band of 300 Spartans who, with other allies, held off the Persian invaders led by Xerxes I<br />
for 3 days before falling in defeat, a battle said to have changed the course of Greek history.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Delphi is a sleepy little town but one of the most visited spots in Greece, currently by tourists, but from 600 BC onward by pilgrims seeking guidance from the oracle. Luckily we were there a little before tourist season got into full swing, and we also got up early and made it to the site shortly after it opened, before the onslaught of tourist buses from Athens and Thessaloniki. It is a steep climb up the sacred way (the same route taken 2500 years ago) to reach the spot where the ancient oracle gave her pronouncements, then the route continues uphill to the temple of Athena and the theater, and even further up to the stadium.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMIRSGc_0ziDL28BVFOyr-oqjocSQNG9vewD-4B5AV_DGMQw4OwoD-whwq5kRDBoZM48txkdJGJo6bf3yWkukOcrE2dGv5obmlaaB5Sffv6_M0e7hYBgrRN-1bKXEdZkw_ZLsMXm-qc-U/s1600/greece+2016+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMIRSGc_0ziDL28BVFOyr-oqjocSQNG9vewD-4B5AV_DGMQw4OwoD-whwq5kRDBoZM48txkdJGJo6bf3yWkukOcrE2dGv5obmlaaB5Sffv6_M0e7hYBgrRN-1bKXEdZkw_ZLsMXm-qc-U/s400/greece+2016+150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom is standing next to a replica of the stone believed to have been<br />
thrown from the heavens by Zeus to mark the center of the universe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYN_3vjw4UqpK8kujsAaIoGz3MVft1yavlSxTk7lsrXVD-K6CLnMHJB8kjb0UjeAhbe8jpAPT2aFlDMptwUza3ifQK17ATs-2Xq8iSL5iivKM9-ALp_N5iQmywmpl0TrbgYQoZQtrw7JoJ/s1600/greece+2016+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYN_3vjw4UqpK8kujsAaIoGz3MVft1yavlSxTk7lsrXVD-K6CLnMHJB8kjb0UjeAhbe8jpAPT2aFlDMptwUza3ifQK17ATs-2Xq8iSL5iivKM9-ALp_N5iQmywmpl0TrbgYQoZQtrw7JoJ/s400/greece+2016+158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_cpe0kqe4TuUk_Lo_4agmW6efGg3fayetiW9mQiKmDmYd6cAeg99t8q0jX2w83R7WvT3HU6wnoa95yMduk-532kbjHdty8PAYXnjwu0XZtQ0GlCbvY4zjKEOiDU14V6L45vyrMLEIZxc/s1600/greece+2016+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_cpe0kqe4TuUk_Lo_4agmW6efGg3fayetiW9mQiKmDmYd6cAeg99t8q0jX2w83R7WvT3HU6wnoa95yMduk-532kbjHdty8PAYXnjwu0XZtQ0GlCbvY4zjKEOiDU14V6L45vyrMLEIZxc/s400/greece+2016+169.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from above the theater (above) and<br />
from our hotel window (below)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStBReJa20TkWsU9MDP_jvgv0ObZmrqYX-JiGWzYXdtyyXTp6hU-y2kNWTGIV8FVkGtNMwHhFRZuV4WOuNjqrgujBgORgGVHLM8whFSS4CopZKLzKyAH0_uIHV0roXssXnH43LXZ_A0t1x/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStBReJa20TkWsU9MDP_jvgv0ObZmrqYX-JiGWzYXdtyyXTp6hU-y2kNWTGIV8FVkGtNMwHhFRZuV4WOuNjqrgujBgORgGVHLM8whFSS4CopZKLzKyAH0_uIHV0roXssXnH43LXZ_A0t1x/s400/IMG_2830.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg997uU23Pu0GP-w7YnJsR-blIWWETZjzW5k1-2RxDrAtTCGJwrrwvA1t-F5lrKNTL660_L89-SO7LibQKcdjN9x_SE3Ad0ROO4leQy5V9n7J9Sj7RRXQsTLE25bhVIoYtpBWxByChRTF7M/s1600/IMG_2866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg997uU23Pu0GP-w7YnJsR-blIWWETZjzW5k1-2RxDrAtTCGJwrrwvA1t-F5lrKNTL660_L89-SO7LibQKcdjN9x_SE3Ad0ROO4leQy5V9n7J9Sj7RRXQsTLE25bhVIoYtpBWxByChRTF7M/s400/IMG_2866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally we made it by bus to Athens, a large and crowded city and home to 1 out of 3 Greeks. Athens has made great strides in reducing pollution, but we still saw a haze on the horizon, which our cab driver claimed was smog blown over from Africa--seems doubtful given the direction of the prevailing wind. We had a view of the acropolis from the rooftop terrace at our hotel, and of course visited it on our first day there. The Parthenon is still being renovated, a massive project expected to take 50 years in total, longer than it took to build it originally.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcdowm8aKuWwnyKeW10LQhuMJ2qX8LAUH_s0I_nRl9V0dtbHFDH5cTndZD06gMAWxVSaU3luZhNpkHyviOWwkVOhvu0yWTe27F9MOJn7XH0rgbZcnSF0Sp_8eqb3k-0sWUIp5DsSw4R9c/s1600/greece+2016+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcdowm8aKuWwnyKeW10LQhuMJ2qX8LAUH_s0I_nRl9V0dtbHFDH5cTndZD06gMAWxVSaU3luZhNpkHyviOWwkVOhvu0yWTe27F9MOJn7XH0rgbZcnSF0Sp_8eqb3k-0sWUIp5DsSw4R9c/s400/greece+2016+230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acropolis at night, view from hotel room<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd0jB7ccoaYFJHwTpr5Cqc6a32YsWdHlL6TcWM7JLsb0ansrIpHXNshQw-13xlvkLos1Chyphenhyphenu6083jYKJSraIdarsMML9xe1tiYXOHLUm5W4K7fV9GoCfsZu4a2C7ODAf-A7kdTEXY-Qp4/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd0jB7ccoaYFJHwTpr5Cqc6a32YsWdHlL6TcWM7JLsb0ansrIpHXNshQw-13xlvkLos1Chyphenhyphenu6083jYKJSraIdarsMML9xe1tiYXOHLUm5W4K7fV9GoCfsZu4a2C7ODAf-A7kdTEXY-Qp4/s400/IMG_2873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYkoxR8g-HSzDvZbq_pPXc5vp37ScOzow41GOPW9HNnk-3dwVg1jClodxK2r2jeYcbrs-frN3R_8p5qmCNQ2bTNy2BoO5QnXkmtQNSdsdZJicgjXMpXDIY9LEtabjC7FGSdCNn4kMqe4K/s1600/IMG_2881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYkoxR8g-HSzDvZbq_pPXc5vp37ScOzow41GOPW9HNnk-3dwVg1jClodxK2r2jeYcbrs-frN3R_8p5qmCNQ2bTNy2BoO5QnXkmtQNSdsdZJicgjXMpXDIY9LEtabjC7FGSdCNn4kMqe4K/s400/IMG_2881.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yv3Qg1bPILeP9b5zU4ITig0yINhrFt2LD3GrE7EWjSx1emd0X8zLRXgzO6mujWWwQfciFPq2YixV4L4l0quMI3poFKoOp1wUqKUFcknJ2pVE_gqVMvEDQc7MzCkVDiLKz5HuvV4ddk8X/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yv3Qg1bPILeP9b5zU4ITig0yINhrFt2LD3GrE7EWjSx1emd0X8zLRXgzO6mujWWwQfciFPq2YixV4L4l0quMI3poFKoOp1wUqKUFcknJ2pVE_gqVMvEDQc7MzCkVDiLKz5HuvV4ddk8X/s320/IMG_2900.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhWXE_448htT-xP9XMjkq6U5n0hkC1pOusCPI2Jn59xiq51Z9_s4McwT4HDyKWAYCSFR-vl5juWJDJ8Z5JPvGyf6lvI4qnE7ozsx8-diKaVeDzf8MU23PSn-eojM1npn5mClqNm_GKnpt/s1600/greece+2016+249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhWXE_448htT-xP9XMjkq6U5n0hkC1pOusCPI2Jn59xiq51Z9_s4McwT4HDyKWAYCSFR-vl5juWJDJ8Z5JPvGyf6lvI4qnE7ozsx8-diKaVeDzf8MU23PSn-eojM1npn5mClqNm_GKnpt/s640/greece+2016+249.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ89yKDxiZDUPn4VUTeVntWLySO76G5N50LkysvVEWU_xLP2834BP5cAIyt9lEVkwBZOIjbtbkq3y42t1SodQYyHB6Tg2n_3c26THZGwjxQb9QlCisWX45U-F4Z7W5OUDucIbnFkJOmO-/s1600/greece+2016+245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ89yKDxiZDUPn4VUTeVntWLySO76G5N50LkysvVEWU_xLP2834BP5cAIyt9lEVkwBZOIjbtbkq3y42t1SodQYyHB6Tg2n_3c26THZGwjxQb9QlCisWX45U-F4Z7W5OUDucIbnFkJOmO-/s320/greece+2016+245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24SSrnLD4eoayqChbc1r2UNU5hNeeIrPuy5JpLy0CPYprPJN9yVPJdFFsFkWbM6zwTpq5FfP08U-bKMVrCXC4U1P12rK16KsAuVYGSPWvc4jNmmT7bm8CbPxwHzWqkJwi71aiyO_pmnR4/s1600/greece+2016+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24SSrnLD4eoayqChbc1r2UNU5hNeeIrPuy5JpLy0CPYprPJN9yVPJdFFsFkWbM6zwTpq5FfP08U-bKMVrCXC4U1P12rK16KsAuVYGSPWvc4jNmmT7bm8CbPxwHzWqkJwi71aiyO_pmnR4/s400/greece+2016+270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stadium built for first modern Olympics in 1896</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-lkBX7Lk4q-BebeYEnrYSEa3O_sHNw6yAmkkvBaLwCuGua2PpNM_CdlyD84YsxCYUTAA1AtWUUNgHdoRYmTT4awqlYh5lHGvY08faKiO0UMbSYz3rjVb6nlW8Mq9kK-YOP1Np9y_oTm_/s1600/greece+2016+273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-lkBX7Lk4q-BebeYEnrYSEa3O_sHNw6yAmkkvBaLwCuGua2PpNM_CdlyD84YsxCYUTAA1AtWUUNgHdoRYmTT4awqlYh5lHGvY08faKiO0UMbSYz3rjVb6nlW8Mq9kK-YOP1Np9y_oTm_/s400/greece+2016+273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from highest hill in Athens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB51JxzkW8vSe1uyi1tntbeYJXlpCh1vD1L9q4lEvWxgu9ziEYBs3xEoa-awPIp2Q5o7mO3wVBZEEyb6jqvuGt0kelGWRaWbD-EBnIxbL1qRJMOpUdguw_PPBhDPrwV5jeo8qM3JJ7uodi/s1600/greece+2016+345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB51JxzkW8vSe1uyi1tntbeYJXlpCh1vD1L9q4lEvWxgu9ziEYBs3xEoa-awPIp2Q5o7mO3wVBZEEyb6jqvuGt0kelGWRaWbD-EBnIxbL1qRJMOpUdguw_PPBhDPrwV5jeo8qM3JJ7uodi/s320/greece+2016+345.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bronze statue at National Archaeological museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We visited the national archaeological museum which contains most of the ancient treasures of Greece that are not in London or New York. There is an electronic sign in the entry asking visitors to vote on whether the Elgin marbles should be returned to Greece. Not surprisingly, almost every voter said yes. We also visited the Benaki museum which contains additional treasures, watched the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, visited the Temple of Zeus, ascended the highest hill in Athens, stumbled upon street markets, learned that Attaturk (the father of modern Turkey) was born in Greece and his former home is now an embassy) and visited many Greek Orthodox churches, which are all built on the same plan by church law according to an italian tour guide we eavesdropped on at one church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk4M4i2FudWUyDie9rpmLGvt-zWOmOFhA-HiOKTBEreT03eppnMyu7kPN8CJ6yFFqpScZ3ohUi26enO2EaITEB5j3km-TOKrltD5WUMVfhH-O4FmUyL5cn06eQGVIICEmA2yIvFEDSOmQ/s1600/IMG_2942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk4M4i2FudWUyDie9rpmLGvt-zWOmOFhA-HiOKTBEreT03eppnMyu7kPN8CJ6yFFqpScZ3ohUi26enO2EaITEB5j3km-TOKrltD5WUMVfhH-O4FmUyL5cn06eQGVIICEmA2yIvFEDSOmQ/s320/IMG_2942.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIW5lijO_Px6rEOHkENgcxfWQbb5pCmp2EttPlXBmurFYq4sYAiHKyJQhZvaOnKA1PSOlYakYs3stKnFNGLINs2FHEIIB0m2fSDh62CadpSP61bRqK64IQ4-Kh6tYiOJyx5GztUq56ZzT/s1600/IMG_3108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIW5lijO_Px6rEOHkENgcxfWQbb5pCmp2EttPlXBmurFYq4sYAiHKyJQhZvaOnKA1PSOlYakYs3stKnFNGLINs2FHEIIB0m2fSDh62CadpSP61bRqK64IQ4-Kh6tYiOJyx5GztUq56ZzT/s320/IMG_3108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mask of agamemnon, pure gold (left)<br />
traditional greek clothing (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKC1Si-zlGMHlDzVJtC-DzeGxLniJ09ULMXKXjZwz12wvDuNbJFe1fzqQo9z8sdNPxrhaq92nn9HpkoNR6KnJnUaa2aP1pMjrGY_Ea75dovzT3YDattpeshtq1NDJdOf4-yM48cPQtpsr/s1600/IMG_3042+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKC1Si-zlGMHlDzVJtC-DzeGxLniJ09ULMXKXjZwz12wvDuNbJFe1fzqQo9z8sdNPxrhaq92nn9HpkoNR6KnJnUaa2aP1pMjrGY_Ea75dovzT3YDattpeshtq1NDJdOf4-yM48cPQtpsr/s400/IMG_3042+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. the soldiers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
are wearing traditional uniforms, including kilts with 400 pleats--one for each</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
year of Ottoman oppression</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">When it was time to leave Athens we picked up a car at the airport (I highly recommend this despite the cost of the cab--driving in Athens would be difficult) and headed to the Peloponese and the Mani Penninsula for a week. We started in tiny Kardamylli which is a beautiful small town and which was a great base for a full day driving tour of the penninsula. Beaches, mountain and sea views, and flowers everywhere made for a beautiful drive.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKF7CfmToa4hcN7y7LFL3tGGNXwb8oRtj1xj3Q8mkfSSRr0FEus54w2dtFtoOiGaR-CERBgsiVRjM1XjXhKARezGcue_llfMGVLvv5zOifiZ_CxaudjshUvqNodkPi8ivnqIpi4-rALxV/s1600/greece+2016+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKF7CfmToa4hcN7y7LFL3tGGNXwb8oRtj1xj3Q8mkfSSRr0FEus54w2dtFtoOiGaR-CERBgsiVRjM1XjXhKARezGcue_llfMGVLvv5zOifiZ_CxaudjshUvqNodkPi8ivnqIpi4-rALxV/s320/greece+2016+406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jgEToUWR2nXigIogPLXQYiPx1w1wBTbAPQscDoWCBib5Xl75kmQOLK-OFL3njs_8e7BmVJaTN_GM15mR6H9tIz0UjfOsdfxp5_d8-XCzwd3W8yPUohTbE1pjMDkvz-778zrv6QmwXpVR/s1600/greece+2016+409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jgEToUWR2nXigIogPLXQYiPx1w1wBTbAPQscDoWCBib5Xl75kmQOLK-OFL3njs_8e7BmVJaTN_GM15mR6H9tIz0UjfOsdfxp5_d8-XCzwd3W8yPUohTbE1pjMDkvz-778zrv6QmwXpVR/s320/greece+2016+409.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjNTsFpoBiNBxJ7oH5_4KlIh5p9Hip2ApX5h-UUrIGmFeRB35_8Hm9UQqd3kXUEpG4HbmFyseA4AEKTGoWd2yIGJnckCt3pZpFELsfvvrRrSW-YxMfCkN-GNgDd8FnGkw76tuhPMD0SvA/s1600/greece+2016+421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjNTsFpoBiNBxJ7oH5_4KlIh5p9Hip2ApX5h-UUrIGmFeRB35_8Hm9UQqd3kXUEpG4HbmFyseA4AEKTGoWd2yIGJnckCt3pZpFELsfvvrRrSW-YxMfCkN-GNgDd8FnGkw76tuhPMD0SvA/s400/greece+2016+421.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entry to Kardamylli Old Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLM59R44jNhGmVJVQa7C9eGe5Eq9_fKrKQLHzFVR87oeVsumV19uHKrr-bhz4zA0WoRHSGFoNCDBUIWCk2eZPZTpyMwnJHEv1QZ8Od10WQ-8fwnt-iMePc4bYK5FKbkGhTkQv1iYPwRlh/s1600/greece+2016+454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLM59R44jNhGmVJVQa7C9eGe5Eq9_fKrKQLHzFVR87oeVsumV19uHKrr-bhz4zA0WoRHSGFoNCDBUIWCk2eZPZTpyMwnJHEv1QZ8Od10WQ-8fwnt-iMePc4bYK5FKbkGhTkQv1iYPwRlh/s640/greece+2016+454.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zwGDktpu3zzG5_3oOQ463rPtdvUuXhbR_pw-X8FItroBJHDqqYnWWq-YZxdlxXX-km5svjUhC1ThUcsQS-faXxeSB17eHQw19b1C-YwmRmya6PF2Rx6nYNG05wbHq3wiydSuLZk-yG4c/s1600/greece+2016+463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zwGDktpu3zzG5_3oOQ463rPtdvUuXhbR_pw-X8FItroBJHDqqYnWWq-YZxdlxXX-km5svjUhC1ThUcsQS-faXxeSB17eHQw19b1C-YwmRmya6PF2Rx6nYNG05wbHq3wiydSuLZk-yG4c/s640/greece+2016+463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVAfPURUqjkOmvy-cZqb6vVc1viT60l_3c_lE37cpz_wbWSBqSfDTCW_52i6g5K5pOWvcOj1KFxcEtFukyzHtQkP0lxmeWMHrCOFyBdu6NKnBzTHc1oLaDXEM1rP_WCFyf4pvEjKMBWZ2/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVAfPURUqjkOmvy-cZqb6vVc1viT60l_3c_lE37cpz_wbWSBqSfDTCW_52i6g5K5pOWvcOj1KFxcEtFukyzHtQkP0lxmeWMHrCOFyBdu6NKnBzTHc1oLaDXEM1rP_WCFyf4pvEjKMBWZ2/s320/IMG_3154.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lBUN4aH-YXNfF16Oql07q0OIlEzaOMW5LELstV50lhdvFPSfesW2Uo5q1q850mbek6fvAqeoo4b5OUsO2MNRoKPQxIqxfQFU-jc-4skvllU6zS2sJejsDcnDVHDP5_Dj9X3j4i-7NmRm/s1600/IMG_3281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lBUN4aH-YXNfF16Oql07q0OIlEzaOMW5LELstV50lhdvFPSfesW2Uo5q1q850mbek6fvAqeoo4b5OUsO2MNRoKPQxIqxfQFU-jc-4skvllU6zS2sJejsDcnDVHDP5_Dj9X3j4i-7NmRm/s400/IMG_3281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLb20VSANUvWTRp4UFyAPMdFqqJ9MM39MabXmc032L3O0iglfzn2vbfFy9JKtcxA4DX_Nc_ZKhf9qm_FwuJPgvAFMAG-G5E1whD8u0xbTDAc9r3O0GwSY8lSWa3aogPwamjLW9gF1ATw5/s1600/greece+2016+477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLb20VSANUvWTRp4UFyAPMdFqqJ9MM39MabXmc032L3O0iglfzn2vbfFy9JKtcxA4DX_Nc_ZKhf9qm_FwuJPgvAFMAG-G5E1whD8u0xbTDAc9r3O0GwSY8lSWa3aogPwamjLW9gF1ATw5/s320/greece+2016+477.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDA4ssb2PuEA0kgM9gQLQH4tDJhvbfE7nIQSMs6Vkb0MOKSpn002AwCr0RBDUoNlJGcpCDKFdBOYtjXcWyfadArUGGAaVzeuYmuwrXS6lwBE4tN0SH81-oH4wPrRR3uljFBp_TPNBDJmL/s1600/greece+2016+478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDA4ssb2PuEA0kgM9gQLQH4tDJhvbfE7nIQSMs6Vkb0MOKSpn002AwCr0RBDUoNlJGcpCDKFdBOYtjXcWyfadArUGGAaVzeuYmuwrXS6lwBE4tN0SH81-oH4wPrRR3uljFBp_TPNBDJmL/s320/greece+2016+478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local heroes (left and above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-7v911XRd9UTRY6xrl6JYsegF_nqfl7BNeWuZa2HefVfJuFw1Bav8xBCHf5YUa9l08rB0Iu0dUL-Puic_RSXVaKDVSBDiSjp0gJt6QlYD7AGv_hACEuYk2J1YIEEi6ISDyRNAqoAQ55A/s1600/greece+2016+481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-7v911XRd9UTRY6xrl6JYsegF_nqfl7BNeWuZa2HefVfJuFw1Bav8xBCHf5YUa9l08rB0Iu0dUL-Puic_RSXVaKDVSBDiSjp0gJt6QlYD7AGv_hACEuYk2J1YIEEi6ISDyRNAqoAQ55A/s400/greece+2016+481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">only traffic we saw all day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWkYqnhmTBtiOhyQC5XZp6iqsp6Rc5hbtfxJ16FmWw3a46R7tMysaRiK72hfdEnDHBpD_PQUXX97HCagvpA4NL4oG_6cWMfJftkZjAI8Vvm6cQ_S-3z-UEbUkkyYcfKnFbSely8idem-z/s1600/IMG_3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWkYqnhmTBtiOhyQC5XZp6iqsp6Rc5hbtfxJ16FmWw3a46R7tMysaRiK72hfdEnDHBpD_PQUXX97HCagvpA4NL4oG_6cWMfJftkZjAI8Vvm6cQ_S-3z-UEbUkkyYcfKnFbSely8idem-z/s320/IMG_3240.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGa7mVcFIKjwLqHLtTTtw5EVPJWppgi1ACwkQ9G7O8K-e-npMW6_3S9q_wQnHovi7RnAJVm-BOf2vLNS6VXK8UpVAGXFawY-IKihfO_FKbD5l0wKo50oXl-d19EP_dyJfHt7T1o4yF6Eg/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGa7mVcFIKjwLqHLtTTtw5EVPJWppgi1ACwkQ9G7O8K-e-npMW6_3S9q_wQnHovi7RnAJVm-BOf2vLNS6VXK8UpVAGXFawY-IKihfO_FKbD5l0wKo50oXl-d19EP_dyJfHt7T1o4yF6Eg/s200/IMG_3255.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small roadside 'churches' are along every<br />
roadside in memory of a loved one or in thanks<br />
for having survived an accident.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From Kardamylli we headed to Monemvasia, Greece's "Gibraltor." Monemvasia is an ancient town built on a rock off the east coast of the Peloponnese and connected to the mainland by a 200 foot causeway. It has been inhabited since at least 530 BC, but is now largely a tourist attraction with few residents. You can wander through the medieval lanes uphill, passing shops, restaurants and sea views, then hike up to the fortress at the top of the rock for sweeping views. Unfortunately, the fortress is currently closed for restoration, but the views made the steep climb worthwhile.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uUIyUr-akRuJVnyaJwiWyabpqxZbazn3lZHukxVM-zmdCCtoUbc_cFSDkWiK6mq_RIPTCTRsPYON5TJkRTuo1vYUK0SICyfD5WSucQPwH1whZC4HUNoSgMVD3Y3lWCmHTVTLha0uS9V5/s1600/IMG_3312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uUIyUr-akRuJVnyaJwiWyabpqxZbazn3lZHukxVM-zmdCCtoUbc_cFSDkWiK6mq_RIPTCTRsPYON5TJkRTuo1vYUK0SICyfD5WSucQPwH1whZC4HUNoSgMVD3Y3lWCmHTVTLha0uS9V5/s400/IMG_3312.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monemvasia from a distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvNudLNHkuXA2wWQRp96Z2hIe0VeoEa65aN7DpYqIpkdnjWo2AGgWSUO1FIBAwnmoTTqeepnXol4hmHUN6ljpZ7WDURoyyrjSL-nryg6TBmda6KlVoFPwdpsHEHDQSLhM4mn5wmhfeRuL/s1600/IMG_3322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvNudLNHkuXA2wWQRp96Z2hIe0VeoEa65aN7DpYqIpkdnjWo2AGgWSUO1FIBAwnmoTTqeepnXol4hmHUN6ljpZ7WDURoyyrjSL-nryg6TBmda6KlVoFPwdpsHEHDQSLhM4mn5wmhfeRuL/s320/IMG_3322.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEchJY_xKVpv3G_IHRDlQwHUyC9V1l28ezKM_2ZhuuXp36ykCLxmxPpQ3p65zj412nM2cc4CTwPXkptuKh1R4wwBUkbFbbkFWi19FRiLaeWd1il8-VdMCahEE1SHHZm2G8mJcYQk4nKDi/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEchJY_xKVpv3G_IHRDlQwHUyC9V1l28ezKM_2ZhuuXp36ykCLxmxPpQ3p65zj412nM2cc4CTwPXkptuKh1R4wwBUkbFbbkFWi19FRiLaeWd1il8-VdMCahEE1SHHZm2G8mJcYQk4nKDi/s320/IMG_3324.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">street to the hotel (left), view from the<br />
hill (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EujzjpwZYKOjX9ZozXMKqgLwh4XzbWkiguEL7lvgHrUS_SQrLWSfU0EmntWmkiOl-ADhG4DopH6HpzydwRTV6WlCx9WO90fuUmNknqWaJ4qfk8VF90V4MVs_uM-vzU2NTNzlKjQdlNPy/s1600/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EujzjpwZYKOjX9ZozXMKqgLwh4XzbWkiguEL7lvgHrUS_SQrLWSfU0EmntWmkiOl-ADhG4DopH6HpzydwRTV6WlCx9WO90fuUmNknqWaJ4qfk8VF90V4MVs_uM-vzU2NTNzlKjQdlNPy/s320/IMG_3336.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhNqVj4u0a2al1F759aWO1GkVRbcGtgtpYKmX44lgF96hvbnmap5bPJ89GDnSKZTowUJAiEyKlNj5RYlwJn53WxvGWGTMCrF4ccQxBgnhfWYFCtDfEy7CmONsJBQwyf0BKoF8yUohlhM0/s1600/IMG_3359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhNqVj4u0a2al1F759aWO1GkVRbcGtgtpYKmX44lgF96hvbnmap5bPJ89GDnSKZTowUJAiEyKlNj5RYlwJn53WxvGWGTMCrF4ccQxBgnhfWYFCtDfEy7CmONsJBQwyf0BKoF8yUohlhM0/s320/IMG_3359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hotel terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yd_c05GEHTpxjGSixMklQNXIykzjNlr8XTfAXQiDLep9B9y2WGwBsN4XVwV1l5AHXGkmZYfDsldpqI1JKN2E4eBw890_xnu5MHAvWMvdfrHrpyLj3UeeTTmJNfvThYWK9Wl57ZS4tvbt/s1600/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yd_c05GEHTpxjGSixMklQNXIykzjNlr8XTfAXQiDLep9B9y2WGwBsN4XVwV1l5AHXGkmZYfDsldpqI1JKN2E4eBw890_xnu5MHAvWMvdfrHrpyLj3UeeTTmJNfvThYWK9Wl57ZS4tvbt/s400/IMG_3353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">medieval fortress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
After a night at Monemvasia we headed to Ermione, where we parked the car and took the ferry to Hydra, an island where no cars are allowed and donkeys are lined up at the dock to transport everything from luggage to refrigerators up the hills.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2fmsJuq2yvxv7ndrrfOYsl8NnBGK36ZXOC1QX5JiBSvkSXIa1Y645wcWcmvVVtnzyssFwN3XLkdXEx3pPfo6ogU8nOYiRTDgPb6D0e9N0drYLwJA3ci3LPDJIjORpqPE_NjCEcZLtiEd/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2fmsJuq2yvxv7ndrrfOYsl8NnBGK36ZXOC1QX5JiBSvkSXIa1Y645wcWcmvVVtnzyssFwN3XLkdXEx3pPfo6ogU8nOYiRTDgPb6D0e9N0drYLwJA3ci3LPDJIjORpqPE_NjCEcZLtiEd/s400/IMG_3403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in front of Hydra harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5PU-KQcby_yT9Zq6R8js2b43x53S41DBBYUFOYC3_qMEZ5craT5Mqv_MmO9KPRZCwPx_eMC1vi_0rf2bsD904fzaCmGiqC7douph6D4IEUPNmeIxOFkrPUKiH3zHpvlyW9CCWuDPxB9P/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5PU-KQcby_yT9Zq6R8js2b43x53S41DBBYUFOYC3_qMEZ5craT5Mqv_MmO9KPRZCwPx_eMC1vi_0rf2bsD904fzaCmGiqC7douph6D4IEUPNmeIxOFkrPUKiH3zHpvlyW9CCWuDPxB9P/s320/IMG_3422.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pk68NS2ScKaoy0lHH8flfHcuF8weHz3s7qSqRsw8Nea9e2T16BVZiiFOUiqM5u2dTjct18B6thWE4oAG6rX1rgSLo6bJM9aViEk5H7ltQ5LgiVcPmwJAmbi6qDA06ktwHG0tbnBUejP8/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pk68NS2ScKaoy0lHH8flfHcuF8weHz3s7qSqRsw8Nea9e2T16BVZiiFOUiqM5u2dTjct18B6thWE4oAG6rX1rgSLo6bJM9aViEk5H7ltQ5LgiVcPmwJAmbi6qDA06ktwHG0tbnBUejP8/s320/IMG_3449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh fish for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAZ-vyijvY7wnz6RGGnzLfoqCWndJZHHpYk5hegBffzagzOg5ob0mJOn_aRfcwVfn8xvOpfsjbz7hHyGgakIv5B1CzcimlKUn051yrAj3pe-1xJ-uU0YXub1-EOguz7jnvLipzyDbjLaC/s1600/greece+2016+556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAZ-vyijvY7wnz6RGGnzLfoqCWndJZHHpYk5hegBffzagzOg5ob0mJOn_aRfcwVfn8xvOpfsjbz7hHyGgakIv5B1CzcimlKUn051yrAj3pe-1xJ-uU0YXub1-EOguz7jnvLipzyDbjLaC/s400/greece+2016+556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydra harbor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OoD6CMT2EWcD5yTrr2r8pztmthaDk_DqvCZaCKvNwBIRnNySE1JIAPCGHN1qfRQwz91puKYuHw10h5n3tVXC2BFhMfEQJ_SpgGNp-Zk3EZEH3F1cMLkctDbAs4pcnk6mPyVeJRTkWEDm/s1600/greece+2016+564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OoD6CMT2EWcD5yTrr2r8pztmthaDk_DqvCZaCKvNwBIRnNySE1JIAPCGHN1qfRQwz91puKYuHw10h5n3tVXC2BFhMfEQJ_SpgGNp-Zk3EZEH3F1cMLkctDbAs4pcnk6mPyVeJRTkWEDm/s320/greece+2016+564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting to transport luggage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hydra is beautiful and peaceful despite the many tourists. It is easy to see why it is a favorite week-end destination for Athenians, many of whom own vacation homes on the island. It was only a 20 minute ride on the "flying dolphin" back to Ermione where we reclaimed the car and headed to Napflion via Ephadavrous, an archaeological site famed for having the best ancient theater in Greece. The acoustics are so good that a person seated in the top row can hear someone whispering in the center of the arena floor. The acoustics are helped by an underground chamber beneath the center of the floor which acts as a mike and amplifies the sound. It is really surprising to stand there and hear yourself as if you were using a sound system. People really get into it. A Swiss girl sang a selection from an opera and two German girls sang what sounded like an old campfire song. My favorite was a Greek gentleman who liked it so much he did 10 minutes of 'flamenco,' stamping his feet and clapping with great enthusiasm. A group of Italian millenials said "Brescia e il capo del mundo" (Brescia is the capital of the world) and were surprised when we contradicted them and said Seattle e il capo del mundo! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF8yrsc6je4osQJZN0c5o5gGquWgh4mpJXKn0vrRuUqt-pNDOFKBBKg0FdGn2x7KEYyIZp1FYS5QFX_OHcmq1mBG3izP5lzhwNXdZJmAcJreI8n3eU1aLEXIndeGYeTx2Glan38-aVcp2/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF8yrsc6je4osQJZN0c5o5gGquWgh4mpJXKn0vrRuUqt-pNDOFKBBKg0FdGn2x7KEYyIZp1FYS5QFX_OHcmq1mBG3izP5lzhwNXdZJmAcJreI8n3eU1aLEXIndeGYeTx2Glan38-aVcp2/s400/IMG_3469.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zorba at Ephadavrous</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNpmDDEWMp_tEtWRQwdFQ8TXKs-W_2ReLB7yQZMKrm7KFs7g_hvXnbVSeHr-MGkJ1lqNIof7_VOr67bEHyIo7A4uDwlbSRAgJpfaCIkpgfCLehIz_EQOXHY7uKlPJSBlJXX2-QHSZkp8Q/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNpmDDEWMp_tEtWRQwdFQ8TXKs-W_2ReLB7yQZMKrm7KFs7g_hvXnbVSeHr-MGkJ1lqNIof7_VOr67bEHyIo7A4uDwlbSRAgJpfaCIkpgfCLehIz_EQOXHY7uKlPJSBlJXX2-QHSZkp8Q/s320/IMG_3479.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SnnWzEoUW8p2TK2vF2USlSAvjh_gjNtGu4BngcizLvyaZM_WW0DJqNSMgjmbkUBcVbdjNfZRU5BLvG9vbDJyh7ckLQj2X1muUrNmA9MGmhpulpDtxXsdeNZT6NleFIYzNuomI9Z-zVJz/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SnnWzEoUW8p2TK2vF2USlSAvjh_gjNtGu4BngcizLvyaZM_WW0DJqNSMgjmbkUBcVbdjNfZRU5BLvG9vbDJyh7ckLQj2X1muUrNmA9MGmhpulpDtxXsdeNZT6NleFIYzNuomI9Z-zVJz/s320/IMG_3390.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh OJ only 2 euros</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Last stop in the Peloponnese, Nafplio, the first capitol of the modern Greek republic. After only a few years, the first governor was murdered and the 'powers' (England, France, Germany) insisted that the Greeks have a monarchy. King Otto from Bavaria assumed the throne in 1832 and moved the capitol to Athens. The city was named after the local hero of the Trojan war claimed (at least in Nafplio) to have invented weights and measures, lighthouses, and the first Greek alphabet. The town was destroyed in the second Messenian war in 688 BC but became an important commercial and strategic center in the Byzantine empire, around 600 AD. Now it is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece and hosts thousands of tourists every summer. A short drive away are the ruins of Mycenae, an ancient civilization predating the Greeks (ca. 1600-1100 BC). The acropolis dates from about 1300 BC when Mycenae was at the height of its power. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2nh1bUmM2cXV9uURoPwucVjzmmMNCwtR5COH9Na1AbobiabX_eXoea3HDP3trHTD3pgqre1fNKPbFPNWMvT-9Eeva4JY3QWAQ07VeyofLN2rQN1RNHxokaRAQnix-WpBYiKoJLh-m2Sa/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2nh1bUmM2cXV9uURoPwucVjzmmMNCwtR5COH9Na1AbobiabX_eXoea3HDP3trHTD3pgqre1fNKPbFPNWMvT-9Eeva4JY3QWAQ07VeyofLN2rQN1RNHxokaRAQnix-WpBYiKoJLh-m2Sa/s320/IMG_3488.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uJqGtfb9LcQsIpRtfeAtytr1jtuiG3RIuvAI1n4Hkhog87awOR5yjrIQThcH9xpD06ST3QMIxvVGa_1JgH-cB-79p76swphNkDd5bMBJjY4JUvATnx8S80UZjpaTeOSLP9HOBce8TdKd/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uJqGtfb9LcQsIpRtfeAtytr1jtuiG3RIuvAI1n4Hkhog87awOR5yjrIQThcH9xpD06ST3QMIxvVGa_1JgH-cB-79p76swphNkDd5bMBJjY4JUvATnx8S80UZjpaTeOSLP9HOBce8TdKd/s320/IMG_3508.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of pedestrian shopping streets in Napflio<br />
Above, Tom holds some worry beads in front<br />
of the worry bead shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1leK-0fLjLF91IQiyseO3BSPHUxigW7bIAzeIfMsJZH0Pu57iLhefhPh6UkBaPg-h_Ejjp1S1nYCtrXAol2w9hRjULSal8kSWMdXEjlWdHo9_sNsF6A7hYAgazm2u26Nr2kSQf1nw3z-r/s1600/greece+2016+638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1leK-0fLjLF91IQiyseO3BSPHUxigW7bIAzeIfMsJZH0Pu57iLhefhPh6UkBaPg-h_Ejjp1S1nYCtrXAol2w9hRjULSal8kSWMdXEjlWdHo9_sNsF6A7hYAgazm2u26Nr2kSQf1nw3z-r/s400/greece+2016+638.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Napflio from the fortress (above and below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO6C7A6uLF0_S9Cs45lXNAWcoGSBdk6htGkPetqm79d9HhCFN8VJYzXrnYEG9hNufvDXdZKnYLcjFMJViELX9DQs3cAyqGX3XhQaSehetCFaaCgLoRyG1O77fy3YciPIUHsU5lJEbmu_f/s1600/greece+2016+642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO6C7A6uLF0_S9Cs45lXNAWcoGSBdk6htGkPetqm79d9HhCFN8VJYzXrnYEG9hNufvDXdZKnYLcjFMJViELX9DQs3cAyqGX3XhQaSehetCFaaCgLoRyG1O77fy3YciPIUHsU5lJEbmu_f/s400/greece+2016+642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm8L2oGFcSIZkQSk5vFXxIGwqL_RQ8twGxNcgXL6IiiCeyo_t15s811EngufH6UEKrgW8QLgH__cvSh3Bk9n3MWy3IJxEJ1Dq-MC80xiqMmD8An9LLpMjHSQhCwnAdxOmLt0qb6J6jCwk/s1600/greece+2016+643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm8L2oGFcSIZkQSk5vFXxIGwqL_RQ8twGxNcgXL6IiiCeyo_t15s811EngufH6UEKrgW8QLgH__cvSh3Bk9n3MWy3IJxEJ1Dq-MC80xiqMmD8An9LLpMjHSQhCwnAdxOmLt0qb6J6jCwk/s320/greece+2016+643.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hYeaMbzFjsr8Iq5RvahNGgsCr6wUEwP6fWM7AasGoedQC6Pbqih1bx8neRNBX5_5IVc6PpsAeDpFZImMoGSKojIQcCdCVujpwSjc8TWQYvaZbCEo-vjrw_c0BuvY6OjX3FMp3VtRQp5S/s1600/greece+2016+627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hYeaMbzFjsr8Iq5RvahNGgsCr6wUEwP6fWM7AasGoedQC6Pbqih1bx8neRNBX5_5IVc6PpsAeDpFZImMoGSKojIQcCdCVujpwSjc8TWQYvaZbCEo-vjrw_c0BuvY6OjX3FMp3VtRQp5S/s320/greece+2016+627.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Climb up to Palamidas a large fortress </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
overlooking the city(left), dancers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
preparing for a performance at the castle (above) and </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
musicians (below)</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSN-hqiR7HNPob-suZNJadLe3GTXz6RVplRRP0alwCzzZAfYhY_QLdK5sz_lPRxRpx4tfc_UsXnBU-BA8hdi-GTejYzFJD1hDnAHtjF5MI_i8RKkXfOoUGCsAUhrTWiGcGVscJrwisDBp/s1600/greece+2016+628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSN-hqiR7HNPob-suZNJadLe3GTXz6RVplRRP0alwCzzZAfYhY_QLdK5sz_lPRxRpx4tfc_UsXnBU-BA8hdi-GTejYzFJD1hDnAHtjF5MI_i8RKkXfOoUGCsAUhrTWiGcGVscJrwisDBp/s320/greece+2016+628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIou-B76wGy8zzwWPoesSVRPHQwE-X8slYbvMvQGz0J_h-IaxmnuzlWUI20cgi6P0T0vM9FZ7u_-tA3aGRXcnzGNQUR9I4zIfQiYXeOBrUgCLct7ax5q2CoWkKZisIQ9BLe4BAh8hUi6M/s1600/IMG_3520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIou-B76wGy8zzwWPoesSVRPHQwE-X8slYbvMvQGz0J_h-IaxmnuzlWUI20cgi6P0T0vM9FZ7u_-tA3aGRXcnzGNQUR9I4zIfQiYXeOBrUgCLct7ax5q2CoWkKZisIQ9BLe4BAh8hUi6M/s400/IMG_3520.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At the Lion Gate entry to the acropolis at Mycenae. The lintel above our<br />
heads weighs 120 tons, 4x the size of the stones used to build the pyramids<br />
Below: part of the Mycenaean ruins on the acropolis <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cnnZ1FDVyW9DQQfwXJNGE5dTgBdWk6fwIYzDEG5kpwNq5kmkOgJRa9lzlC6ICG43GIXq77Jg51a07hROXrf0nrZ-syru7gxL39FHo1CAtdlouBCgiE5yZXaYqd72RsdskuMMWu9VbouU/s1600/IMG_3523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cnnZ1FDVyW9DQQfwXJNGE5dTgBdWk6fwIYzDEG5kpwNq5kmkOgJRa9lzlC6ICG43GIXq77Jg51a07hROXrf0nrZ-syru7gxL39FHo1CAtdlouBCgiE5yZXaYqd72RsdskuMMWu9VbouU/s400/IMG_3523.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="goog_86408585"></span><span id="goog_86408586"></span>Returning to Athens, we dropped off the car and hopped a cheap flight to Chaina on Crete for our last 5 days in Greece. Chaina (or Xaina) is another beautiful<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
port town and a great place to enjoy the beautiful weather and fresh seafood. In addition, the famous ruins at Knossos and the related archaeological museum are only a two hour drive away.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G5CNXJdV-Ra1RJVJk3fypFzYNp3Kd3i6Kfyd7Wt7hJV-IocY5nbJeaDEy_uZNObpnzN6-uVcoWFHLnBT3RgIv8lRcjGuu3d7eNXusyUcCf7UEcaFQjQvBR0EIMGDmTcwIzLxWVgOiqDj/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G5CNXJdV-Ra1RJVJk3fypFzYNp3Kd3i6Kfyd7Wt7hJV-IocY5nbJeaDEy_uZNObpnzN6-uVcoWFHLnBT3RgIv8lRcjGuu3d7eNXusyUcCf7UEcaFQjQvBR0EIMGDmTcwIzLxWVgOiqDj/s320/IMG_3569.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvZhPlUXfxkgrawp6yT1bPtzlbzvLYZ6gpZxj1FUUH1YyfTkC6VvG_NjaWfU6bdj-vvpaBejpCe1DBLTwrqVObqnqziFXWGNhAusOmNT3ndFvyxWdrdsFCD2uuXOddzcP8a1bznHt1aNH/s1600/IMG_3574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvZhPlUXfxkgrawp6yT1bPtzlbzvLYZ6gpZxj1FUUH1YyfTkC6VvG_NjaWfU6bdj-vvpaBejpCe1DBLTwrqVObqnqziFXWGNhAusOmNT3ndFvyxWdrdsFCD2uuXOddzcP8a1bznHt1aNH/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom in front of Venetian port (left)<br />
local hero (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQLaeU9C0brPhb1_J_q_9bYNfzsjr-mJuSB9KThH5MmMhKsVPKHugH_bchOFm_Sjk-tm60H4ZKC69Sz0gboxZaR3x4gXWoCbpgeL12pdPSV1Dv5SzCdRf58ALV7rT4LgTh_m8lsyAFN_H/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQLaeU9C0brPhb1_J_q_9bYNfzsjr-mJuSB9KThH5MmMhKsVPKHugH_bchOFm_Sjk-tm60H4ZKC69Sz0gboxZaR3x4gXWoCbpgeL12pdPSV1Dv5SzCdRf58ALV7rT4LgTh_m8lsyAFN_H/s400/IMG_3579.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">world's smallest merry go round?<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMiUUQNgsn08GEJAO-q7ltLEK_qJbomH61iddZdZ541c9j-6HKvxS5Tl-_QrVzuD8-DVW-GUuJqm585SxMPthbGJuHPk-vKA1vkWfb_Ma6EtwbxR3ohJe0SrOWdqlzo-aAbqjI5f1TX8K/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMiUUQNgsn08GEJAO-q7ltLEK_qJbomH61iddZdZ541c9j-6HKvxS5Tl-_QrVzuD8-DVW-GUuJqm585SxMPthbGJuHPk-vKA1vkWfb_Ma6EtwbxR3ohJe0SrOWdqlzo-aAbqjI5f1TX8K/s640/IMG_3581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHZUZHl3xTHGHy_GNAusBMpC3lFk4doxs-_KAXnX6U9TGHXXjQE-XkJh2GdfyvMINPQN_j42UbssVrM3NdCkVQ3MifVVQ0ZOPJeKsB5y1qzg97TAaVr_iQbmaeMBqRC6J-aU3Oib3BhB3/s1600/IMG_3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHZUZHl3xTHGHy_GNAusBMpC3lFk4doxs-_KAXnX6U9TGHXXjQE-XkJh2GdfyvMINPQN_j42UbssVrM3NdCkVQ3MifVVQ0ZOPJeKsB5y1qzg97TAaVr_iQbmaeMBqRC6J-aU3Oib3BhB3/s320/IMG_3583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tom ordered a medium beer and got this boot o'beer! What could he do but drink it? If some of you got indecipherable postcards it is because he wrote them while drinking his liter of beer.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSYkzc-wA7aNz1YpnGQN_wQvjVQltwoXQyI7n114m9nEPFDt0plYCIMyKLN7CjZWgFnHP1_1_XGrgfbEjxqOj7xUEud-6Z3ZJGuPAibVGZnYQAl849CUW8BDWuDxgIQha6T1ts_N9DNYm/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSYkzc-wA7aNz1YpnGQN_wQvjVQltwoXQyI7n114m9nEPFDt0plYCIMyKLN7CjZWgFnHP1_1_XGrgfbEjxqOj7xUEud-6Z3ZJGuPAibVGZnYQAl849CUW8BDWuDxgIQha6T1ts_N9DNYm/s200/IMG_3594.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pastitsio (baked pasta/beef/bechamal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZynrbfWWEkhGLrkL_-CwVmPKGpShAyoWA0f6JPp4ahEpmUbsDx5YcuF6saQnBNDgHOcmoPUANtiUieFCf4DEBMfub_Bs99Qz3jD1JUR2Vm7YbXxHf2JG6PPSS6jWbR3xgp1uV67onFk3h/s1600/IMG_3595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZynrbfWWEkhGLrkL_-CwVmPKGpShAyoWA0f6JPp4ahEpmUbsDx5YcuF6saQnBNDgHOcmoPUANtiUieFCf4DEBMfub_Bs99Qz3jD1JUR2Vm7YbXxHf2JG6PPSS6jWbR3xgp1uV67onFk3h/s320/IMG_3595.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our waiter insisted we have some "holy<br />
water:" raki with a cross in the bottle. That<br />
stuff is potent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqMbaVPnbR5_0qjBVk8UQhxwOXlVqDAOc1FGtKtskRRfg07kuvYOekpBPlE0u5nkq46oJcTMiMxKgRGwQLS3r8yLj1-5tE1CjWR-ldBNKRs1O9BUojqlJCDeyRd2d_DnRgYbYWxqBaebG/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqMbaVPnbR5_0qjBVk8UQhxwOXlVqDAOc1FGtKtskRRfg07kuvYOekpBPlE0u5nkq46oJcTMiMxKgRGwQLS3r8yLj1-5tE1CjWR-ldBNKRs1O9BUojqlJCDeyRd2d_DnRgYbYWxqBaebG/s400/IMG_3602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painting of the bull at the Palace at Knossos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKTjE3PxJk17Eagw3E3iU_N1f9tDVK1vp0I8M9XXX6ey9XrjmHYI2tgGOOC9ieF8YvUSvqejsugUUtSE86FnfzcRMqOa3MUFIBA864FUlmey5jKdqAtRT3i7OTLjSUDCIJbWtWyEukKXp/s1600/greece+2016+734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKTjE3PxJk17Eagw3E3iU_N1f9tDVK1vp0I8M9XXX6ey9XrjmHYI2tgGOOC9ieF8YvUSvqejsugUUtSE86FnfzcRMqOa3MUFIBA864FUlmey5jKdqAtRT3i7OTLjSUDCIJbWtWyEukKXp/s320/greece+2016+734.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFt-GtECNUx4EH9F9Vwh8JNFFGdciK2ACzTiXs6SiC2IVo7KA5OaTeKhqJKtg9EwYakXHNDBtAZglWtRKtkjOKb7W5tir4toOfo6cObMQsT21sJhYLdeazwCScN0Qr_ADwd7BNPtXn1T1/s1600/greece+2016+742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFt-GtECNUx4EH9F9Vwh8JNFFGdciK2ACzTiXs6SiC2IVo7KA5OaTeKhqJKtg9EwYakXHNDBtAZglWtRKtkjOKb7W5tir4toOfo6cObMQsT21sJhYLdeazwCScN0Qr_ADwd7BNPtXn1T1/s320/greece+2016+742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand staircase at Knossos and the queen's<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
bedroom with replica of a mural now in the museum</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From Crete we headed back to Arezzo, but we will hopefully return to Greece soon</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
to do some island hopping. Next stop, Copenhagen and Norway with Kelly, then back to Seattle.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ciao a tutti</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com052100 Arezzo, Province of Arezzo, Italy43.463283900000008 11.87963360000003443.27876890000001 11.556910100000033 43.647798900000005 12.202357100000034tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-60801690372982519692016-04-05T23:56:00.003+02:002016-04-05T23:56:49.980+02:00Early spring in Barcelona and AndalusiaAlmost exactly a year after our trip to Morocco which ended in a week in Madrid and Toledo, we returned to Spain for three weeks, this time starting in Barcelona, then flying to Seville and seeing some of the highlights of Andalusia. It was barely enough time to get a taste of what the region has to offer, and Andalusia is definitely back on the list of places we want to visit.<span id="goog_1736015035"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEh1pjnyqhs5ggB7P3_z87Qatd_EcSEIrngxo9uTd7FOD_fvC8D79wYkAxka85rIbZnC8zipQJ8v6anR4JG8KMqZpUG2K1O41PT0qE0QCs7o49OmSB3-l5Z9UisjteafhU7t_trTnvTD_/s1600/spain+2016+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEh1pjnyqhs5ggB7P3_z87Qatd_EcSEIrngxo9uTd7FOD_fvC8D79wYkAxka85rIbZnC8zipQJ8v6anR4JG8KMqZpUG2K1O41PT0qE0QCs7o49OmSB3-l5Z9UisjteafhU7t_trTnvTD_/s320/spain+2016+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We started in Girona, a small town about an hour from Barcelona, simply because that is where RyanAir lands, and you cannot beat a 50 euro roundtrip ticket. Girona is well worth a visit, with fortresses, cathedrals, a pleasant medieval center and excellent restaurants (and a lot cheaper than Barcelona--50 euros for a nice room and 10 euros for a three course pris fixe dinner).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Barcelona is a trip. After living in an etruscan city in a 15th century building, the modernisme architecture everywhere was refreshing and interesting, if a bit over the top. Barcelona is truly the city of Gaudi, whose Sagrada Familia is expected to be finished in 50 years or so. The Sagrada is so ornate and detailed it is almost tiring to look at. The views from the top were great also, the perfect way to orient yourself to the city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87LAa4ciqkzsTLyHSXnzM0UL3vI6RGNmhLL4QTK8dbaLkmn5bXtHDChU5H2Bk6cluTgiLHiJCQjSzNIHif_vioPKYqK1VsLDzrVREStJGBYczqljK1MBLI2kLL7zP4MiafEH36zd-RRaN/s1600/spain+2016+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87LAa4ciqkzsTLyHSXnzM0UL3vI6RGNmhLL4QTK8dbaLkmn5bXtHDChU5H2Bk6cluTgiLHiJCQjSzNIHif_vioPKYqK1VsLDzrVREStJGBYczqljK1MBLI2kLL7zP4MiafEH36zd-RRaN/s400/spain+2016+120.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hl3JLN0yGmYimADz0ssB2OWzS_nOCue0CXvcxJXQ1xKsAznBSZS4mdJ3Igk0gD7lRuCepbnTY3G4YNElRFo1wL-w5Csf434nFpbpiLBT6-Zl86YZJgI9UEXp-QZKxKjT8YxCpfX-3u0f/s1600/spain+2016+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hl3JLN0yGmYimADz0ssB2OWzS_nOCue0CXvcxJXQ1xKsAznBSZS4mdJ3Igk0gD7lRuCepbnTY3G4YNElRFo1wL-w5Csf434nFpbpiLBT6-Zl86YZJgI9UEXp-QZKxKjT8YxCpfX-3u0f/s320/spain+2016+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of the nativity tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYAla3nlway88nbvwxtaIluP3ItSUIRcWtnV-tMEGt1fBSL7abIeLc_HkhP0PcvsxaqE1ENXcQUdlEDPuKDz7EzeJQ9rFy6WMFLCcl5VCY4PJ6-4jDFkxRYFufwqwMmQwd6wZi_3KsddH/s1600/spain+2016+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYAla3nlway88nbvwxtaIluP3ItSUIRcWtnV-tMEGt1fBSL7abIeLc_HkhP0PcvsxaqE1ENXcQUdlEDPuKDz7EzeJQ9rFy6WMFLCcl5VCY4PJ6-4jDFkxRYFufwqwMmQwd6wZi_3KsddH/s400/spain+2016+081.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stained glass windows were my favorite part<br />
of the cathedral, the lighting inside was superb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNEtd1WZAZJwG8hbFUSkOdt85zXuwluAoEjhf5t1Q5g0f_pzS_6G_3qcQH1Hkbv3v9i18cvILAn9ixk3aVfb1u5iu2khGi8Fy2xmCvkEeiXkjlZYmP357CuV_HoPYqn9VDHdpok0YCkZ_/s1600/spain+2016+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNEtd1WZAZJwG8hbFUSkOdt85zXuwluAoEjhf5t1Q5g0f_pzS_6G_3qcQH1Hkbv3v9i18cvILAn9ixk3aVfb1u5iu2khGi8Fy2xmCvkEeiXkjlZYmP357CuV_HoPYqn9VDHdpok0YCkZ_/s400/spain+2016+070.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many entrances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We spent much of our week in Barcelona gawking at the modernisme buildings, including many by Gaudi. A block called the 'block of discord' contains three modernisme buildings by three different architects which are warring with each other.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpc89ki9Tj1c3S8b82tl1Z25Anwlesx5qiPB6dqQ_exKGyZ4_q4-pNNN-_6HfGgONuwK3jnBglXs1nnhwCF2voChN00pcsqb5KBAoQ7nsISkJu_ZrLDALDxci7CdrYxYfkyYo_5RlnfFx/s1600/spain+2016+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpc89ki9Tj1c3S8b82tl1Z25Anwlesx5qiPB6dqQ_exKGyZ4_q4-pNNN-_6HfGgONuwK3jnBglXs1nnhwCF2voChN00pcsqb5KBAoQ7nsISkJu_ZrLDALDxci7CdrYxYfkyYo_5RlnfFx/s320/spain+2016+148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgi3AO0av_A9eIBBOdd-kWnOwLoNAzfhzRSEhatBR58cho_amIeGWePRbHBNbEsWUpDobQ-DqF4u-CuGVnpMQcfJGa7XIe0ED4qjU0h-Pdw3mXLVrqUO8sPYoqSY_A1u5mavmDaoTtc0PZ/s1600/spain+2016+302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgi3AO0av_A9eIBBOdd-kWnOwLoNAzfhzRSEhatBR58cho_amIeGWePRbHBNbEsWUpDobQ-DqF4u-CuGVnpMQcfJGa7XIe0ED4qjU0h-Pdw3mXLVrqUO8sPYoqSY_A1u5mavmDaoTtc0PZ/s400/spain+2016+302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magic fountain at plaza espanya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvI4nJtwz-CPLbuBqvxdrszOOzWBSbuKWz1EQEcwwgfgntHMOQF5ZpRdzLtZ-_0PVu89wurs6CJrFYlB5H-lxMAqzs30uwbsnDtQTgXtw63iYe2bHy0tTNg5s-2mgnRFnTllWS3bmUNJJ/s1600/spain+2016+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvI4nJtwz-CPLbuBqvxdrszOOzWBSbuKWz1EQEcwwgfgntHMOQF5ZpRdzLtZ-_0PVu89wurs6CJrFYlB5H-lxMAqzs30uwbsnDtQTgXtw63iYe2bHy0tTNg5s-2mgnRFnTllWS3bmUNJJ/s320/spain+2016+156.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcZLO5mvs8YchqjgddBfspvgvjNz6Y_15Dd47j3BdZfD0SfgDaJKo73WCQljG7RYoqroiJMaWSgXzgkHbRvVKR8Y5CBBizDM0Xu8YrNgHIZs4ln5ltMKQw67jASh0tpA1DTDe3_43K-JT/s1600/spain+2016+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcZLO5mvs8YchqjgddBfspvgvjNz6Y_15Dd47j3BdZfD0SfgDaJKo73WCQljG7RYoqroiJMaWSgXzgkHbRvVKR8Y5CBBizDM0Xu8YrNgHIZs4ln5ltMKQw67jASh0tpA1DTDe3_43K-JT/s320/spain+2016+158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail from la perdrera by Gaudi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbVGXF6iVMPKr4DeqRWGzZwrLQMqpTwH0iUaErlWocIGPewZtyECPRNE7_YdwfCcT0KWYURMH9OJE9DaiOaut7JMdutB6BBlQcMBsNMHM8Rby22OK7jchp6VfM8MuaM_etQG40Xc0C5iA/s1600/spain+2016+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbVGXF6iVMPKr4DeqRWGzZwrLQMqpTwH0iUaErlWocIGPewZtyECPRNE7_YdwfCcT0KWYURMH9OJE9DaiOaut7JMdutB6BBlQcMBsNMHM8Rby22OK7jchp6VfM8MuaM_etQG40Xc0C5iA/s320/spain+2016+173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modernisme hospital pelau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WpYApLp0RNv9M_FV8xqkL4eX6iVks9JVct6_lkJw5l_BiWCSsmXh6vHuwQxZ1Td2UajEnCgd0jI79lku8wMf6WDiMU9R7pNQN9IFHfkKDNhgS8AhInEaVw_9j0e-62qo1TtIEChLk2yf/s1600/spain+2016+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WpYApLp0RNv9M_FV8xqkL4eX6iVks9JVct6_lkJw5l_BiWCSsmXh6vHuwQxZ1Td2UajEnCgd0jI79lku8wMf6WDiMU9R7pNQN9IFHfkKDNhgS8AhInEaVw_9j0e-62qo1TtIEChLk2yf/s320/spain+2016+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Guell above,<br />
City view from Park Guell below<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvHLCkM4Tb84IIVpKODkkpntbD_6wssWGsuVaqqb68wbzNn8070Nx_RhV8YPsl5H_tgvrNSMLcF9v5sDg6gsGOZiq2yqzXTmQ7wfhHLolJzQVaSDK0FtaJfHGn-V3qyCMOzKJaHinexKf/s1600/spain+2016+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvHLCkM4Tb84IIVpKODkkpntbD_6wssWGsuVaqqb68wbzNn8070Nx_RhV8YPsl5H_tgvrNSMLcF9v5sDg6gsGOZiq2yqzXTmQ7wfhHLolJzQVaSDK0FtaJfHGn-V3qyCMOzKJaHinexKf/s400/spain+2016+185.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course we also visited the museums, cathedrals, restaurants, plazas, and even took a cooking class where we went to the market with the teacher, then made soup, paella, spanish omelet, and catalan cream, then had a feast with lots of spanish wine, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGf0Hm7SkusePxq7QJ49BxCEwepm-7bnSm6hv9sF3LKhrNXC_3UfqivczOvDTuLajjBCMWzuxjwRQ2COwBp7MXD2kfepkWJBQmzvBJZn-a4cs_IAOyyZz9rf2cX524x5xxCFAVi9Yb5Cn/s1600/spain+2016+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGf0Hm7SkusePxq7QJ49BxCEwepm-7bnSm6hv9sF3LKhrNXC_3UfqivczOvDTuLajjBCMWzuxjwRQ2COwBp7MXD2kfepkWJBQmzvBJZn-a4cs_IAOyyZz9rf2cX524x5xxCFAVi9Yb5Cn/s400/spain+2016+218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hIkX7OPNdqjK_DVm5GHNgdVNU5PJk0nMk38b4nu0BTw5vA5X5vaPYQOeBvvH531diSV6bj4DhLWtZSSB6UKG3eiNNaIOi9hKFwoVx1lXNL6lIb-EOiW-ECO1jQvoHdPEZK6s8krlk5_p/s1600/spain+2016+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hIkX7OPNdqjK_DVm5GHNgdVNU5PJk0nMk38b4nu0BTw5vA5X5vaPYQOeBvvH531diSV6bj4DhLWtZSSB6UKG3eiNNaIOi9hKFwoVx1lXNL6lIb-EOiW-ECO1jQvoHdPEZK6s8krlk5_p/s320/spain+2016+223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuO2BB1DjN5X3UxV0jaP_tAVeKkDWmNxXX-cgTh-HrU_2B6jVl-0g2tz9882h_rB6BheVYgA4NgSumMSn4rAqXKezrq6Zj-SnwtwSHW8_6jIG57uXuKobGiUp_e8eaPUYmmxty63FTBVG/s1600/spain+2016+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuO2BB1DjN5X3UxV0jaP_tAVeKkDWmNxXX-cgTh-HrU_2B6jVl-0g2tz9882h_rB6BheVYgA4NgSumMSn4rAqXKezrq6Zj-SnwtwSHW8_6jIG57uXuKobGiUp_e8eaPUYmmxty63FTBVG/s320/spain+2016+230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D-CI4O-uXWZjcX7NCHZviMlD9BMAO4UU8s6IHCANp0Kb591-ZbD7rXet774qbpu0Rh8QcxSvp1qbUvCk6K9ukhla8J3uox2486xhchfIj29hWGxUdbkyUHb5mLTdUvPyGtt7Z3_fzvK9/s1600/spain+2016+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D-CI4O-uXWZjcX7NCHZviMlD9BMAO4UU8s6IHCANp0Kb591-ZbD7rXet774qbpu0Rh8QcxSvp1qbUvCk6K9ukhla8J3uox2486xhchfIj29hWGxUdbkyUHb5mLTdUvPyGtt7Z3_fzvK9/s320/spain+2016+253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making catalan cream (left)<br />
the entire class (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although we were replete after the meal, we had just enough energy for a stroll around the ramblas and to the port.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG3_fh2ST32a1fFvTfs3awmTIkp54UJbqPDkvXlDc_d3oxm7HQ4iE1dXNoopVggm3JMc4ZRWmKmZx_Yy8Z8lWSsswUztEgpvRYeyEBVcy8pRFP87Bv1z-Nz4zi1J3VivWCZ3CD6SJmDOM/s1600/spain+2016+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG3_fh2ST32a1fFvTfs3awmTIkp54UJbqPDkvXlDc_d3oxm7HQ4iE1dXNoopVggm3JMc4ZRWmKmZx_Yy8Z8lWSsswUztEgpvRYeyEBVcy8pRFP87Bv1z-Nz4zi1J3VivWCZ3CD6SJmDOM/s400/spain+2016+262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzynstGNP6VhoHl0uGDfZXbW0YmHS75MVL4KJP8FW8iT6gAkdHuAi9Z2xC6g4kDyugz7qydKGEZLds7duyK1LnnzF-eNIgoiTh3FqAYh5Xtah0_GG87IZ5k0iAYR80d9ITcMhbXXo7KjJ/s1600/spain+2016+300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzynstGNP6VhoHl0uGDfZXbW0YmHS75MVL4KJP8FW8iT6gAkdHuAi9Z2xC6g4kDyugz7qydKGEZLds7duyK1LnnzF-eNIgoiTh3FqAYh5Xtah0_GG87IZ5k0iAYR80d9ITcMhbXXo7KjJ/s400/spain+2016+300.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum of Catalan Art, a great place to visit after a<br />
walk around the Montjuc area, which includes parks, the Miro<br />
museum, and plaza espanya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs6jTVRCqn2Kb4eEhaWXygU131y7xZ2_JAWkhtDEnwyqu00Hx6YF7dS2f2xYzk-qXJk0HK-az5XUne7iMHRQWX2umJoQG1pQSlv_md5P9kO3g3FOvfMEaqHduKM3b0bP5jLLV_Iu8F2CQ/s1600/spain+2016+307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs6jTVRCqn2Kb4eEhaWXygU131y7xZ2_JAWkhtDEnwyqu00Hx6YF7dS2f2xYzk-qXJk0HK-az5XUne7iMHRQWX2umJoQG1pQSlv_md5P9kO3g3FOvfMEaqHduKM3b0bP5jLLV_Iu8F2CQ/s320/spain+2016+307.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq-YfpnnluH5RPmOmILrwJkP5xm3yWG4EH-0KboiWXJlSZmiShagKDsGM6e1ZQ20frYCGsrHSSb1mbsLGpxexGxIW9Fe31sl4P9fWlvivq7IGekRZdc8AW1guCkSJ8GnvCOGFOs2gNDAW/s1600/spain+2016+290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq-YfpnnluH5RPmOmILrwJkP5xm3yWG4EH-0KboiWXJlSZmiShagKDsGM6e1ZQ20frYCGsrHSSb1mbsLGpxexGxIW9Fe31sl4P9fWlvivq7IGekRZdc8AW1guCkSJ8GnvCOGFOs2gNDAW/s320/spain+2016+290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The four cats" bar, famous as Picasso's hangout, and<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
he designed their menu (left), exhibit of Gaudi</div>
furniture at Catalan museum (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A quick plane ride and we were in Sevilla for tapas, flamenco, and sunshine, along with a stunning cathedral and an introduction to andalusian cuisine. The seafood was fresh and expertly prepared, I think Tom had some every day. Flowers blooming, beautiful courtyards, intricate moorish tiling--I could easily live in this city if I wasn't too lazy to learn another language--took long enough to learn Italian!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We stayed in Hotel Casas de la Juderia which is over 20 historic buildings connected to form a hotel, in the heart of the old jewish section of town. The hotel was like living in a museum, there were frescoes, mosaics, 40 different courtyards, an underground passageway, statues, fountains....it was such a labyrinth that it was not uncommon to see guests wandering around trying to find their room or the reception area. Luckily Tom has a good sense of direction, I would probably still be there trying to find the breakfast room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gsPADYUmJG6o5-hOx0i7WU4t8xwUWenAUR3g1BZiHnBmWVe6gH5_1y67XwaFc8seQO0JBvCvAOPQOv4-S05f0T46RWmwnK5sqv4GNwpLPYPIWFdtHi8gddoFxMLOurIMqfQ1OOavtOs-/s1600/spain+2016+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gsPADYUmJG6o5-hOx0i7WU4t8xwUWenAUR3g1BZiHnBmWVe6gH5_1y67XwaFc8seQO0JBvCvAOPQOv4-S05f0T46RWmwnK5sqv4GNwpLPYPIWFdtHi8gddoFxMLOurIMqfQ1OOavtOs-/s320/spain+2016+252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of 40 courtyards at the hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfIs6sK7LiRkAgdtNc1wPb39wOE0mq9rykOiIdLxlVM5Odi3q7IZKkiPAjCnj4tkgY5C4tNFC57iobZX5Ei1VnFHEkeUGk9RtSsmHy1Os-dSQaJuQ4kkLYlj1t87dJyVzFRi3DUscYJHR/s1600/spain+2016+255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfIs6sK7LiRkAgdtNc1wPb39wOE0mq9rykOiIdLxlVM5Odi3q7IZKkiPAjCnj4tkgY5C4tNFC57iobZX5Ei1VnFHEkeUGk9RtSsmHy1Os-dSQaJuQ4kkLYlj1t87dJyVzFRi3DUscYJHR/s320/spain+2016+255.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUgagDJWWw0uoehyOKeuJDOZWucOLedEcmxZXDfcl2t3XAxAN_hn0q_S1vgJ5spvEPHcOTMHU9hurMVWEGkYR6AT6XhQjuAfl__EjEZvQlcG0RKJBughDVWrHO5jkh5vN_wtIT2s9W7Wd/s1600/spain+2016+257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUgagDJWWw0uoehyOKeuJDOZWucOLedEcmxZXDfcl2t3XAxAN_hn0q_S1vgJ5spvEPHcOTMHU9hurMVWEGkYR6AT6XhQjuAfl__EjEZvQlcG0RKJBughDVWrHO5jkh5vN_wtIT2s9W7Wd/s320/spain+2016+257.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 common sights--fans as souvenirs<br />
and 'secret' courtyards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh2JpROTknaRTYzJqeJHI5xmi7FJj-lP9GVAm4Lzrr1IqcKXldOFm7H920-ZPqYFnQ5T6AoltLkfbkQfa3Lwf4XdAJAU1hmon9p2N40uEoAVYSC7XbafzwboWVKZCS7Wdiy3uAvoB32UV/s1600/spain+2016+311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh2JpROTknaRTYzJqeJHI5xmi7FJj-lP9GVAm4Lzrr1IqcKXldOFm7H920-ZPqYFnQ5T6AoltLkfbkQfa3Lwf4XdAJAU1hmon9p2N40uEoAVYSC7XbafzwboWVKZCS7Wdiy3uAvoB32UV/s400/spain+2016+311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral of Seville, the largest gothic cathedral in Spain,<br />
dating back to 1502 when construction was begun </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnFeHAD56QiDcaFNHKKeZ-BPhiw0dPxogMZpH5rdmtaA5jHMI6XFaMPVZnPvKCxwvt8EQQviBZ0dPC1dVHEW-whhEySchmMQjq8JSQg_7GtfoUJkTROVWJUkTFMoM_nDNut1-pM4SgU7C/s1600/spain+2016+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnFeHAD56QiDcaFNHKKeZ-BPhiw0dPxogMZpH5rdmtaA5jHMI6XFaMPVZnPvKCxwvt8EQQviBZ0dPC1dVHEW-whhEySchmMQjq8JSQg_7GtfoUJkTROVWJUkTFMoM_nDNut1-pM4SgU7C/s320/spain+2016+337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXUau45Kf0HuW1cQ8ak_UfFyQ-lV1Zb5apE4_BLO6ztSFQXg2nxx6RFbNspvjsMYur01Xf5j29yxoml0iftknyIrkmUW_UorloKThKOmclS_NNUYtWjSF2bSOTjEG6ysjQzDXrlXlXqr0/s1600/spain+2016+345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXUau45Kf0HuW1cQ8ak_UfFyQ-lV1Zb5apE4_BLO6ztSFQXg2nxx6RFbNspvjsMYur01Xf5j29yxoml0iftknyIrkmUW_UorloKThKOmclS_NNUYtWjSF2bSOTjEG6ysjQzDXrlXlXqr0/s320/spain+2016+345.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gold altarpiece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1ILKQqCNUsaAfr87Za76TYlcdCSXqJRekFe4QQloR85POSZUIR7lWKs_R-ayqRxYvjpMB1OMdq6M0bxdGOPkQjfbQ2WptvmBTX1M7Gfw9Gu2oJGKXbbUbWud-PGRwUPXRw2pkliXBgv1/s1600/spain+2016+353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1ILKQqCNUsaAfr87Za76TYlcdCSXqJRekFe4QQloR85POSZUIR7lWKs_R-ayqRxYvjpMB1OMdq6M0bxdGOPkQjfbQ2WptvmBTX1M7Gfw9Gu2oJGKXbbUbWud-PGRwUPXRw2pkliXBgv1/s400/spain+2016+353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomb of Christopher Columbus, being carried by four kings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKIhkeBx5w5KtUl_O70VC-hOOVa9JNjVo00L-4np0F0kUCmE4BybhLMKELET1TNaj5gyAbx0zeHi9aqlW_Kr6tV4TbSi6v5I-6se7BO7Mhd4f2NeUvR56WqB4uzftUDcXX4xSepkgvMIT/s1600/spain+2016+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKIhkeBx5w5KtUl_O70VC-hOOVa9JNjVo00L-4np0F0kUCmE4BybhLMKELET1TNaj5gyAbx0zeHi9aqlW_Kr6tV4TbSi6v5I-6se7BO7Mhd4f2NeUvR56WqB4uzftUDcXX4xSepkgvMIT/s400/spain+2016+366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9l0JQD8N8xV6DMiAnieQAp-GCEoAM3OWPJK1S1mOp5AK6DExC8ayoNUVN7eEnyMcq6Y5RXis0-4CXVUSavt8ND1GlqS_EN3K6k7NLsYJDMzVnxEzZTpfBK85mt8QIR2Z3EA_kWxHXgoY/s1600/spain+2016+373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9l0JQD8N8xV6DMiAnieQAp-GCEoAM3OWPJK1S1mOp5AK6DExC8ayoNUVN7eEnyMcq6Y5RXis0-4CXVUSavt8ND1GlqS_EN3K6k7NLsYJDMzVnxEzZTpfBK85mt8QIR2Z3EA_kWxHXgoY/s400/spain+2016+373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSyi7jp9y0ILs6WsIuZkRYIrbgEFR-sWX9rFKhkjt9173yvdDc9BM3IJBqac17cBrFD1P4T0u3wQUSiVR-nPpV6niJr3RSN1R1MJrBnwVD3BLukmazbgEJLfd38M0C3Sf0L9wjGxfLecJ/s1600/spain+2016+380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSyi7jp9y0ILs6WsIuZkRYIrbgEFR-sWX9rFKhkjt9173yvdDc9BM3IJBqac17cBrFD1P4T0u3wQUSiVR-nPpV6niJr3RSN1R1MJrBnwVD3BLukmazbgEJLfd38M0C3Sf0L9wjGxfLecJ/s200/spain+2016+380.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng0o1FYcdZozDlerLWFEJa1MROIxqbrrEvGwl1CNse24QS3HPNtOh3xYSQ0nCCuPMnPR2ACK6OouW9ucGMmsoRaSzhxZFBOjiKd7E-EJmBHoB4qjriok5xPm7LNmMy8Dqrn6hRJ5QDPlz/s1600/IMG_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng0o1FYcdZozDlerLWFEJa1MROIxqbrrEvGwl1CNse24QS3HPNtOh3xYSQ0nCCuPMnPR2ACK6OouW9ucGMmsoRaSzhxZFBOjiKd7E-EJmBHoB4qjriok5xPm7LNmMy8Dqrn6hRJ5QDPlz/s320/IMG_2455.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Frc3mNyxRT3JuipiAjYkRxmFxmsZ4C6oTZRj_O8SZFaQV8aUNSnDiGbOytgTu3dYH5apmjq7S4hD-i2BFRHlmAJBntlII1VF6R3bP1DgOHKLXwu8pwaWdGWmZqW1uWUVMhgyTVn2GAc/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Frc3mNyxRT3JuipiAjYkRxmFxmsZ4C6oTZRj_O8SZFaQV8aUNSnDiGbOytgTu3dYH5apmjq7S4hD-i2BFRHlmAJBntlII1VF6R3bP1DgOHKLXwu8pwaWdGWmZqW1uWUVMhgyTVn2GAc/s320/IMG_2601.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbVhobjBFz7o3QS-_Pgqi8edaXHVCNnQJuXC4LoG2qL3KaQ7KcVqAbqfXmKlqo4hiprHDEGBztDRGdBtkULP5eaF-PCRxvDA7gk0Ox2OH15TnYpLSo1sLv7iAyi1f1YMUfMSJdN6CwCZ7/s1600/spain+2016+382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbVhobjBFz7o3QS-_Pgqi8edaXHVCNnQJuXC4LoG2qL3KaQ7KcVqAbqfXmKlqo4hiprHDEGBztDRGdBtkULP5eaF-PCRxvDA7gk0Ox2OH15TnYpLSo1sLv7iAyi1f1YMUfMSJdN6CwCZ7/s400/spain+2016+382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the casa di flamenco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We hated to leave Seville after only 4 days but leave we did, heading to Granada, Cordoba, and the pueblos blancos. Both Granada and Cordoba are charming cities with beautiful islamic buildings and tilework. We visited the Mesquita in Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada, both of which tell the story of islam and christianity in Spain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEcUsK9bEn28IaVB8EIW2Tw0d5tYCBHrL4F7ofs1lw_G2cx3e0v1qUsUuzZI-T6sMzUWJviphLmjk8WUcSUQaFnpiq6rXYWhiDnV8FiEgK2pnl7USCn9nVhwsJI_F9xt9kzb4uKCs36D3/s1600/spain+2016+554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEcUsK9bEn28IaVB8EIW2Tw0d5tYCBHrL4F7ofs1lw_G2cx3e0v1qUsUuzZI-T6sMzUWJviphLmjk8WUcSUQaFnpiq6rXYWhiDnV8FiEgK2pnl7USCn9nVhwsJI_F9xt9kzb4uKCs36D3/s320/spain+2016+554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texting while riding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAu1BCyDnkUJ3IznB2CjEo8pSKwIXkBN4-DA6S8ADqt7dx-51VpRr1ST5h-zVa7LgHBD2zLFsd6ScBMt5w9CenVkYpiHvgGgTXLk3cnlntrOc1EcUjdIsHusPcRo8AB_qYZyh6N382wWG/s1600/spain+2016+460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAu1BCyDnkUJ3IznB2CjEo8pSKwIXkBN4-DA6S8ADqt7dx-51VpRr1ST5h-zVa7LgHBD2zLFsd6ScBMt5w9CenVkYpiHvgGgTXLk3cnlntrOc1EcUjdIsHusPcRo8AB_qYZyh6N382wWG/s400/spain+2016+460.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mezquita has over 800 repurposed roman columns and is<br />truly spectacular. it is an old mosque with a cathedral built in the middle<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
of it.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrCjURu-lNJOSsPNYCmWUt2wzQbHpoXe02lTLqkQBQEpF1UeBjxvaIAbV0OR4nNilRE4Hy377SpUUTOwhoKrhs-3pSBdRVG429mv8cwGwYoGppRT1atzbqqqLiJ04i_TDZzGUDb07eofG/s1600/spain+2016+522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrCjURu-lNJOSsPNYCmWUt2wzQbHpoXe02lTLqkQBQEpF1UeBjxvaIAbV0OR4nNilRE4Hy377SpUUTOwhoKrhs-3pSBdRVG429mv8cwGwYoGppRT1atzbqqqLiJ04i_TDZzGUDb07eofG/s640/spain+2016+522.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge across river in Cordoba<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Alhambra is the number one sight in Andalusia, and possibly in all of spain. A complex of castles built by islamic workmen and featuring islamic design and arabic writing, it attests to the level of acceptance of islam (pre inquisition of course). It is at the top of the hill, towering over Granada.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXzB-_xl5IQqXEprDKSBJCdMZA0IQrv-xavE5wfMSvgnEkNSpoLrFZzONUopfw70x-4bZV0Sqz-Q8FCUMzlmP9Xfi3q6-GXRDbF-AxyNNTzTtkIbU8sg6F-HEhCrOH6uQ6G1EgJUz9g5a/s1600/spain+2016+693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXzB-_xl5IQqXEprDKSBJCdMZA0IQrv-xavE5wfMSvgnEkNSpoLrFZzONUopfw70x-4bZV0Sqz-Q8FCUMzlmP9Xfi3q6-GXRDbF-AxyNNTzTtkIbU8sg6F-HEhCrOH6uQ6G1EgJUz9g5a/s400/spain+2016+693.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the Alhambra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn_SrHrSj9dcm7BFZaB_UHR5cxzv_baUpNCoIoKoWR6J-WhElj6yitGniH-fr7_ush_BdLhUZIUhAQ0mA3UGwTSqNX8GtsY3RXL6C83OlGiV8GvCh3YbAwvr233ypouBV4f1Ie7OTtUgI/s1600/spain+2016+690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn_SrHrSj9dcm7BFZaB_UHR5cxzv_baUpNCoIoKoWR6J-WhElj6yitGniH-fr7_ush_BdLhUZIUhAQ0mA3UGwTSqNX8GtsY3RXL6C83OlGiV8GvCh3YbAwvr233ypouBV4f1Ie7OTtUgI/s320/spain+2016+690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mini procession</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G9JiOgkeQn-BHUnq1dnnsTlEGyAnHI-8gmLn_zc8P_nbIksqCpT_i3ByIepj4qh9s2gzgsGN4frJt9hOJFOs_0Vq8UKrfJCUD7p9rPvStQ1_8fT_sW7b3Iyixrp4Coptd-w6Rv6QX0WY/s1600/spain+2016+567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G9JiOgkeQn-BHUnq1dnnsTlEGyAnHI-8gmLn_zc8P_nbIksqCpT_i3ByIepj4qh9s2gzgsGN4frJt9hOJFOs_0Vq8UKrfJCUD7p9rPvStQ1_8fT_sW7b3Iyixrp4Coptd-w6Rv6QX0WY/s200/spain+2016+567.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg-1AsmVdvnKdAHo-yZ4E_jwkIVKbqFzPxzkK0frbjLNPKPSAIXZaCHb7FZiHEfmbfz0OzF5418hLBbx1IayAVZHCacoFOl7NoPKJZQd6-e73vQK_FeCNJd61nQXc6sUCOXxvR3fiSAQU/s1600/spain+2016+568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg-1AsmVdvnKdAHo-yZ4E_jwkIVKbqFzPxzkK0frbjLNPKPSAIXZaCHb7FZiHEfmbfz0OzF5418hLBbx1IayAVZHCacoFOl7NoPKJZQd6-e73vQK_FeCNJd61nQXc6sUCOXxvR3fiSAQU/s320/spain+2016+568.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">line to get in at the Alhambra, left<br />View from the Alhambra fortress, above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEFle284A5_DX_p0bJ9o0e45__2LD3OlSeQIfV3cEN6T84wrsnncPD53bx4c7v9NWrM9iOD7zmualYky6HcQkqugHrVhpO7CWgFVdJHXYnZ4BfelWos0q-lkmwKu3zbxzFbaChGojAJS-/s1600/spain+2016+578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEFle284A5_DX_p0bJ9o0e45__2LD3OlSeQIfV3cEN6T84wrsnncPD53bx4c7v9NWrM9iOD7zmualYky6HcQkqugHrVhpO7CWgFVdJHXYnZ4BfelWos0q-lkmwKu3zbxzFbaChGojAJS-/s400/spain+2016+578.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjI3fG-CT8FXwk_GsXmF4zIn1svDCRK6bwHFhme2WbP0ZK2iOWwG6lnb3gRxQBiQSNeBCxo4lzfyF1Q8pr25lhJXcF88TKa3g8O6wr7NYmvr7iqiNHn9yH3TQqlFmWdKlo1fr3Gke0gup/s1600/spain+2016+596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjI3fG-CT8FXwk_GsXmF4zIn1svDCRK6bwHFhme2WbP0ZK2iOWwG6lnb3gRxQBiQSNeBCxo4lzfyF1Q8pr25lhJXcF88TKa3g8O6wr7NYmvr7iqiNHn9yH3TQqlFmWdKlo1fr3Gke0gup/s400/spain+2016+596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the interior courtyards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS4MRHUiryYhoXD30bsxzOAI3IfPQvybUJT9yXxVQt5j9fHmPh-ArF0hxnizwDw68FkC35Y_tvdQjamudOP9MYUPl2q_Od9x3P6mgx5-_i5JY0llGIMJp1BJAclsxz8ULPOX6BW-HIeN7/s1600/spain+2016+600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS4MRHUiryYhoXD30bsxzOAI3IfPQvybUJT9yXxVQt5j9fHmPh-ArF0hxnizwDw68FkC35Y_tvdQjamudOP9MYUPl2q_Od9x3P6mgx5-_i5JY0llGIMJp1BJAclsxz8ULPOX6BW-HIeN7/s320/spain+2016+600.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglK0Q6VpK7IPjXpEaaT8KQVVlC36KLjRVtgMPBAftRd9L4uW8-tCIq7pBaqgq-kaaq4pB8d22V98NNKcjcPUB1kBNI410KOi8mFlFLo9hrvfJsjNEiSfVr9wE33BBSpwWnVZ3cDA8k9rpC/s1600/spain+2016+618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglK0Q6VpK7IPjXpEaaT8KQVVlC36KLjRVtgMPBAftRd9L4uW8-tCIq7pBaqgq-kaaq4pB8d22V98NNKcjcPUB1kBNI410KOi8mFlFLo9hrvfJsjNEiSfVr9wE33BBSpwWnVZ3cDA8k9rpC/s320/spain+2016+618.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lion courtyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TIMeHr1RnWEKZdVpEVLYcfivG3Rew9fOWMdlb7X3wwt_2N5tDu0sK1gsAKbFKhDdFxnaWa60p6GY6JWMA-k1_vmreVc5rzkhB1Gvs50tEWNqabgVi4oh4IDVH1Qskc1mI5DXm1K3HKr2/s1600/spain+2016+634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TIMeHr1RnWEKZdVpEVLYcfivG3Rew9fOWMdlb7X3wwt_2N5tDu0sK1gsAKbFKhDdFxnaWa60p6GY6JWMA-k1_vmreVc5rzkhB1Gvs50tEWNqabgVi4oh4IDVH1Qskc1mI5DXm1K3HKr2/s320/spain+2016+634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were an amazing number of street musicians in Granada, many of them really excellent. A lively band played in the piazza near our hotel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWkx3CqrbUb7XmZVJaSG8Sv-RO9nWR283rH6Sr5Kgr3xM8CfdgW278ln9CSRnzeSuTy4cwDbaXffDEF8behu_L7VS8lTxR3mtkYkovFQKs_uwXLo0__t9jG49MQG1PFrCplUIoNXMFqEX/s1600/spain+2016+688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWkx3CqrbUb7XmZVJaSG8Sv-RO9nWR283rH6Sr5Kgr3xM8CfdgW278ln9CSRnzeSuTy4cwDbaXffDEF8behu_L7VS8lTxR3mtkYkovFQKs_uwXLo0__t9jG49MQG1PFrCplUIoNXMFqEX/s400/spain+2016+688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuHJj4cWW6Ui_1F6nhBdC1ZMmdAiwRs47-0NBYyUX69flxWoVBrOqhrK5W6YJVPTiiN9YnQsoVP-WLqtAcHoaQmgX7ok4LHM7DGa9pHHofRrRLd-ThAdg6e1wk-IJBLnlyotFZiJ6cpRk/s1600/spain+2016+678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuHJj4cWW6Ui_1F6nhBdC1ZMmdAiwRs47-0NBYyUX69flxWoVBrOqhrK5W6YJVPTiiN9YnQsoVP-WLqtAcHoaQmgX7ok4LHM7DGa9pHHofRrRLd-ThAdg6e1wk-IJBLnlyotFZiJ6cpRk/s400/spain+2016+678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granada cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIorwZvhePDotPQ_4ueyf40N99Ylgi6Fdwro6wzIa_PqCxm-5h0L1AOf8eek0vuGIHYLIjzsLMZZu6Ka4D1r2QpPe29e7uLfCI_ORk9slSX9i_9ehjF0WjP649msc3P-eJWc0YIsaZSNH/s1600/spain+2016+658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIorwZvhePDotPQ_4ueyf40N99Ylgi6Fdwro6wzIa_PqCxm-5h0L1AOf8eek0vuGIHYLIjzsLMZZu6Ka4D1r2QpPe29e7uLfCI_ORk9slSX9i_9ehjF0WjP649msc3P-eJWc0YIsaZSNH/s320/spain+2016+658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We happened to catch a concert at the cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfaIq0I3-0HwozJPNiv_SOn1w5QgzhS6eEBJAiGbThmEaw6sGU3BpdUPlY89ObX-fO2orALj51sbRLGiBuEQNk25ni4dLhVgrEhwXB_cZDnWvX9B74acDcZF8suQp2TKjUXlZ2uvHXRSS/s1600/spain+2016+659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfaIq0I3-0HwozJPNiv_SOn1w5QgzhS6eEBJAiGbThmEaw6sGU3BpdUPlY89ObX-fO2orALj51sbRLGiBuEQNk25ni4dLhVgrEhwXB_cZDnWvX9B74acDcZF8suQp2TKjUXlZ2uvHXRSS/s320/spain+2016+659.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last leg of our journey was exploring the pueblos blancos (white villages). We stopped in Antequera en route to our hotel in Ronda, and also visited Arcos de los Frontiera and Zahara. Although guidebooks and bloggers unanimously pronounced Arcos as the most picturesque of the white villages, we preferred Ronda, which is built on a ravine and has beautiful viewpoints and a large piazza with views to the countryside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-61HG0ZPNJl_2-eXi8o_XVspTeoW1WCDfEsiaZNaOTQhNlACbcEnWhi0mygWvG1gblSMwNIfeUxj_kBNbqbMMTle9Lv6YpeMolfbVWF0hee4ohAABoi_0p2kWjS7u6fnDjixxh9vQHXZp/s1600/spain+2016+717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-61HG0ZPNJl_2-eXi8o_XVspTeoW1WCDfEsiaZNaOTQhNlACbcEnWhi0mygWvG1gblSMwNIfeUxj_kBNbqbMMTle9Lv6YpeMolfbVWF0hee4ohAABoi_0p2kWjS7u6fnDjixxh9vQHXZp/s320/spain+2016+717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtGA_AUVgeAGlp_G_eRRYxhNiZR9iDPtoOxOL91j3e0W2qSlb1xyf-8ct0FWkU_fuxa7R8BuJ0QwvwHhWYVyVe3_dxXMYlm7CZIe_o7vf7THZAsAPEQXMxJEJD48v8hX2agXSviH6GpSJ/s1600/spain+2016+751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtGA_AUVgeAGlp_G_eRRYxhNiZR9iDPtoOxOL91j3e0W2qSlb1xyf-8ct0FWkU_fuxa7R8BuJ0QwvwHhWYVyVe3_dxXMYlm7CZIe_o7vf7THZAsAPEQXMxJEJD48v8hX2agXSviH6GpSJ/s320/spain+2016+751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antequera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQtfAeX7yNq-1tcGocMwJ6ezN3_BNHeIN4JpuDfUqx-Rg4JUG99dIrqM6CB4f6QRSWaFGRqXQdqx2nIz_l7goJtB7FRvw_DJrPtouvSUfi_pzN7xAguD9vRDXT0iMi5EY_vbLuWM2uH3G/s1600/spain+2016+753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQtfAeX7yNq-1tcGocMwJ6ezN3_BNHeIN4JpuDfUqx-Rg4JUG99dIrqM6CB4f6QRSWaFGRqXQdqx2nIz_l7goJtB7FRvw_DJrPtouvSUfi_pzN7xAguD9vRDXT0iMi5EY_vbLuWM2uH3G/s320/spain+2016+753.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hhhzJswqSTWhkVddJUms-ZvxDqvEJ-1909o6AWuWgPE7I2hSAU1rnGvCrvg0Dh5t9N9nnpchV3PwiMua9xXdNcrA0IsK89WMS-sZwMwQHER4OVVk-8uYRP2qxYo1jaLQ8fX2cVACKOeY/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hhhzJswqSTWhkVddJUms-ZvxDqvEJ-1909o6AWuWgPE7I2hSAU1rnGvCrvg0Dh5t9N9nnpchV3PwiMua9xXdNcrA0IsK89WMS-sZwMwQHER4OVVk-8uYRP2qxYo1jaLQ8fX2cVACKOeY/s320/IMG_2457.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ancient ruin (and prehistoric buildings) on the way to Ronda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fult46RjQpFdSfxO7F71dr50OYV2MVGb8bWr-hUSrHUtkYU2ZRJiByQMbhTIrh03RV7BKXF_Q0e8jy8DcUOuRnd5aeO4JmFpgRCNIkEO4hoaTAkfiJ1UwuBeZt3AiKvGtnyMR9KsM-4J/s1600/IMG_2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fult46RjQpFdSfxO7F71dr50OYV2MVGb8bWr-hUSrHUtkYU2ZRJiByQMbhTIrh03RV7BKXF_Q0e8jy8DcUOuRnd5aeO4JmFpgRCNIkEO4hoaTAkfiJ1UwuBeZt3AiKvGtnyMR9KsM-4J/s320/IMG_2462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE5Fie42vVvdLMq7UtIKc8zCHIBqM0_RTcAPSqDfqOehtbildm-GZm2BCCldxWbZmgcscVCWVlM7T4CEjEJJDDF3UP74L81zkE_zW8MNFHeWmlZi4G5nrtm9f6tiTgq1qNPSSf16QYBmy/s1600/spain+2016+788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE5Fie42vVvdLMq7UtIKc8zCHIBqM0_RTcAPSqDfqOehtbildm-GZm2BCCldxWbZmgcscVCWVlM7T4CEjEJJDDF3UP74L81zkE_zW8MNFHeWmlZi4G5nrtm9f6tiTgq1qNPSSf16QYBmy/s320/spain+2016+788.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Ronda bullfighting ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDtbSqFQwLv7C6uDNoYfU7eihsHM13bBncTW095uu6U7RX4Wo4H-PuDdJsPzT8pws69NHNh_bwSKLQAqZp7T4UWe9W5_uv70m7FwOsJ68KntGs5cTrlZFjLXa8FtkK1B7b4x7X_GTr8-a/s1600/spain+2016+372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDtbSqFQwLv7C6uDNoYfU7eihsHM13bBncTW095uu6U7RX4Wo4H-PuDdJsPzT8pws69NHNh_bwSKLQAqZp7T4UWe9W5_uv70m7FwOsJ68KntGs5cTrlZFjLXa8FtkK1B7b4x7X_GTr8-a/s400/spain+2016+372.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2TqhJZQ1Vm8LM1Jch6u7yQGh3TQUvV7iT8i1glU-e9wPxgMTyUnpkO-R29s0EQ72aIkGPkrtuxaEjIZJ5a9mblycoyVEn29TiYFAF9cTdFJGrrFia46gr6EcNGPm3Pq7AyQEDQdPNeZ9/s1600/spain+2016+386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2TqhJZQ1Vm8LM1Jch6u7yQGh3TQUvV7iT8i1glU-e9wPxgMTyUnpkO-R29s0EQ72aIkGPkrtuxaEjIZJ5a9mblycoyVEn29TiYFAF9cTdFJGrrFia46gr6EcNGPm3Pq7AyQEDQdPNeZ9/s320/spain+2016+386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYopIHKuv_knBdo9VHUdYsARfHROlnZMkGi6m-LPbQF_IxvfEuvP9GqNBUfKw2mcW6dc46LA7iyxlF6xPczB0LNknphCfiDIWoHYx0ayUTjoL22yQfzdrQh2MNCTTPPfl4c1QmbnnI4Tg/s1600/spain+2016+807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYopIHKuv_knBdo9VHUdYsARfHROlnZMkGi6m-LPbQF_IxvfEuvP9GqNBUfKw2mcW6dc46LA7iyxlF6xPczB0LNknphCfiDIWoHYx0ayUTjoL22yQfzdrQh2MNCTTPPfl4c1QmbnnI4Tg/s400/spain+2016+807.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ronda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKrRpmnZ6FmgZxqkPqCY0owZDawlrIqFJ99OszVWd5eZrJQVCLHEcE-zNOPOrNnYETNFrZ74Pdne8TuiCjxlwGDGIDI-TQOhNmY5Q1zHYrUtk8Al-u_XACMy8IGfXTFGyqrUuTi5e6ZhF/s1600/spain+2016+808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKrRpmnZ6FmgZxqkPqCY0owZDawlrIqFJ99OszVWd5eZrJQVCLHEcE-zNOPOrNnYETNFrZ74Pdne8TuiCjxlwGDGIDI-TQOhNmY5Q1zHYrUtk8Al-u_XACMy8IGfXTFGyqrUuTi5e6ZhF/s320/spain+2016+808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPwk3aJAczujAiV_Igw6Orin6oMu7DGWvUbUx7SJEgiSYjxsocmk7_ewRxGlhVGOwcIIZbtyYGE-8AiKRFwu1rIDYXDe4-ukIoy3pY_O-QW6ie2PowlcPyhysr4mlXyGA4pWV20e1_sq5/s1600/spain+2016+809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPwk3aJAczujAiV_Igw6Orin6oMu7DGWvUbUx7SJEgiSYjxsocmk7_ewRxGlhVGOwcIIZbtyYGE-8AiKRFwu1rIDYXDe4-ukIoy3pY_O-QW6ie2PowlcPyhysr4mlXyGA4pWV20e1_sq5/s400/spain+2016+809.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old bridge in Ronda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXO6ZEtZdg5P4a4714VG7TCFy-qKO2nD_wCMqC8SFUS8FtOio0XIXfQ2KfjJfgUAd41LygZxtLypnRN4D3W7pJVi2F-3a2SBRCW3Wm9HdMbrtTk5Cgk7Zkbbb8u0VlrSTGiLyBRBIEiUx/s1600/spain+2016+839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXO6ZEtZdg5P4a4714VG7TCFy-qKO2nD_wCMqC8SFUS8FtOio0XIXfQ2KfjJfgUAd41LygZxtLypnRN4D3W7pJVi2F-3a2SBRCW3Wm9HdMbrtTk5Cgk7Zkbbb8u0VlrSTGiLyBRBIEiUx/s400/spain+2016+839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7ll3ZAzrG3ghXZyaFF2QW-cEz4zLKTqoVLCsGYH_8Jqva_79Lj588U5C2pVx802Vr5IrNOK-kzkDknJIkpakAQ4ldJF_cyyQVxqwZd9aHlZw_ECcXFsRhofb7tB2Ia5Osndb03FdMLaP/s1600/spain+2016+855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7ll3ZAzrG3ghXZyaFF2QW-cEz4zLKTqoVLCsGYH_8Jqva_79Lj588U5C2pVx802Vr5IrNOK-kzkDknJIkpakAQ4ldJF_cyyQVxqwZd9aHlZw_ECcXFsRhofb7tB2Ia5Osndb03FdMLaP/s320/spain+2016+855.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and a friend at cathedral in Arcos de los Frontiera<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The drive from Ronda to Arcos would be about 90 minutes without stopping and is scenic and not too horribly twisty, but of course we made many stops on the way there and back. There are so many small villages you could wander for days and not see half of them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWdLoceSwC_2GGq28L6O2_XdLE2sXLksCR6vOwVRhvBn6PEa-gcTe36DhMw2o_F5EYBIEqKBN0iDONdo-xpFrq0mPghqhCO_dw3ytyGsmCvo9T_CuIj4TeiCskM_Vf6WL8VmzmHHRAwuu/s1600/spain+2016+342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWdLoceSwC_2GGq28L6O2_XdLE2sXLksCR6vOwVRhvBn6PEa-gcTe36DhMw2o_F5EYBIEqKBN0iDONdo-xpFrq0mPghqhCO_dw3ytyGsmCvo9T_CuIj4TeiCskM_Vf6WL8VmzmHHRAwuu/s320/spain+2016+342.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5X_r-VtdOUHgstK44UMTUskZnWx2pBnnlNRza13kG9gE8FEm7a7Im9Q4zPRG4gG7qy1-BohOXd6Lpvjj7YaL3ndqyJketbThhJrcoRqiS0guDkkUIhdx_cIjRAWr_nveQsiV4ehZKz8R/s1600/spain+2016+361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5X_r-VtdOUHgstK44UMTUskZnWx2pBnnlNRza13kG9gE8FEm7a7Im9Q4zPRG4gG7qy1-BohOXd6Lpvjj7YaL3ndqyJketbThhJrcoRqiS0guDkkUIhdx_cIjRAWr_nveQsiV4ehZKz8R/s400/spain+2016+361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oWiZ6SjKnSf8LwJyhlA-LGCN8TyE43c7KUGDtTw-cVOHg5PXTdgHqSXB2Tb0esxBqtiBa5saod8NdgWJx2zwG4m6rV0UPkhb51NswXXhc1A9W1vTYwTF-Nhli4tgoLbdDy9bybGrR9Ey/s1600/spain+2016+367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oWiZ6SjKnSf8LwJyhlA-LGCN8TyE43c7KUGDtTw-cVOHg5PXTdgHqSXB2Tb0esxBqtiBa5saod8NdgWJx2zwG4m6rV0UPkhb51NswXXhc1A9W1vTYwTF-Nhli4tgoLbdDy9bybGrR9Ey/s320/spain+2016+367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQAvPYfWhiWZhgre5MkXRj_Xp-VlzTUJWHP1Qfb5LqdtPkB_epM9rAUF3FsNHwAML68fhxyY16XajrZW_PQhBqTRvyCpo84UPPDfuV5dWGJTZfAF1A8K-h5L0jlru6Uxh_BKj17ImLaeX/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQAvPYfWhiWZhgre5MkXRj_Xp-VlzTUJWHP1Qfb5LqdtPkB_epM9rAUF3FsNHwAML68fhxyY16XajrZW_PQhBqTRvyCpo84UPPDfuV5dWGJTZfAF1A8K-h5L0jlru6Uxh_BKj17ImLaeX/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1d8mLZr1kiJr71a4suft7sIdQznJCEMiO7QsTDiyEpk8O5gSmMabD-9ivMaabPZ4QQVB1mUxOhXrLUjIo175KoiXHNKwfHWFS658bYktCSqohPNZJkn8PwyJuLacsO0JuBzB7q0VwXdA/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1d8mLZr1kiJr71a4suft7sIdQznJCEMiO7QsTDiyEpk8O5gSmMabD-9ivMaabPZ4QQVB1mUxOhXrLUjIo175KoiXHNKwfHWFS658bYktCSqohPNZJkn8PwyJuLacsO0JuBzB7q0VwXdA/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyem_96E6AVBdlPuTsJprLcklvCph1hnCW-LzEEZO3w2yQr9dslKmutiRtJbH6QBehTv_RPCJMjVhB95lRGXf2PR38aM6k0XOXcf-0HwnkzpB_AFxMCY8uDLectvuoFDkj0zmfcDwDCmE/s1600/spain+2016+353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyem_96E6AVBdlPuTsJprLcklvCph1hnCW-LzEEZO3w2yQr9dslKmutiRtJbH6QBehTv_RPCJMjVhB95lRGXf2PR38aM6k0XOXcf-0HwnkzpB_AFxMCY8uDLectvuoFDkj0zmfcDwDCmE/s400/spain+2016+353.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbnvR8HcwUofSoTt18Q8aRg5z1brD8cL5Pvqewb_rGOcRm1hbFWHwSw49CgxsRz8N-geo1qOXxixp2ExLNRqu09HDEReZaba7fHaOCSQhm98_z3pr2Ca748O3LnsPU92WzAFjJZFWogbo/s1600/spain+2016+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbnvR8HcwUofSoTt18Q8aRg5z1brD8cL5Pvqewb_rGOcRm1hbFWHwSw49CgxsRz8N-geo1qOXxixp2ExLNRqu09HDEReZaba7fHaOCSQhm98_z3pr2Ca748O3LnsPU92WzAFjJZFWogbo/s320/spain+2016+406.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiercTT9u35TixFLBBvH5By9RHFqpiXqf6nXAL0Vttui866SYaJE-SO_VVXK2DufWnBAcw1UeoE7UYoWHAY8IJQAc_Q5QyBRm3fglHBNV-xd6QrF-Nz5PZU6UlAn6yP7A_mroquBfwBqq-J/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiercTT9u35TixFLBBvH5By9RHFqpiXqf6nXAL0Vttui866SYaJE-SO_VVXK2DufWnBAcw1UeoE7UYoWHAY8IJQAc_Q5QyBRm3fglHBNV-xd6QrF-Nz5PZU6UlAn6yP7A_mroquBfwBqq-J/s320/IMG_2528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had to leave for Malaga to catch our flight home. Although the hotel was a business hotel next to the train station, it did have a giant slide to the lobby, a first for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRCL_Nc7ic7kylqFQmhxNVjNnYYk7ywyrobj51BoDU8bBRrEKSay2dUtXfWs3Ok5YJlQz6ggfKWBx3wTj32IuWhgAknPrRrYGjyG7TGxAM2hYfmqVsBrTBYhyNUL5OkN9DHar6a_lN31y/s1600/spain+2016+909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRCL_Nc7ic7kylqFQmhxNVjNnYYk7ywyrobj51BoDU8bBRrEKSay2dUtXfWs3Ok5YJlQz6ggfKWBx3wTj32IuWhgAknPrRrYGjyG7TGxAM2hYfmqVsBrTBYhyNUL5OkN9DHar6a_lN31y/s400/spain+2016+909.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although Malaga is much maligned as a tourist destination, we found a lot to like. The Centre Pompidou has a branch in Malaga that was really well curated, and there are other museums as well as the obligatory churches and forts. We stuck with the waterfront and the Pompidou, having seen enough baby jesus and mary pictures for the time being.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoongpnMClFyNE29n68s7SZsU7sFn4AVrtvJnUHkhB0eCiv5cYIGUlTmt37oAIjj1F8yQUMnFnTIqG9ZptsiFAThVNOY5KO2WROdx6oUG1yyvgfByqi8T9HiHpJOxsIRYOkduNBiVHtmN/s1600/IMG_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoongpnMClFyNE29n68s7SZsU7sFn4AVrtvJnUHkhB0eCiv5cYIGUlTmt37oAIjj1F8yQUMnFnTIqG9ZptsiFAThVNOY5KO2WROdx6oUG1yyvgfByqi8T9HiHpJOxsIRYOkduNBiVHtmN/s400/IMG_2586.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centre Pompidou in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT3E1C4sGrxp_hOdDNQUwe-PHAoV5nXGnXuLufHITw6GF5kiY_AJFfqCXjAgblSdJ74wEfQc1H2Q0giLeglkrc7_fbwnnRL_AuJV-QH2NytLgxQtuf3pZBdHt0kO7u15p27d8Mn446eQ0/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPT3E1C4sGrxp_hOdDNQUwe-PHAoV5nXGnXuLufHITw6GF5kiY_AJFfqCXjAgblSdJ74wEfQc1H2Q0giLeglkrc7_fbwnnRL_AuJV-QH2NytLgxQtuf3pZBdHt0kO7u15p27d8Mn446eQ0/s400/IMG_2581.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new 'mall' built to encourage tourism, very pleasant despite<br />a plethora of american businesses (Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, etc.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back to Arezzo on RyanAir, a smooth trip,even made the train to Arezzo (which cost exactly the same as our plane tickets). Our German friends visited for a week, and now we are preparing to head to Greece for a month--getting in as much travel as possible before we move back to Seattle on June 29!</div>
<span id="goog_1736015034"></span></div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-66756127260640131792016-02-17T14:51:00.003+01:002016-04-07T18:04:48.292+02:00Enjoy a winter week in Berlin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHoLPiJh8EAszHvx2K1YH9EsQ3S6jk26BBktsEokMklxDs7wdL7a5peE0EpxYaocI798iCX8wDeKLKEmSbsY5Njgw0V5MbLDBTfdWK7_I4OR8uIFCuotAn7SyAQGTgzt4_I88l-405eNW/s1600/Berlin+341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHoLPiJh8EAszHvx2K1YH9EsQ3S6jk26BBktsEokMklxDs7wdL7a5peE0EpxYaocI798iCX8wDeKLKEmSbsY5Njgw0V5MbLDBTfdWK7_I4OR8uIFCuotAn7SyAQGTgzt4_I88l-405eNW/s320/Berlin+341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom at the Eastside Gallery (Berlin Wall)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
February in Berlin is cold, but the incredible variety of indoor activities make it a good winter destination. Even slow travelers like us saw a lot of what Berlin has to offer in a blustery, cold winter week.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Day One</h3>
<div>
We started with a visit to the Reichstag, Germany's parliament, where you can walk up a ramp to the top of the glass cupola, with panoramic views all the way up. The free audioguide gives detailed explanations of the sights and of the building itself. Free, but a reservation is necessary due to security concerns. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2J99R5iRTnm_avVccVW2EKfIE3JEWvtxaFuXLNPuPY9jEFb3F33cuCvCgTN5vIsv6e-LUaJwPXnywlrCTrruiPhCvZmfeU4k9YVz8DDap_D3wLjdaSbF8vfGjFldoxTFLeykdR5PYgLp/s1600/Berlin+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2J99R5iRTnm_avVccVW2EKfIE3JEWvtxaFuXLNPuPY9jEFb3F33cuCvCgTN5vIsv6e-LUaJwPXnywlrCTrruiPhCvZmfeU4k9YVz8DDap_D3wLjdaSbF8vfGjFldoxTFLeykdR5PYgLp/s400/Berlin+023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Reichstag (19th century building). You can just<br />
see the glass cupola peeking out from behind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPT648g2ipsZ2VZaiS2cdo3YW2R_bvfDCFWRvPLZiJGcQ8LJpnfRQw9Gcq7VZSdUf19hbL9JR4z0mev5-E_QV1oTQH4CCx-7oZralTtPyCrOb-UerVBmRxYjxODsoqPShnjuYxSa1ZBCB/s1600/Berlin+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPT648g2ipsZ2VZaiS2cdo3YW2R_bvfDCFWRvPLZiJGcQ8LJpnfRQw9Gcq7VZSdUf19hbL9JR4z0mev5-E_QV1oTQH4CCx-7oZralTtPyCrOb-UerVBmRxYjxODsoqPShnjuYxSa1ZBCB/s320/Berlin+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A memorial for 96 legislators killed during WW II for<br />
resisting Hitler. There is a stone with the name of each victim and<br />
the date and location of his death (close up below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBauUvKLTHeenJthME9t4gr0dEtaTV3aLosbdbt02EHRHQo4iVIRq5CMtdr8MmvfJe1JlgOaOdB0dbW1VrCaKoAdc32EoXDEC_GB-enwKh3WRO2quug6WZpSxOOVGpzuN-wbneXP0hEv_/s1600/Berlin+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBauUvKLTHeenJthME9t4gr0dEtaTV3aLosbdbt02EHRHQo4iVIRq5CMtdr8MmvfJe1JlgOaOdB0dbW1VrCaKoAdc32EoXDEC_GB-enwKh3WRO2quug6WZpSxOOVGpzuN-wbneXP0hEv_/s320/Berlin+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLJhUSPhW2SZinCFqx70TYM4G5t3-v9qbhii5RjsYHQvHc7mmJFmRk33JDDiyUgBAV8bqBvNihh9FPUMCOLyyVIVA4Pg1DlNG6JEOLGde0uNpPFhLug4tiXNuzm-ixWZSThQ73oTTrOGJ/s1600/Berlin+286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLJhUSPhW2SZinCFqx70TYM4G5t3-v9qbhii5RjsYHQvHc7mmJFmRk33JDDiyUgBAV8bqBvNihh9FPUMCOLyyVIVA4Pg1DlNG6JEOLGde0uNpPFhLug4tiXNuzm-ixWZSThQ73oTTrOGJ/s320/Berlin+286.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the Reichstag dome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh6TPNsEVeS8YpePWT2s5YsVL2dcqf_4S-CxAqHpAxlyT8-jyApCPQwrh7fv4b3ZdcOgs8hIgep_b52BhuU51YbmEsB9pI4MNkX_hdMwk2Mxx7d_tNICINfS1U_8lubu4_frJ0DaUeuGL/s1600/Berlin+288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh6TPNsEVeS8YpePWT2s5YsVL2dcqf_4S-CxAqHpAxlyT8-jyApCPQwrh7fv4b3ZdcOgs8hIgep_b52BhuU51YbmEsB9pI4MNkX_hdMwk2Mxx7d_tNICINfS1U_8lubu4_frJ0DaUeuGL/s320/Berlin+288.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwYsXa4daaMqYmtOacyXg8BxagCTA45Ell1HMn7GC1XQ9Fth7xCldOHF_HwvLtVhsXC8GPpYjpHzIuf_r_7GHBAexZXLg9FEDpXB8Aw3s76d5vNoNQOLcxRej80PWlF2L50dlY0OmnXO5/s1600/Berlin+293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwYsXa4daaMqYmtOacyXg8BxagCTA45Ell1HMn7GC1XQ9Fth7xCldOHF_HwvLtVhsXC8GPpYjpHzIuf_r_7GHBAexZXLg9FEDpXB8Aw3s76d5vNoNQOLcxRej80PWlF2L50dlY0OmnXO5/s320/Berlin+293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the way up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Brandenburg Tower (visible from the Reichstag) is a short walk away past several memorials to victims of persecution in WW II and to those killed trying to escape from East Berlin to West Berlin/<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZVIvW_PbjhMDX2LarEf73zHdak8X2Jyz0qr7LxIz12t3lxwLwN-AsOPQ2bz-4cBDDYTOo0rqsKb7BiefWC2bjajxbdvhJ9sHzMMzx4Ns8uQOI_MOcSK3178j4cLhXMAHEW3eWm7iEi2s/s1600/Berlin+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZVIvW_PbjhMDX2LarEf73zHdak8X2Jyz0qr7LxIz12t3lxwLwN-AsOPQ2bz-4cBDDYTOo0rqsKb7BiefWC2bjajxbdvhJ9sHzMMzx4Ns8uQOI_MOcSK3178j4cLhXMAHEW3eWm7iEi2s/s400/Berlin+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbqocfgxCKtINXRrgQAYb-v6zb6owhcWplqsmtkBpxJnRW2-xWuBO9NUT-1r6_gRlci_cj53jjC0M4qckA9TZ8AuzTXyJa3TUJNwgb8c2CiihKVpA4vFPVTPYOg7XXQxmGclz0s5pjldj/s1600/Berlin+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbqocfgxCKtINXRrgQAYb-v6zb6owhcWplqsmtkBpxJnRW2-xWuBO9NUT-1r6_gRlci_cj53jjC0M4qckA9TZ8AuzTXyJa3TUJNwgb8c2CiihKVpA4vFPVTPYOg7XXQxmGclz0s5pjldj/s320/Berlin+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T3oSA5oY-PJCugS4L5fxYWCuNAneW6hKS851cKF_Rh1AE9TeJGwM9d2ZR75Y0jPSSiDjn6kJnfsU8HDKiAagLCUA-TaUsBAmpqzK6F_qG_lNg-fTjjCUlBQngk1bNf0XCqomurfoEdEF/s1600/Berlin+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T3oSA5oY-PJCugS4L5fxYWCuNAneW6hKS851cKF_Rh1AE9TeJGwM9d2ZR75Y0jPSSiDjn6kJnfsU8HDKiAagLCUA-TaUsBAmpqzK6F_qG_lNg-fTjjCUlBQngk1bNf0XCqomurfoEdEF/s400/Berlin+033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parisen platz, by Brandenburg gate, home to the US and<br />
French embassies and the Adlon Hotel where Michael Jackson<br />
famously dangled baby Blanket out the window<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is an interesting Frank Ghery building (Deutsches Bank) on the square. The outside is plain, but the inside is like a silvery fish. When the bank is open you can take a peek, then walk through the adjacent Academy of Arts building if it is open, exiting near the Holocaust memorial, a block of rectangular concrete blocks, all the same size but differing heights. Peole seem to appear and disappear among the stones. There is a museum beneath the memorial.<br />
<br />
Keep walking and you arrive at the Topographie des Terroirs, an indoor/outdoor museum with a portion of the Berlin Wall and a museum about WW II. It is built on the site of the former gestapo building where prisoners were interrogated and executed. This museum is also free and currently has a special exhibit of pictures taken inside the concentration camps which is very moving.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazLFQmG5Db6pcsM-i9SYF9RAtzFv_hYcyGAEylwAz-W9tYA2CpX68vH9wmRlEw2gDsKi3LtMGC-HD1rKmmSWGbvL7LsBErUsIB-3dX85zpNncBhqEB989zKF_2vJG6bX1ji3-edaELBYO/s1600/Berlin+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazLFQmG5Db6pcsM-i9SYF9RAtzFv_hYcyGAEylwAz-W9tYA2CpX68vH9wmRlEw2gDsKi3LtMGC-HD1rKmmSWGbvL7LsBErUsIB-3dX85zpNncBhqEB989zKF_2vJG6bX1ji3-edaELBYO/s400/Berlin+053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berlin wall at the Topography of Terror museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Pottsdam platz, home to the Sony center and a good example of modern Berlin architecture, was next. 80 percent of Berlin was destroyed by bombing during the war. While some of the destroyed buildings were replaced by similar construction, there is an incredible amount of modern and avant garde architecture in Berlin, and construction going on all over the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWUvP9aFT42y4GoeCYAjFfZ7bVf_HThVxcjrHmnlJQYAzohlwkpTXWU3U6RFS5Jx4Ig5T3zaYPGztiP65bPxmIgu9Pet0HVN5VI2AC8Yj1slKUp38zs5D1soLURVq9OwvHmjZr_JQ2Prz/s1600/Berlin+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWUvP9aFT42y4GoeCYAjFfZ7bVf_HThVxcjrHmnlJQYAzohlwkpTXWU3U6RFS5Jx4Ig5T3zaYPGztiP65bPxmIgu9Pet0HVN5VI2AC8Yj1slKUp38zs5D1soLURVq9OwvHmjZr_JQ2Prz/s640/Berlin+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Not much farther, past Trabi world (where you can rent one of the east german Trabi cars) to Checkpoint Charlie which is, of course, no longer a checkpoint, rather a major tourist trap with all kinds of fake WWII and cold war era kitsch for sale. The Checkpoint Charlie museum has interesting artifacts like a car used to smuggle people out of east Berlin, and a hollowed out surfboard used for the same purpose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceiGpnz_Wj8Ci4jD1y441VJ4KE9jEK_wT3V7bQmwGyP190qyI3f8LPYMXiFQXPfBVHMYXhb7_PYgWy3if4G52v0uioX0Ll6gtRD3VWL167_j4DLyQpqxFc1WYQTgNBnIyt0-zblPL7oJ_/s1600/Berlin+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceiGpnz_Wj8Ci4jD1y441VJ4KE9jEK_wT3V7bQmwGyP190qyI3f8LPYMXiFQXPfBVHMYXhb7_PYgWy3if4G52v0uioX0Ll6gtRD3VWL167_j4DLyQpqxFc1WYQTgNBnIyt0-zblPL7oJ_/s400/Berlin+059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xPWMG6-oUe6bOfT9Lw5XJe82HJK0srsScTLQARRm5jUx4u_Niqftp6GoHGmdRMKOT6jB5ucCoHZBPN8B_vbFB9oE51PmuR5xm8koet3EPpW7VIQqUZvSdlkKJj0OsS3_QjUHvw0Lrtl2/s1600/Berlin+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xPWMG6-oUe6bOfT9Lw5XJe82HJK0srsScTLQARRm5jUx4u_Niqftp6GoHGmdRMKOT6jB5ucCoHZBPN8B_vbFB9oE51PmuR5xm8koet3EPpW7VIQqUZvSdlkKJj0OsS3_QjUHvw0Lrtl2/s400/Berlin+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of a soldier looks out at the former Checkpoint Charlie where<br />
you can now have your picture taken with faux soldiers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Day 2</h3>
<div>
Fortified by some good german beer and a good night's sleep at our hotel (Adina Apartment Hotel, Hauptbahnhof--very comfortable and convenient, I recommend it), we bundled up and headed for the East Side Gallery, a 1.3 km stretch of the wall painted by international artists invited to do so by Berlin officials. Due to graffitti, most of the artists came back and touched up their original work in 2009, the 20th anniversary of tearing down the wall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPlCRu_46wFUJZW-TlW5kkPqC38p-mfAPDw2QjBLXHj1OtPoHUGySkPnfyWDcLorwOfpyF0VoOuq28Z3ilQk_lVPGydZsb5ZKXfrqVEKcrUPw828sWR3_G74SCndSUDaCdwK2gA7yt7z6/s1600/IMG_0379%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPlCRu_46wFUJZW-TlW5kkPqC38p-mfAPDw2QjBLXHj1OtPoHUGySkPnfyWDcLorwOfpyF0VoOuq28Z3ilQk_lVPGydZsb5ZKXfrqVEKcrUPw828sWR3_G74SCndSUDaCdwK2gA7yt7z6/s400/IMG_0379%255B1%255D.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom in front of the Adina. You see the painte<br />
bears all over Berlin in different positions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5Zxuy7YYanQRb9glRl3wy7GfGlbwTFJuO0qo90jbMJ9TP2r3Jmu38C7fu48PrFO4bKiVE40QgH3KA2564qCAWo9vE57YD6VuNoT-MyBpJT_l23rglcaoje8IFadV5LDqdzcOr8XFPPhP/s1600/Berlin+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5Zxuy7YYanQRb9glRl3wy7GfGlbwTFJuO0qo90jbMJ9TP2r3Jmu38C7fu48PrFO4bKiVE40QgH3KA2564qCAWo9vE57YD6VuNoT-MyBpJT_l23rglcaoje8IFadV5LDqdzcOr8XFPPhP/s400/Berlin+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the east side gallery from across the street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P2D_rJ8SquAMxTr1X98WAlUU0b4HMQgGvVkB1qg6lEG4btgQRMmlymV3QlFdPapWtQaKzqw3f6EDSMcs1scJaAxwzgr3Phzq9BPOANo17SVzkWf4INFgLWnFWk_Zoeb30O5It7aSG5Dj/s1600/Berlin+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P2D_rJ8SquAMxTr1X98WAlUU0b4HMQgGvVkB1qg6lEG4btgQRMmlymV3QlFdPapWtQaKzqw3f6EDSMcs1scJaAxwzgr3Phzq9BPOANo17SVzkWf4INFgLWnFWk_Zoeb30O5It7aSG5Dj/s320/Berlin+331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgZxmt-z_c_YqG3UZFLdwDKpSWmat_S18-TKaHKSejb8lrDpFFLh8b5Z1u4iMCpawNqjUeeSXnBVbAmhi7gcKYc1Rcv9k7cjR0KXkzoOE-FY2YCFHozVxgtfynuZf8Tg-Dbia3IFdqjO4/s1600/Berlin+332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgZxmt-z_c_YqG3UZFLdwDKpSWmat_S18-TKaHKSejb8lrDpFFLh8b5Z1u4iMCpawNqjUeeSXnBVbAmhi7gcKYc1Rcv9k7cjR0KXkzoOE-FY2YCFHozVxgtfynuZf8Tg-Dbia3IFdqjO4/s400/Berlin+332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwLDfyUnkV9tBWWeiQQRgDm_ZFJdQxeXTnBVJDauYjTroHS5GD7I_ju8cUcINEnUzgd6eGz0hIV-d_aNUpd1xGC04_OyHwdji6G6WlRoBLkWfngQ6EZTbfY3-ytwSTtk6mgp7_itXxML8/s1600/Berlin+334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwLDfyUnkV9tBWWeiQQRgDm_ZFJdQxeXTnBVJDauYjTroHS5GD7I_ju8cUcINEnUzgd6eGz0hIV-d_aNUpd1xGC04_OyHwdji6G6WlRoBLkWfngQ6EZTbfY3-ytwSTtk6mgp7_itXxML8/s400/Berlin+334.JPG" width="277" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk2L5kmcwVn-CDOnmBY19YUsj363Kfv_O1uMt_lbo2VRXoophMM1fRsc70heunoCgOLfygV6bLUommEsTvfvdWknwRVTSRrIC6JvnhE8zrDmE5HRSUJmTyWeX6I3DKOUl6p01ixa0mUSZ/s1600/Berlin+338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk2L5kmcwVn-CDOnmBY19YUsj363Kfv_O1uMt_lbo2VRXoophMM1fRsc70heunoCgOLfygV6bLUommEsTvfvdWknwRVTSRrIC6JvnhE8zrDmE5HRSUJmTyWeX6I3DKOUl6p01ixa0mUSZ/s640/Berlin+338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite, a Trabi breaks through to freedom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsvJYI6ZWjsoOYd6I823Tvy1CoHsF8ViFZceje-k5OXkp6f4Jfw28HYtaPW48kj5H0nduIpBSjkEa6C-7Ulz2KYnm3w6UTg5gzdovnuug_y4dmZlcq52PMO0-Mw9AJWuhMrl3-4QA7oy1/s1600/Berlin+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsvJYI6ZWjsoOYd6I823Tvy1CoHsF8ViFZceje-k5OXkp6f4Jfw28HYtaPW48kj5H0nduIpBSjkEa6C-7Ulz2KYnm3w6UTg5gzdovnuug_y4dmZlcq52PMO0-Mw9AJWuhMrl3-4QA7oy1/s200/Berlin+347.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one, by an Italian artist, is<br />
named La Berluernica, a play on<br />
the famous Guernica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRX2zHRBeJ6IcostNYtUYgUdhXwIbJPfGLRjb_R5VZY-DT3g1P6aZNB97Uj61F7383hTlmgQztohwyj_0tN-Iacqb0S5vY8km6jj1XK2TRihBAKoCvk2OUGBZetF-fKpPodaZjncxPqIu3/s1600/Berlin+346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRX2zHRBeJ6IcostNYtUYgUdhXwIbJPfGLRjb_R5VZY-DT3g1P6aZNB97Uj61F7383hTlmgQztohwyj_0tN-Iacqb0S5vY8km6jj1XK2TRihBAKoCvk2OUGBZetF-fKpPodaZjncxPqIu3/s200/Berlin+346.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
At the end of the wall there is access to the river and, from March through September, a chance to take a cruise. There is even a boat converted to a hostel for those looking for a different type of accommodation. It is a short walk across an attractive brick bridge, to the S bahn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSikccx3aAnbz-A1jche5C2_1WHwkQA6ySiSI_bBNMwy_HftuiyoazUAP_SYZhzvXdTrG8TH8aeBDQJfVNZSDbG7smYv_eQ_xju0Ux5hvK67B6FklIFZ3Q9HFsl_82fMwD9FuK-4VTKJIa/s1600/Berlin+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSikccx3aAnbz-A1jche5C2_1WHwkQA6ySiSI_bBNMwy_HftuiyoazUAP_SYZhzvXdTrG8TH8aeBDQJfVNZSDbG7smYv_eQ_xju0Ux5hvK67B6FklIFZ3Q9HFsl_82fMwD9FuK-4VTKJIa/s200/Berlin+081.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidyb1Un32Td6YmH8Q4DKSi0a3rndl-z1AecjgSqa3dsQXTlitBxI_kifXfQJzOHiBAt6y1kAsiAp4lf1-iRIfk3aZ3-QJkks3X7VAEKIzVsnfBHjr5MAuxK4vyKLq7stt0uauH2-Avv-g/s1600/Berlin+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidyb1Un32Td6YmH8Q4DKSi0a3rndl-z1AecjgSqa3dsQXTlitBxI_kifXfQJzOHiBAt6y1kAsiAp4lf1-iRIfk3aZ3-QJkks3X7VAEKIzVsnfBHjr5MAuxK4vyKLq7stt0uauH2-Avv-g/s320/Berlin+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyGT-h5z4vhKWuBfHWFIPxhDhRoWJ9x2IqBUCkeGuzp2yHhN-OTb6E7rn5v0Oq_syLaNDei86i-bR3WxGmyt-iUZQAGMy9m96DGw4bIv-7g2uFy5cWJy5n5pNv_bPwLKznQS-kqx6vIMY/s1600/Berlin+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyGT-h5z4vhKWuBfHWFIPxhDhRoWJ9x2IqBUCkeGuzp2yHhN-OTb6E7rn5v0Oq_syLaNDei86i-bR3WxGmyt-iUZQAGMy9m96DGw4bIv-7g2uFy5cWJy5n5pNv_bPwLKznQS-kqx6vIMY/s320/Berlin+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSikccx3aAnbz-A1jche5C2_1WHwkQA6ySiSI_bBNMwy_HftuiyoazUAP_SYZhzvXdTrG8TH8aeBDQJfVNZSDbG7smYv_eQ_xju0Ux5hvK67B6FklIFZ3Q9HFsl_82fMwD9FuK-4VTKJIa/s1600/Berlin+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSikccx3aAnbz-A1jche5C2_1WHwkQA6ySiSI_bBNMwy_HftuiyoazUAP_SYZhzvXdTrG8TH8aeBDQJfVNZSDbG7smYv_eQ_xju0Ux5hvK67B6FklIFZ3Q9HFsl_82fMwD9FuK-4VTKJIa/s320/Berlin+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lBYaZekC6nfMXvE09Rn2GxFklIlQfn_O-VWT6dRefMEl1L5ysscKO0DeOe65gFlJECtbZuMz9suRGSEOasHJ3wR0o1FGeAdvGITBCZoXPg_LcymIVK-Tn90obSLgAOawg7SyzqTrcS-R/s1600/Berlin+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lBYaZekC6nfMXvE09Rn2GxFklIlQfn_O-VWT6dRefMEl1L5ysscKO0DeOe65gFlJECtbZuMz9suRGSEOasHJ3wR0o1FGeAdvGITBCZoXPg_LcymIVK-Tn90obSLgAOawg7SyzqTrcS-R/s320/Berlin+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lunch and exploring at Hackesher Markt finished up another great day. The sun came out and there was a street market going on with some really unusual jewelry and other items for sale, and all kinds of street food, even burritos. After lunch at Weihenstephaner Bavarian Restaurant, in the square right outside the station (incredible roast pork),<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wdGESsDrkm0dxoONo_aURb7IcURsJdaFeAO2llT2AfzsE1B7QSwM_3dWB2zwfgD5P7JEPh6V04jcMiQ6HqdPZTTfbuw1laRH90MlBs81AUGPpn44RNb06j5QkXJp3Y8sgqB52KtHfUTs/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wdGESsDrkm0dxoONo_aURb7IcURsJdaFeAO2llT2AfzsE1B7QSwM_3dWB2zwfgD5P7JEPh6V04jcMiQ6HqdPZTTfbuw1laRH90MlBs81AUGPpn44RNb06j5QkXJp3Y8sgqB52KtHfUTs/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuPVzAZCp8OfVdcBQJBN6H9AI2gKzzIWUpMj9YRFkMJdgVQKn2ho9xfg6E6LcLQOBy9MIasB6zyMzsPi5xgMT6BGpwJNR2WgHT1eqv1DrICbP7caMG6WFT7_zKnhGXycmmd1bsbDpTW95/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuPVzAZCp8OfVdcBQJBN6H9AI2gKzzIWUpMj9YRFkMJdgVQKn2ho9xfg6E6LcLQOBy9MIasB6zyMzsPi5xgMT6BGpwJNR2WgHT1eqv1DrICbP7caMG6WFT7_zKnhGXycmmd1bsbDpTW95/s200/IMG_0416.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yummy roast pork</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
we wandered through the street fair and the hofe, old style Berlin courtyards, one after another connected to each other. They are now apartments and shopping areas, but very interesting, especially #40 which goes through a beautifully restored 1907 Jugenstil (art nouveau) building. One of the courtyards has a souvenir shop called the ampelmannchen, after the jaunty little red and green men on the DDR pedestrian walk signs.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdGub_5APyo8VCcyKhRxokXZ3CzIissynuNZwq9nTNu4vDL9VMOxiF4YU6_nDaaTuIbcVFIZxEJqIjoSoO6fPCkYWSvNndSxHHFj8BOmW3T9vImZnmZSNsWCn6UxxgiIv1fEtJjAZT68O/s1600/Berlin+323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdGub_5APyo8VCcyKhRxokXZ3CzIissynuNZwq9nTNu4vDL9VMOxiF4YU6_nDaaTuIbcVFIZxEJqIjoSoO6fPCkYWSvNndSxHHFj8BOmW3T9vImZnmZSNsWCn6UxxgiIv1fEtJjAZT68O/s320/Berlin+323.JPG" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East German pedistrian stop and go signals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZKzwNrRjtEUdv9qfsUoMUF-R4O19ksDHFEAs5LXnSNotN2iFHBBTfIvCTprrZnbDXljhbXwgXIJwZl0O_Eq_IKFirOIK8yDSWTL4ibUT3P462_thNcYx3yBLX3EE7ity2f-mDnInev85/s1600/Berlin+324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZKzwNrRjtEUdv9qfsUoMUF-R4O19ksDHFEAs5LXnSNotN2iFHBBTfIvCTprrZnbDXljhbXwgXIJwZl0O_Eq_IKFirOIK8yDSWTL4ibUT3P462_thNcYx3yBLX3EE7ity2f-mDnInev85/s320/Berlin+324.JPG" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIPhVELSx-6I1tbzch8sk3dftzpQa3Praz93PJxPWz3zWUiQi1ypWAaKicv4955wwxTuniyeQo9No7WWKwCJRvQqBhMeL5wK4Y9ypb4GF2JvDqFHEc4ULcBQFowVAGBjEZUJEqZyntQ1K/s1600/Berlin+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIPhVELSx-6I1tbzch8sk3dftzpQa3Praz93PJxPWz3zWUiQi1ypWAaKicv4955wwxTuniyeQo9No7WWKwCJRvQqBhMeL5wK4Y9ypb4GF2JvDqFHEc4ULcBQFowVAGBjEZUJEqZyntQ1K/s400/Berlin+086.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">restored 1907 art nouveau building and courtyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_2029704064"></span><span id="goog_2029704065"></span><br />
<h3>
Day 3</h3>
<div>
We spent most of the day at the Jewish Museum which covers a 1000 years of Jewish history in Europe, housed in an unusual building designed by Daniel Libeskind which has been nicknamed "the blitz" (lightning)because of the zigzag windows/ It isn't possible to tell how tall the building is from the outside, which was intentional. There are intersecting corridors leading to spaces called voids, which represent the loss to society caused by the murder of the Jews and other victims of the Nazis. Included on the 24 euro museum pass which you can buy at the museum if it is your first, saving ticket buying time at other venues which may be more crowded.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqovE7TeRLcMO6Qr1Kde_kcDWuhzHRfq2gBuoj9WBiKDg73AfMtwacV20cgSW-Va6Akoh5xNaqktXElVE87XbaEFnpXo3Db2ht6vzre30fk32L2nxAA7p245Dbgg98MFvXgVgq6iX4pwWA/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqovE7TeRLcMO6Qr1Kde_kcDWuhzHRfq2gBuoj9WBiKDg73AfMtwacV20cgSW-Va6Akoh5xNaqktXElVE87XbaEFnpXo3Db2ht6vzre30fk32L2nxAA7p245Dbgg98MFvXgVgq6iX4pwWA/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay9xonIpJKXi812tU7xhK5tUvWh8bmXxDJxlj8M8luyxPsZW4gK2ievJofI3I0BD0smjlruhFHyvHx7G0QjvSvgFsdIyMpG5_xMdB9XDjEZx_71356A_wLXAfQPTxpi5LC-41C-eudcFb/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay9xonIpJKXi812tU7xhK5tUvWh8bmXxDJxlj8M8luyxPsZW4gK2ievJofI3I0BD0smjlruhFHyvHx7G0QjvSvgFsdIyMpG5_xMdB9XDjEZx_71356A_wLXAfQPTxpi5LC-41C-eudcFb/s320/IMG_0448.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garden of remembrance (above)<br />
Museum exterior (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgmmzb2d1jBKH17OwN9fQPtGarJ0mMoYlkF3OMEm4MKNqEK11jMByf8mOMsAYu9XRdNLQfodU0XDrYhYiFyQIdBPDRmauIAFRMUoX9sFKu4ow8YlKZopzClu3PBF2TiGh2QiP9s18AHp3/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgmmzb2d1jBKH17OwN9fQPtGarJ0mMoYlkF3OMEm4MKNqEK11jMByf8mOMsAYu9XRdNLQfodU0XDrYhYiFyQIdBPDRmauIAFRMUoX9sFKu4ow8YlKZopzClu3PBF2TiGh2QiP9s18AHp3/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art installation in one of the voids, 10,000<br />
metal faces representing victims of the holocaust</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the intensity of the Jewish museum we elected to spend the rest of the day exploring neighborhoods and sampling german cuisine while photographing some of the street art which is everyone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZZVP9L7lPI6S3TpB9twj9zsLV4rfuSChVu1vdgcMSw3gtAW6639gglF02LaoRtvpAGuZjQAM9ftbfaBRgNSCxUn3djY7KwlA7kjJFS-ej8mZiPkRlz_2_YYW7ieBEPTB7_-LlEgaS-V6/s1600/Berlin+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZZVP9L7lPI6S3TpB9twj9zsLV4rfuSChVu1vdgcMSw3gtAW6639gglF02LaoRtvpAGuZjQAM9ftbfaBRgNSCxUn3djY7KwlA7kjJFS-ej8mZiPkRlz_2_YYW7ieBEPTB7_-LlEgaS-V6/s320/Berlin+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsf9AaHZOGMkfMZcteU5BCWCHCA7VtNWXW0cVxotCUrE87NvoOXWucHQiHRsZquVdTFDYQwsoFN_8_8z9qdCB-hFDFyfBmfJZ4rpxjVsghQtOvtYyZDrR-9I4ZrPH21EYM2hmE9OMNJLt/s1600/Berlin+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsf9AaHZOGMkfMZcteU5BCWCHCA7VtNWXW0cVxotCUrE87NvoOXWucHQiHRsZquVdTFDYQwsoFN_8_8z9qdCB-hFDFyfBmfJZ4rpxjVsghQtOvtYyZDrR-9I4ZrPH21EYM2hmE9OMNJLt/s320/Berlin+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Day 4</h3>
<div>
Museum passes in hand (24 euros for access to 50 museums for 3 days , and the museums are 0-14 euros each) we were ready to tackle Museum Island, home to 5 of Berlin's oldest museums, as well as the Berlin Cathedral and the nearby German museum. The subway stop is Hackesher Markt, so it would be easy to combine a visit to the museums with the Markt if you have the energy. The Pergamon (reservation for a time slot recommended) was our first stop, unfortunately its most famous piece, the Pergamon altar, will not be back on display until 2019 due to construction, but the Ishtar gate and Babylonian exhibits were well worth the visit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSeoPNHiNPtyjhj6nEd1omQJNZPNpT1sRh6IXm8SkPQRNynFJ8Ag6GVa7SHJL0_T58rn5lLlOEU3xWP2gST5-_p84nA0C63-mc6GlLTxsOe3H849WsIf87Yw2hIow4xH27RgRJJ5Y3_S/s1600/Berlin+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSeoPNHiNPtyjhj6nEd1omQJNZPNpT1sRh6IXm8SkPQRNynFJ8Ag6GVa7SHJL0_T58rn5lLlOEU3xWP2gST5-_p84nA0C63-mc6GlLTxsOe3H849WsIf87Yw2hIow4xH27RgRJJ5Y3_S/s640/Berlin+101.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ishtar Gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrQgZvCsguHaHIf3y-8xz3RnVdkzNC0aZe4d0Dx4-sSQNV2xL3ukzb_4lCZ9iK4uLE5W6tOb2k_YUNSNmHFQgIOQze6MISPmLXcF6e-MgUjxTYYxQIr9KCH6S35Z5h8BRm8acvI6azPlH/s1600/Berlin+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrQgZvCsguHaHIf3y-8xz3RnVdkzNC0aZe4d0Dx4-sSQNV2xL3ukzb_4lCZ9iK4uLE5W6tOb2k_YUNSNmHFQgIOQze6MISPmLXcF6e-MgUjxTYYxQIr9KCH6S35Z5h8BRm8acvI6azPlH/s400/Berlin+111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs0WdN5y7G6LdifH2ch8FFiKwetsEzzwiNrNR11zFr-EV4-jxeFvFv7qkqCQl2XQZlYqAjxBzGS3L-Mc7ZREXqt0aJnv5rA8omDy0ySf_h6NbKO1ucErCucHr8hsZNQvOauWalAhOQBMQ/s1600/Berlin+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs0WdN5y7G6LdifH2ch8FFiKwetsEzzwiNrNR11zFr-EV4-jxeFvFv7qkqCQl2XQZlYqAjxBzGS3L-Mc7ZREXqt0aJnv5rA8omDy0ySf_h6NbKO1ucErCucHr8hsZNQvOauWalAhOQBMQ/s400/Berlin+139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail from hall leading to Ishtar gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Next was the Neues Museum whose most famous exhibit is the bust of Nefertiti which is housed in solitary splendor in Room 205 (no photos allowed)/ I usually skip Egyptian museums, preferring local history and art, but this museum, has a great collection of statuary and is worth a peek if you have time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKH1qnWvmt8VZ9D_GsFXElx8nwr8YFs5UikMh8y2I73Nw61083vVU9CH_hyphenhypheneQC5yRUhR9jDhfIv3DuJ_Y8cTRPqCm272VUUaAPriD4txOR2jqcTkJpBis0uluLEIOfP9_zTHbyHPGHhqpo/s1600/Berlin+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKH1qnWvmt8VZ9D_GsFXElx8nwr8YFs5UikMh8y2I73Nw61083vVU9CH_hyphenhypheneQC5yRUhR9jDhfIv3DuJ_Y8cTRPqCm272VUUaAPriD4txOR2jqcTkJpBis0uluLEIOfP9_zTHbyHPGHhqpo/s320/Berlin+143.JPG" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ83iRObahzVq8g84MhBucdYgS6W9Y9m26j4cI6x9BvptaA_U36Fkm_5jYUBFefn9xIt1Zo3VQlFFwgLFOuSwZ6SQRrCJOo2qL_TruzyZsNjE6B8A7rL7gqgkjHeIv9B_hVu-TTOFIv7wH/s1600/Berlin+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ83iRObahzVq8g84MhBucdYgS6W9Y9m26j4cI6x9BvptaA_U36Fkm_5jYUBFefn9xIt1Zo3VQlFFwgLFOuSwZ6SQRrCJOo2qL_TruzyZsNjE6B8A7rL7gqgkjHeIv9B_hVu-TTOFIv7wH/s320/Berlin+145.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
A scribe and his wife (left) and a scribe with a small child right.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After the two museums we headed to the nearby Berlin cathedral for a look at Frederick's over the top roccoco, baroque, art nuveau style. Hard to believe it is a protestant church, it certainly givens the catholic cathedrals a run for their money.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYIo_drR1UZouW2q-3wjxJIz1Fhy6ncmi5HOxpNF8NDPD3vcFXOMPSdII8Jp3CF9de8gsnUNAIjJe6CDGVbjV4xoHEvLl0t-SQ92OPKbp9OZJK_ilm3nk2UZk0F04xXhRcA-AMNw0t6b5/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYIo_drR1UZouW2q-3wjxJIz1Fhy6ncmi5HOxpNF8NDPD3vcFXOMPSdII8Jp3CF9de8gsnUNAIjJe6CDGVbjV4xoHEvLl0t-SQ92OPKbp9OZJK_ilm3nk2UZk0F04xXhRcA-AMNw0t6b5/s400/IMG_0723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswnMht1rq6AL4mVcTICbAV0W_V1g_j9Ufu9JyGz6Xuje_8vCM5n9jLl2_NAJutBuJ52wzqPvAJeOLCt1DsmdOhr4tPi44f3QMKCqe-7jN2C0Fw7HA1hx3yoYlVFxwG0AklKi25pWGZO-B/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswnMht1rq6AL4mVcTICbAV0W_V1g_j9Ufu9JyGz6Xuje_8vCM5n9jLl2_NAJutBuJ52wzqPvAJeOLCt1DsmdOhr4tPi44f3QMKCqe-7jN2C0Fw7HA1hx3yoYlVFxwG0AklKi25pWGZO-B/s400/IMG_0732.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 5</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB98N-l-6nfyBMuPur2sygLhoC8gHhyphenhyphenoncVQGz_5vft_vSbfGVDUlNjx2r0SoT_CPrJCmRaDI6_09bxfDYx4UaQ1nBzlOFYtcIjW-E693aEammqTnMEgtMMKMtAaeEOmry_ckQxG4TNkJo/s1600/Berlin+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB98N-l-6nfyBMuPur2sygLhoC8gHhyphenhyphenoncVQGz_5vft_vSbfGVDUlNjx2r0SoT_CPrJCmRaDI6_09bxfDYx4UaQ1nBzlOFYtcIjW-E693aEammqTnMEgtMMKMtAaeEOmry_ckQxG4TNkJo/s400/Berlin+197.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCGw-kMCv_dK9qgduqgoMssjy4JMjzBEp3JpwD3NHZYnP7oueoulZnb8JgLP8leVH8w-53cI_L6AvKP9NejjxkLLJCAImsmea-D-FhDRuCJJYrR6nJujOxTdTY2b-CRJmAQB1NkS8lBf4/s1600/Berlin+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCGw-kMCv_dK9qgduqgoMssjy4JMjzBEp3JpwD3NHZYnP7oueoulZnb8JgLP8leVH8w-53cI_L6AvKP9NejjxkLLJCAImsmea-D-FhDRuCJJYrR6nJujOxTdTY2b-CRJmAQB1NkS8lBf4/s320/Berlin+199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">
On to Charlottenberg Palace, another easy metro ride away (the 7 euro day ticket is a great bargain, you can travel all day on the U bahn, S bahn, busses and trams, just remember to validate it first). If you will not have time to go to Pottsdam, and especially if you have not seen any other European palaces, this is worth a visit, otherwise, I suggest just going to Pottsdam which is far more impressive. This palace, another of Frederick's many homes, has many empty rooms with gilded ceilings but lacks the wow factor of Sans Soucci. There are, however, several good museums in the area, so if you are interested in any of them, it makes the trip more worthwhile. We toured the palace then had lunch at Lemke Brewhouse, a place that is very in to craft beer and has brewing facilities at the pub. The menu suggests beer and food pairings and there is even a beer sommelier. I tried their wheat beer with veal sausage as recommended, tasty, but Tom's spicy sausage, potatoes and kraut looked a lot better. I could not detect the vanialla/citrus/earthy flavors of the beer, but then I never detect those things in wine either.</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielKzAkQttHIyYjum0qBu0ilwG2LOmDFgRsYQQ_6eLqyFSOsr1aa4jDr6gBDyK1b2SJQlpSoLaqXbkrazbprVwpXexcK-rzN8lJOiZ8Aujb6eStFh8nYcg9jnQFtJa3eiq09mFsxJIsK0w/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielKzAkQttHIyYjum0qBu0ilwG2LOmDFgRsYQQ_6eLqyFSOsr1aa4jDr6gBDyK1b2SJQlpSoLaqXbkrazbprVwpXexcK-rzN8lJOiZ8Aujb6eStFh8nYcg9jnQFtJa3eiq09mFsxJIsK0w/s400/IMG_0800.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgu1oto4QYz-lDTLnEFaQ1XdkXnTl_cRdzriT_xOspqkBKa-M6HII-GczL2lyNtMoEyhucwgluUhLdLU9SrCo1aOF2WlyzYXcFd5_9JRY3ZtJDoMGCN5E6SeXKYNcT4kmEb6iyBfpo9jEy/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgu1oto4QYz-lDTLnEFaQ1XdkXnTl_cRdzriT_xOspqkBKa-M6HII-GczL2lyNtMoEyhucwgluUhLdLU9SrCo1aOF2WlyzYXcFd5_9JRY3ZtJDoMGCN5E6SeXKYNcT4kmEb6iyBfpo9jEy/s320/IMG_0798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOZlW0uJCzsX7KVLqH1UfRnRl-gywUeXC4UxxCydqLBsNWe_7f5dGLeWI0sNaudw9dyn1amEHbu1YPb8I6aHy8wdNlcIaXhwFrrxvN4AyfRj8BHAYk9wo22LDMlHXUMCqPW2Pr2KTiUPD/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOZlW0uJCzsX7KVLqH1UfRnRl-gywUeXC4UxxCydqLBsNWe_7f5dGLeWI0sNaudw9dyn1amEHbu1YPb8I6aHy8wdNlcIaXhwFrrxvN4AyfRj8BHAYk9wo22LDMlHXUMCqPW2Pr2KTiUPD/s320/IMG_0796.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
After a refreshing lunch we headed to the nearby Berggruen museum, a collection of modern art donated by Mr. Berggruen, a friend of Picasso's, who left Germany in 1938, made his fortune in the U.S., but ultimately returned to his homeland. It is possible to follow Picasso's artistic evolution as well as looking at works by some of his contemporaries, including Matisse and Klee.</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSw8ChUkyK3Whf3PBgu6-CWZ0GHo5mB-Qj3XkgBfrfa4rcthbH-3NhnzVaKF3_rg54zNCW63PLpyxk3ObV-u9Iz0kCMp99rsLBQX-m8o5O5i8H2U_8ejbYP-Vr-CyiB_aSmUs51jc23bK/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSw8ChUkyK3Whf3PBgu6-CWZ0GHo5mB-Qj3XkgBfrfa4rcthbH-3NhnzVaKF3_rg54zNCW63PLpyxk3ObV-u9Iz0kCMp99rsLBQX-m8o5O5i8H2U_8ejbYP-Vr-CyiB_aSmUs51jc23bK/s640/IMG_0816.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picasso's doodles!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_2028546695"></span><span id="goog_2028546696"></span><br /></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJLUCJ-KPAaxRqydlPqyiG_kB_V5ReaceRu_l19ip-5YqzaoNOhrTTdOc4cubhc5yzSLFf21eJ4OXHs8FVkIeSC43NbzLxDwbx2uCNOiOpI6A3bZ2NlExMAb0qwt8-WpIpfPu1Ku3EiaT/s1600/Berlin+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJLUCJ-KPAaxRqydlPqyiG_kB_V5ReaceRu_l19ip-5YqzaoNOhrTTdOc4cubhc5yzSLFf21eJ4OXHs8FVkIeSC43NbzLxDwbx2uCNOiOpI6A3bZ2NlExMAb0qwt8-WpIpfPu1Ku3EiaT/s320/Berlin+216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Berggruen (above)<br />
train station (below)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt51PoUZLdwCTY_kAJvvIRRJNxQ_v8WZclqj69C0ttmBIdvjgYwkmsO1UpBTDZFjte2jrCwtXGdRevMy3KnWzM-M7Ui_iX_LSkz9XSzvhPm9rAS3HKgpvmMpBCc3y5kS34V5UM84fTKaP/s1600/Berlin+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt51PoUZLdwCTY_kAJvvIRRJNxQ_v8WZclqj69C0ttmBIdvjgYwkmsO1UpBTDZFjte2jrCwtXGdRevMy3KnWzM-M7Ui_iX_LSkz9XSzvhPm9rAS3HKgpvmMpBCc3y5kS34V5UM84fTKaP/s400/Berlin+217.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_2028546702"></span><span id="goog_2028546703"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="font-size: 16px;">
Day 6: Last Day in Berlin</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And time for a trip to Pottsdam to visit Sans Soucci, Frederick's summer palace.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpCmo7usZoE7CRrjtNN9ZHEVLkD1W5xU8OLkWvlfPNKtWfYHKvUCSFD_9fzWUIZG8G9XeScKYleUme5EpCHufSaViPXrrw7YVgUxw7qnY3x4GihXUs95wNSwScu3e-JgPYbMnUjww4P9V/s1600/Berlin+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpCmo7usZoE7CRrjtNN9ZHEVLkD1W5xU8OLkWvlfPNKtWfYHKvUCSFD_9fzWUIZG8G9XeScKYleUme5EpCHufSaViPXrrw7YVgUxw7qnY3x4GihXUs95wNSwScu3e-JgPYbMnUjww4P9V/s320/Berlin+219.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpture at the Hauptbahnhof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Friends had highly recommended this day trip and I am glad that they did. The Palace grounds are huge, and there are numerous buildings. Like many tourists, we visited only the two main palaces, Sans Soucci and Neues Palace, taking a bus between the two (your berlin 3 zone day ticket covers buses here also). On a warmer day, it would be great to stroll through the grounds between the two, perhaps picnicking along the way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQ7-jYDX3wfld4STgqJauzzOy3O28XtQcUtMUDgnFkJBe5vUVUMg4Knyd0oMiJYpB2cI_3g59lAkN9BMw0gsp8Rx7mWULlViMbQ2NR4YUEmBmsK_QkU67gYe3tIv9Mj5pT5yBg75_7gFy/s1600/Berlin+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQ7-jYDX3wfld4STgqJauzzOy3O28XtQcUtMUDgnFkJBe5vUVUMg4Knyd0oMiJYpB2cI_3g59lAkN9BMw0gsp8Rx7mWULlViMbQ2NR4YUEmBmsK_QkU67gYe3tIv9Mj5pT5yBg75_7gFy/s400/Berlin+224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimutP9wQre_k8W2CTXjAweBEIwiKdINjY4m4U_DN7ovbneUEgkCpv6Exx7YBOA8QPg2Vz7vem5nRp61DVloPrUVc8dB9gjZqYBfLhiCYITIfEFK4nQcSfa2nc5YJ7cDglSzJHazm3QcZFI/s1600/Berlin+231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimutP9wQre_k8W2CTXjAweBEIwiKdINjY4m4U_DN7ovbneUEgkCpv6Exx7YBOA8QPg2Vz7vem5nRp61DVloPrUVc8dB9gjZqYBfLhiCYITIfEFK4nQcSfa2nc5YJ7cDglSzJHazm3QcZFI/s320/Berlin+231.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details from the grotto room at Neues Palace,<br />
over 250,000 shells were used in the decorations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquwG9pnLQlq10Aoin67bdE4XfFNagJ_oXQEMncwPYXY4okFwB9gYLq5h88nFdSE3NMeBtTtXujLOGYh20LLrxX0-qbOWFz84wLlRwm6Vpu98uArkgUpU1KKVduv6cqpKYtPJf9t3gEykc/s1600/Berlin+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquwG9pnLQlq10Aoin67bdE4XfFNagJ_oXQEMncwPYXY4okFwB9gYLq5h88nFdSE3NMeBtTtXujLOGYh20LLrxX0-qbOWFz84wLlRwm6Vpu98uArkgUpU1KKVduv6cqpKYtPJf9t3gEykc/s320/Berlin+234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSTW4yEx_Ye0AtWJ3eaiGVkOPTT8HicvcIvbA1BMDeiQ6v2JdbFR12OpMqfoApRKeeuYFrwXCmYA0RSOdhwfjhcc7ivKMoyfvnOn1OyvoVnHKcOH-Gpqmms2etCy7cMW3u9DPuSrLrgxw/s1600/Berlin+251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSTW4yEx_Ye0AtWJ3eaiGVkOPTT8HicvcIvbA1BMDeiQ6v2JdbFR12OpMqfoApRKeeuYFrwXCmYA0RSOdhwfjhcc7ivKMoyfvnOn1OyvoVnHKcOH-Gpqmms2etCy7cMW3u9DPuSrLrgxw/s640/Berlin+251.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60Ew3fCAHTDLOwbARLzPb838lUecoymJKrEGuUjNEwI7II6RAxl59QZ7azPwusmX1UMk3Ro0bL5NXpNbMG8xJI-qAn-CUJJKTD_SHD8Wa1fO7mvVku07q4ZTdRwZm0seIEWIQ2WLqXoH3/s1600/Berlin+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60Ew3fCAHTDLOwbARLzPb838lUecoymJKrEGuUjNEwI7II6RAxl59QZ7azPwusmX1UMk3Ro0bL5NXpNbMG8xJI-qAn-CUJJKTD_SHD8Wa1fO7mvVku07q4ZTdRwZm0seIEWIQ2WLqXoH3/s400/Berlin+252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHx3gHDwywfgD1OPGS6jJz44yqRlaJcYHjTj-KdyjKykCnRX58piWIjCAI3nGkqlsA3SUEePvzi7FS6OGwTviK8XeslPvsibxA2rj2do5RBpAi-u-_maE_Yz9W4u0rMmzNPZ2BSCJyuNN7/s1600/Berlin+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHx3gHDwywfgD1OPGS6jJz44yqRlaJcYHjTj-KdyjKykCnRX58piWIjCAI3nGkqlsA3SUEePvzi7FS6OGwTviK8XeslPvsibxA2rj2do5RBpAi-u-_maE_Yz9W4u0rMmzNPZ2BSCJyuNN7/s640/Berlin+253.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-xggsr9PlpGNqxtuPCZo5U8QMaHEem6lz1KLOVOzKBqGJAcX_5dvwfIbySfi2bh3OeqRL3mjvPiYDuwCxtYZEWengUedPSvyo-gil9i6NDOHDLlMUpKdZFJks8gK02xJIRCBjgj2i4VX/s1600/Berlin+254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-xggsr9PlpGNqxtuPCZo5U8QMaHEem6lz1KLOVOzKBqGJAcX_5dvwfIbySfi2bh3OeqRL3mjvPiYDuwCxtYZEWengUedPSvyo-gil9i6NDOHDLlMUpKdZFJks8gK02xJIRCBjgj2i4VX/s320/Berlin+254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNusnJzTQXg99yCMt8ptIrHxyTV16YDEosiMvesskBibBp6FV87_QB5w1XvmrBtpTnBSEScaVRmkpB9G_IC-fGIxeXfQIxT3b73GXjybuTZB6RsXem73IBav8YAgfSTfTTMBKNS7ySnMN9/s1600/Berlin+255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNusnJzTQXg99yCMt8ptIrHxyTV16YDEosiMvesskBibBp6FV87_QB5w1XvmrBtpTnBSEScaVRmkpB9G_IC-fGIxeXfQIxT3b73GXjybuTZB6RsXem73IBav8YAgfSTfTTMBKNS7ySnMN9/s320/Berlin+255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNrojxleM7Z-F9Q2pV3ZI-Ntg1uSi9gXfRlBdb80b5Sj40hKpE9fPlpWFu_9akZ0xEybfmsQSYfFahH79GPVCl2ZTXH6Rr0XyVdH2zLtknQvmH_Kw7BREFo1qKIcDIzKSOvuvogf2-32c/s1600/Berlin+263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNrojxleM7Z-F9Q2pV3ZI-Ntg1uSi9gXfRlBdb80b5Sj40hKpE9fPlpWFu_9akZ0xEybfmsQSYfFahH79GPVCl2ZTXH6Rr0XyVdH2zLtknQvmH_Kw7BREFo1qKIcDIzKSOvuvogf2-32c/s320/Berlin+263.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6HIZyQYZJmtDD-etco7XZw0JM9CZi1hJOvdLzeE2KG9_wteFN4s-QUFjcIFmfiVEyC0s1EvTpnvhQeOUGEPFmtlBWNf4oMCYzrqdA7oGaUh9r9lhKbcBMD2PDAjNwpvvCATlRevnpedo/s1600/Berlin+266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6HIZyQYZJmtDD-etco7XZw0JM9CZi1hJOvdLzeE2KG9_wteFN4s-QUFjcIFmfiVEyC0s1EvTpnvhQeOUGEPFmtlBWNf4oMCYzrqdA7oGaUh9r9lhKbcBMD2PDAjNwpvvCATlRevnpedo/s320/Berlin+266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJE0SujreBtWYtHPiqduwRFqO-EbmaKeaKiW8ZVyWne1fjHkTPV7rr-FXMGOvdRfXwpE8Ls3gXNeXS36v7-jCgXT1e90mWDG3I9KZB7R_v8xv7K0fr1qY79lZuBO__1QBd_T97-Ub9yHf/s1600/Berlin+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJE0SujreBtWYtHPiqduwRFqO-EbmaKeaKiW8ZVyWne1fjHkTPV7rr-FXMGOvdRfXwpE8Ls3gXNeXS36v7-jCgXT1e90mWDG3I9KZB7R_v8xv7K0fr1qY79lZuBO__1QBd_T97-Ub9yHf/s320/Berlin+278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1xH4RUPMCj7k5yV46rmXHQPm6A3XFw-kvsDVcblYc4nxwfo5Tj1dsknP0vGFfSGjCsiesfVL30MZYCkNSekqCUROLSM7U_cIE7erXEiADenv73MWe-DnNOfn1X-VqicMIIJGfCCzYI3A/s1600/Berlin+282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1xH4RUPMCj7k5yV46rmXHQPm6A3XFw-kvsDVcblYc4nxwfo5Tj1dsknP0vGFfSGjCsiesfVL30MZYCkNSekqCUROLSM7U_cIE7erXEiADenv73MWe-DnNOfn1X-VqicMIIJGfCCzYI3A/s640/Berlin+282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Warhol painting in exit hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Footweary, we headed back to the train to Berlin and the last night at the Adina hotel, of course snapping a few pictures en route. Next day, the airport and home to Arezzo.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGsdh94EtzPmlKgsTIPXc6Zt3qaa8M8HTfaqsM1FX_WhQ6El3MPpDmAcumNgtIDX25eMFDaNLC1LLktda_IqY5-lNSodl-nAlx9YbuGcTdcODaFL8RACCTHcDz6jbAVJCdh5glN0u6VEE/s1600/Berlin+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGsdh94EtzPmlKgsTIPXc6Zt3qaa8M8HTfaqsM1FX_WhQ6El3MPpDmAcumNgtIDX25eMFDaNLC1LLktda_IqY5-lNSodl-nAlx9YbuGcTdcODaFL8RACCTHcDz6jbAVJCdh5glN0u6VEE/s320/Berlin+165.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TV tower, truly visible everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz4LGDWWXs9kjhij79v72rc01LlByQoFyfOdmEy9m2JqBOJmaOte1N0YnMQCzmjo4e08KT6kAtFZLD8p0yZwSkFas_DXw3ww5wjAhnxpYRZZxLXurc6qNoYarjCNKNalX-Zz63K7AvAJF/s1600/Berlin+283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz4LGDWWXs9kjhij79v72rc01LlByQoFyfOdmEy9m2JqBOJmaOte1N0YnMQCzmjo4e08KT6kAtFZLD8p0yZwSkFas_DXw3ww5wjAhnxpYRZZxLXurc6qNoYarjCNKNalX-Zz63K7AvAJF/s320/Berlin+283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamburg museum lit up at night<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdYSZNkGDgtModhRblhlk2mqNXFQcpbPdqI7hGR0mLOtNcRdj0n4lDE4VR2gva673jdFoa3pSaONGhrcfmINZbqvRw1WUjFecLLuvulZzArDgkfNEkwhAfBVjHJch1p0qz1K8Ct4HiFA1/s1600/Berlin+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdYSZNkGDgtModhRblhlk2mqNXFQcpbPdqI7hGR0mLOtNcRdj0n4lDE4VR2gva673jdFoa3pSaONGhrcfmINZbqvRw1WUjFecLLuvulZzArDgkfNEkwhAfBVjHJch1p0qz1K8Ct4HiFA1/s320/Berlin+285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know you are back in Italy when you see this sign,<br />
where else would the passenger drop off area be called<br />
the kiss and fly? Buenvenuto in Bologna!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-21003079868112328282016-01-27T11:56:00.002+01:002016-01-27T11:56:37.001+01:00Blues, Rome, Tivoli, Villa Adrianna , and Ostia Antica for a 70th birthday extravaganza<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mp-Huve_E48/VqdWS908RKI/AAAAAAAAEig/FkIN8mmay0c/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mp-Huve_E48/VqdWS908RKI/AAAAAAAAEig/FkIN8mmay0c/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B196.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in museum at Ostia Antica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those who know Tom will not be surprised that he picked visiting archaeological sites and listening to music for his birthday celebration. While D.C. was digging itself out of a blizzard, we were enjoying bright sunshine in Rome and Tivoli, site of Villa d'este and Villa Adriana, Hadrian's summer palace.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEdHkP6nqrc/VqdTLP_DiII/AAAAAAAAEhU/B7sloIgOEqw/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEdHkP6nqrc/VqdTLP_DiII/AAAAAAAAEhU/B7sloIgOEqw/s640/70th%2Bbirthday%2B034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fountain has a concealed organ operated by the water, which is played several times a day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byUfKvMFwaA/VqdSLesCDpI/AAAAAAAAEhM/hCQAryZqE3k/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byUfKvMFwaA/VqdSLesCDpI/AAAAAAAAEhM/hCQAryZqE3k/s400/70th%2Bbirthday%2B029.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UT5tMeL0Vg/Vqdt8ri6rJI/AAAAAAAAEp0/OUIX5pmYnG8/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UT5tMeL0Vg/Vqdt8ri6rJI/AAAAAAAAEp0/OUIX5pmYnG8/s400/IMG_0073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of garden from villa d'este terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbfs9CqsFDs/VqduceJCINI/AAAAAAAAEqo/pN69UCr5bbQ/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbfs9CqsFDs/VqduceJCINI/AAAAAAAAEqo/pN69UCr5bbQ/s320/IMG_0094.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 850 km of waterways supplying the fountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JN-sHIej8Qo/Vqdul-ue-MI/AAAAAAAAEqw/1lhGVg1U0bc/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JN-sHIej8Qo/Vqdul-ue-MI/AAAAAAAAEqw/1lhGVg1U0bc/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path lined by mini fountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YhGkgl45qY/Vqde2pl_8pI/AAAAAAAAElw/XZi__lF5VxI/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YhGkgl45qY/Vqde2pl_8pI/AAAAAAAAElw/XZi__lF5VxI/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom picking a snack inside thevilla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We stayed two nights in Tivoli, which is an ancient and charming town that has served as a week-end getaway for Romans for over 2000 years. In addition to Villa d'este, which was formerly a convent, turned pleasure palace by Cardinal Ippolito in the 16th century, there are other historic spots (Villa Gregoriana and a castle), as well as a pretty, winding main street and some excellent restaurants where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch. <br />
<br />
<br />
Next day, on to nearby Villa Adrianna. We planned to take the bus, but when we asked a local to point out the bus stop, he responded "Porto io" (I'll take you). Turns out he lives in the town Villa Adrianna, and he dropped us off at the entrance to the Villa, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was Hadrian's summer palace and has over 30 buildings covering at least 250 acres. dating back to the second century. Much of the site has still not been excavated, but there is more there than could possibly be seen in a single visit. Although it is now in ruins, it is still possible to see the scope and grandeur of Hadrian's humble home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1-M5hr8his/VqdYg2bB5VI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/hyrYD73WF0o/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J1-M5hr8his/VqdYg2bB5VI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/hyrYD73WF0o/s640/70th%2Bbirthday%2B096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRjh6uZupxY/VqdZiq_LW8I/AAAAAAAAEjo/yvd3RKCFRfM/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRjh6uZupxY/VqdZiq_LW8I/AAAAAAAAEjo/yvd3RKCFRfM/s640/70th%2Bbirthday%2B108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several pools at Adrianna<br /><br /><span id="goog_356871163"></span><span id="goog_356871164"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEF1V6VlTf4/VqdWjeIKeSI/AAAAAAAAEio/9tnwxQP3-WU/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEF1V6VlTf4/VqdWjeIKeSI/AAAAAAAAEio/9tnwxQP3-WU/s640/70th%2Bbirthday%2B202.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlfvKRJQeqA/VqdZ50k32VI/AAAAAAAAEj4/SWUWr7HoksE/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlfvKRJQeqA/VqdZ50k32VI/AAAAAAAAEj4/SWUWr7HoksE/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Many people visit both villas as a day trip from Rome, it is a half hour trip from Rome to Tivoli, only 2.60 euro, but that would make for a very long day. It's great if you are short on time, but if you are in Rome for a while, make it an overnight trip and enjoy the quiet of the countryside after boisterous Rome.<br />
<br />
After two days in Tivoli, we took the train to the Tiburtina station, in Rome, then headed to Hotel Navona, Dimora Storico, a great bargain in the center of 'tourist' Rome. Only 2 blocks from Piazza Navona , the Pantheon, and Campo dei Fiori, it is also walking distance to the Colosseum, the Forum, the Capitoline Museums, many churches, even Trastevere if you feel like hiking over one of the many bridges. We explored the neighborhood on foot, seeing places we hadn't visited in previous trips such as the Doris Pahmpilj museum, which was a chance to see how the 1% lived in the 18-19th centuries, while listening to an audioguide narrated by a count who still lives in the palazzo. The audioguide is included in the admission--definitely listen to it as it is quite entertaining.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKEt-G_YB_E/VqdfehDTVKI/AAAAAAAAEmg/SCO0huAUO-k/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKEt-G_YB_E/VqdfehDTVKI/AAAAAAAAEmg/SCO0huAUO-k/s200/IMG_0152.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkW1XW3NaeE/VqdfiIaNQpI/AAAAAAAAEmw/ugQCiAvaX4c/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkW1XW3NaeE/VqdfiIaNQpI/AAAAAAAAEmw/ugQCiAvaX4c/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> breakfast at the bar followed by the train to Rome--<br />we had to walk across the tracks to get to the train</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-UJl-b2Z3E/Vqdfhcb6QlI/AAAAAAAAEmo/eOXOJvF9NEQ/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-UJl-b2Z3E/Vqdfhcb6QlI/AAAAAAAAEmo/eOXOJvF9NEQ/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch at Il Piccolo in Rome<br />near Piazza Navona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqx5hUg1Pyo/VqdfwtxmeWI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/iTZQcuY2nYc/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqx5hUg1Pyo/VqdfwtxmeWI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/iTZQcuY2nYc/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernini's Elefanto in from of<br />Chiesa di Maria Sopra Minerva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sS87wO9tmeU/Vqdf5sUC74I/AAAAAAAAEnk/M90wEyL9YB0/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sS87wO9tmeU/Vqdf5sUC74I/AAAAAAAAEnk/M90wEyL9YB0/s320/IMG_0219.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew we would have a chance<br />to stop at Trinity, Kelly's old stomping grounds?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZkye5x29iw/Vqdf6f0RxyI/AAAAAAAAEno/X5UEQDO8ivU/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZkye5x29iw/Vqdf6f0RxyI/AAAAAAAAEno/X5UEQDO8ivU/s200/IMG_0225.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WsJOZlulfI/VqdgBHR4QnI/AAAAAAAAEnw/X8F1y9Rn9dI/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WsJOZlulfI/VqdgBHR4QnI/AAAAAAAAEnw/X8F1y9Rn9dI/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trevi Fountain cleaned and without<br />scaffolding! But with the ubiquitous selfie<br />stick users.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HPHlZ3jmuNM/VqdcFXLWzDI/AAAAAAAAEkg/nCGJ-GBczXA/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HPHlZ3jmuNM/VqdcFXLWzDI/AAAAAAAAEkg/nCGJ-GBczXA/s400/70th%2Bbirthday%2B130.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Pantheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAG6wyGJz0g/VqdcpSR3pMI/AAAAAAAAEkw/nrrQvtIDgqU/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAG6wyGJz0g/VqdcpSR3pMI/AAAAAAAAEkw/nrrQvtIDgqU/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTkpeQNPJbY/VqddKv_cwQI/AAAAAAAAEk4/isehWGV1WrA/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTkpeQNPJbY/VqddKv_cwQI/AAAAAAAAEk4/isehWGV1WrA/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B150.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Pahmphilj museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gvGOW2A-Oc/VqddMPai1EI/AAAAAAAAElA/50HjdpROA1E/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gvGOW2A-Oc/VqddMPai1EI/AAAAAAAAElA/50HjdpROA1E/s400/70th%2Bbirthday%2B156.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevi Fountain senza selfie sticks (major cropping necessary)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To finish the trifecta of archeological visits, we headed to Ostia Antica, another short bus or train trip from Rome, you can even use the standard 1.50 bus/metro ticket. Take the B line metro to the Pyramide stop, then use the same ticket to take the train to Ostia, a Roman port town now in ruins and 4 km from the river due to the accumulation of silt which has changed the river course.<br />
<br />
Ostia Antica is a chance to take a look at how regular people lived. It is not all temples and theaters--although there are temples and theaters--there are barracks, the roman equivalent of apartments, market places, and an amazing nurmber of public baths. Not surprisingly, the largest and most opulent was reserved for men! As with other sites, the marble, statues, and other materials were looted and/or resused, but the site is still an incredible chance to get a feel for life 2000 years ago.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yXPPIFojz8/Vqdds9OLI0I/AAAAAAAAElI/NyC6U-LSH7A/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yXPPIFojz8/Vqdds9OLI0I/AAAAAAAAElI/NyC6U-LSH7A/s400/70th%2Bbirthday%2B172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4000 seat theater at Ostia </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjIxzNwD3VA/VqdeTLh-mII/AAAAAAAAElY/KFiCpYc4uAA/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjIxzNwD3VA/VqdeTLh-mII/AAAAAAAAElY/KFiCpYc4uAA/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Ovup5sIrEJDrM4qELm3jRwz8oYwzOT-hEpsi13m-gOooR-UTxBxvrvqinbzzu7gReZmpO1dIx6-sfIHZ2XG6gCnhuTgxolvORmp9NKu4WQsfyL8FVrrwtWv27h_dnBJCkU266DeDXaM/s1600/70th+birthday+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Ovup5sIrEJDrM4qELm3jRwz8oYwzOT-hEpsi13m-gOooR-UTxBxvrvqinbzzu7gReZmpO1dIx6-sfIHZ2XG6gCnhuTgxolvORmp9NKu4WQsfyL8FVrrwtWv27h_dnBJCkU266DeDXaM/s320/70th+birthday+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17AOCc7cgHM/VqdXsmb_eyI/AAAAAAAAEjA/mffBn_xR4KA/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17AOCc7cgHM/VqdXsmb_eyI/AAAAAAAAEjA/mffBn_xR4KA/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iGYq-44d-4/VqdXwYsK7yI/AAAAAAAAEjI/JFClR3Azfbk/s1600/70th%2Bbirthday%2B091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iGYq-44d-4/VqdXwYsK7yI/AAAAAAAAEjI/JFClR3Azfbk/s320/70th%2Bbirthday%2B091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdafdklAMKA/VqdgR5rzdsI/AAAAAAAAEoA/OAN3MHcbD84/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdafdklAMKA/VqdgR5rzdsI/AAAAAAAAEoA/OAN3MHcbD84/s640/IMG_0248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom on Via del Tom(ba)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6EJcqvqSkQ/VqdgW6GHiXI/AAAAAAAAEoI/MlKvws7C0ls/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6EJcqvqSkQ/VqdgW6GHiXI/AAAAAAAAEoI/MlKvws7C0ls/s400/IMG_0267.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsT3F5G-yv4/VqdglfbVozI/AAAAAAAAEog/D737zQ2VqH4/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsT3F5G-yv4/VqdglfbVozI/AAAAAAAAEog/D737zQ2VqH4/s640/IMG_0277.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom on a pedestal for his birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bHv3spjNyM/Vqdgi__WtMI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/qyyb_O-Gi_Y/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bHv3spjNyM/Vqdgi__WtMI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/qyyb_O-Gi_Y/s640/IMG_0280.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom adds to the 231 pictures he took on this trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back to town for dinner and live blues at "Big Mama's"--a great group from Naples called "I blue stuff." Then back to Arezzo, with a last look at a frew landmarks en route. Happy 70th birthday Tom!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NYKHbCR_hU/Vqdg3VHiU-I/AAAAAAAAEow/k8Fu7QEJuCg/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NYKHbCR_hU/Vqdg3VHiU-I/AAAAAAAAEow/k8Fu7QEJuCg/s320/IMG_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza del Argentina, ruins in the middle<br />of Rome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QvGt4O5YYc/Vqdg6i06sAI/AAAAAAAAEo4/dluJ_LA2cJM/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QvGt4O5YYc/Vqdg6i06sAI/AAAAAAAAEo4/dluJ_LA2cJM/s320/IMG_0297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7oZ45n8KBI/Vqdg_lqycYI/AAAAAAAAEpA/cAATT8X0aCg/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7oZ45n8KBI/Vqdg_lqycYI/AAAAAAAAEpA/cAATT8X0aCg/s640/IMG_0303.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common couples in Rome: poliziotti and nuns <br />(although not generallywith each other!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KPZdSlqBlMs/VqdhGG7igzI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/owep6WGs67U/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KPZdSlqBlMs/VqdhGG7igzI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/owep6WGs67U/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-56111061629311598722016-01-03T11:52:00.001+01:002016-01-03T11:52:34.784+01:00Seattle vs. Arezzo Round Two: Thanksgiving and Christmas 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwForSeCFLw/VojVIKJbX7I/AAAAAAAAEZY/RcJnFTDxHAY/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwForSeCFLw/VojVIKJbX7I/AAAAAAAAEZY/RcJnFTDxHAY/s400/IMG_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seattle skyline from West Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For the second year we returned to Seattle for the holidays, this time early enough for Thanksgiving with family. Once again, the most common questions asked were what we missed about living in the US and whether we like Italy, and Arezzo in particular, more than Seattle.<br />
<br />
Other than family and friends, there is nothing that we miss so much about the US that it would be a deal breaker for staying in Italy permanently, but we have pretty much decided to move back this June because we don't want to be 5000 miles from our daughter on a permanent basis, and if we spend less than 183 days in Italy this year, we will not be liable for the huge Italian income tax (50 to 60 percent last year, on capital gains and interest compared to a maximum of around 25% in the US). So I guess we 'miss' the lower US tax rates. Italians not only pay a high income tax, they pay a 22% VAT on everything (value added tax, basically sales tax) and property taxes. It would be less expensive to rent an apartment year round in Italy and spend only 182 days here, than to pay the higher tax.<br />
<br />
Small things we miss while in Italy include electric dryers and clothes and linens that don't feel like tree bark from being dried outside, ethnic food (especially Mexican and Asian), and cheap, readily available OTC medicine for colds, headaches, allergies, etc. A tisane of vitamin C just doesn't knock out those cold symptoms like a dose of NyQuil, and 11 euro for 12 ibuprofen feels like highway robbery, plus these things can only be purchased at a pharmacy in Italy, On the other hand, healthcare and prescription drugs are almost free under the national healthcare system. We pay only 2 euro for a prescription drug, no matter what it is.<br />
<br />
The only things we brought back with us this time were cold medicine, fish oil, vitamins D, and our favorite shampoo. Big, big savings over Italian prices. And gas is incredibly cheap in the US, in fact it should probably be higher to discourage over consumption of fossil fuel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHuwu7fbDIY/VojciXCpPuI/AAAAAAAAEec/U1QdSpyeWiI/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHuwu7fbDIY/VojciXCpPuI/AAAAAAAAEec/U1QdSpyeWiI/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But we have also noticed a number of things we definitely prefer in Italy. The limits on political campaigning prevent the multi-year media blitz of the US presidential elections. There is very limited campaigning which is a refreshing change. Italians may elect a leader as clownish as Trump, but at least we don't have to hear and read about it for two years beforehand.<br />
<br />
We have also become very accustomed to the late, leisurely mealtimes. We had numerous invitations to dinner out (and enjoyed them all) but were constantly surprised to be invited at 5:30 or 6 pm, and to have the meal over in a half hour. At the annual Christmas party for my old firm, I was surprised to look up and see that plates were being cleared before I had taken more than 3 bites! Usually I am not behind in the hunger games.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHByEclVCbc/VojaIkntHcI/AAAAAAAAEc0/EyRbYtfxlYk/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHByEclVCbc/VojaIkntHcI/AAAAAAAAEc0/EyRbYtfxlYk/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYWT1mdlFvI/VojblKRqRrI/AAAAAAAAEd0/jWyZ3VZXG5w/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYWT1mdlFvI/VojblKRqRrI/AAAAAAAAEd0/jWyZ3VZXG5w/s200/seattle%2B2015%2B047.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dim sum with Karen (left)<br />
Sushi (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dW3DS0bqYSk/VojZUwS1bII/AAAAAAAAEcU/UvlI0tR-8cU/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dW3DS0bqYSk/VojZUwS1bII/AAAAAAAAEcU/UvlI0tR-8cU/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
we stayed in an apartment for weeks--above,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tom & Kelly toast before an American meal of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
meatloaf, brussels sprouts, and baked sweet potatoes</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAOzYGUcoNE/VojVbUDMapI/AAAAAAAAEaU/vro_c4TCa6Y/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAOzYGUcoNE/VojVbUDMapI/AAAAAAAAEaU/vro_c4TCa6Y/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Christmas dinner at Ruth's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were also struck by the incredible frequency of gun violence in the US--not that we haven't seen it reported in the Italian press and in the Washington Post which we read online, but somehow it was more immediate seeing it on the news and in the daily papers. More than 32,000 people are killed by guns in the US every year. The number is imprecise because the CDC does not include all gun deaths in the total for a variety of reasons. This is 29.7 per 100,000 compared to .7 per 100,000 in England. And, these numbers are 2 years old, based on what has been happening, they are probably higher for the US in 2015. Many Americans ask whether it is safe to travel in Sicily or Naples. All I can say is that you are far more likely to be shot and killed at the movies or at school in the US than you are in the allegedly 'mafia infested' island of Sicily. We felt perfectly safe in Sicily and everywhere else we have traveled in Europe.<br />
<br />
But on to cheerier subjects! In addition to catching up with friends and family, we had a chance to see our alma mater, University of Washington, beat our cross state rivals, Washington State University, in the annual Apple cup game, went to a couple of off beat Christmas shows, <i>Ham for the Holidays</i>, and <i>Jinx Monsoon</i>, as well as going to our first "cupping": like a wine tasting, but for coffee. If you are in Seattle, go to the Victrola Roastery near the convention center for their weekly, free, open to the public cupping. You will find there is way more to coffee than you ever realized and have the chance to taste several different and unusual coffees. They are serious about coffee at Victrola!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRGe2gMNTm4/VojZyQ_JTCI/AAAAAAAAEck/TpmRx1cXevk/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRGe2gMNTm4/VojZyQ_JTCI/AAAAAAAAEck/TpmRx1cXevk/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpz6zHEaAv8/VojZ2TIxQyI/AAAAAAAAEcs/jC2t790LNwk/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpz6zHEaAv8/VojZ2TIxQyI/AAAAAAAAEcs/jC2t790LNwk/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the cupping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Qs5yIAY0YU/VojaUHbg9KI/AAAAAAAAEc8/C-MfrKpX_L4/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Qs5yIAY0YU/VojaUHbg9KI/AAAAAAAAEc8/C-MfrKpX_L4/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDkIsQK2XXw/VojaZTsA_5I/AAAAAAAAEdE/duTpaunY3GE/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDkIsQK2XXw/VojaZTsA_5I/AAAAAAAAEdE/duTpaunY3GE/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B038.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dragon in the international district (left)<br />seahawks color christmas lights (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqD6d1WrFkQ/Voja8Y7tn8I/AAAAAAAAEdU/Cz9V_VKmndU/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B040.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqD6d1WrFkQ/Voja8Y7tn8I/AAAAAAAAEdU/Cz9V_VKmndU/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B040.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnuN-GcfxUs/VojcIQgAZaI/AAAAAAAAEeI/w6eAPKj-s4c/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnuN-GcfxUs/VojcIQgAZaI/AAAAAAAAEeI/w6eAPKj-s4c/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lnbOUEg6Ag/Vojcru83kYI/AAAAAAAAEek/DVHgc2JJDpI/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lnbOUEg6Ag/Vojcru83kYI/AAAAAAAAEek/DVHgc2JJDpI/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Wade & Carol's annual Christmas party<br />Who are those masked men?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Of course Thanksgiving and Christmas are the main events this time of year. We had great fun finding and decorating a tree with Kelly and Claire and we had the opportunity to attend many fine family and friend dinners, including Wade and Carol's annual family pre-Christmas get together with the world's best mashed potatoes (still waiting to find that recipe in my stocking), to Thanksgiving AND Christmas Eve dinner at Jeff & Kathleen's beautiful home with incredible food, to our own Christmas breakfast and Christmas day dinner.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQgIFkREDb0/VojWskwicRI/AAAAAAAAEao/riC2bJkJf3c/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQgIFkREDb0/VojWskwicRI/AAAAAAAAEao/riC2bJkJf3c/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B006.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our gracious hosts, Jeff & Kathleen (rocking her special imported chef's hat from Italy)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1ATiiAHKX4/VojX-iJZtbI/AAAAAAAAEbk/37eyBnbopXE/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1ATiiAHKX4/VojX-iJZtbI/AAAAAAAAEbk/37eyBnbopXE/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTdFxrSTdU0/VojYd1NRShI/AAAAAAAAEbs/ZBy6rlUraSY/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTdFxrSTdU0/VojYd1NRShI/AAAAAAAAEbs/ZBy6rlUraSY/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B020.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is much easier to decorate the tree with Claire's help--no ladders needed! All four 'girls' including Pepper, pose in front of the tree after the decorating is done (below).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSns-57jAhw/VojZQZSE7DI/AAAAAAAAEcM/AuMT9RUhEbs/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jSns-57jAhw/VojZQZSE7DI/AAAAAAAAEcM/AuMT9RUhEbs/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iw34xSwu-g/VojdM82fuRI/AAAAAAAAEe8/8QlPM96-nco/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iw34xSwu-g/VojdM82fuRI/AAAAAAAAEe8/8QlPM96-nco/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B068.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiOG7eiPF8w/VojeCcxTHtI/AAAAAAAAEfM/7Ernp-Mg-iU/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiOG7eiPF8w/VojeCcxTHtI/AAAAAAAAEfM/7Ernp-Mg-iU/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B070.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwFG_AOVe2E/VojeIc1OD8I/AAAAAAAAEfU/1dhTOXIe9wQ/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwFG_AOVe2E/VojeIc1OD8I/AAAAAAAAEfU/1dhTOXIe9wQ/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kelly shows off her big girl heels above, Kathleen, Kelly and Peyton at Christmas Eve dinner, left.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Opening presents Christmas Day was fun, especially seeing Kelly's excitement at getting a ticket to the last home game of the year for her beloved Seahawks. Of course, getting a new ipad from Kelly to replace the one I foolishly lost was also a highlight! We had a great Christmas brunch and a delicious dinner with friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Od8VoMHxNI/VojfDBDXAwI/AAAAAAAAEfs/ePBzRnao4gc/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Od8VoMHxNI/VojfDBDXAwI/AAAAAAAAEfs/ePBzRnao4gc/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTTwk91YQ4/Voje9WAYYKI/AAAAAAAAEfk/0vJyPGiFHTo/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTTwk91YQ4/Voje9WAYYKI/AAAAAAAAEfk/0vJyPGiFHTo/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s2cfvwwSPc/VojfG-ru9tI/AAAAAAAAEf0/tmSn1zYVBNk/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s2cfvwwSPc/VojfG-ru9tI/AAAAAAAAEf0/tmSn1zYVBNk/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Thanks mom, my annual red Christmas<br />
panties!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UX89UlNjVk/VojgmS2w9DI/AAAAAAAAEgc/Cn-WZb5hV30/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UX89UlNjVk/VojgmS2w9DI/AAAAAAAAEgc/Cn-WZb5hV30/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B086.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iUE4ViVGi0/Vojfr_vf24I/AAAAAAAAEf8/ccVSra3sKD0/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iUE4ViVGi0/Vojfr_vf24I/AAAAAAAAEf8/ccVSra3sKD0/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
An uninvited guest joins us at the table (above), Tom and Kelly at the Seahawks game (below)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4v85rg_5NcsEhC0mtsiknhuSB52UG3LjBG5pHshyphenhyphenp7hHtiVg8JOZmx_tU0zynztKjpOodObILW3BWTjpEPjnQyujk9jI7cRyHLAEBO_24ym1f31edXBKfXopKZLLd8SSTkm8I1qZMMhV/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4v85rg_5NcsEhC0mtsiknhuSB52UG3LjBG5pHshyphenhyphenp7hHtiVg8JOZmx_tU0zynztKjpOodObILW3BWTjpEPjnQyujk9jI7cRyHLAEBO_24ym1f31edXBKfXopKZLLd8SSTkm8I1qZMMhV/s640/IMG_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_1639401590"></span><span id="goog_1639401591"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The weather was cold and wet, but we had enough clear skies to see the ferries and the mountains.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkdVYRngZTM/VojVQAqJc9I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/-xKbJrbJGOc/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkdVYRngZTM/VojVQAqJc9I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/-xKbJrbJGOc/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And we had time to catch one of Claire's performances and actually had american pizza--which wasn't bad! The performance, however, was great.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hBeMeOPvOA/VojbA6OVwkI/AAAAAAAAEdc/8zY5UCVsiLE/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5hBeMeOPvOA/VojbA6OVwkI/AAAAAAAAEdc/8zY5UCVsiLE/s320/seattle%2B2015%2B044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All in all it was a very busy trip, no wonder Tom was so exhausted! Next trip--Rome to celebrate Tom's 70th birthday!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E382vDJXrn8/VojXRRFIJnI/AAAAAAAAEbE/OSXtPgi55pQ/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E382vDJXrn8/VojXRRFIJnI/AAAAAAAAEbE/OSXtPgi55pQ/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B009.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Arrivederci a tutti!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LCdH1SlKLk/VojW0ZI7-AI/AAAAAAAAEa0/p37ONni9BCk/s1600/seattle%2B2015%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LCdH1SlKLk/VojW0ZI7-AI/AAAAAAAAEa0/p37ONni9BCk/s400/seattle%2B2015%2B003.JPG" width="400" /></a>Kelly on her motoguzzi.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-22840636003096387602015-11-20T19:14:00.001+01:002015-11-20T19:14:32.366+01:00Three weeks in Puglia, the heel of the boot: sunshine, trulli, olive trees, fish, and forts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kG1tep52QJ8/Vk36D3WoerI/AAAAAAAAENs/nLypMkLNXJA/s1600/puglia%2B469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kG1tep52QJ8/Vk36D3WoerI/AAAAAAAAENs/nLypMkLNXJA/s320/puglia%2B469.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our Italian friends thought we were pazzi to go to Puglia in November, but it turned out to be a great time to visit, at least this year when temperatures were in the mid 60s to the low 70s the entire three weeks of our visit, without even a drop of rain. Puglia is in the south, the so-called "heel of the boot," so warmer temperatures are expected, but this was an unusually sunny and warm November, luckily for us.<br />
<br />
We took RyanAir into Bari and spent a couple of days there, exploring the old town and taking a day trip to nearby Trani, only 45 minutes away by train.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjFlXQhL9U0/Vk3vi5zG35I/AAAAAAAAEJ4/HoneV4YZnzs/s1600/puglia%2B245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjFlXQhL9U0/Vk3vi5zG35I/AAAAAAAAEJ4/HoneV4YZnzs/s320/puglia%2B245.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and St. Nicola at the eponymous<br />cathedral in Bari</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpGw8i0347s/Vk3v1fjSYXI/AAAAAAAAEKA/e67Jt7zX-88/s1600/puglia%2B246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpGw8i0347s/Vk3v1fjSYXI/AAAAAAAAEKA/e67Jt7zX-88/s320/puglia%2B246.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the cathedral<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bTAS54tFr8/Vk4Ois2XQKI/AAAAAAAAERU/As3VM_uwrBE/s1600/puglia%2B243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bTAS54tFr8/Vk4Ois2XQKI/AAAAAAAAERU/As3VM_uwrBE/s640/puglia%2B243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Nicola Cathedral (above)<br />Below, one of Federico II's many castles--in Bari</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATnY2KMpd1s/Vk4PSv9hmrI/AAAAAAAAERc/t-jsPdYIszc/s1600/puglia%2B252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATnY2KMpd1s/Vk4PSv9hmrI/AAAAAAAAERc/t-jsPdYIszc/s400/puglia%2B252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfIQr2qRlkk/Vk4QHAgnr6I/AAAAAAAAERw/UnwfseNDf0E/s1600/puglia%2B268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfIQr2qRlkk/Vk4QHAgnr6I/AAAAAAAAERw/UnwfseNDf0E/s400/puglia%2B268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OgniSanto in Trani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJRt8U_CoBI/Vk4QIvLJtHI/AAAAAAAAER4/GwdtbiWPiEg/s1600/puglia%2B271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJRt8U_CoBI/Vk4QIvLJtHI/AAAAAAAAER4/GwdtbiWPiEg/s320/puglia%2B271.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of Ogni Santo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2W0KaMGNwI/Vk5PeiAk3sI/AAAAAAAAESo/DhCqWEQIW6o/s1600/antipasti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2W0KaMGNwI/Vk5PeiAk3sI/AAAAAAAAESo/DhCqWEQIW6o/s200/antipasti.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldZQCE7Jd7E/Vk5Ph6b6weI/AAAAAAAAEUU/ZKM5fF5SXPk/s1600/fish%2Bdinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldZQCE7Jd7E/Vk5Ph6b6weI/AAAAAAAAEUU/ZKM5fF5SXPk/s320/fish%2Bdinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fantastic seafood in Trani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxLgWA0fPws/Vk5PjxmHcPI/AAAAAAAAEUo/4_r9QbsW1gw/s1600/more%2Bantipasti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxLgWA0fPws/Vk5PjxmHcPI/AAAAAAAAEUo/4_r9QbsW1gw/s320/more%2Bantipasti.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8b02aX2xq2E/Vk5Plb57U1I/AAAAAAAAEVI/xNpc2hQyUPY/s1600/trani%2Bfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8b02aX2xq2E/Vk5Plb57U1I/AAAAAAAAEVI/xNpc2hQyUPY/s400/trani%2Bfort.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fortress in Trani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FeU7GAa_XRE/Vk5PlmEfBrI/AAAAAAAAEVY/7StmvlCdPkc/s1600/trani%2Bsax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FeU7GAa_XRE/Vk5PlmEfBrI/AAAAAAAAEVY/7StmvlCdPkc/s320/trani%2Bsax.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RihxosqDDfU/Vk8JXs31KUI/AAAAAAAAEWI/hwLSKWynnVI/s1600/puglia%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RihxosqDDfU/Vk8JXs31KUI/AAAAAAAAEWI/hwLSKWynnVI/s320/puglia%2B009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sax player at Trani cathedral, typical street in trani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="goog_1676337761"></span><span id="goog_1676337762"></span><br />
<br />
\Next we headed to Matera, a UNESCO world heritage site in Basilicata. Matera is the oldest continuously populated site in Europe, with evidence of human habitation going back to the neolithic period. Many of the houses are in caves or built above a cave. We stayed in a cave hotel with a fantastic view of the historic center.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RfsvK3igQQ/Vk5Pf6WwlvI/AAAAAAAAEUY/evQZbeF-vGw/s1600/breakfast%2Bw%2Ba%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RfsvK3igQQ/Vk5Pf6WwlvI/AAAAAAAAEUY/evQZbeF-vGw/s640/breakfast%2Bw%2Ba%2Bview.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast with a view of Matera from the hotel terrace (above)<br />our cozy cave hotel room (below)<br /><br /><span id="goog_1676337931"></span><span id="goog_1676337932"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WvHRH62pGO8/Vk5PhJaHaWI/AAAAAAAAETg/nIehAU9RA38/s1600/cave%2Bhotel%2Bbedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WvHRH62pGO8/Vk5PhJaHaWI/AAAAAAAAETg/nIehAU9RA38/s400/cave%2Bhotel%2Bbedroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbHG2uey6mY/Vk5PjBva7BI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/wQW8y8UjENQ/s1600/matera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbHG2uey6mY/Vk5PjBva7BI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/wQW8y8UjENQ/s640/matera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2V0TXG5-97c/Vk5Pi7vKB_I/AAAAAAAAEUA/jXTWZlPeqCc/s1600/matera%2Bon%2Bhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2V0TXG5-97c/Vk5Pi7vKB_I/AAAAAAAAEUA/jXTWZlPeqCc/s400/matera%2Bon%2Bhill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cG_RGEJmzSE/Vk9f8e7DpWI/AAAAAAAAEYM/Rfn7PsuaYQo/s1600/puglia%2B315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cG_RGEJmzSE/Vk9f8e7DpWI/AAAAAAAAEYM/Rfn7PsuaYQo/s400/puglia%2B315.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide poses by a model of Matera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Carlo Levi wrote about Basilicata in his famous book "Christ Stopped at Eboli" which was made into a movie in the 60s, filmed in Matera. Mel Gibson filmed much of 'The Passion of Christ" in Matera also, a fact memorialized by the creation of dishes bearing his name in various restaurants . Tom tried pasta di Mel Gibson, which was pasta with mushrooms and tomatoes and not bad despite the tourist trap name. But back to Levi. His book brought attention to the poverty of Matera where people were living in the small cave homes without indoor plumbing, heating with fires that vented through small holes in the roof, and in generally unhealthy conditions. Malaria and other diseases were rampant and there was a high rate of infant mortality. The government decided to evacuate the town and everyone was relocated to apartments outside the centro storico. We did a tour with a guide whose mother was born in a cave house in Matera and was one of those relocated when she was 6 years old. Our guide said her mother, and the others that she met who were relocated, were very happy about the move because at last they had plumbing, heat, and other modern conveniences. Eventually some reconstruction was done and there are again some people living in centro, but not many. Most of the structures in use are now hotels, restaurants, or shops. Matera has been chosen as the European cultural capital for 2019 and a lot of restoration work is being done, but this is still the time to visit before it becomes more widely known and packed with tourists. There are beautiful cave churches with frescoes going back to the Byzantine period, but which are fragile and cannot be photographed or touched. They are very similar to those found in Cappadocia in Turkey. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pNP_lcSF2hM/Vk5PiqL5RNI/AAAAAAAAEUI/V_ctiHiJ3Ts/s1600/inside%2Bcave%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pNP_lcSF2hM/Vk5PiqL5RNI/AAAAAAAAEUI/V_ctiHiJ3Ts/s320/inside%2Bcave%2Bhouse.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuixBF4v-D4/Vk5PhhGS1kI/AAAAAAAAETs/XGPZFWN2Svs/s1600/cows%2Bat%2Bchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuixBF4v-D4/Vk5PhhGS1kI/AAAAAAAAETs/XGPZFWN2Svs/s320/cows%2Bat%2Bchurch.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a "typical" cave house now a<br />museum (left) Tom pets the cow at the<br />Cathedral (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We did a day trip to two nearby small towns, Grassano and Grottole, memorialized by Carlo Levy and also visited the Matera museum which has over 70 of his photographs and paintings. The photographs in particular give a good understanding of what life looked like in Matera in the 40s and 50s.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8IqbGvwm4g/Vk5Pgl2mkaI/AAAAAAAAETY/b3Dn6b640Ss/s1600/carlo%2Blevi%2Bphoto%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8IqbGvwm4g/Vk5Pgl2mkaI/AAAAAAAAETY/b3Dn6b640Ss/s320/carlo%2Blevi%2Bphoto%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXpwL74gMys/Vk5PgsAObBI/AAAAAAAAEVU/aDPe2qeL79Y/s1600/carlo%2Blevi%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXpwL74gMys/Vk5PgsAObBI/AAAAAAAAEVU/aDPe2qeL79Y/s320/carlo%2Blevi%2Bphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leaving Matera, we headed back to Puglia and the val d'itria, visiting Castello di Monte, another of Federico II's castles, en route. This castle is an unusual octagonal shape and very well restored. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSCG9LDN87g/Vk5PgzUOlsI/AAAAAAAAEVg/T7GlSy8Xkf0/s1600/castel%2Bdi%2Bmonte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSCG9LDN87g/Vk5PgzUOlsI/AAAAAAAAEVg/T7GlSy8Xkf0/s400/castel%2Bdi%2Bmonte.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castel di Monte<br />Nancy in window seat at Castel below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEPAifL3w60/Vk9cqeko54I/AAAAAAAAEX4/D6qB5-Xi86E/s1600/puglia%2B299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mEPAifL3w60/Vk9cqeko54I/AAAAAAAAEX4/D6qB5-Xi86E/s320/puglia%2B299.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After checking out the castle we headed to Alberobello, another UNESCO world heritage site, and headquarters of trulli country. Trulli are small circular stone buildings with pointy roofs. </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nobody knows exactly why the trulli were built that way, but the popular theory is that it was so they could easily be pulled apart when the tax man came around. Fewer trulli = lower taxes. Alberobello has over 1500 trulli and is very picturesque but also very touristy. It would probably be hellish in summer with jam packed streets and temperatures in the high 90s, but it was gorgeous on a warm November day with only a few dozen tourists at most. Unfortunately, I LOST MY IPAD WITH ALL MY PHOTOS so we have almost no pictures of this photogenic town as Tom, uncharacteristically, did not take many trulli pix.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvjaq7ERhfE/Vk8J_SwDZWI/AAAAAAAAEWU/Zmt14HXQn0g/s1600/puglia%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvjaq7ERhfE/Vk8J_SwDZWI/AAAAAAAAEWU/Zmt14HXQn0g/s400/puglia%2B011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALu3HneOg4Q/Vk8J_FW6ysI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/Xog7WthejBM/s1600/puglia%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALu3HneOg4Q/Vk8J_FW6ysI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/Xog7WthejBM/s640/puglia%2B010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These are just pictures taken from the parking lot when we went back to see if we could recover the missing ipad. Always fun to visit the carabinieri and the polizei municipale on vacation! They were very nice but clearly thought we were nuts to waste time asking if anyone had turned in an ipad. I may have subsequently overdone it on trulli pictures during our 5 day stay in Cisternino, near Alberobello, but they are adorable. I kept expecting Snow White and the dwarves to appear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2415_cKW9U/Vk30DJTct2I/AAAAAAAAELk/dF_5iyfLI2o/s1600/puglia%2B384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2415_cKW9U/Vk30DJTct2I/AAAAAAAAELk/dF_5iyfLI2o/s320/puglia%2B384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We stayed in a trullo (trullo is one, trulli is plural) on a small farm with horses, 3 dogs, and 7 cats, one of whom adopted us. It was a beautiful spot and close to many other places to visit for day trips. Breakfast on the terrace every morning with delicious home baked treats was a great way to start every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33ZaGnkBYWY/Vk33RTEbRII/AAAAAAAAEMs/4ucPHaRvMLQ/s1600/puglia%2B425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33ZaGnkBYWY/Vk33RTEbRII/AAAAAAAAEMs/4ucPHaRvMLQ/s400/puglia%2B425.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBJ1302gz7A/Vk3rmVb4B4I/AAAAAAAAEHQ/wwaOb2kZZuM/s1600/puglia%2B094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBJ1302gz7A/Vk3rmVb4B4I/AAAAAAAAEHQ/wwaOb2kZZuM/s400/puglia%2B094.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry to the B&B, Riposo del vento</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUMo9iCtKNI/Vk3ol8h48sI/AAAAAAAAEFg/v-SIORkpxg0/s1600/puglia%2B031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUMo9iCtKNI/Vk3ol8h48sI/AAAAAAAAEFg/v-SIORkpxg0/s320/puglia%2B031.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from our door to the terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uyRSRGxhalk/Vk3nvS_DABI/AAAAAAAAEFI/KOqPf2R3aAc/s1600/puglia%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uyRSRGxhalk/Vk3nvS_DABI/AAAAAAAAEFI/KOqPf2R3aAc/s320/puglia%2B001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbU3959fvKE/Vk3olWyzRnI/AAAAAAAAEFc/EiWrbpH_v2A/s1600/puglia%2B028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbU3959fvKE/Vk3olWyzRnI/AAAAAAAAEFc/EiWrbpH_v2A/s320/puglia%2B028.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
Tom feeds<br />
his new friends (left)<br />
and poses by the pedestrian path to the B&B (right). Mid November and the roses were still blooming!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The B&B was 4 km from Cisternino and made a great base for exploring the val d'itria. Puglia produces more olives than the rest of Italy combined, and I think we drove past every tree, many of them being harvested. There is a drive called the olive road where you can see olive trees with incredible trunks, they must be hundreds of years old.<br />
<br />
We made day trips to Ostuni, a beautiful white city, to Ostuni di Marina, by the sea, Taranta, a port town with a long history and a medieval fort, Martina Franca, a baroque town, and Ceglie Messapica, a "typical town" recommended highly by our hosts. A large part of the fun was just enjoying the countryside, spotting trulli, and eating great fish and rustic pugliese dishes (when we could find an open restaurant).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOdM5RfiU58/Vk3pUs_vYhI/AAAAAAAAEFw/DwBjPRxJCws/s1600/puglia%2B045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOdM5RfiU58/Vk3pUs_vYhI/AAAAAAAAEFw/DwBjPRxJCws/s320/puglia%2B045.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the old gates to Martina Franca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5QDPrlFRtQ/Vk3pVWCbt8I/AAAAAAAAEF4/h5qud4YHbwU/s1600/puglia%2B053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5QDPrlFRtQ/Vk3pVWCbt8I/AAAAAAAAEF4/h5qud4YHbwU/s320/puglia%2B053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4mZSg2JYIg/Vk3pvZxiUGI/AAAAAAAAEGA/55toRL83jMI/s1600/puglia%2B054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4mZSg2JYIg/Vk3pvZxiUGI/AAAAAAAAEGA/55toRL83jMI/s320/puglia%2B054.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />typical narrow vico in Ostuni<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-t8cjLg1PA/Vk3qBl_TpkI/AAAAAAAAEGI/_6G_2De4enQ/s1600/puglia%2B058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-t8cjLg1PA/Vk3qBl_TpkI/AAAAAAAAEGI/_6G_2De4enQ/s400/puglia%2B058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom at the Adriatic, Ostuni di Marina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV4R6WsnP6c/Vk3quV53fxI/AAAAAAAAEGo/lMey0_MoRRI/s1600/puglia%2B068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV4R6WsnP6c/Vk3quV53fxI/AAAAAAAAEGo/lMey0_MoRRI/s400/puglia%2B068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSqX5Kbel-k/Vk3qpDB5iqI/AAAAAAAAEGg/2flIgZBZdmQ/s1600/puglia%2B072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSqX5Kbel-k/Vk3qpDB5iqI/AAAAAAAAEGg/2flIgZBZdmQ/s640/puglia%2B072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like big arches and I cannot lie....Castle in Ostuni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i904hJ0Z_T4/Vk3q_JKdsnI/AAAAAAAAEG4/-XZDTmiI1sw/s1600/puglia%2B088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i904hJ0Z_T4/Vk3q_JKdsnI/AAAAAAAAEG4/-XZDTmiI1sw/s320/puglia%2B088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I just liked this sign in a window in Martina Franca. It says<br />
You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy a good artiginal gelatto, and that is practically the same thing! <br />
<br />
Too bad the shop was closed, I would definitely have tried that gelatto!<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CVZT7M2Wsc/Vk3rtdu-yEI/AAAAAAAAEHY/C-zJi08tMxI/s1600/puglia%2B095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CVZT7M2Wsc/Vk3rtdu-yEI/AAAAAAAAEHY/C-zJi08tMxI/s640/puglia%2B095.JPG" width="640" /></a>like</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always willing to lend a hand; at the Archeological museum in Taronto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t4oPX6kLzw/Vk3sDEwybGI/AAAAAAAAEHo/EzRe04RXB8U/s1600/puglia%2B119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t4oPX6kLzw/Vk3sDEwybGI/AAAAAAAAEHo/EzRe04RXB8U/s400/puglia%2B119.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of modern Taronto from medieval fortress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po68aaFHaHU/Vk312cASRBI/AAAAAAAAEME/2wtzTzBh1Kk/s1600/puglia%2B394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po68aaFHaHU/Vk312cASRBI/AAAAAAAAEME/2wtzTzBh1Kk/s400/puglia%2B394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCqguopkntE/Vk32MpLXnRI/AAAAAAAAEMU/5HPPNdb9Drk/s1600/puglia%2B409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCqguopkntE/Vk32MpLXnRI/AAAAAAAAEMU/5HPPNdb9Drk/s400/puglia%2B409.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a spritz in Ostuni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkon60uOWSU/Vk347HYTE1I/AAAAAAAAENM/4QSPKLeLN4g/s1600/puglia%2B438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkon60uOWSU/Vk347HYTE1I/AAAAAAAAENM/4QSPKLeLN4g/s320/puglia%2B438.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scenic vico in Cisternino</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wBFQ4t_VBY/Vk4Z4vmP6TI/AAAAAAAAESQ/jmggClDnDwg/s1600/puglia%2B397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1wBFQ4t_VBY/Vk4Z4vmP6TI/AAAAAAAAESQ/jmggClDnDwg/s640/puglia%2B397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IYgK71eoJE/Vk8Z9UjVuMI/AAAAAAAAEXo/6-0P4J8C6mY/s1600/puglia%2B472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IYgK71eoJE/Vk8Z9UjVuMI/AAAAAAAAEXo/6-0P4J8C6mY/s640/puglia%2B472.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortress in Taronto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We left our trullo behind and headed to Lecce, often called "the Florence of the South." Lecce is an opulently baroque city with a wealth of churches, palazzi, and saintly relics. We stayed in another B&B, a block from the walls of the citta vecchia, and enjoyed incredible homemade pugliese pastries and torts every day in the garden. After a couple of days in Lecce, we did a day long driving tour of the Salento, the very tip of Italy, including a stop at the most southerly point, Santa Maria di Leuca, where you can first see the sunrise and the sunset in Italy. On a clear day you can see Albania and even Corfu, but it apparently as not clear enough when we visited.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ayKlRzOoZlE/Vk3sjbgz0nI/AAAAAAAAEH8/gmvIkUIwpGU/s1600/puglia%2B146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ayKlRzOoZlE/Vk3sjbgz0nI/AAAAAAAAEH8/gmvIkUIwpGU/s320/puglia%2B146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ristorante 00, the only place in Lecce with orario continuato</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GxY0_BbmQA/Vk3s3htz5vI/AAAAAAAAEII/u7DoQUGFSh8/s1600/puglia%2B170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0GxY0_BbmQA/Vk3s3htz5vI/AAAAAAAAEII/u7DoQUGFSh8/s320/puglia%2B170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">papier mache is huge in Lecce, there is even a museum for it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNj5eyqFKqo/Vk3tBKtJxiI/AAAAAAAAEIY/47WX6_Iv6fQ/s1600/puglia%2B183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNj5eyqFKqo/Vk3tBKtJxiI/AAAAAAAAEIY/47WX6_Iv6fQ/s400/puglia%2B183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresco from the clositers at the duomo in Galatina. The entire church is covered in freschi, but no photos are allowed inside the church./ Galatina is also famous as the home of the Tarantella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nuqjeWoqMs/Vk3ta0xx6aI/AAAAAAAAEIg/A9JiMGssvow/s1600/puglia%2B196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nuqjeWoqMs/Vk3ta0xx6aI/AAAAAAAAEIg/A9JiMGssvow/s320/puglia%2B196.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the promenade in Castro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8qjiz0fJjs/Vk3thHYxayI/AAAAAAAAEIw/zY4FA8yvWT4/s1600/puglia%2B197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8qjiz0fJjs/Vk3thHYxayI/AAAAAAAAEIw/zY4FA8yvWT4/s320/puglia%2B197.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">church in the Salento</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCQoPmOlhqQ/Vk3tfXeIyMI/AAAAAAAAEIo/0MQCttT6fvQ/s1600/puglia%2B204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCQoPmOlhqQ/Vk3tfXeIyMI/AAAAAAAAEIo/0MQCttT6fvQ/s640/puglia%2B204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c24RPscTbqQ/Vk3t3BjibxI/AAAAAAAAEI8/B6ccXC7y3oM/s1600/puglia%2B210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c24RPscTbqQ/Vk3t3BjibxI/AAAAAAAAEI8/B6ccXC7y3oM/s400/puglia%2B210.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">orechiette with clams and broccoli rabe,<br />local specialty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TKhVKQNuGs/Vk3t8peIlvI/AAAAAAAAEJI/dcoFsW1sbnY/s1600/puglia%2B216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TKhVKQNuGs/Vk3t8peIlvI/AAAAAAAAEJI/dcoFsW1sbnY/s400/puglia%2B216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modern sculpture at the tip of Italy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tJSaZBkv9g/Vk3uROz_2II/AAAAAAAAEJQ/pO70hA7dE1Q/s1600/puglia%2B217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tJSaZBkv9g/Vk3uROz_2II/AAAAAAAAEJQ/pO70hA7dE1Q/s640/puglia%2B217.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Maria di Leuca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZrZRx5xhqQ/Vk3uS4LEDQI/AAAAAAAAEJY/4jiY1vdXMxU/s1600/puglia%2B225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZrZRx5xhqQ/Vk3uS4LEDQI/AAAAAAAAEJY/4jiY1vdXMxU/s400/puglia%2B225.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oE8BPY9Zb4/Vk3uyEr_qnI/AAAAAAAAEJo/w2YmSJdEOak/s1600/puglia%2B228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oE8BPY9Zb4/Vk3uyEr_qnI/AAAAAAAAEJo/w2YmSJdEOak/s320/puglia%2B228.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtfqxV_kHq8/Vk4BgPIQ_DI/AAAAAAAAEQU/WO-AYQB5D94/s1600/puglia%2B567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PtfqxV_kHq8/Vk4BgPIQ_DI/AAAAAAAAEQU/WO-AYQB5D94/s640/puglia%2B567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roman theater, Lecce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFhUqrzJMQA/Vk4AmgLkWiI/AAAAAAAAEQE/GqWgOkG3Fuo/s1600/puglia%2B559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFhUqrzJMQA/Vk4AmgLkWiI/AAAAAAAAEQE/GqWgOkG3Fuo/s400/puglia%2B559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom enjoys the museo romano in a mature fashion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0CPTV1TaANU/Vk38eZWgmNI/AAAAAAAAEOk/8vKo1z3_TT0/s1600/puglia%2B498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0CPTV1TaANU/Vk38eZWgmNI/AAAAAAAAEOk/8vKo1z3_TT0/s320/puglia%2B498.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIWpPHfL8Ns/Vk39L3m3dTI/AAAAAAAAEOs/MM7YewlB43k/s1600/puglia%2B507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIWpPHfL8Ns/Vk39L3m3dTI/AAAAAAAAEOs/MM7YewlB43k/s320/puglia%2B507.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPQsiHJgf4U/Vk39OPfmS5I/AAAAAAAAEO0/LhQuT6DYvjk/s1600/puglia%2B514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPQsiHJgf4U/Vk39OPfmS5I/AAAAAAAAEO0/LhQuT6DYvjk/s400/puglia%2B514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">children's day in the public park, Lecce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7VxMKJTI84/Vk39dK0o_WI/AAAAAAAAEO8/X4hOHUQQanM/s1600/puglia%2B524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7VxMKJTI84/Vk39dK0o_WI/AAAAAAAAEO8/X4hOHUQQanM/s640/puglia%2B524.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--D_3ufzkcIA/Vk3-Ph8naJI/AAAAAAAAEPE/8ZK88w0hzIc/s1600/puglia%2B526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--D_3ufzkcIA/Vk3-Ph8naJI/AAAAAAAAEPE/8ZK88w0hzIc/s320/puglia%2B526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SolXc6Q1RwQ/Vk3-TXMjohI/AAAAAAAAEPM/VpnlepPE-Hk/s1600/puglia%2B530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SolXc6Q1RwQ/Vk3-TXMjohI/AAAAAAAAEPM/VpnlepPE-Hk/s400/puglia%2B530.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOjcjUUPvtw/Vk3-gzNNxHI/AAAAAAAAEPU/l3aBfMTwKFc/s1600/puglia%2B534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOjcjUUPvtw/Vk3-gzNNxHI/AAAAAAAAEPU/l3aBfMTwKFc/s320/puglia%2B534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAMNAFtz4lk/Vk4Aadjhq3I/AAAAAAAAEP8/VgEAPf3OjJU/s1600/puglia%2B543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAMNAFtz4lk/Vk4Aadjhq3I/AAAAAAAAEP8/VgEAPf3OjJU/s400/puglia%2B543.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sculpture at ponti risposo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViXhrF53k1M/Vk3_Vwoi81I/AAAAAAAAEPg/Lb8lT7UZVwo/s1600/puglia%2B540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViXhrF53k1M/Vk3_Vwoi81I/AAAAAAAAEPg/Lb8lT7UZVwo/s320/puglia%2B540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, we had to head to Brindisi and our flight back to Arezzo. Brindisi, like Bari, has an old town and a lot of fresh seafood. We had a great little studio apartment in the centro, and the owners were a perfect example of the famous southern Italy warmth, even giving us a ride to the airport at 6 a.m. I highly recommend staying with them if you are ever in Brindisi, Federico II on Via Federico di Svevia. An hour flight from Brindisi to Bologna followed by a 1 3/4 train ride to Arezzo and we were home, ready to head to the States for the holidays.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jnJpMlYSji0/Vk9f8JV4OmI/AAAAAAAAEYI/jonyfL_D6Xw/s1600/puglia%2B226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jnJpMlYSji0/Vk9f8JV4OmI/AAAAAAAAEYI/jonyfL_D6Xw/s320/puglia%2B226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-40084676820578542892015-11-02T14:27:00.002+01:002015-11-02T14:27:26.891+01:00Starting the third year of our "year in Italy:" favorite slang, Halloween, and more school<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seEkuBaCCzA/Vjdfw5bectI/AAAAAAAAEEg/01AT7CLbCp8/s1600/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seEkuBaCCzA/Vjdfw5bectI/AAAAAAAAEEg/01AT7CLbCp8/s320/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day trip to Perugia, Seattle's sister city, to see<br />our friend Germano (center) one of the Seattle delegates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
October marked the second anniversary of our temporary move to Italy, so we are now a month into our third year. We just had our third Halloween in Italy, not that Halloween is a big day here, although today is a holiday for working folk because it is All Souls Day. That always reminds me of spending our day off school running in and out of the church to save souls from purgatory. The rule was that you could say a prescribed prayer and release a poor soul from suffering, but only one per visit, so we would sit in the pew closest to the side exit, rush through the prayer, then run out and come back in the front entrance (for some reason we thought it wouldn't count if we came back in the same door). I saved thousands of souls during my 8 years in catholic grade school so my bets are hedged. If it turns out that I am wrong and there is a heaven/purgatory/hell, there should be a lot of folks on my side since I saved them untold years of suffering.<br />
<br />
But back to Halloween in Italy. Even though it isn't really celebrated much here, there were decorations in some of the shops along Corso Italia, even a few jack o'lanterns in some windows on our block. We saw 20 somethings in costume heading to a bar for appertivo and heard a lot of them returning from their celebrations around 3 a.m. Some things are universal.<br />
<br />
There are a couple of towns in Italy that make a bigger deal of Halloween. Cornaldo, a medieval walled town near Ancona in the le Marches area, calls itself the Italian capital of Halloween. There is a festa di Halloween, also called the festa delle streghe (festival of witches) the last week of Halloween. According to their website:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">Giochi e scherzi per bambini di tutte le età , virtual orror experiences, ritratti fotografici deliranti, torri delle trasformazioni, alchimie, taverne, dolcetti e scherzetti, notti di follia e delirio. C’è un granello di verità che si nasconde in ogni delirio. La Strega lo sa!</span><br />
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 23px; margin: 17px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">(games and tricks for children of all ages, a virtual horror experience, delusional portraits (not sure what those are), transformed towers, alchemy, taverns, sweets and tricks, nights of madness and delirium. There is a grain of truth hidden in every madness. The witch knows!)</span></h3>
<h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 23px; margin: 17px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Triora in Liguria also claims to be the Halloween capital of Italy, with perhaps slightly more basis as it is famous for its witch trials during the inquisition. Triora features concerts "even lasting past midnight" along with decorations and games.</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="266" src="http://cdn-2.mammaebambino.it/o/f/come-organizzare-una-festa-di-halloween-per-bambini_76daaaaa545d5772b635bbbf7cf7d0b1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish Italian trick or treaters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="241" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tW5P_1S_MCM/UIh0PRHgiQI/AAAAAAAAGz4/Fg1kyGvrSS8/ricette-di-halloween-per-bambini_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" />E</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grocery stores and magazines<br />getting into the act with recipe ideas<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://generatorhostels.com/en/files/2013/10/shutterstock_383647811-450x320.jpg" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We spent October taking Italian classes at a local Italian language school because we seem to have trouble retaining the rules of grammar and wanted a refresher. I did realize that I have finally mastered some common Italian expressions, not discussed at our Dante Alighieri classes, which was nice to discover. These include: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Che palle</b>! (what balls!) Can't find a parking place? Che palle! The people behind you at the cinema keep talking? Che palle! Burned the toast.....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Che figata</b>! <b>Che figo</b>!(literally what a fig! but means Cool!). Don't swap an a for the o at the end or you will be making a vulgar reference to female anatomy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Piove catinelle</b> (it's raining sinks) is the equivalent of our 'raining cats and dogs'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Fa un freddo cane</b> (it's dog cold) for 'it is really cold.'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Vestirsi a cipolla</b> (to dress like an onion) means to wear layers because it is cold</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Che schifo</b>! (how icky or disgusting) and <b>Mi fa cagare</b>! (literally, it makes me poop) Disgusting!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Fa senso!</b> really disgusting! He cut his hand off and bled all over the floor! Fa senso! But, "There is dog do on my shoe? " That is '<b>Che schifo</b>!'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Magari</b>! means almost anything, but most often used for a sarcastic 'yeah, right' or a more hopeful, "I wish!" "I hope" or "if only..."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Figurati</b>! Don't worry about it! Can be sincere or a bit sarcastic. "You broke my favorite dish, figurati!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Dai</b>! The second person singular for "dare" (to give) but used constantly in the sense of "come on" or "tell me." can also mean "stop it" as in,your husband is snitching your last bit of gelato? "Dai!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Meno male. </b>Literally, "less bad" but used in the sense of "thank god!" Your son recovered from his accident? "Meno male!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Vai via</b>! "Go away" but not an especially polite way to say it--often used on the ubiquitous street vendors who want to sell you fazzoletti (kleenex) or umbrellas. And along the same lines, <b>basta</b>! (enough), although basta isn't necessarily rude. At the bar, for example, you might say, '2 beers and a pizza, basta,' so they know you are done with your order. But "basta!" shouted out the window at noisy neighbors means, shut up!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
and finally, <b>"E successo un 48</b>" (a 48 happened), which I haven't heard much, but I like it because it is so odd. It means, chaos ensued, or "un casino vero" as in this context casino means confusion, disorder. Casino also means brothel, so this is another word to be careful with.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dWbNLZbin1Q/VjdfW12SCHI/AAAAAAAAEEU/U9u64HB0Dz0/s1600/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dWbNLZbin1Q/VjdfW12SCHI/AAAAAAAAEEU/U9u64HB0Dz0/s400/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SE84bTOkREM/VjdfWwkQCEI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/Kfdbg-OIJ0Y/s1600/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SE84bTOkREM/VjdfWwkQCEI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/Kfdbg-OIJ0Y/s320/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Pictures from optional class trip to nearby Poppi, on the piazza with castle in back (above) and inside the castle (right)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtabnJMfhNg/Vjdfc5oxPnI/AAAAAAAAEEc/yQAnpBSR5Fc/s1600/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtabnJMfhNg/Vjdfc5oxPnI/AAAAAAAAEEc/yQAnpBSR5Fc/s400/seattle%2Bsister%2Bcity%2Bday%2B007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">class photo, last class of the month. left to right: Vera, (Brasil), Nashia,(Kuwait)<br />( Bernadetta (student teacher) Claudio (teacher--even cuter in real life), <br />Hannah (California), Nancy, Tom, Thomas (Switzerland), and Manuela (Portugal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Four hours of class and a couple of hours of studying everyday did improve our language skills but by the end of the month we were more than ready for our trip to Puglia. We leave tomorrow for a 3 week tour starting in Bari, then to Matera, Cesternino, Alberobello (trulli country),and many small towns along the way, ending up in Brindisi for the flight back. Four days later, home to Seattle for the holidays, beginning with il giorno di ringraziamento. Arrividerci Arezzo, salute Seattle! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-34910224417476917652015-09-28T14:57:00.000+02:002015-09-28T15:01:12.615+02:00 Umbria Jazz Festival 2015 with Paolo Conte and Lady GaGa AND the Italian Super Bowl in Milano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xVGKkMrPXI/Vgkx46C7Z0I/AAAAAAAAEDA/sbioQ80FWBo/s1600/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xVGKkMrPXI/Vgkx46C7Z0I/AAAAAAAAEDA/sbioQ80FWBo/s320/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Another catch up post on our two trips to the Umbrian Jazz Festival in Perugia. It is just an hour train ride to Perugia, but the concerts ended at 11:30 so we couldn't get a train back and stayed overnight in Perugia, which allowed us to hear some late night jazz on the free concert stage and to attempt to eat at our favorite Perugia restaurant, Ubu Re (they were excited to see us and we were chatting for about 10 minutes with the waitress/co-owner when suddenly her husband, the cook, suffered a detached retina and had to rush to the hospital! We were the only guests, so they apologized profusely and closed the restaurant. Fortunately he has recovered and is back at work.)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Paolo Conte is a former bankruptcy attorney turned jazz singer/songwriter and is hugely popular in Italy. The crowd at that concert was mostly 50+ year old Italians (except for the dour German couple seated next to us who smoked the whole time and complained that he didn't sing any songs in English or German!) Paolo Conte is 78 and going strong, he did a 90 minute set without any breaks. His big hit in Italy (and used in a commercial in the U.S.) is "Via Con Me" (Come with me). He brought the house down with that song. Here is a link to a You Tube ricording of Paolo Conte singing Via Con Me with Fred & Ginger dancing, it works surprisingly well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o_rGhcBgME (just copy and paste into your browser).</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FU9f3uFB-Sg/Vgkk9nhAn9I/AAAAAAAAECg/zuppize0Kpg/s1600/superbowl%2Band%2Bjazz%2Bfestival%2B020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FU9f3uFB-Sg/Vgkk9nhAn9I/AAAAAAAAECg/zuppize0Kpg/s640/superbowl%2Band%2Bjazz%2Bfestival%2B020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paolo Conte singing Via Con Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Lady GaGa and Tony Bennett the following week attracted a different crowd--an average age of around 30, with lots of teens and 20 somethings, despite the high cost of the tickets (105 euros for the cheapest seats). I wondered if the teens knew this would be a jazz performance, but they seemed to know the song she recorded with Bennett and burst into applause every time she appeared in a new costume--there were at least a dozen costume changes for her, Tony managed to make it through in the same dinner jacket.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AOH8wyDdOvE/Vgki1HH9dKI/AAAAAAAAEB0/L1xZaM2k5Xc/s1600/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AOH8wyDdOvE/Vgki1HH9dKI/AAAAAAAAEB0/L1xZaM2k5Xc/s320/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing La Vie en Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIEhZDXQh9Y/VgkiyVj_wnI/AAAAAAAAEBk/Si_U1ZRZWTw/s1600/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIEhZDXQh9Y/VgkiyVj_wnI/AAAAAAAAEBk/Si_U1ZRZWTw/s320/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zEquQYKghs/Vgki8fmVkCI/AAAAAAAAEB8/vbpMc2jOdzk/s1600/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zEquQYKghs/Vgki8fmVkCI/AAAAAAAAEB8/vbpMc2jOdzk/s200/lady%2Bga%2Bga%2B027.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Encore of The Lady is a Tramp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As if the jazz festival wasn't excitement enough, we also went to the Italian Super Bowl--yes, Italy has american football. We saw both the semi-final and the final game at the bicycle stadium in Milan, where there was also an "American Festival" for the Fourth of July. The American Festival seemed to be a mechanical bull and hamburgers, plus Coors beer. We opted for Moretti, an italian brand. The teams were tiny compared to US teams, and the age range for one team was from 17 to 50! All but 2 of the players were Italian, one team (the winners) had an American quarterback and American receiver. Surprisingly, the kicking game was horrible--I had expected that kicking would be decent given they probably all grew up playing soccer. But no, the kickers were so bad both teams always went for it on fourth down and nobody made a field goal. Still, it was fun to watch football (American) in Italy, and the burgers weren't bad. Plus. they had a female ref which I liked. She was apparently was the first female to be a ref in the NBA and was imported for the game. We sat next to a couple of Milanese who had never seen a game so we had an opportunity to practice speaking Italian while explaining the game. All of the football terms are in English (kickoff, first down, touchdown, etc.), which made it easy. Now we can say we have been to a superbowl game.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ROnyF64Cbk/Vgkj-tz3xFI/AAAAAAAAECQ/AKsDQ7SckSg/s1600/superbowl%2Band%2Bjazz%2Bfestival%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ROnyF64Cbk/Vgkj-tz3xFI/AAAAAAAAECQ/AKsDQ7SckSg/s640/superbowl%2Band%2Bjazz%2Bfestival%2B005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">only about 150-200 people in the stands, we were the only Americans as far<br />
as we could tell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8z3IACizAk/Vgkj_5bATXI/AAAAAAAAECY/BXNp7JQG_qk/s1600/superbowl%2Band%2Bjazz%2Bfestival%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8z3IACizAk/Vgkj_5bATXI/AAAAAAAAECY/BXNp7JQG_qk/s640/superbowl%2Band%2Bjazz%2Bfestival%2B013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">halftime show, one singer and the middle-high school age cheerleaders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Viva il football americano!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-36972520816539399612015-09-27T17:55:00.000+02:002015-09-28T11:30:58.692+02:00Calendimaggio di Assisi, an ancient small town festa with games, singing, and a queen of the MayAlthough we lived in Perugia for three months, 20 minutes from Assisi, and years earlier had spent a month touring Umbria, we had never been to Assisi, probably a reaction on my part to too many years of hearing the nuns talk about St. Francis. After hearing many rave reviews from friends, we dedided that Calendimaggio di Assisi was a good reason to make the trip. Calendimaggio is a four day competition/festa that has been going on since medieval times, pitting "Parte di sopra" against "Parte di Sotto," the hill town against the valley dwellers below. The origins of the festival have been "lost in the annals of time" according to the official website, but it is basically a celebration of the return of la primavera, spring. The festa includes competitions of strength, singing competitions, and a lot of ceremonial processions in medieval costume, with many princesses and attendants , kings and queens, and pretty much everybody interested in dressing up, parading through the street to the piazza along with their courtiers and drum and bugle corps. Parte di Sotto won for the third time in a row this year, meaning their princess was crownded queen of the may.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFDTtujURkI/VggVgLcodNI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/_lDRUrj3E0w/s1600/assisi%2B026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFDTtujURkI/VggVgLcodNI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/_lDRUrj3E0w/s400/assisi%2B026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching into the piazza. Both teams had their own drum<br />
and bugle corps<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYqbBq3EMss/VggVmtLalYI/AAAAAAAAD_c/gq6uKiWeqIE/s1600/assisi%2B042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYqbBq3EMss/VggVmtLalYI/AAAAAAAAD_c/gq6uKiWeqIE/s320/assisi%2B042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The royal court processes to piazza </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbiUUmTBg-c/VggWqG9jsPI/AAAAAAAAD_8/Bm3pBzdNvhw/s1600/assisi%2B054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nbiUUmTBg-c/VggWqG9jsPI/AAAAAAAAD_8/Bm3pBzdNvhw/s320/assisi%2B054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak4Dm0QpaqM/VggVn6yc9bI/AAAAAAAAD_g/ozuMxkmsgMs/s1600/assisi%2B047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak4Dm0QpaqM/VggVn6yc9bI/AAAAAAAAD_g/ozuMxkmsgMs/s400/assisi%2B047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The royal court for parte di sopra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbXC0CiqGQQ/VggWlZLWmII/AAAAAAAAD_o/nT61OIrg6zw/s1600/assisi%2B049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbXC0CiqGQQ/VggWlZLWmII/AAAAAAAAD_o/nT61OIrg6zw/s640/assisi%2B049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Childrens band for Parte di Sotto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSt8VCxX2_c/VggWoNrMxQI/AAAAAAAAD_w/1EuMNcMql2g/s1600/assisi%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSt8VCxX2_c/VggWoNrMxQI/AAAAAAAAD_w/1EuMNcMql2g/s320/assisi%2B051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dlG7omPSM0/VggXmnPm4NI/AAAAAAAAEAA/tFKEf4ovqX4/s1600/assisi%2B059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_dlG7omPSM0/VggXmnPm4NI/AAAAAAAAEAA/tFKEf4ovqX4/s200/assisi%2B059.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the horses (and kids)<br />
dress up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwNPw7PPZYY/VggXuGmaWEI/AAAAAAAAEAI/duiqnpvHZUc/s1600/assisi%2B063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AwNPw7PPZYY/VggXuGmaWEI/AAAAAAAAEAI/duiqnpvHZUc/s400/assisi%2B063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">marching into the piazza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyvkDDJ-sHA/VggZ766SaeI/AAAAAAAAEA4/-ALvDSHfArY/s1600/assisi%2B083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyvkDDJ-sHA/VggZ766SaeI/AAAAAAAAEA4/-ALvDSHfArY/s640/assisi%2B083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was dancing in the streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfTBAYp8FaA/VggZ-p9108I/AAAAAAAAEBA/bPJLeWChtw8/s1600/assisi%2B084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfTBAYp8FaA/VggZ-p9108I/AAAAAAAAEBA/bPJLeWChtw8/s640/assisi%2B084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 'feats of strength" involved men in tights pulling sledges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0SeM28KbtQ/VggZ39cnMPI/AAAAAAAAEAw/OAxze_E7cxg/s1600/assisi%2B080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0SeM28KbtQ/VggZ39cnMPI/AAAAAAAAEAw/OAxze_E7cxg/s400/assisi%2B080.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB72UOjmgLA/VggY5HjU2SI/AAAAAAAAEAs/tVQEayvCRXE/s1600/assisi%2B079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SB72UOjmgLA/VggY5HjU2SI/AAAAAAAAEAs/tVQEayvCRXE/s640/assisi%2B079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unfortunately we could not stay for the crowning of the queen on the fourth day as we needed to head to Florence to meet a friend coming for a Tuscany tour, but we did have time to explore the town as well as attend the festa. Assisi is, as reported by many, a beautiful little medieval town and, offseason, it wasn't too filled with tourists. In fact, if you want to see a traditional festival but don't want to brave the crowds at the Palio in Sienna, Candlemaggio is an excellent choice. No problem getting seats in the stands, mostly Italians watching the event and cheering on their team, and 4 euro porchetta and birra at the team canteen. Perfetto!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZQg0mVBc94/VggUjAAhqtI/AAAAAAAAD_E/S6VDs66kGx0/s1600/assisi%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZQg0mVBc94/VggUjAAhqtI/AAAAAAAAD_E/S6VDs66kGx0/s400/assisi%2B010.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of narrow streets to explore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2rambgLR2E/VggUkmrtTWI/AAAAAAAAD_M/IjwuoQZA18w/s1600/assisi%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2rambgLR2E/VggUkmrtTWI/AAAAAAAAD_M/IjwuoQZA18w/s400/assisi%2B009.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kD1RrMEgbcQ/VggYtybL8KI/AAAAAAAAEAc/PM8-dKK1L4Y/s1600/assisi%2B074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kD1RrMEgbcQ/VggYtybL8KI/AAAAAAAAEAc/PM8-dKK1L4Y/s640/assisi%2B074.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the umbrian hills<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ivLpaCPToA/VggXxDdfxrI/AAAAAAAAEAU/gLpznkmFw88/s1600/assisi%2B070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ivLpaCPToA/VggXxDdfxrI/AAAAAAAAEAU/gLpznkmFw88/s320/assisi%2B070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0ixRFqjUcc/VggY0lIOywI/AAAAAAAAEAk/Q5387OhIbug/s1600/assisi%2B076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0ixRFqjUcc/VggY0lIOywI/AAAAAAAAEAk/Q5387OhIbug/s640/assisi%2B076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, the cathedral which is truly magnificent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you are planning a tour of Umbria, include Assisi on your itinerary (unless it is July or August, the locals said you can't walk down the streets then because there are so many tourists). I am proof that even an atheist can appreciate the home of San Francesco.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-53769084837411107702015-09-23T22:07:00.001+02:002015-09-23T22:07:09.280+02:00A week with friends in Lago di Garda and Chioggia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SE4R4u7nn9g/VgL0dd-BHaI/AAAAAAAAD9I/ehbqPHb0OpU/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SE4R4u7nn9g/VgL0dd-BHaI/AAAAAAAAD9I/ehbqPHb0OpU/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
September is a great time to visit Lago di Garda--thanks Gaby, Gunter and Gerda for letting us share your vacation at the lake! While there were still lots of tourists, it was about half the crowd they get in July and August according to the locals. The weather was perfect, warm (25-28 degrees) but not too hot. We had a small studio apartment with a great view of the lake from our balcony, a pool with an adjacent bar, and a tiny rocky beach right across the street, a great bargain at only 65 euros a night!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We stayed in Torri del Benaco (Benaco is another name for Lago di Garda), a charming small town, packed with restaurants, bars, buskers, and lounge acts, and even joined in with a group of Dutch tourists singing an Elvis tune. It was strange to hear more German and Dutch than Italian, and to be addressed in German by the hotel and restaurant staff. We got a great response when we answered in Italian, however, and even scored some perks (like a reduced price on a recommended wine at the local store).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dftOcET5nC8/VgLN48rHyMI/AAAAAAAAD44/EDSHP44JUiU/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dftOcET5nC8/VgLN48rHyMI/AAAAAAAAD44/EDSHP44JUiU/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B035.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">typical windowboxes (above)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwqDWRsqsmQ/VgMCGb94XWI/AAAAAAAAD-M/I_L4PbmTYvA/s1600/IMG_2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pwqDWRsqsmQ/VgMCGb94XWI/AAAAAAAAD-M/I_L4PbmTYvA/s320/IMG_2339.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at dinner our first night in Torri</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB6bqzehqKY/VgMCLbvHCJI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/Tj0Jw9h0d1E/s1600/IMG_2344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB6bqzehqKY/VgMCLbvHCJI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/Tj0Jw9h0d1E/s320/IMG_2344.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabi relaxing by the pool with a<br />cappucino--AFTER 11 am!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We toured the lake by car, checking out different towns and scenery which is quite different at the north and south ends of the lake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zhfRCIDwYXs/VgLNX071QmI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/05CULGyKBo4/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zhfRCIDwYXs/VgLNX071QmI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/05CULGyKBo4/s640/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">windsurfers at the north end of the lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7b4IJQBzHug/VgLM-ks4_7I/AAAAAAAAD4I/7Rnp2-dCD6o/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7b4IJQBzHug/VgLM-ks4_7I/AAAAAAAAD4I/7Rnp2-dCD6o/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom admires the view from the panoramic parking lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A ferry trip to Sirmione was one of the highlights, although unfortunately I failed to check the schedule to see if the castle was open--it wasn't. However, we saw the outside of the castle and walked all through the town for an afternoon, stopping for cold beverages as needed, of course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pIHr7hZ0C4/VgLORoCfKMI/AAAAAAAAD5I/j4-npTI8PLM/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pIHr7hZ0C4/VgLORoCfKMI/AAAAAAAAD5I/j4-npTI8PLM/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEkYMJ7zhZA/VgLOtu_J2AI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/dO-grJRKO9g/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEkYMJ7zhZA/VgLOtu_J2AI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/dO-grJRKO9g/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunter waves to his public (left)<br />'art installation' on beach at Sirmione (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJv_xU3SaXg/VgLO05IPwFI/AAAAAAAAD5o/A1ZAtOXj9Hs/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJv_xU3SaXg/VgLO05IPwFI/AAAAAAAAD5o/A1ZAtOXj9Hs/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw1N3AraL7g/VgLPaM8BTkI/AAAAAAAAD6A/mBmzr5VCA6E/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw1N3AraL7g/VgLPaM8BTkI/AAAAAAAAD6A/mBmzr5VCA6E/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B062.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGDKrY0pUpM/VgLQjAqhQnI/AAAAAAAAD6w/qzc4-zyJtb8/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGDKrY0pUpM/VgLQjAqhQnI/AAAAAAAAD6w/qzc4-zyJtb8/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B072.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apertivi time!<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajwIZfGqfKg/VgLQTFEFo5I/AAAAAAAAD6g/1vbwlnttqG4/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajwIZfGqfKg/VgLQTFEFo5I/AAAAAAAAD6g/1vbwlnttqG4/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B071.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5SywKTUA-8/VgLyYrI8kCI/AAAAAAAAD8c/n-b-s6twkQg/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5SywKTUA-8/VgLyYrI8kCI/AAAAAAAAD8c/n-b-s6twkQg/s640/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqFvnKHZZ2k/VgL0a791AoI/AAAAAAAAD88/urAlM0KbidQ/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqFvnKHZZ2k/VgL0a791AoI/AAAAAAAAD88/urAlM0KbidQ/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the castle at Sirmioine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohYAGOQ1uYM/VgLyXdk9TNI/AAAAAAAAD8U/gHFQ9ISvbsk/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohYAGOQ1uYM/VgLyXdk9TNI/AAAAAAAAD8U/gHFQ9ISvbsk/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B024.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of what is believed to be a house and baths owned by Catullus (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also visited a market in a nearby town one morning, where they were selling everything from ducks, turkeys, and chicken, to salami, to clothing. Gabi wanted to buy a duck and set it free on the lake but the duck sellers had gone by the time we got back to their stand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5srkaN0x5Co/VgLMjN-nLJI/AAAAAAAAD3w/jjsNJCCmK5M/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5srkaN0x5Co/VgLMjN-nLJI/AAAAAAAAD3w/jjsNJCCmK5M/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7WsZT2vqbFU/VgLMbDfkaaI/AAAAAAAAD3o/jkQO9EA2ZXg/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7WsZT2vqbFU/VgLMbDfkaaI/AAAAAAAAD3o/jkQO9EA2ZXg/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eefJVcuPo9U/VgLMZDZKoSI/AAAAAAAAD3g/53uGgVQWHN8/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eefJVcuPo9U/VgLMZDZKoSI/AAAAAAAAD3g/53uGgVQWHN8/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry to market left<br />Gabi demonstrates how to eat calamari (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4pl2Rd7jps/VgMCQEtj3YI/AAAAAAAAD-g/5cl12Em8_wU/s1600/IMG_2350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4pl2Rd7jps/VgMCQEtj3YI/AAAAAAAAD-g/5cl12Em8_wU/s640/IMG_2350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset from the ferry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After enjoying Lago di Garda we headed back to Chioggia, our first home in Italy, to visit our friend Franca and got a bonus surprise as her daughter Luisa was also there. They posed for pictures on the beach after a delicious fish lunch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ACQlAfdHcc/VgL1IJyK-XI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/c2ufrBHA4pk/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ACQlAfdHcc/VgL1IJyK-XI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/c2ufrBHA4pk/s640/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXHGdtUeQWQ/VgL1IEVlTfI/AAAAAAAAD9c/_tKFp4fqexI/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXHGdtUeQWQ/VgL1IEVlTfI/AAAAAAAAD9c/_tKFp4fqexI/s400/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2BSept%2B2015%2B051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIg-xiZs4W0/VgLQdDj2I_I/AAAAAAAAD6o/hP65pTupEhE/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIg-xiZs4W0/VgLQdDj2I_I/AAAAAAAAD6o/hP65pTupEhE/s640/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B075.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franca and Luisa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njWj_tiwqIs/VgLQ5lzZ7yI/AAAAAAAAD7A/owZ2EtxNijk/s1600/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-njWj_tiwqIs/VgLQ5lzZ7yI/AAAAAAAAD7A/owZ2EtxNijk/s320/Lago%2Bdi%2BGarda%2B077.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Susie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back to Arezzo to stay for awhile, until we head to Seattle for the holiday season and a visit with Kelly. October will be spent in an intensive Italian course here in Arezzo as we are rapidly forgetting what little grammar we managed to learn in Perugia. Ci vediamo in Settembre!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-14876814008302652492015-09-16T13:58:00.000+02:002015-09-17T14:05:42.210+02:00Escaping Tuscany's heat wave in Scotland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReUj-u6UhyQ/VfgXV0bTPiI/AAAAAAAADkI/r-_CjXQ7iqo/s1600/scotland%2B219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReUj-u6UhyQ/VfgXV0bTPiI/AAAAAAAADkI/r-_CjXQ7iqo/s320/scotland%2B219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And escape it we did! In 27 days in Scotland, only 5 were rain-free, and the highest temperature of the month was a blistering 62 degrees, with the average down around 52. Exactly what we were looking for after Tuscany's summer long heat wave with temperatures routinely topping 100 degrees.<br />
<br />
We started in Glasgow where the hop on hop off bus (recommended by local boy Rick Steves) proved amazingly useful. Glasgow is an interesting city with friendly albeit difficult to understand residents. Even people from other parts of Scotland have trouble understanding the Glaswegian accent. We regretted having only 3 days here, but made the most of them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5aIMpDxIKr8/VflBeNXO5dI/AAAAAAAAD1M/k33r68f40Vc/s1600/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5aIMpDxIKr8/VflBeNXO5dI/AAAAAAAAD1M/k33r68f40Vc/s320/IMG_1876.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom enjoys his first 'fry' of the trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agUD290Sk54/VfgGHy_2H3I/AAAAAAAADgE/NpOo-fRf0cU/s1600/scotland%2B062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agUD290Sk54/VfgGHy_2H3I/AAAAAAAADgE/NpOo-fRf0cU/s200/scotland%2B062.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hop on bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1w08K9aMe_w/VfgB1PWAuZI/AAAAAAAADeo/F_yopa76Cwc/s1600/scotland%2B026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1w08K9aMe_w/VfgB1PWAuZI/AAAAAAAADeo/F_yopa76Cwc/s400/scotland%2B026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelvingrove museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfQnJOeWX_I/VfgC7Ubym9I/AAAAAAAADfA/rwwT-kO08dw/s1600/scotland%2B045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfQnJOeWX_I/VfgC7Ubym9I/AAAAAAAADfA/rwwT-kO08dw/s400/scotland%2B045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">\Nancy and Elvis at the Kelvingrove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9LoZqRBkFCcZ1yp9n_ZjHx6m1aB1ARvPD-_vrAGSRR4D8kfX3gZT9CQ9C-iXugxKHWXoKGt3ikEKzoeH90XnL095mt7iwrlERcMuic9nJmjttXquaJZxlzSrard5Pm5M7SU9uDdD7nSg/s1600/scotland+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9LoZqRBkFCcZ1yp9n_ZjHx6m1aB1ARvPD-_vrAGSRR4D8kfX3gZT9CQ9C-iXugxKHWXoKGt3ikEKzoeH90XnL095mt7iwrlERcMuic9nJmjttXquaJZxlzSrard5Pm5M7SU9uDdD7nSg/s320/scotland+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqTTVi_uwhE/VfgF-3NilUI/AAAAAAAADf4/RnxK8Ih3-2s/s1600/scotland%2B061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqTTVi_uwhE/VfgF-3NilUI/AAAAAAAADf4/RnxK8Ih3-2s/s320/scotland%2B061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">steak pie and mushy peas at the diner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YphU_yFA60/VfgIX6g4_yI/AAAAAAAADg4/idH2idxzLUY/s1600/scotland%2B093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YphU_yFA60/VfgIX6g4_yI/AAAAAAAADg4/idH2idxzLUY/s400/scotland%2B093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfS_M4wx-tk/VfgHM7VMqjI/AAAAAAAADgY/kSOjXVItcHs/s1600/scotland%2B086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfS_M4wx-tk/VfgHM7VMqjI/AAAAAAAADgY/kSOjXVItcHs/s200/scotland%2B086.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female bagpipe player at<br />
dockside wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yC7Arf58gFY/VflBmkTkA_I/AAAAAAAAD1g/dficYkN51_k/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yC7Arf58gFY/VflBmkTkA_I/AAAAAAAAD1g/dficYkN51_k/s400/IMG_1902.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dali's famous St. John of the Cross crucifixion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWptNJY0OTs/VfgoBuCNW1I/AAAAAAAADqg/Z6boqsqbM7A/s1600/scotland%2B512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWptNJY0OTs/VfgoBuCNW1I/AAAAAAAADqg/Z6boqsqbM7A/s320/scotland%2B512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6sBrmC4bPY/VfgoxAxUJRI/AAAAAAAADrA/EwZZTqW_b8c/s1600/scotland%2B530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6sBrmC4bPY/VfgoxAxUJRI/AAAAAAAADrA/EwZZTqW_b8c/s320/scotland%2B530.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mural of rock stars above left, Tom and<br />
friend at the transportation museum above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We picked up a car at Glasgow airport and headed to the coast, first stop Oban and a trip to the isles of Mull and Iona. We stayed overnight in Oban, a nice town, but if I was doing the trip again I would stay on Iona which is a beautiful little island with some interesting old buildings. St. Columba, an Irish bishop, had a monastery built on Iona around the 6th century, which has been extensively restored, and is beautifully positioned on the coast.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8gMwddnyro/VfgqazM6PCI/AAAAAAAADsU/ovrEbeJRmFc/s1600/scotland%2B580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8gMwddnyro/VfgqazM6PCI/AAAAAAAADsU/ovrEbeJRmFc/s400/scotland%2B580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seafood was, indeed, excellent<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjWShQfzopg/VfgqgyUWXiI/AAAAAAAADsc/mauYJF51rVA/s1600/scotland%2B581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjWShQfzopg/VfgqgyUWXiI/AAAAAAAADsc/mauYJF51rVA/s640/scotland%2B581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PBcvk-K_OOM/VfgKpU22zII/AAAAAAAADho/i-rj9z_rrGI/s1600/scotland%2B134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PBcvk-K_OOM/VfgKpU22zII/AAAAAAAADho/i-rj9z_rrGI/s400/scotland%2B134.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland cattle on Mull, they need the long shaggy<br />
coasts to survive the cold island winter (and summer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is a 10 minute ferry ride from Mull to Iona to see the ruins of a nunnery and St. Columba's monastery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h92Q7-xA0CY/VfgLrYoqqDI/AAAAAAAADiA/Ir1brazpyH4/s1600/scotland%2B141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h92Q7-xA0CY/VfgLrYoqqDI/AAAAAAAADiA/Ir1brazpyH4/s640/scotland%2B141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j36S1VS2rqg/VfgLrLggagI/AAAAAAAADh8/gIBmuCuvgS4/s1600/scotland%2B142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j36S1VS2rqg/VfgLrLggagI/AAAAAAAADh8/gIBmuCuvgS4/s320/scotland%2B142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ruins of a nunnery (above) monastery & church below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEvX0H4qXgM/VfgMbbG52nI/AAAAAAAADiI/8t88mnEbE5o/s1600/scotland%2B143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEvX0H4qXgM/VfgMbbG52nI/AAAAAAAADiI/8t88mnEbE5o/s640/scotland%2B143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From Oban, it is a pleasant drive to the Isle of Skye, via Glencoe, an area known for the massacre of Glencoe, but also recently voted the 'most romantic glen in Scotland.' 38 members of the MacDonald clan were murdered at Glencoe by King William III's forces after the 'glorious revolution.' The King intended to wipe out the entire clan, but most escaped into the mountains. We also visited Loch Lomond, not far from Glasgow, stopping at Luss, considered one of the prettiest villages in Scotland.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQp8qn0IJTU/Vfhhz6vk6TI/AAAAAAAADvI/-HgwBY9Ijh4/s1600/IMG_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQp8qn0IJTU/Vfhhz6vk6TI/AAAAAAAADvI/-HgwBY9Ijh4/s400/IMG_1950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Glencoe visitor center (above) view of part of the glen, below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdMtetCe_pg/Vfg7BPumnuI/AAAAAAAADtw/fGURcSj7ZlQ/s1600/scotland%2B158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdMtetCe_pg/Vfg7BPumnuI/AAAAAAAADtw/fGURcSj7ZlQ/s640/scotland%2B158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-99EiR2g7eqQ/VfgrYnwreMI/AAAAAAAADtI/NfyKrz1nZOI/s1600/scotland%2B591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-99EiR2g7eqQ/VfgrYnwreMI/AAAAAAAADtI/NfyKrz1nZOI/s400/scotland%2B591.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryfeI89Vea8/VfgKYJ-D6fI/AAAAAAAADhY/mIpekiXP6aM/s1600/scotland%2B101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryfeI89Vea8/VfgKYJ-D6fI/AAAAAAAADhY/mIpekiXP6aM/s320/scotland%2B101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">typical Luss cottage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-foLy4dXK4/Vfgp80qhP-I/AAAAAAAADr8/pWmx0JQWcnY/s1600/scotland%2B550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-foLy4dXK4/Vfgp80qhP-I/AAAAAAAADr8/pWmx0JQWcnY/s320/scotland%2B550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kOAQIhtwew/VfgqAVy8aII/AAAAAAAADsE/Se1aN7GyvFM/s1600/scotland%2B562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kOAQIhtwew/VfgqAVy8aII/AAAAAAAADsE/Se1aN7GyvFM/s200/scotland%2B562.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">90 minute boat ride on loch lomond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1707474920"></span><span id="goog_1707474921"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
From Loch Lomond, it is only a couple of hours to Skye via the bridge at <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.935998916626px;">Kyle of Lochalsh. Just before the bridge is the Eileen Donan castle, the most photographed castle in Scotland according to the locals.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oT9IZl0wRM/VfgNxAfBRLI/AAAAAAAADio/r3t7GLB1lRI/s1600/scotland%2B165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--oT9IZl0wRM/VfgNxAfBRLI/AAAAAAAADio/r3t7GLB1lRI/s640/scotland%2B165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;">We spent a week on Skye in Drummuie cottage, a cozy place to retreat to when the wind and rain got too severe. Skye was formed by glaciers and is very rocky and dramatic with dozens of lakes and hills. There are more sheep than people ever since the "clearances" in the 18th century when the Brits moved the islanders off the west coast to the rocky and barren east coast of the island so the Brits could have better property for shooting grouse and for their own sheep.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRf2WggZn0s/VfgVMBRuW1I/AAAAAAAADjY/Kk9qVxbTXbM/s1600/scotland%2B193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRf2WggZn0s/VfgVMBRuW1I/AAAAAAAADjY/Kk9qVxbTXbM/s400/scotland%2B193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilt rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqr2_ZWbu9Q/VfgWMXzMZeI/AAAAAAAADjo/4UaNdRj9pV4/s1600/scotland%2B202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqr2_ZWbu9Q/VfgWMXzMZeI/AAAAAAAADjo/4UaNdRj9pV4/s400/scotland%2B202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black house (replica of thatched cottage). In the 1800s they started building<br />
the little white houses seen everywhere. The black houses go back centureis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4k3pSsNztYc/VfgXL8Jc1KI/AAAAAAAADkA/ElearLwwaN8/s1600/scotland%2B217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4k3pSsNztYc/VfgXL8Jc1KI/AAAAAAAADkA/ElearLwwaN8/s320/scotland%2B217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy glen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5znvG6-Caj0/VfgYcXx9_XI/AAAAAAAADko/Yh7Ss6mw5jE/s1600/scotland%2B233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5znvG6-Caj0/VfgYcXx9_XI/AAAAAAAADko/Yh7Ss6mw5jE/s400/scotland%2B233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portree on Skye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GmeCuixJmpo/VfgZfxMbPZI/AAAAAAAADk4/Q8dYe6stv1A/s1600/scotland%2B253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GmeCuixJmpo/VfgZfxMbPZI/AAAAAAAADk4/Q8dYe6stv1A/s400/scotland%2B253.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">typical isolated croft (small farm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbP_SdBjpkc/VfgqKmVwghI/AAAAAAAADsM/Txx7xbu6Cfw/s1600/scotland%2B570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dbP_SdBjpkc/VfgqKmVwghI/AAAAAAAADsM/Txx7xbu6Cfw/s400/scotland%2B570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JH7yvGCGBho/VfgrCgWdsGI/AAAAAAAADs8/daf8LCNB3gA/s1600/scotland%2B587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JH7yvGCGBho/VfgrCgWdsGI/AAAAAAAADs8/daf8LCNB3gA/s320/scotland%2B587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heather blooms everywhere in Scotland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmklKfsI_iO1vDx6k-15H6zN01VJXKMWHI1XIdlyem5bMN4F8RQxOUuWvlsqJh7tQlXuIjWh1TPehxMOsGAHLv-V7D06VHYKHsAsrGFKgGUtlBkL8P1QOapYVeP6z-NPtgGBQsTtnOHV3Q/s1600/scotland+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmklKfsI_iO1vDx6k-15H6zN01VJXKMWHI1XIdlyem5bMN4F8RQxOUuWvlsqJh7tQlXuIjWh1TPehxMOsGAHLv-V7D06VHYKHsAsrGFKgGUtlBkL8P1QOapYVeP6z-NPtgGBQsTtnOHV3Q/s640/scotland+173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunvegan castle (according to Tom, the place where ex-vegetarians retire)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nT2d65wmB5A/VflBtDYbAjI/AAAAAAAAD1w/DS3DvUQRWu0/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nT2d65wmB5A/VflBtDYbAjI/AAAAAAAAD1w/DS3DvUQRWu0/s320/IMG_1963.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBeXfEzXK8I/Vfhh61QxnhI/AAAAAAAADvY/JFDWXGRaO_A/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBeXfEzXK8I/Vfhh61QxnhI/AAAAAAAADvY/JFDWXGRaO_A/s320/IMG_1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset from the cabin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLhOlsRebPw/VfhiMcUSXYI/AAAAAAAADv4/RmVso-mJ_AQ/s1600/IMG_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLhOlsRebPw/VfhiMcUSXYI/AAAAAAAADv4/RmVso-mJ_AQ/s400/IMG_2049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uig, on Skye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;">Next stop, Harris and Lewis. In reality they are one island but have long been treated as separate. We stayed in a B& in Luskentyre, a 7 house village by one of the white sandy beaches for which the islands are well known (at least in Scotland). In addition to checking out the scenery, we visited several Harris tweed places, culminating in a visit to Donald John, who worked out of a tin hut 2 doors down from our B&B. He was really hospitable, telling us about making tweed since he was 13 (when I asked if he had being doing it all his life he said, "Well, not yet."), showing us how the foot pedal loom worked, and then showing us the fabric he was making for Chanel and the layouts for the clothes Chanel was making with his tweed. He also showed us tweed nikes made from his tweed. When we got back to the B&B they told us he had an OBE!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUbxrn3UjBE/VfhjEUd5ofI/AAAAAAAADxg/cDI0vHaYNNU/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUbxrn3UjBE/VfhjEUd5ofI/AAAAAAAADxg/cDI0vHaYNNU/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwEpYatzgzg/VfhjGU_YEUI/AAAAAAAADxo/nLCtoSEkBR8/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwEpYatzgzg/VfhjGU_YEUI/AAAAAAAADxo/nLCtoSEkBR8/s320/IMG_2165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57IGcUS4hEQ/VfqqQrlvTSI/AAAAAAAAD28/LFD8njQoC_Y/s1600/scotland%2B293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57IGcUS4hEQ/VfqqQrlvTSI/AAAAAAAAD28/LFD8njQoC_Y/s400/scotland%2B293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donald John in front of some of his work, the nike tweed shoe (center) and<br />
demonstrating the foot pedal loom, working on an order for Chanel<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lewis is home to several prehistoric sites, including the Callendish Stones, Scotland's answer to Stonehenge (and older than Stonehenge as they are quick to point out). Standing stones, large rocks set on end, are scattered throughout Scotland and are believed to have served some religious purpose.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKe4tASKi_A/VflBwTrG0YI/AAAAAAAAD2A/mch0ibRhBRk/s1600/IMG_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKe4tASKi_A/VflBwTrG0YI/AAAAAAAAD2A/mch0ibRhBRk/s640/IMG_2156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;">We also drove across a very narrow bridge (labelled 'weak bridge' which is not very reassuring) to a small island where an iron age village was found under the sand. After excavation it was reburied to preserve it, but there is one reconstructed house open for visitors. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBCbU94_tGI/VfhirVPieiI/AAAAAAAADw4/XJzX4ECfkJY/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBCbU94_tGI/VfhirVPieiI/AAAAAAAADw4/XJzX4ECfkJY/s200/IMG_2135.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Txgg2hUkI/VfqnDnueJUI/AAAAAAAAD2o/H2NnFOQ8xT0/s1600/scotland%2B268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9Txgg2hUkI/VfqnDnueJUI/AAAAAAAAD2o/H2NnFOQ8xT0/s400/scotland%2B268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">narrow bridge left,e house iron age housvee abo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;">From Uig on Lewis, it was a bumpy 3 hour ferry ride to Ullapool, where we stayed at our favorite B&B of the trip. The room was nice but it was Colleen and Richard, the hosts, who made it so great. We did their recommended "perfect day out", not forgetting to stop for pie at their recommended spot.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UsCso-B2yps/VfhjUl2FqNI/AAAAAAAADyA/NlmuZQSD4Ng/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UsCso-B2yps/VfhjUl2FqNI/AAAAAAAADyA/NlmuZQSD4Ng/s320/IMG_2184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGwfZGaj0S4/Vfgbt5Pb7LI/AAAAAAAADlo/Qg4AVCsIAB4/s1600/scotland%2B312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGwfZGaj0S4/Vfgbt5Pb7LI/AAAAAAAADlo/Qg4AVCsIAB4/s200/scotland%2B312.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNVrIrbKThQ/VfgbxF9L9FI/AAAAAAAADlw/XQrdeF-deJ8/s1600/scotland%2B315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNVrIrbKThQ/VfgbxF9L9FI/AAAAAAAADlw/XQrdeF-deJ8/s320/scotland%2B315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking back steak and ale pies for Richard and Colleen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxyl_AW-4ow/Vfgcb9zXlsI/AAAAAAAADl4/TSd9_c80U5I/s1600/scotland%2B317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxyl_AW-4ow/Vfgcb9zXlsI/AAAAAAAADl4/TSd9_c80U5I/s400/scotland%2B317.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">abandoned castle near Ullapool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cw0gqyewriY/Vfgcv5whloI/AAAAAAAADmA/QrwdLVprkLI/s1600/scotland%2B320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cw0gqyewriY/Vfgcv5whloI/AAAAAAAADmA/QrwdLVprkLI/s320/scotland%2B320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West House B&B</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWsPlEsU8kM/Vfgc2kn2K3I/AAAAAAAADmI/b4wULrSBXnk/s1600/scotland%2B324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWsPlEsU8kM/Vfgc2kn2K3I/AAAAAAAADmI/b4wULrSBXnk/s400/scotland%2B324.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIpWbqP3udg/Vfgevhe0tfI/AAAAAAAADmo/9mhPbxHbRPo/s1600/scotland%2B335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIpWbqP3udg/Vfgevhe0tfI/AAAAAAAADmo/9mhPbxHbRPo/s320/scotland%2B335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge to the Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ZGRGlmC9A/Vfgd4tLOhRI/AAAAAAAADmY/OjXm6JJ_CbM/s1600/scotland%2B327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ZGRGlmC9A/Vfgd4tLOhRI/AAAAAAAADmY/OjXm6JJ_CbM/s400/scotland%2B327.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;">On to Inverness, via the infamous Loch Ness. We actually stopped at the Loch Ness visitor center for a fairly interesting presentation on the history of the myth and the science of the lake, then went on to Urguhart castle, the best spot for viewing the lake. No Nessie sightings, but it was a beautiful day for a stroll around the castle grounds. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dPxN4t6lUs/VfhjqxLtwvI/AAAAAAAADyo/w5urNG7HfjU/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dPxN4t6lUs/VfhjqxLtwvI/AAAAAAAADyo/w5urNG7HfjU/s400/IMG_2223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GdRxBs9z1KVw8kAqIPchmHWn4dv3CRE5DZsUMbRDbMoPLOP0q6ftd2IFQ2xLMa3_xuKDv28j8Nm7xtGqNDiRMBptrsvSWOp1kxdXvq36x4mLC9tKoLKr_yoSGw9t37gpMfrHRyBHJyZv/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GdRxBs9z1KVw8kAqIPchmHWn4dv3CRE5DZsUMbRDbMoPLOP0q6ftd2IFQ2xLMa3_xuKDv28j8Nm7xtGqNDiRMBptrsvSWOp1kxdXvq36x4mLC9tKoLKr_yoSGw9t37gpMfrHRyBHJyZv/s640/IMG_2209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Ness and part of the castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.936px;">The Culloden battlefield is also a short drive from Inverness. The battle, which lasted less than an hour, spelled the end of the Jacobite's attempts to reclaim the throne for Bonnie Prince Charlie. 1500 Jacobites, mostly Highland Scots, died while only 50 government troops perished. Today, it is a peacful moor, covered with flowers, a memorial to the dead, and stones marking the mass graves of the clans. A high tech visitors center provides more than ample information about the conflict and the history leading up to it, including a 4 minute film of the battle intended to make you feel like you are in the middle of the charge.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19.935998916626px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWvDbBnALlg/Vfhj4j4fyCI/AAAAAAAADyw/LiB0z_2mHDY/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWvDbBnALlg/Vfhj4j4fyCI/AAAAAAAADyw/LiB0z_2mHDY/s640/IMG_2235.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Culloden field (above) replica of house on Culloden field (below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vacXaQmnICg/Vfhj7Kn8QfI/AAAAAAAADy4/0sBwz1fuUxU/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vacXaQmnICg/Vfhj7Kn8QfI/AAAAAAAADy4/0sBwz1fuUxU/s400/IMG_2240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kO5JQ5bW7yfXmU8LcWX8lBR59oAHAxZjI72-e4ElgBJ4a1UBbwNFXXxkT5J69xNpK8wUcjeeVQviy45Ip7KPncRG9nJyf6YeYEh0d-J3x-hMlNaGeFBHkJGHI0xSiXyYi6I5ZqztZc6m/s1600/scotland+392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kO5JQ5bW7yfXmU8LcWX8lBR59oAHAxZjI72-e4ElgBJ4a1UBbwNFXXxkT5J69xNpK8wUcjeeVQviy45Ip7KPncRG9nJyf6YeYEh0d-J3x-hMlNaGeFBHkJGHI0xSiXyYi6I5ZqztZc6m/s400/scotland+392.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clava Cairns, a prehistoric cemetary near Culloden, about 4000 years old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our final stop was Edinburgh, a city recently named the most friendly city in the world by Conde Nast. Our experiences back s up that claim, the people were open and helpful, offering assistance from cell phones to directions without being asked. The residents clearly love their city and assume that you will enjoy it just as much. A cabbie asked me if I would be moving to Edinburgh now that I had seen it, obviously expecting an affirmative answer. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We stayed in a great apartment on the divide between new and old town, walking distance to many of the places we wanted to see. While 5 days aren't enough to see everything the city has to offer, we managed to see a lot (for us), from walking through the Prince Street Gardens to the Castle then back down the Royal Mile past St. Giles and other spots of interest, the National Museums, Haymarket, and more.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmR1zeaSBOc/VfqqRitsm4I/AAAAAAAAD3E/TDYOdHtiYzs/s1600/scotland%2B429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmR1zeaSBOc/VfqqRitsm4I/AAAAAAAAD3E/TDYOdHtiYzs/s400/scotland%2B429.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh castle from Prince Street Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta49CX6xBy0/VfglKL2BM1I/AAAAAAAADo4/B6SczdBjlCw/s1600/scotland%2B435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta49CX6xBy0/VfglKL2BM1I/AAAAAAAADo4/B6SczdBjlCw/s400/scotland%2B435.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh is the first UNESCO city of literature</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rB2q3OFaxvM/Vfgln6lkSgI/AAAAAAAADpA/4vyt2IJRUR0/s1600/scotland%2B446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rB2q3OFaxvM/Vfgln6lkSgI/AAAAAAAADpA/4vyt2IJRUR0/s320/scotland%2B446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aY_JgBpjxDE/VfgmrPvdfNI/AAAAAAAADpY/smKe8ZzWg1Y/s1600/scotland%2B477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aY_JgBpjxDE/VfgmrPvdfNI/AAAAAAAADpY/smKe8ZzWg1Y/s320/scotland%2B477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High tea before...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_S-aeYXH_kU/VfhkYwE6PCI/AAAAAAAAD0E/rhxh0tmUCS8/s1600/IMG_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_S-aeYXH_kU/VfhkYwE6PCI/AAAAAAAAD0E/rhxh0tmUCS8/s320/IMG_2337.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High tea during...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBO1X4vXR7k/VfhkY-HW_xI/AAAAAAAAD0I/eYZFjjnZ_0Q/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBO1X4vXR7k/VfhkY-HW_xI/AAAAAAAAD0I/eYZFjjnZ_0Q/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">high tea after!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar-RSAzoQBU/VfqqoY-ZzzI/AAAAAAAAD3M/8_5V8C3n-iI/s1600/scotland%2B483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar-RSAzoQBU/VfqqoY-ZzzI/AAAAAAAAD3M/8_5V8C3n-iI/s640/scotland%2B483.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QPzxbRfjtM/VfhkMbYko6I/AAAAAAAADzs/TD0UerxTdNQ/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QPzxbRfjtM/VfhkMbYko6I/AAAAAAAADzs/TD0UerxTdNQ/s640/IMG_2329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the skyline from the National museum roof garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3iGK5G9QHo/VfhkL2b2lQI/AAAAAAAADzw/V64NTC_giqk/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3iGK5G9QHo/VfhkL2b2lQI/AAAAAAAADzw/V64NTC_giqk/s640/IMG_2332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--j9I51YGrac/VfhkL1gPZbI/AAAAAAAADzo/wJ6uCK5NKYE/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--j9I51YGrac/VfhkL1gPZbI/AAAAAAAADzo/wJ6uCK5NKYE/s320/IMG_2328.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjeUhE_3ZIM/VfhkEWuUovI/AAAAAAAADzU/aV-HlgADMqo/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjeUhE_3ZIM/VfhkEWuUovI/AAAAAAAADzU/aV-HlgADMqo/s320/IMG_2325.JPG" width="239" /></a>v</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exhibits at National Gallery, the actual<br />
"beheader" above, and Bonnie Prince<br />
Charlie's cradle (below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRJz4uB8-GXC9kN6b3lPUqdl0-fol7Av5VxfW2MBlZXnxVb1rNzlr67EEh_eHgSLmqLgjrB86BXf6I5egNjPUgv4cjmWni0NmJMOj3q_wKFgIIXxWVP0LdNZaxrbG2RulN2BSmWj8dmh2/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRJz4uB8-GXC9kN6b3lPUqdl0-fol7Av5VxfW2MBlZXnxVb1rNzlr67EEh_eHgSLmqLgjrB86BXf6I5egNjPUgv4cjmWni0NmJMOj3q_wKFgIIXxWVP0LdNZaxrbG2RulN2BSmWj8dmh2/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because of the unusually wet and cold summer (unusual even for Scotland), flowers were blooming everywhere, We end with a selection of flower pictures (believe me there could be a lot more)/ Slainte.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_FYlwK38y4/VfgaP3S792I/AAAAAAAADlI/ovG4SiUneMw/s1600/scotland%2B258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_FYlwK38y4/VfgaP3S792I/AAAAAAAADlI/ovG4SiUneMw/s400/scotland%2B258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7CnjeQ-M6M/Vfgj5WWwEkI/AAAAAAAADoY/bgXnUvnfTK0/s1600/scotland%2B414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7CnjeQ-M6M/Vfgj5WWwEkI/AAAAAAAADoY/bgXnUvnfTK0/s320/scotland%2B414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mYo00ShPmo/Vfhi4_ysm0I/AAAAAAAADxA/UiXjr7wAPFk/s1600/IMG_2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mYo00ShPmo/Vfhi4_ysm0I/AAAAAAAADxA/UiXjr7wAPFk/s320/IMG_2146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">blooming by the iron age house<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1806235059"></span><span id="goog_1806235060"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05gFA2bCskE/Vfhi6LtdsnI/AAAAAAAADxI/MEPWT9LR_BE/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-05gFA2bCskE/Vfhi6LtdsnI/AAAAAAAADxI/MEPWT9LR_BE/s400/IMG_2144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-15696424125698276192015-08-18T14:39:00.001+02:002015-08-18T14:39:16.694+02:00Biergartens and Castles in Bonn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMQ_OBHUC34/VdIELLYxSfI/AAAAAAAADZk/v00ij9SijQI/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMQ_OBHUC34/VdIELLYxSfI/AAAAAAAADZk/v00ij9SijQI/s320/Bonn%2B2015%2B053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
After two years we finally made it to Bonn, Germany to visit our friends Gaby and Gerhard and their family. They are incredible hosts and it was a fabulous week. Although we were in Bonn a few years ago, there were many things to do and see. In the interests of exploring other cultures we of course had to drink the local beer, Kolsch. Tom explored this aspect of German culture very thoroughly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvLRntCDbD8/VdMbR9v3pdI/AAAAAAAADc0/9MQsBQcAgII/s1600/IMG_1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MvLRntCDbD8/VdMbR9v3pdI/AAAAAAAADc0/9MQsBQcAgII/s640/IMG_1837.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom has always been interested in gardening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was one day of pouring rain and thunderstorms, unfortunately it was the day Gerhard's band, Taste of Woodstock, played at a local park (with a biergarten of course). It was a great concert nonetheless.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w98E0ksCjd8/VdICEuMigoI/AAAAAAAADYs/u0FdcU9--EQ/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w98E0ksCjd8/VdICEuMigoI/AAAAAAAADYs/u0FdcU9--EQ/s400/Bonn%2B2015%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a Kolsch with Jens and Ingo at the concert<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YGcIwtLPp0/VdMe4agckVI/AAAAAAAADdI/zjmPMkCxnIk/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6YGcIwtLPp0/VdMe4agckVI/AAAAAAAADdI/zjmPMkCxnIk/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerhard in front with guitar as Taste of Woodstock rocks it out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It was a week of delicious eating and drinking, at home and in various restaurants and cafes. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VWTDxDT1BE/VdIACffRHxI/AAAAAAAADXo/2dv54ri8pww/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VWTDxDT1BE/VdIACffRHxI/AAAAAAAADXo/2dv54ri8pww/s320/IMG_1822.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Gerhard make pizza for dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8eQE8EODjU/VdIKU-gFqBI/AAAAAAAADbo/bOV0mB9cm5o/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8eQE8EODjU/VdIKU-gFqBI/AAAAAAAADbo/bOV0mB9cm5o/s400/Bonn%2B2015%2B127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor cafes are as popular here as they are in Italy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gerhard was kind enough to take us on several outings, including two trips to visit castles and go castle spotting, a ride on a little ferry across the Rhine for (of course) cake and coffee, and a visit to Gaby's father. His son Ingo, meanwhile, devoted himself to teaching me to say polliwog in German (don't ask) and took us on a tour of the nearby village, whose symbol is a donkey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDieoP5anrA/VdIITjy358I/AAAAAAAADa4/-3gw-CciBgE/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDieoP5anrA/VdIITjy358I/AAAAAAAADa4/-3gw-CciBgE/s320/Bonn%2B2015%2B105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QedOoWjYXaI/VdIHQ-qhoEI/AAAAAAAADag/ceQJYvI6usE/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QedOoWjYXaI/VdIHQ-qhoEI/AAAAAAAADag/ceQJYvI6usE/s400/Bonn%2B2015%2B083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Mosul river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIf7-K9nHCs/VdIHas9BFmI/AAAAAAAADas/w3WluiVg0OA/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wIf7-K9nHCs/VdIHas9BFmI/AAAAAAAADas/w3WluiVg0OA/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B092.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burg Eltz, a real fairy tale castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--73YBvpXABo/VdIDH0eC5rI/AAAAAAAADZE/le8IFDPq-h0/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--73YBvpXABo/VdIDH0eC5rI/AAAAAAAADZE/le8IFDPq-h0/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schloss Drachenberg (on the way to Dragon Rock)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A45LXOkev2o/VdIEIRGOyGI/AAAAAAAADZU/enze1JEOHto/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A45LXOkev2o/VdIEIRGOyGI/AAAAAAAADZU/enze1JEOHto/s320/Bonn%2B2015%2B052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GW97psgL5qI/VdIFKCd9P4I/AAAAAAAADZw/ZH0_J1FVDX4/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GW97psgL5qI/VdIFKCd9P4I/AAAAAAAADZw/ZH0_J1FVDX4/s320/Bonn%2B2015%2B059.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schloss Drachenberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTjYFWVs0ow/VdIFOA76gtI/AAAAAAAADZ4/X9nhRE29Lzg/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTjYFWVs0ow/VdIFOA76gtI/AAAAAAAADZ4/X9nhRE29Lzg/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apfel kuchen opportunity at the top of dragon rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5145wVp-ObY/VdIGPjrtuCI/AAAAAAAADaI/LcdYQxLoVpc/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5145wVp-ObY/VdIGPjrtuCI/AAAAAAAADaI/LcdYQxLoVpc/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Rhine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZKT2APKtTY/VdIFP8MX9AI/AAAAAAAADaA/_v-csWP0J9c/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZKT2APKtTY/VdIFP8MX9AI/AAAAAAAADaA/_v-csWP0J9c/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how we roll(s)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcO-OQT_8o0/VdIGU8QpveI/AAAAAAAADaQ/KOdNlLrYyuI/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AcO-OQT_8o0/VdIGU8QpveI/AAAAAAAADaQ/KOdNlLrYyuI/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tram to top of Dragon's rock, full of attractive tourists</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MfC-XQs1w4/VdIIcnAw_gI/AAAAAAAADbA/CAtICJsxE3o/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MfC-XQs1w4/VdIIcnAw_gI/AAAAAAAADbA/CAtICJsxE3o/s400/Bonn%2B2015%2B111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">castle spotting on the Rhine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWz_FhB9T_w/VdIIeiL9HfI/AAAAAAAADbI/-4ycJkIrqz0/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWz_FhB9T_w/VdIIeiL9HfI/AAAAAAAADbI/-4ycJkIrqz0/s320/Bonn%2B2015%2B117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yUpch6W-7I/VdIJUrWW9PI/AAAAAAAADbQ/cQZDyYpyUUk/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yUpch6W-7I/VdIJUrWW9PI/AAAAAAAADbQ/cQZDyYpyUUk/s400/Bonn%2B2015%2B122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We also visited several villages along the Rhine, including Bacharach, saw the modern art museum in Bonn, and explored the little village by Gerhard's house, with Ingo, who kindly took a photo of Tom for posterity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIKt3xktqgA/VdICE5voyWI/AAAAAAAADYo/yIWPcVScyMQ/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIKt3xktqgA/VdICE5voyWI/AAAAAAAADYo/yIWPcVScyMQ/s640/Bonn%2B2015%2B019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always a good sport, Tom poses with his friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekRvcjmi6PA/VdIAAlxJVmI/AAAAAAAADXg/xzHEAJWDQnk/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekRvcjmi6PA/VdIAAlxJVmI/AAAAAAAADXg/xzHEAJWDQnk/s400/IMG_1819.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three generations, Gerhard, Gunter, and Ingo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu4BLcBQJQg/VdIGWOaqI4I/AAAAAAAADaY/emePQBwhBhA/s1600/Bonn%2B2015%2B079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu4BLcBQJQg/VdIGWOaqI4I/AAAAAAAADaY/emePQBwhBhA/s400/Bonn%2B2015%2B079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern art or electrical wiring gone horribly wrong, you decide.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a fabulous week, and a welcome break from the heat wave in Italy, we are back in Arezzo. We knew we were headed to Italy when we saw a fellow passenger wearing a scarf in 38 degree weather (almost 100 degrees)! Bella Italia e viva Germania!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEd3QzGh8mE/VdH_5wW4kFI/AAAAAAAADXQ/jh-Q16U9zEQ/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEd3QzGh8mE/VdH_5wW4kFI/AAAAAAAADXQ/jh-Q16U9zEQ/s320/IMG_1814.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-72878080313687321282015-08-07T15:59:00.003+02:002015-08-07T15:59:48.983+02:00Happy Birthday on Isola d' Elba<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCPa_Wqmy2c/VcSektBJVxI/AAAAAAAADSw/zW9TF9giCWM/s1600/elba%2B053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCPa_Wqmy2c/VcSektBJVxI/AAAAAAAADSw/zW9TF9giCWM/s640/elba%2B053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of ferry and Portoferraio from our hotel on Elba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hard to believe I just had my second birthday since relocating to Italy already. Last year we celebrated at the Tuscan coast, known as the Costa degli Etruschi, at a town called Castiglione della Pescaia. This year we opted for a week on Elba Island, famed for having been briefly ruled by Napoleon and for having been his prison for about a year. The heat wave continues, with temperatures of 95+, so a beach vacation seemed like a great idea (although calling it a vacation may be a misnomer since essentially every day is a vacation for us).<br />
<br />
First problem, the car rental place was very slow in getting us our car, which is not surprising. However, I thought I had factored in enough time for that, but I seriously underestimated the exte nt of the delay (an hour) and of the summer traffic and the long lines at the toll stations. It became clear we were not going to make our 1:30 ferry to the island. I had visions of not being able to get on a ferry for the whole week-end and being stuck in Piombino without a hotel. The coast is very, very busy during a heat wave in July. <span id="goog_109329529"></span><span id="goog_109329530"></span>I called Blu Navy to see if we could change to the next ferry, not really thinking it would be possible, and eccola! No problem, they changed it immediately, no extra charge, texted the new ticket, and we were in business. There are 3 or 4 ferry lines servicing Elba, but they were all packed, and we were lucky to get a last minute reservation on the 4 pm ferry. The ferry attendants were all young, tanned, good looking Italian boys. I was tempted to take photos but it seemed a little too creepy.<br />
<br />
Our Elba hotel, Paradiso del Grotte, turned out to be connected with a German yachtschule, or sailing school. Pretty much everyone else at the hotel was german, it was odd to hear more german than italian, and the staff kept talking to us in German! We had half board, meaning breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Breakfast was sad. Each morning, by the time we got there, almost everything was gone, the ravaging horde of sailors hit the tables at 7:30. Dinner was better except on buffet-karaoke nights, with loud and bad karaoke blasting until after midnight. <br />
<br />
However, Elba is beautiful, with many beaches, cliffs, viewpoints, and gelatto stands, all the requisites for a good vacation. There is even a thriving Elba wine industry, and we sampled several different Elba wines, all in the interest of research of course. Elba prosecco has an interesting aroma, smoky and caramel, but it was good. We enjoyed swimming from the hotel beach, where we had free sunloungers and umbrellas.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Id8TtwqOJA/VcS0kei4KQI/AAAAAAAADVU/RG5dXLWP9TU/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Id8TtwqOJA/VcS0kei4KQI/AAAAAAAADVU/RG5dXLWP9TU/s320/IMG_1791.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought our Seattle tans to the hotel beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Following are more pictures from Elba, hope you like them.<br />
<span id="goog_386299193"></span><span id="goog_386299194"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWUTyztVkCs/VcSie0z7gzI/AAAAAAAADUI/PhNAnEuptwI/s1600/elba%2B082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sWUTyztVkCs/VcSie0z7gzI/AAAAAAAADUI/PhNAnEuptwI/s400/elba%2B082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the sailing school students in front of the hotel<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aB18tmiEE2w/VcSgZGT8haI/AAAAAAAADTQ/IDNtg6zBx5w/s1600/elba%2B066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aB18tmiEE2w/VcSgZGT8haI/AAAAAAAADTQ/IDNtg6zBx5w/s400/elba%2B066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful cliff side beaches everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3DQFJ4JXHU/VcSfuuEtr8I/AAAAAAAADTI/rQD-YE_Mx9Q/s1600/elba%2B063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3DQFJ4JXHU/VcSfuuEtr8I/AAAAAAAADTI/rQD-YE_Mx9Q/s200/elba%2B063.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izUJmCEAWkc/VcSgwsGmPxI/AAAAAAAADTg/53y5PiBBRqU/s1600/elba%2B069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izUJmCEAWkc/VcSgwsGmPxI/AAAAAAAADTg/53y5PiBBRqU/s400/elba%2B069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napoleon's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy-l3__N344/VcShxypP_aI/AAAAAAAADT4/2eAgrpoHrYo/s1600/elba%2B076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy-l3__N344/VcShxypP_aI/AAAAAAAADT4/2eAgrpoHrYo/s640/elba%2B076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Tower and Fortress from Napoleon's house<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvXR4t3XnuE/VcScUH6IjCI/AAAAAAAADR8/8aiLF-_fMXg/s1600/elba%2B032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvXR4t3XnuE/VcScUH6IjCI/AAAAAAAADR8/8aiLF-_fMXg/s400/elba%2B032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funiculare to top of Mt. Cappane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik6WeuEQ-H8/VcSdftatcDI/AAAAAAAADSY/ouCVJqr7tH4/s1600/elba%2B046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik6WeuEQ-H8/VcSdftatcDI/AAAAAAAADSY/ouCVJqr7tH4/s400/elba%2B046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the top of Mt. Cappane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-129mEq7vrBM/VcS0dBQOjlI/AAAAAAAADVM/-WPbY8mDzDg/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-129mEq7vrBM/VcS0dBQOjlI/AAAAAAAADVM/-WPbY8mDzDg/s640/IMG_1778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eJqtnvGVjE/VcS0crzLxOI/AAAAAAAADVA/O8Xvb8f3Ous/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eJqtnvGVjE/VcS0crzLxOI/AAAAAAAADVA/O8Xvb8f3Ous/s400/IMG_1787.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">piazza in Porto Azzurro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PE9zDMLN2d4/VcS0coKCnVI/AAAAAAAADVI/aR9XX88EvE0/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PE9zDMLN2d4/VcS0coKCnVI/AAAAAAAADVI/aR9XX88EvE0/s400/IMG_1789.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of sunset as seen from our cabin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsYvTZY170Y/VcS0zqhblCI/AAAAAAAADV0/b9eljGkLwKk/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsYvTZY170Y/VcS0zqhblCI/AAAAAAAADV0/b9eljGkLwKk/s320/IMG_1806.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napoleon's bed--not the bed in our cabin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, hard to see why Napoleon was so eager to escape from Elba. We were very sorry to leave .<br />
<br />
A prossima,<br />
<br />
Nancy & TomNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-36939901672548750102015-08-07T13:08:00.001+02:002015-08-07T13:08:13.305+02:00The taxman always rings twice--when you are a U.S. expat in ItalyFINALMENTE!!! Pop the prosecco, we have finally finished both of our tax filings. Imagine how chagrined I, a lawyer, was when I first learned we that I didn't know beforehand we had to file income tax in Italy even though we don't earn any income here. It is simply something I never thought about before we arrived. And there is a lot of misinformation and confusion among the expat online community. Part of the problem is that the U.S. is one of a very, very few countries that taxes their citizen's worldwide income even if they don't reside in the U.S., hence the double filing. Another problem is the obscurity of the Italian tax code, which most Italians don't understand. They all told me we would have to have a commercialista because "non e possibile" to do your own taxes. General astonishment when I told them most Americans do their own taxes online!<br />
<br />
A third problem--finding a commercialista willing to deal with Americans. Most of the international commercialiste deal with Brits (there are a lot of them here) and find American requirements too confusing to bother with. After trying about 30 different offices, Niccolo Billi in Florence was willing to undertake the task. We gave him the documents and got back the tax bill--about 6 times more than what we would have paid in the U.S.! Part of the cost of living in Paradise. Then we had to find a bank that would open a bank account for U.S. citizens, again, something they don't want to bother with because of U.S. banking regulations. FATCA purports to impose huge penalties on foreign banks that don't comply with reporting requirements, and Italian bankers generally prefer to avoid the problem by avoiding Americans. Niccolo found a small bank that opens accounts for Americans, met us there to get the paperwork taken care of, and only 47 signatures later, we had an account, paid our taxes online, and even had an Italian debit card! Donatella, "our" banker, even gave us her personal cell so we can call her if we have any problems or banking questions. That is not service I ever got from a U.S. bank! Donatella's bank doesn't mind the U.S. regulations because they are not affiliated with a U.S. bank and thus don't have assets in the U.S., so they don't have to worry about the specter of 30% of their assets being seized for non-compliance with FATCA. (A side note--Democrats Abroad is trying to get a change in the banking laws so expat bank accounts are not included, which I support. Our account is not a 'foreign account' in the sense intended by FATCA, it is our local bank account where we live. Expat accounts are not part of the terrorist problem Congress thinks it is addressing by these laws). <br />
<br />
There is a tax treaty, so we don't have to pay twice, we can take a deduction for the amount we paid and, since it is so large, we don't owe U.S. tax, we just have to file a return. Turbo tax software includes the foreign tax forms which was convenient, they were missing or not working on another site I looked at. It was a bit confusing to figure out, but basically you can take a credit or a deduction for taxes paid on income earned in Italy. For income earned in the U.S. you can only take a deduction for taxes paid. IRS publication 514 actually does a pretty good job of explaining this in a mere 29 pages. There is a very helpful book online for anyone trying to get an overview of what expats do and don't have to pay, called Larry's Tax Guide. It is updated annually, and I recommend it to any american dealing with expat tax issues. Wish I had found it earlier.<br />
<br />
The banker and the commercialista were amazed at how happy we were to be paying our taxes, but after 6 months of figuring out IF we had to pay, WHAT we had to pay, and HOW we could make the payment, it was a huge relief to have it over with. And having just pushed send on the US filing (yes, we had an extension) I can forget about taxes for the next six months. Hence, the prosecco.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-10977664131073881812015-08-07T12:46:00.001+02:002015-08-07T16:02:49.309+02:00Update on the last six months part I: Morocco and Touring Tuscany with Friends From the U.S.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHid29qSsBA/VWs4FZ-_QZI/AAAAAAAADHc/k8i0YI-gLo0/s1600/morocco%2B677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHid29qSsBA/VWs4FZ-_QZI/AAAAAAAADHc/k8i0YI-gLo0/s640/morocco%2B677.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our guide in the Sahara camp rocking Kelly's sungasses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Morocco and Spain</h2>
Long time no blog. Since the last entry in February we have spent three weeks in Morocco with our daughter, followed by a week in Madrid and Toledo, and hosted two different visitors from home, touring around Tuscany and enjoying spring in Chianti country. We then went to Warsaw and Krackow for two weeks, and celebrated my birthday week on Elba island. It was great to be back in Arezzo just in time for the Giostra di Saraceno which we heard from our apartment but did not attend this year. However, our contrada won the golden lance, leading to a big party in the street only a block away.<br />
<br />
First, Morocco. My first time in Africa, and Morocco is probably the easiest introduction to the continent. We flew into Marrakesh and from Tangier to Madrid, then Madrid to Pisa--averaging $24 a ticket. Thanks RyanAir. People from the UK shudder when we mention RyanAir but we have had no trouble with it. Yes, they charge for every single extra (check a bag, print a boarding pass, a bottle of water on the plane, a seat reservation), but if you have a carry on bag and print your pass at home, you get great flight deals. <br />
<br />
We stayed at riads (former private homes turned into hotels, built around a courtyard) and they were all great as well as relatively inexpensive. Since the riads were in the medinas, the old part of town--think the souk in Aladdin-- which are very confusing to navigate, hotel staff met us at the entry gate and guided us in. Throughout all of our stays, the hotel people were friendly and helpful. When Kelly joined us in Casablanca we went back to Marrakesh, then on a four day trip through the Atlas mountains to a Sahara desert camp, complete with camel rides and sandboarding. A great trip and, for the masochistic among you who want to see some of Tom's 989 pictures, send me an email and I will send you a link to the slideshow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4Ivtrt54rY/VWswWzGYrZI/AAAAAAAADEI/QmSXW_5k8hs/s1600/morocco%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4Ivtrt54rY/VWswWzGYrZI/AAAAAAAADEI/QmSXW_5k8hs/s640/morocco%2B009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spice souk in Marrakesh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w2adpDUFvGE/VWswTn-66aI/AAAAAAAADD4/WNy3o8uIam8/s1600/morocco%2B034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w2adpDUFvGE/VWswTn-66aI/AAAAAAAADD4/WNy3o8uIam8/s320/morocco%2B034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUMcYGiHwyM/VWswVVy-G-I/AAAAAAAADEA/DKCJmpIDoR4/s1600/morocco%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUMcYGiHwyM/VWswVVy-G-I/AAAAAAAADEA/DKCJmpIDoR4/s320/morocco%2B037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water seller left,, wool market above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X9yavI05lNU/VWswzxdohsI/AAAAAAAADEY/hEabzn856nI/s1600/morocco%2B098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X9yavI05lNU/VWswzxdohsI/AAAAAAAADEY/hEabzn856nI/s320/morocco%2B098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpP5JHbEj00/VWsxfctjAjI/AAAAAAAADEo/pOQtlA8cVrE/s1600/morocco%2B103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpP5JHbEj00/VWsxfctjAjI/AAAAAAAADEo/pOQtlA8cVrE/s320/morocco%2B103.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooking class in Marrakesh left, Yves St. Laurent<br />
garden near Marrakesh above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_2Dg-tffUP0/VWsxuGjv_0I/AAAAAAAADE4/DAC8PIFNQNg/s1600/morocco%2B130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_2Dg-tffUP0/VWsxuGjv_0I/AAAAAAAADE4/DAC8PIFNQNg/s640/morocco%2B130.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">probably the only halo Kelly will ever have!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzM2qFiC8tU/VWsykwuVsNI/AAAAAAAADFI/254NQzGUGeA/s1600/morocco%2B141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slg7rFlo8GY/VWsynvygXlI/AAAAAAAADFQ/rUDZCjE39rU/s1600/morocco%2B211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slg7rFlo8GY/VWsynvygXlI/AAAAAAAADFQ/rUDZCjE39rU/s320/morocco%2B211.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLbjCtecotA/VWs0h0-jFcI/AAAAAAAADGI/LdMv5zYY4D0/s1600/morocco%2B475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLbjCtecotA/VWs0h0-jFcI/AAAAAAAADGI/LdMv5zYY4D0/s320/morocco%2B475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casablanca--great mosque above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOjZf1DFjdU/VWs2jomkRHI/AAAAAAAADGo/ecRRPlScrQs/s1600/morocco%2B610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOjZf1DFjdU/VWs2jomkRHI/AAAAAAAADGo/ecRRPlScrQs/s640/morocco%2B610.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y3-I0IbfAA/VWs1mxYRmsI/AAAAAAAADGg/EHHLwdc0yUI/s1600/morocco%2B577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y3-I0IbfAA/VWs1mxYRmsI/AAAAAAAADGg/EHHLwdc0yUI/s200/morocco%2B577.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jlqObQ3qSOY/VWs3vMv5OvI/AAAAAAAADHI/cSJr1fNK_jc/s1600/morocco%2B672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jlqObQ3qSOY/VWs3vMv5OvI/AAAAAAAADHI/cSJr1fNK_jc/s320/morocco%2B672.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a drive through the mountains to the Sahara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qnjb__bDH40/VWs32Nbrn6I/AAAAAAAADHQ/ShEqBcYKtbQ/s1600/morocco%2B675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qnjb__bDH40/VWs32Nbrn6I/AAAAAAAADHQ/ShEqBcYKtbQ/s400/morocco%2B675.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandboarding in the Sahara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were sad to see Kelly go but managed to enjoy another week in Morocco then a week in Madrid, our first visit to Spain. We appreciated being back in Europe--although we don't speak spanish, we can understand it fairly well because of its similarities to Italian--and it is in the Eurozone, making money transactions easier (although Morocco is much less expensive). It was Easter week so we saw some interesting parades, and also visited the great museums, along with a day trip to Toledo, a beautiful town. We plan to return to Barcelona and adjacent areas in the spring.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxBsdO85WE0/VYQdzwEKT2I/AAAAAAAADJo/-OI2k3EzCPE/s1600/morocco%2B956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JxBsdO85WE0/VYQdzwEKT2I/AAAAAAAADJo/-OI2k3EzCPE/s400/morocco%2B956.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">midnight parade on holy Thursday in Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gid_X8AcRxg/VYQfGXMONQI/AAAAAAAADJ8/s-2B25h7Nsg/s1600/morocco%2B868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gid_X8AcRxg/VYQfGXMONQI/AAAAAAAADJ8/s-2B25h7Nsg/s400/morocco%2B868.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Palace, Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDK22aXb4T8/VYQfHSDmZzI/AAAAAAAADKI/dULiKA60CRg/s1600/morocco%2B875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDK22aXb4T8/VYQfHSDmZzI/AAAAAAAADKI/dULiKA60CRg/s400/morocco%2B875.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best ever living statue in Plaza Mayor, Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2BCNKZlC6Q/VYQhI5Xwu3I/AAAAAAAADKs/ssMAy_fCJFk/s1600/morocco%2B920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2BCNKZlC6Q/VYQhI5Xwu3I/AAAAAAAADKs/ssMAy_fCJFk/s400/morocco%2B920.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral in Toledo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zMt-n58j0Y/VYQiPMztxOI/AAAAAAAADLQ/Iu5YMBPZTFQ/s1600/morocco%2B945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zMt-n58j0Y/VYQiPMztxOI/AAAAAAAADLQ/Iu5YMBPZTFQ/s640/morocco%2B945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Toledo from hill above city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
II. Touring Tuscany with friends from the U.S.</h2>
<div>
When you tell your friends you are moving to Italy for a few years, the universal response is some variation of "do you have a guest room?" or "I'll be there next week!" In reality, however, we did not have any friends coming to stay with us for the first year, although we did meet up with friends who were staying in a castle nearby. This spring, however, two different friends came to see us, and Italy, in April and May. We enjoyed showing them 'our town' of Arezzo, and visiting some of the local sights in Tuscany. While one friend had been to Italy many times, it was a first time visit for the other, so we got the fun of introducing her to our favorite italian things and customs, such as fabulous food with espresso after dinner, walled cities (think Lucca) the cathedral in Sienna, and the joys of a long and leisurely wine tasting with lunch in Chianti country. Of course we had to stay in a castle, and also took the opportunity to re-visit a favorite agriturismo, Borgo Rapale, as well as finding a new favorite near the etruscan town, Volterra. Tuscany in spring is incredible and the weather cooperated. I even (finally) bought a leather purse in Firenze!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQeZuj_DCPo/VYRFVh99F5I/AAAAAAAADL4/B7HLWcEwk-0/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQeZuj_DCPo/VYRFVh99F5I/AAAAAAAADL4/B7HLWcEwk-0/s400/ruth%2Btrip%2B013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx1KcxmO814/VYRGao0qL1I/AAAAAAAADMM/j4kXhlbzfwM/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx1KcxmO814/VYRGao0qL1I/AAAAAAAADMM/j4kXhlbzfwM/s400/ruth%2Btrip%2B058.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden at Palazzo Pfanner, Lucca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDCu9G9nPPg/VYRHcPiiztI/AAAAAAAADMk/InLOh2CL5kU/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDCu9G9nPPg/VYRHcPiiztI/AAAAAAAADMk/InLOh2CL5kU/s400/ruth%2Btrip%2B095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-caz7USIa-K0/VYRHdikBmwI/AAAAAAAADMs/piP4UXOoNjQ/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-caz7USIa-K0/VYRHdikBmwI/AAAAAAAADMs/piP4UXOoNjQ/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinque Terre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqmCYhLRzRI/VYRHeubs5YI/AAAAAAAADM0/vMMmDx3fu_0/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqmCYhLRzRI/VYRHeubs5YI/AAAAAAAADM0/vMMmDx3fu_0/s400/ruth%2Btrip%2B104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY3kjKztqZI/VYRJk2UZVSI/AAAAAAAADNc/G9QBXI0p63g/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY3kjKztqZI/VYRJk2UZVSI/AAAAAAAADNc/G9QBXI0p63g/s640/ruth%2Btrip%2B134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is for Kelly: strong women, proud women, all women, Mills' women!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPnkCSYk7Yk/VYRJqDVBEBI/AAAAAAAADNk/GUprFIhYcyE/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPnkCSYk7Yk/VYRJqDVBEBI/AAAAAAAADNk/GUprFIhYcyE/s400/ruth%2Btrip%2B144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road to the agriturismo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7p80VcSKB0c/VYRKrJAAaLI/AAAAAAAADNs/gxD29Z_NKPg/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7p80VcSKB0c/VYRKrJAAaLI/AAAAAAAADNs/gxD29Z_NKPg/s200/ruth%2Btrip%2B164.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IIl_jqOLv2M/VYRKwN4kreI/AAAAAAAADN8/xK7MqlLVaaA/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IIl_jqOLv2M/VYRKwN4kreI/AAAAAAAADN8/xK7MqlLVaaA/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous couple in Volterra museum (left)<br />
A view of the castle B&B (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH7-mKaSOLM/VYRLvreciKI/AAAAAAAADOI/18H54Z3A5cE/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH7-mKaSOLM/VYRLvreciKI/AAAAAAAADOI/18H54Z3A5cE/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuIFueb3YYo/VYRLzKrtMtI/AAAAAAAADOU/OvYfTpwgVBU/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iuIFueb3YYo/VYRLzKrtMtI/AAAAAAAADOU/OvYfTpwgVBU/s200/ruth%2Btrip%2B221.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sienna of course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWeKgka7RXg/VYRMxb_BaAI/AAAAAAAADOc/uIOkCJW4ybA/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWeKgka7RXg/VYRMxb_BaAI/AAAAAAAADOc/uIOkCJW4ybA/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fzxgyNiP5k/VYRN39klGoI/AAAAAAAADPQ/Tr9YlvXiE48/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fzxgyNiP5k/VYRN39klGoI/AAAAAAAADPQ/Tr9YlvXiE48/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B254.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Florence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9V8_qhWhFug/VYRNzQmTJKI/AAAAAAAADPA/yOGd8oHYWYw/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9V8_qhWhFug/VYRNzQmTJKI/AAAAAAAADPA/yOGd8oHYWYw/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B266.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhz9DOagaCo/VYRO6l-TN_I/AAAAAAAADPk/d6AnlgVrEY8/s1600/ruth%2Btrip%2B272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhz9DOagaCo/VYRO6l-TN_I/AAAAAAAADPk/d6AnlgVrEY8/s320/ruth%2Btrip%2B272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw a parade in Florence from our hotel window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
We also had a great time exploring the Chianti region and sampling the fine wines at two different wineries, as well as tasting the 12 year old balsamic vinegar which was incredible! We all had to buy some and we dole it out in teaspoons as a special treat, it is far to expensive for something as pedestrian as a mere salad! It is a good thing we did our month of travelling around Tuscany in April/May because it has been troppo caldo in July/August, with the temperature hovering around 100 every day. Been thinking about a trip to Tuscany? It should cool off in the fall, come and see us!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-85072029316269052852015-02-12T17:41:00.000+01:002015-02-14T13:54:05.204+01:00Seattle vs. Italy! Carnevale for Everyone!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyzEUIfrSDU/VNzW4DpntcI/AAAAAAAAC8c/aU_dbxJc8E4/s1600/snow%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyzEUIfrSDU/VNzW4DpntcI/AAAAAAAAC8c/aU_dbxJc8E4/s1600/snow%2B002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowing in front of our apartment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This is our <span id="goog_1194021955"></span><span id="goog_1194021956"></span>first blog post since before leaving for Christmas in Seattle, which was enjoyable but thought provoking. It was the first time back in the States in over a year, meaning the first time to drive a car, go to a mega supermarket, be in a house instead of an apartment, etc. in over a year. It was surprising how everything was simultaneously different yet the same. Upon returning, I read various blogs and articles comparing Italy and the US, but I have concluded that isn't a comparison that can truly be made. It depends on what part of Italy and what part of the US you are comparing--you can no more say all of Italy and all Italians are the same than you can say all of the US and all Americans are the same. Seattle and New York probably have as many differences between them as Seattle and Arezzo, with pluses and minuses on both sides of the equation. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Arezzo has the edge over Seattle in culture, history, and beautiful monuments, churches, and ancient winding streets. Seattle wins in gardens, greenery, streets wide enough to drive on, and beautiful water and mountain views. Seattle has many more types of cuisine--there is a Chinese restaurant in Arezzo and some hamburger joints, but that is it for foreign food here. However, the overall freshness and quality of the food in Arezzo is better, The slow pace of service and the length of time it takes to get through a meal might annoy Seattleites trying to get back to work, but we like it since we have no work to get back to and it gives us a chance to chat with the other patrons and staff. <br />
<br />
I was asked by a friend what I miss about Seattle when I am in Italy, other than my daughter. My first thought was mexican food. I didn't think of it at the time, but I should have answered "clean public bathrooms with toilet paper, soap and towels." That is a combination almost never found in Italy, and women with any length of time here know to carry a pocket pack of kleenex whenever venturing into a public restroom. One thing that the US does better than Italy is plumbing. Our giant showers, luxurious tubs, and plentiful (and cheap) hot water seem excessive when compared to the tiny showers and cramped bathrooms common here.<br />
<br />
Seattle, and the US generally, also win in ease of getting things done. Bemoaning the bureaucracy is practically a national pastime here, and they do seem to have ways of making things more complicated and time consuming than they need to be. Enel, the light and gas provider, has sent people to our apartment 5 different times to fill out forms in triplicate--once because they charged 35 euros too much on our bill. Instead of just giving us a credit on the next bill, there were 3 phone calls and 2 in person visits to fill out paperwork in triplicate, followed by 2 follow up calls to ask if the people were "gentile e cortese.' (polite and courteous--they were). Many things we would take care of online or over the phone in the US require multiple trips to the sportello here. Renewing my driver's license in person at the DMV in Seattle when I was back home took 12 minutes start to finish, and the people were friendly and efficient. In contrast, it takes multiple hours and multiple visits to get anything done here, and often the people charged with accomplishing the task don't seem too sure of what they are doing. Eventually, though, it gets taken care of and we all have an espresso. However, "Nordstrom" style customer service generally doesn't exist here. The customer is not always right and it is virtually impossible to return something, even if it is defective. The pleasantries and 'have a nice day' encountered in Seattle may be fake but it makes transactions more pleasant. Italian sales clerks can be curt and uninterested. On the other hand, sometimes you end up in an interesting conversation and spend a half hour chatting about all of their favorite spots to see in Italy and their nonna's recipe for tortellini--not something likely to happen in Seattle.<br />
<br />
Italy definitely wins the Carnevale competition! We celebrated our return to Italy and Tom's birthday with a few days in Florence, then went to Viareggio for their famous carnevale parade, followed by a couple of days in nearby Lucca. I am attaching a video slideshow of the carnevale trip for those who want to see it. Buon divertimento!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyT7euIpaycB5p65OEqIL0MqBNOYyS_WZlLi6ehe6rYN3ylrXJdoAJ4Zl6fqCNsbU_TqqHMaD1YVMqqC7dPKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-86490963130253498122014-11-14T21:12:00.003+01:002014-11-18T18:54:28.824+01:00Our month long circle tour of Sicily<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwmaYaermAI/VGYHSv6NFqI/AAAAAAAACmg/JGNYVIYfhdE/s1600/sicily%2B057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nwmaYaermAI/VGYHSv6NFqI/AAAAAAAACmg/JGNYVIYfhdE/s1600/sicily%2B057.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We spent a month (mid-October to mid November) exploring Sicily, starting in Trapani then renting a car and basically circumnavigating the island with occasional forays into the mountains. October was hot--about 85 degrees--but there was a big change a couple of days into November, with a sirocco and downpours so strong they cancelled school all along the coast. Since it isn't possible to show everything from a month long trip--especially since Tom took 600 pictures--the following attempts to illustrate the diversity to be found in Sicily.<br />
<br />
We stayed in Trapani for several days and used one of them for a trip to Erice, an ancient town about 15 minutes from Trapani via funicular. Erice is beautiful with the usual complement of views, churches, and piazze.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWhcLmSlgeE/VGYMttj-36I/AAAAAAAACqE/ErS-NL6Vp3c/s1600/sicily%2B409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWhcLmSlgeE/VGYMttj-36I/AAAAAAAACqE/ErS-NL6Vp3c/s1600/sicily%2B409.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BIkHeL9ZcQ/VGt1VFHd0NI/AAAAAAAAC00/UMby0MkpUjI/s1600/sicily%2B424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BIkHeL9ZcQ/VGt1VFHd0NI/AAAAAAAAC00/UMby0MkpUjI/s1600/sicily%2B424.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erice is a great spot for a fake selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTgLk46lKxI/VGYGrSkMWAI/AAAAAAAACmQ/FHol2BmLzJw/s1600/sicily%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTgLk46lKxI/VGYGrSkMWAI/AAAAAAAACmQ/FHol2BmLzJw/s1600/sicily%2B027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">portable stations of the cross--carried through<br />
the streets as part of easter week processions. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gaan2dEwZU/VGYKnAvd1BI/AAAAAAAACo0/w-FpPJdQ06I/s1600/sicily%2B285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gaan2dEwZU/VGYKnAvd1BI/AAAAAAAACo0/w-FpPJdQ06I/s1600/sicily%2B285.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom enjoys himself at the pasticerria in Erice reputed<br />
to have the best cannoli in Sicily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt-7Us7n2FVUBLKLJyFUNoDXJhP3m6B8d59y8n-nQdAeSthEITR1Q0XdKQq8bQNMhIWs_abu_rK8CjmyXYL_m8zGAZGDb7fRxUMlNM-6zcyEqJnV1YC67-nC0zP4NW8o_pmkuq2euiCnJ/s1600/sicily+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMt-7Us7n2FVUBLKLJyFUNoDXJhP3m6B8d59y8n-nQdAeSthEITR1Q0XdKQq8bQNMhIWs_abu_rK8CjmyXYL_m8zGAZGDb7fRxUMlNM-6zcyEqJnV1YC67-nC0zP4NW8o_pmkuq2euiCnJ/s1600/sicily+003.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9uS6d4Ctgk/VGYGowVIyUI/AAAAAAAACmI/cOQcPaWr1wk/s1600/sicily%2B025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9uS6d4Ctgk/VGYGowVIyUI/AAAAAAAACmI/cOQcPaWr1wk/s1600/sicily%2B025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">special parking spot for preggies in Erice (left). Even<br />
police officers stop to enjoy the view in Erice (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2Y5Q-2Etko/VGt1Q2czB4I/AAAAAAAAC0s/4hMHaw3EkjY/s1600/sicily%2B422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2Y5Q-2Etko/VGt1Q2czB4I/AAAAAAAAC0s/4hMHaw3EkjY/s1600/sicily%2B422.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italy's cutest castle--in Erice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After picking up our rental car we stopped at the Trapani salt flats on our way out of town. Salt is no longer the major industry it was in the past, but the salt flats are still producing. Below is a picture of piles of salt waiting to be processed and an old windmill, no longer in use, which has been converted to a salt museum.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFL-UANymXs/VGYi6A9HvII/AAAAAAAACxI/sUziTwQj_EU/s1600/sicily%2B464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFL-UANymXs/VGYi6A9HvII/AAAAAAAACxI/sUziTwQj_EU/s1600/sicily%2B464.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
From Trapani we headed to Selinunte, stopping at Motyia and Segesta on the way. Sicily was fought over for centuries by invaders wanting its wealth and its strategic position as a naval base. One of the earliest invaders was Phoenicia. An island called Motyia is considered to have the best preserved Phoenician ruins in Sicily (and probably the world). The area was not built over by Greeks, Romans, Normans, Arabs or Spaniards, as was the case in most other areas of Sicily, and the nature of Phoenician cities could thus be explored at Motyia.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBMFLs6kluo/VGYN3gM3rdI/AAAAAAAACqk/J5Q17IEIVYw/s1600/sicily%2B475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBMFLs6kluo/VGYN3gM3rdI/AAAAAAAACqk/J5Q17IEIVYw/s1600/sicily%2B475.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of ritual pool and ruins with Mediterranean in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The temple at Segesta is one of the iconic sights of Sicily, frequently appearing in guide books and travel stories. We visited the temple and other ruins after Motyia. It didn't disappoint, although we were losing the light by then, so the photo is not very clear.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNfiJ2rz1No/VGYj-db8v3I/AAAAAAAACxc/zQli84Vcxos/s1600/sicily%2B500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNfiJ2rz1No/VGYj-db8v3I/AAAAAAAACxc/zQli84Vcxos/s1600/sicily%2B500.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
In Agrigento, home to Val dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) we stayed at the B&B closest to the ruins, called "Camere con Vista" (Rooms with a view--very E.M. Forster). We had a great view of the ruins which are lighted up at night.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzs6H-SYGEM/VGYgJ2QF-xI/AAAAAAAACvk/wpChY30pQUw/s1600/sicily%2B120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzs6H-SYGEM/VGYgJ2QF-xI/AAAAAAAACvk/wpChY30pQUw/s1600/sicily%2B120.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from our room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_rPFlpw_eE/VGYS-7rBS9I/AAAAAAAACsU/z_O_MQX8bQc/s1600/sicily%2B611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_rPFlpw_eE/VGYS-7rBS9I/AAAAAAAACsU/z_O_MQX8bQc/s1600/sicily%2B611.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breakfast on the terrace with the wild cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lY0gsaW6dho/VGYgrDjyyCI/AAAAAAAACv4/16El4bsmFTY/s1600/sicily%2B116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lY0gsaW6dho/VGYgrDjyyCI/AAAAAAAACv4/16El4bsmFTY/s1600/sicily%2B116.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho-Erb0RXaI/VGYRPxRm1PI/AAAAAAAACr0/qL_UxT9eHjk/s1600/sicily%2B582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho-Erb0RXaI/VGYRPxRm1PI/AAAAAAAACr0/qL_UxT9eHjk/s1600/sicily%2B582.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlas (not shrugging)<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WjF83a-IheQ/VGYSAdOe0uI/AAAAAAAACsE/bp7K44YrtfI/s1600/sicily%2B589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WjF83a-IheQ/VGYSAdOe0uI/AAAAAAAACsE/bp7K44YrtfI/s1600/sicily%2B589.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5T19yHQp-cI/VGYQPwLIxAI/AAAAAAAACrc/EsvziaOBD3U/s1600/sicily%2B536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5T19yHQp-cI/VGYQPwLIxAI/AAAAAAAACrc/EsvziaOBD3U/s1600/sicily%2B536.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the only picture of us together from the whole trip. This is at Cave di Cusa, where they quarried<br />
the rock for the temples. You can still see the cutting marks and columns that were begun, but<br />
not completed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2aCIif403s/VGYgqv8CppI/AAAAAAAACv0/yVsNFYTDSoI/s1600/sicily%2B124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2aCIif403s/VGYgqv8CppI/AAAAAAAACv0/yVsNFYTDSoI/s1600/sicily%2B124.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo opp at the scale dei turchi, named for turkish pirates who used<br />
to hide out here (and because it looks like steps...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
En route to Piazza Armerina, we stopped at Sciacca, a beautiful little town, thankfully without an archaeological park.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5n9p93hCJkw/VGYhKr74nPI/AAAAAAAACwM/nZ-7uwvtZq8/s1600/sicily%2B154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5n9p93hCJkw/VGYhKr74nPI/AAAAAAAACwM/nZ-7uwvtZq8/s1600/sicily%2B154.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6PsmcVL23k/VGYUE2JWdSI/AAAAAAAACss/zZM24fTAhIQ/s1600/sicily%2B689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6PsmcVL23k/VGYUE2JWdSI/AAAAAAAACss/zZM24fTAhIQ/s1600/sicily%2B689.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duomo in Piazza Armerina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Piazza Armerina is close to the famous ruins of the Roman Villa with 40000 square meters of mosaic floors. The tiles in the mosaics are tiny and the pictures and patterns incredibly detailed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZRr5ntr_j0/VGYhB4aBCBI/AAAAAAAACwE/iMmO-Dhw2ZM/s1600/sicily%2B140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZRr5ntr_j0/VGYhB4aBCBI/AAAAAAAACwE/iMmO-Dhw2ZM/s1600/sicily%2B140.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CYj5dkf4nA/VGYH5JiPH1I/AAAAAAAACm0/Bak5enPk05M/s1600/sicily%2B125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CYj5dkf4nA/VGYH5JiPH1I/AAAAAAAACm0/Bak5enPk05M/s1600/sicily%2B125.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bikini athletes preparing for the Olympics 2500 years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Generally, the roads were surprisingly good and there was little traffic, although occasionally we had to share the road with sheep or the road petered out into a one lane dirt track, and there were a LOT of switchbacks, sharp turns, and scary tunnels that looked hand dug out of the rock. There are many breathtaking views along the way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_z11unPYq4/VGYLNTKMpoI/AAAAAAAACpU/1wCtaj5jKso/s1600/sicily%2B297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_z11unPYq4/VGYLNTKMpoI/AAAAAAAACpU/1wCtaj5jKso/s1600/sicily%2B297.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the 'highways', just wide enough for two cars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCjPMioY-KY/VGYeFM2xDPI/AAAAAAAACvY/p8qh5UjM9rI/s1600/sicily%2B081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCjPMioY-KY/VGYeFM2xDPI/AAAAAAAACvY/p8qh5UjM9rI/s1600/sicily%2B081.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheep meandering down the road--the shepherd eventually got<br />
them all moved to the side of the road so we could pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Onward to Ragusa Ibla for three nights, En route we stopped at the ceramics capitol of Italy, Caltagirone, and admired the tile faced steps, stopping to buy several platters and other ceramic pieces which we had shipped to Arezzo. Hope they arrive in one piece.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k7071GGEGJ4/VGYHU_F9NlI/AAAAAAAACmo/8Qy2C65JOpQ/s1600/sicily%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k7071GGEGJ4/VGYHU_F9NlI/AAAAAAAACmo/8Qy2C65JOpQ/s1600/sicily%2B056.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3r0J2YUbXU0/VGt0nq4-6UI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/kc-XbNdhY8c/s1600/sicily%2B211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3r0J2YUbXU0/VGt0nq4-6UI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/kc-XbNdhY8c/s1600/sicily%2B211.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vKHbRjDoPI/VGYIoEMLraI/AAAAAAAACnc/z8xwx9PbdX4/s1600/sicily%2B170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vKHbRjDoPI/VGYIoEMLraI/AAAAAAAACnc/z8xwx9PbdX4/s1600/sicily%2B170.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of tile fronted staircase in Caltagirone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzLTTZuM1_A/VGYKpq4GFZI/AAAAAAAACo8/JOGmG4g-zjE/s1600/sicily%2B281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzLTTZuM1_A/VGYKpq4GFZI/AAAAAAAACo8/JOGmG4g-zjE/s1600/sicily%2B281.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the three legged entity above is the trigona,<br />
symbol of sicily. the origins are obscure but it<br />
may represent the three points on the island of<br />
Sicily, or the three districts of Sicily established under<br />
Arab rule.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also did day trips to Castello Donnafugata (Donnafugata is now known for fine Sicilian wines), Enna and Noto. The castle has been extensively refurbished and is one of the few with furniture and decorations, probably still in place because the castle is 'only' from the 18th century.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCXN4qM-QlE/VGYImVeL9AI/AAAAAAAACnU/qAvjhnIBQg8/s1600/sicily%2B183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCXN4qM-QlE/VGYImVeL9AI/AAAAAAAACnU/qAvjhnIBQg8/s1600/sicily%2B183.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom in the camera dei stemmi (the wall is covered with the stemmi or crests<br />
of the various noble families in the area).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfAZlATta98/VGYUNEjiM2I/AAAAAAAACs8/ayS5K4d008k/s1600/sicily%2B718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfAZlATta98/VGYUNEjiM2I/AAAAAAAACs8/ayS5K4d008k/s1600/sicily%2B718.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xEQ7mG2_IcA/VGYlgIrOcSI/AAAAAAAACyA/pxDblbo295c/s1600/sicily%2B705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xEQ7mG2_IcA/VGYlgIrOcSI/AAAAAAAACyA/pxDblbo295c/s1600/sicily%2B705.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jx_gxTGkCE/VGYmJx6mabI/AAAAAAAACyQ/2_EA0rZGvG0/s1600/sicily%2B714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jx_gxTGkCE/VGYmJx6mabI/AAAAAAAACyQ/2_EA0rZGvG0/s1600/sicily%2B714.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">garden gargoyle planter ()left), gazebo<br />
in Donnafugata garden (above)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ai8Kr6729B4/VGYVIJ3bNnI/AAAAAAAACtE/ft7JFGiAzOI/s1600/sicily%2B730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ai8Kr6729B4/VGYVIJ3bNnI/AAAAAAAACtE/ft7JFGiAzOI/s1600/sicily%2B730.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle and old cave dwellings above Noto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SZZGsxdCLJg/VGYmktZQ6NI/AAAAAAAACyY/J4fsSeVhbqo/s1600/sicily%2B734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SZZGsxdCLJg/VGYmktZQ6NI/AAAAAAAACyY/J4fsSeVhbqo/s1600/sicily%2B734.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">former cave house in Noto, now a souvenir shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxIBfkwSpkA/VGYi4mYOKQI/AAAAAAAACxA/hHWc-bOpRTg/s1600/sicily%2B410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxIBfkwSpkA/VGYi4mYOKQI/AAAAAAAACxA/hHWc-bOpRTg/s1600/sicily%2B410.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-07vd82G34/VGYJGQpDemI/AAAAAAAACns/_rQ0tJEz0NI/s1600/sicily%2B204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-07vd82G34/VGYJGQpDemI/AAAAAAAACns/_rQ0tJEz0NI/s1600/sicily%2B204.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KW_AuU0uE4E/VGt15h2U-uI/AAAAAAAAC08/VP7VhC7epOg/s1600/sicily%2B186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KW_AuU0uE4E/VGt15h2U-uI/AAAAAAAAC08/VP7VhC7epOg/s1600/sicily%2B186.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gelatto here must be made with the freshest ingredients!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next stop, Ortygia, a small town on an island connected by bridges to the Syracusa, home to another archaeological park with both Greek and Roman theaters as well as the tomb of Archimedes (the 'eureka in the bathtub' guy who was born in Syracusa which has a math museum in his honor). Ortygia is a picturesque medieval town which offers a highly touted boat trip--not that exciting but good views of Ortygia from the water.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghJvVeD9V4w/VGYKdf7xIMI/AAAAAAAACos/PqRcRLOlBOQ/s1600/sicily%2B268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghJvVeD9V4w/VGYKdf7xIMI/AAAAAAAACos/PqRcRLOlBOQ/s1600/sicily%2B268.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3As60zjxHWc/VGYJvo2sKXI/AAAAAAAACoM/iP56ZEuXBPY/s1600/sicily%2B215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3As60zjxHWc/VGYJvo2sKXI/AAAAAAAACoM/iP56ZEuXBPY/s1600/sicily%2B215.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marco waves us off on the boat trip around Ortygia. Note<br />
he is wearing a scarf even though it was 85 degrees out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ0ZyhS8cH4/VGYWMrSv5fI/AAAAAAAACtc/lPcnk1_4b7w/s1600/sicily%2B750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ0ZyhS8cH4/VGYWMrSv5fI/AAAAAAAACtc/lPcnk1_4b7w/s1600/sicily%2B750.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">greek or roman theater? you decide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On to Taormina where we hoped, among other things, to do a day long guided tour of Mt. Etna and wine tasting with B&B host Davide, who is also a professional guide and a class 2 sommelier (class 3 is the highest in Italy). Unfortunately, there was a scirocco wind and heavy rain, making the trip impossible. They even closed school--Rain day! Not as much fun as snow day since the kids have to stay inside. Heavy rains make it dangerous to drive because there can be flash flooding and rockslides. Taormina is pretty but very touristy. It does have a lovely Greek theater that offers great views and the nearby town of Castelmora is worth a visit as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyw5YKT327Y/VGYXQJlSU6I/AAAAAAAACt8/Rh2MzI-MhFU/s1600/sicily%2B803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyw5YKT327Y/VGYXQJlSU6I/AAAAAAAACt8/Rh2MzI-MhFU/s1600/sicily%2B803.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Taormina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFcLc96i19E/VGYhMQ8vPHI/AAAAAAAACwU/D7lZudr0pgM/s1600/sicily%2B159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFcLc96i19E/VGYhMQ8vPHI/AAAAAAAACwU/D7lZudr0pgM/s1600/sicily%2B159.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwBm6scykDU/VGYinbrjRfI/AAAAAAAACw4/7lp76gPapkE/s1600/sicily%2B409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwBm6scykDU/VGYinbrjRfI/AAAAAAAACw4/7lp76gPapkE/s1600/sicily%2B409.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FJgU1CQjQc/VGYJoDox_qI/AAAAAAAACoE/c68oQ4JAA0c/s1600/sicily%2B213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FJgU1CQjQc/VGYJoDox_qI/AAAAAAAACoE/c68oQ4JAA0c/s1600/sicily%2B213.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even in wealthy Taormina they have to do the laundry<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzanMF5L5IQ/VGYnElCKopI/AAAAAAAACyg/4ZTMjz8BTCY/s1600/sicily%2B793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzanMF5L5IQ/VGYnElCKopI/AAAAAAAACyg/4ZTMjz8BTCY/s1600/sicily%2B793.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza in Taormina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctx92IvisHq-5RGZJi_iRaOFIQTeYlb-99QySU1V6M1d7LqcHRLMFXYp5lC_H2x6fkaS3IP6htfaWyEreWmaMdShAMdq0vYcGp-Bz_nqn9lxxphuF4EQ6iIIP4jmiB780t4V42lz2doqS/s1600/sicily+311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctx92IvisHq-5RGZJi_iRaOFIQTeYlb-99QySU1V6M1d7LqcHRLMFXYp5lC_H2x6fkaS3IP6htfaWyEreWmaMdShAMdq0vYcGp-Bz_nqn9lxxphuF4EQ6iIIP4jmiB780t4V42lz2doqS/s1600/sicily+311.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">town resident filling his water container<br />
at the ancient fountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The penultimate stop was Cefalu, a beach town where we had an excellent, if insanely expensive, lunch. It was the right season for funghi di bosci (mushrooms from the forest) and my maiale and funghi dish was fantastic. We did a day trip to Castelbuono and Caccamo, both beautiful hill towns with well preserved castles. Castelbuono is one of the "piu bella citta di Italia" (most beautiful cities in Italy) according to a banner in the town square. I suspect that this is an organization they joined, not an award, but I don't really know. They claim to have invented almond wine in Castelbuono and it was featured at all the shops and restaurants.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcLwurg9HAY/VGYK-oV_-kI/AAAAAAAACpE/2dyQH_hxOD4/s1600/sicily%2B288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcLwurg9HAY/VGYK-oV_-kI/AAAAAAAACpE/2dyQH_hxOD4/s1600/sicily%2B288.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5LB0JUkhU/VGYLmUv8ObI/AAAAAAAACpk/t-WOTNpqJuk/s1600/sicily%2B338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm5LB0JUkhU/VGYLmUv8ObI/AAAAAAAACpk/t-WOTNpqJuk/s1600/sicily%2B338.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from castle at Caccamo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gwc9Hao8RR8/VGYYT898lmI/AAAAAAAACuU/2hOKa6SpBZY/s1600/sicily%2B852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gwc9Hao8RR8/VGYYT898lmI/AAAAAAAACuU/2hOKa6SpBZY/s1600/sicily%2B852.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caccamo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Last but hardly least, we returned our car at the Palermo airport and spent the last five days of the trip in Palermo. Unfortunately, earaches kept me on the DL and Tom had to do a lot of exploring on his own. Hopefully we will return to Palermo when we visit the south in the spring and see what we missed this time around.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Iyp2fFoKA/VGYntKVIuWI/AAAAAAAACy4/mEWfJ0R9jdc/s1600/sicily%2B916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Iyp2fFoKA/VGYntKVIuWI/AAAAAAAACy4/mEWfJ0R9jdc/s1600/sicily%2B916.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La fontana della vergogna (the fountain of shame, so named because the more conservative 16th century Sicilians didn't like the nudity and semi-nudity of the florentine fountain)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p72wqx5NQSU/VGYaSQxv0jI/AAAAAAAACvI/oMQVrCbE9lI/s1600/sicily%2B928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p72wqx5NQSU/VGYaSQxv0jI/AAAAAAAACvI/oMQVrCbE9lI/s1600/sicily%2B928.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La capella palatina </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4R5mo4ECcg/VGYLLtjRHDI/AAAAAAAACpM/i7yPh3lKOTo/s1600/sicily%2B310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4R5mo4ECcg/VGYLLtjRHDI/AAAAAAAACpM/i7yPh3lKOTo/s1600/sicily%2B310.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom (left) tries out to replace the one euro store man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NON6RoOOyWs/VGYLwWsT2lI/AAAAAAAACp0/Gzt6tVuLhY0/s1600/sicily%2B339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NON6RoOOyWs/VGYLwWsT2lI/AAAAAAAACp0/Gzt6tVuLhY0/s1600/sicily%2B339.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">always good to know where the pringles dispenser is in case of emergency</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhGP-k15wWs/VGYMFgNcSPI/AAAAAAAACp8/VyxjYRZF23g/s1600/sicily%2B340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhGP-k15wWs/VGYMFgNcSPI/AAAAAAAACp8/VyxjYRZF23g/s1600/sicily%2B340.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Palermo at 6 a.m.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Enough traveling for a while, we are going to stay in Arezzo until we leave for the US for our Christmas visit. <br />
<br />
Buon giorno di ringrazio a tutti!</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-27070945946480302132014-10-04T22:09:00.000+02:002014-10-05T09:37:28.389+02:00Casentino nel autunno: bellissima!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSV-hXymSo4/VDA5tsBFkAI/AAAAAAAACh0/uSAYshRlPik/s1600/casentino%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSV-hXymSo4/VDA5tsBFkAI/AAAAAAAACh0/uSAYshRlPik/s1600/casentino%2B012.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We removed the plastic from the hideabed mattress and welcomed our first overnight guests Friends from. our Dante Alighieri classes who now live in Foligno paid us a visit and we had a great time showing them around Arezzo and hearing about their Foligno adventures and what it is like to sell your house, move to Italy, and start new jobs. An advantage of working is the chance to meet a lot of people (not that I am complaining about not working!). We also invited new friends whom we met here to dinner--Tom grilled salmon to perfection. This weekend we were Mario's guests, again, as he invited us to go to Casentino in the northern part of the province of Arezzo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10C3I5ILNI0/VDBAJEOkwpI/AAAAAAAACkE/APe-3h7xiZE/s1600/casentino%2B016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10C3I5ILNI0/VDBAJEOkwpI/AAAAAAAACkE/APe-3h7xiZE/s1600/casentino%2B016.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castello Poppi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu5TzkUVx-g/VDBAeayvi3I/AAAAAAAACkM/gJnOoQyo6MU/s1600/casentino%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu5TzkUVx-g/VDBAeayvi3I/AAAAAAAACkM/gJnOoQyo6MU/s1600/casentino%2B037.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dante's bust in front of the castello. Dante stayed in the castle during the<br />
Arezzo-Florence was</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtzlI_X3jmw/VDA5kq_XCFI/AAAAAAAAChU/3MC6qX7IOsM/s1600/casentino%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtzlI_X3jmw/VDA5kq_XCFI/AAAAAAAAChU/3MC6qX7IOsM/s1600/casentino%2B001.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Mario at the castle entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is one of the best castles we have ever visited. It is in great shape and you can climb all the way up to the bell tower for great views (although it was a bit loud when the bells started ringing--we were glad it was only 4 pm, 12 rings might have caused some hearing damage. Dante stayed in this castle and its tower is reputed to be the inspiration for the 9 circles of hell in the Inferno.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNzHk4YlxPw/VDBLUlnOFcI/AAAAAAAAClM/BWvrUw6m0cU/s1600/casentino%2B047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNzHk4YlxPw/VDBLUlnOFcI/AAAAAAAAClM/BWvrUw6m0cU/s1600/casentino%2B047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current castle residents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_2X4gbNu5E/VDA5nXAYwII/AAAAAAAAChk/vSwpWAZHcEU/s1600/casentino%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_2X4gbNu5E/VDA5nXAYwII/AAAAAAAAChk/vSwpWAZHcEU/s1600/casentino%2B008.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QnFvfzTRchA/VDBKMO6wVPI/AAAAAAAACkc/x9Gw28EOOAg/s1600/casentino%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QnFvfzTRchA/VDBKMO6wVPI/AAAAAAAACkc/x9Gw28EOOAg/s1600/casentino%2B007.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUBzGdHpI6M/VDBLojnO2fI/AAAAAAAAClU/FLAoMbpDggc/s1600/casentino%2B054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUBzGdHpI6M/VDBLojnO2fI/AAAAAAAAClU/FLAoMbpDggc/s1600/casentino%2B054.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy, Mario & friend at castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vkib23-iMxk/VDBLRk5-bqI/AAAAAAAAClE/FhAzWBOJTk4/s1600/casentino%2B043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vkib23-iMxk/VDBLRk5-bqI/AAAAAAAAClE/FhAzWBOJTk4/s1600/casentino%2B043.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSoi9qpOkJA/VDA68bkXn8I/AAAAAAAACiw/iyFIhHOvG4w/s1600/casentino%2B050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSoi9qpOkJA/VDA68bkXn8I/AAAAAAAACiw/iyFIhHOvG4w/s1600/casentino%2B050.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84zKh5ranCM/VDBPvXKsk-I/AAAAAAAAClg/z3d7QgEFQp4/s1600/casentino%2B062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84zKh5ranCM/VDBPvXKsk-I/AAAAAAAAClg/z3d7QgEFQp4/s1600/casentino%2B062.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shield or scudo above the window at the castle<br />
is the same as the one above our fireplace!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWucsVPrCIs/VDBKQa7UlyI/AAAAAAAACk0/pGiWWlBkfyg/s1600/casentino%2B029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWucsVPrCIs/VDBKQa7UlyI/AAAAAAAACk0/pGiWWlBkfyg/s1600/casentino%2B029.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aumbxgj0fDE/VDA6_zw2lXI/AAAAAAAACi4/fyzZAxZLQNI/s1600/casentino%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aumbxgj0fDE/VDA6_zw2lXI/AAAAAAAACi4/fyzZAxZLQNI/s1600/casentino%2B052.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Our next stop was another castello which unfortunate<span id="goog_1105390173"></span><span id="goog_1105390174"></span>ly wasn't open, but had a beautiful exterior, with a lot of vines turning color.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_LFPLT2NVkA/VDA5yF9JOoI/AAAAAAAACiE/ESLtJorGXog/s1600/casentino%2B020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_LFPLT2NVkA/VDA5yF9JOoI/AAAAAAAACiE/ESLtJorGXog/s1600/casentino%2B020.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7HIRi_VNZA/VDA8HpsYtjI/AAAAAAAACjQ/HwEtvIuqCoc/s1600/casentino%2B064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U7HIRi_VNZA/VDA8HpsYtjI/AAAAAAAACjQ/HwEtvIuqCoc/s1600/casentino%2B064.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From there it was a short trip to a 12th century pieve romao--an old roman church on top of a hill in a lovely, tranquil setting.,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYEUuMwQYU4/VDA8IyXgn9I/AAAAAAAACjY/sp1lPYoBJe8/s1600/casentino%2B065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYEUuMwQYU4/VDA8IyXgn9I/AAAAAAAACjY/sp1lPYoBJe8/s1600/casentino%2B065.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nl7tWfUxlI/VDA83d3ncSI/AAAAAAAACjg/d1KPWvkF5MU/s1600/casentino%2B068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nl7tWfUxlI/VDA83d3ncSI/AAAAAAAACjg/d1KPWvkF5MU/s1600/casentino%2B068.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBbXstneEUo/VDA56Gebj-I/AAAAAAAACic/y7MGbcjkM-c/s1600/casentino%2B031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBbXstneEUo/VDA56Gebj-I/AAAAAAAACic/y7MGbcjkM-c/s1600/casentino%2B031.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail from church column left, St Francis<br />
of Assisi with a pig, right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYMtJE6lQgw/VDA9N1XzeyI/AAAAAAAACjw/S-pKlCXq09M/s1600/casentino%2B074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYMtJE6lQgw/VDA9N1XzeyI/AAAAAAAACjw/S-pKlCXq09M/s1600/casentino%2B074.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life imitates art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZvmNSDxkdM/VDA59jI3YuI/AAAAAAAACik/g5RXcaT7dtI/s1600/casentino%2B032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZvmNSDxkdM/VDA59jI3YuI/AAAAAAAACik/g5RXcaT7dtI/s1600/casentino%2B032.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Tom of Arezzo and a cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the way back to Arezzo we stopped to take in a panoramic view in Verna and tried, not too successfully, to take un photo di tramonto (sunset pix).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ltt3KEr5Kk/VDA9I6LaqKI/AAAAAAAACjo/Vt5Fgz13O60/s1600/casentino%2B071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ltt3KEr5Kk/VDA9I6LaqKI/AAAAAAAACjo/Vt5Fgz13O60/s1600/casentino%2B071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0AdmBthujg/VDA9czC60-I/AAAAAAAACj4/1UplAZ2UYhI/s1600/casentino%2B078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0AdmBthujg/VDA9czC60-I/AAAAAAAACj4/1UplAZ2UYhI/s1600/casentino%2B078.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks to our fabulous guide Supermario for another perfect day in Tuscany!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-36129929152622036792014-09-26T13:56:00.000+02:002014-09-26T13:56:01.476+02:00Twenty Things I Know After Our First Year of Retiring in Italy<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l62ef3xKARo/VCVKAgOj4KI/AAAAAAAACfQ/jZEKZJDHXIQ/s1600/giostra%2Bsaracino%2B2014%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l62ef3xKARo/VCVKAgOj4KI/AAAAAAAACfQ/jZEKZJDHXIQ/s1600/giostra%2Bsaracino%2B2014%2B027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
As our one year anniversary of retiring in Italy (October 1) rapidly approaches, I was thinking about what I have learned in the past year. Following is my top 20 in no particular order:<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Unless it is so warm that Seattleites would be complaining about a heat wave, Italians think it is cold and wear warm jackets, scarfs, hats and gloves.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. A corollary to number 1: Unless it is at least 90 degrees, Italians will ask you to shut the window on the train or bus because</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. Italians believe that sitting in a breeze will give you a cold.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3INVpFu_5jNerJ9XcLUeOFRD4dND5rW2RTg6Xs7HJQyzI771WIYlSv_YseKGF_MjC57y5fVIpAYqaOYqK8U65YxAHpuvIS6vxeWslkBPO9vMBanRjGyVGheCmrusQ66ePnoBXVk9zMkw/s1600/girare+al+universita+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3INVpFu_5jNerJ9XcLUeOFRD4dND5rW2RTg6Xs7HJQyzI771WIYlSv_YseKGF_MjC57y5fVIpAYqaOYqK8U65YxAHpuvIS6vxeWslkBPO9vMBanRjGyVGheCmrusQ66ePnoBXVk9zMkw/s1600/girare+al+universita+013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Italians are in the warm coats and scarfs, Tom and I were wearing t-shirts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />4. If you go out with wet hair, a nonna will scold you and tell you that you will catch a cold.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5. Unless you are at a street market (and maybe not even then) NEVER pick up the merchandise while shopping. Let the attendant do that for you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
6. Never rely on an Italian website for information about bus/train schedules, opening hours, etc. because the websites are often out of date. Example: showing up in Torino for the 4:30 bus listed on the online schedule to be told "solemente nel'estate" (only in summer). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
7. Grey's Anatomy is on Italian TV every night, and is actually more interesting dubbed in Italian.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
8. Italians do not wait in line. Channel your inner Italian to elbow your way onto crowded buses, elevators, etc. If you stand aside politely, you will never get on board. When entering a store, bank, office--look for a machine dispensing numbers which have become very common as a solution for the anti-queuing mentality.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj6O2HlgeWs/VCVKSunT9mI/AAAAAAAACfY/EPNtS38B6jM/s1600/giostra%2Bsaracino%2B2014%2B046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj6O2HlgeWs/VCVKSunT9mI/AAAAAAAACfY/EPNtS38B6jM/s1600/giostra%2Bsaracino%2B2014%2B046.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No lines, no numbers= chaos getting into the giostra di Saracino</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
9. Italians have a different concept of personal space. In the U.S. we like a large personal space zone and don't want that invaded, but Italians are more up close and personal. It isn't rude for an Italian to bump someone on the sidewalk or in a store--they don't consider incidental contact a problem the way Americans do. They walk straight at you on the sidewalk and it feels like they will mow you down, but they will go around you if you don't move out of the way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
10. "Italia's Got Talent" does not in any way establish the veracity of the title. And made in Italy TV is actually worse than US tv--who would have thought it possible?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
11. Italians have opinions about U.S. government and foreign policy which they are very willing to share, and many will warm up to you if you mention how much you disliked Bush. They know far more about the US than the average american knows about Italy. They like Obama so you don't have to pretend to be from Canada anymore.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
12. Italians have two ways of talking: loud and louder. Even at 2 am conversations are held full volume on the street. And there is lots of singing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
13. Pizza and pasta at a hole in the wall in Italy is better than the same dishes at an expensive restaurant in the US.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_G0uRIGiPE/VCVD0Vibd1I/AAAAAAAACeo/-_zrqUi3yY8/s1600/napolli%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_G0uRIGiPE/VCVD0Vibd1I/AAAAAAAACeo/-_zrqUi3yY8/s1600/napolli%2B052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
14. Italians are loyal to their portion of their home town first (their contrada or quartiere) then to their town, then their area. They generally think that their birthplace is the piu bello (most beautiful) and you should always agree whether you do or not. The answer to "Do you like Tuscany or Umbria better" depends on whether the questioner is from Tuscany or Umbria, not on which you personally prefer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
15. Thankfully, Starbucks will never make any inroads here. The 1.10 euro espresso (price government regulated) at the bars all over Italy is better than Star$$s' high priced choices.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
16. The combination of US banking regulations and Italian laws make it virtually impossible for a US citizen without dual citizenship to open a bank account, but the Charles Schwab bank card allows you to withdraw enough cash without any transaction or ATM fees.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
17. Beer with pizza, wine with everything else! But Italians generally drink only 1 glass of wine at dinner--at most 2--not the whole bottle in one sitting.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zh5Bw8EIc28/VCVD0ze3c6I/AAAAAAAACes/o1ErdZJAtL8/s1600/napolli%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zh5Bw8EIc28/VCVD0ze3c6I/AAAAAAAACes/o1ErdZJAtL8/s1600/napolli%2B051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
18. When they accept you, they will do anything and everything for you and it is great!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wK5elKXjyXQ/VCVK7WxDKlI/AAAAAAAACfw/kXL_K9y5atI/s1600/cortona%2B539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wK5elKXjyXQ/VCVK7WxDKlI/AAAAAAAACfw/kXL_K9y5atI/s1600/cortona%2B539.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYngb8Fc2HE/VCVEWCYKG5I/AAAAAAAACe4/Sd_Gu9ri5Mo/s1600/festa%2Bdi%2Bsan%2Bcostanzo%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYngb8Fc2HE/VCVEWCYKG5I/AAAAAAAACe4/Sd_Gu9ri5Mo/s1600/festa%2Bdi%2Bsan%2Bcostanzo%2B001.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku6-uXYezfM/VCVEzNHSc_I/AAAAAAAACfA/X68VOju2hc8/s1600/cammino%2Bin%2Bperugia%2B015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku6-uXYezfM/VCVEzNHSc_I/AAAAAAAACfA/X68VOju2hc8/s1600/cammino%2Bin%2Bperugia%2B015.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
19. There is always a sagra or a festa some-where! And there will be food and wine!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And, finally,<br />
<br />
20. Call it a siesta and naps are not just for kids!<br />
<br />
Can't wait to see what we learn in the next year (maybe how to fix the spacing on the blog). I bet it will involve food and wine.<br />
<br />
Ciao i miei amici.</div>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-14442687246373946372014-09-14T20:45:00.004+02:002014-09-14T20:47:32.154+02:00Insider's view of the Fortezza and a visit to Cortona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFlmUMJMsSw/VBXOe_ILoGI/AAAAAAAACbA/ElJS9Vhps50/s1600/cortona%2B507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFlmUMJMsSw/VBXOe_ILoGI/AAAAAAAACbA/ElJS9Vhps50/s1600/cortona%2B507.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our friend and locatore, Mario, figures largely in this account of the past week. Mario works for the city and invited us along to a private tour of the fortezza, which is under renovation,with the head archaeologist. This could also be defined as Tom's Paradiso. Of course when renovating something in Italy, one finds ancient Roman ruins underneath and the Fortezza was no exception--they uncovered a Roman villa with mosaic floors that they did not previously know existed. <span id="goog_1250973723"></span><span id="goog_1250973724"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLwYQm7CwsY/VBXLSXoNxuI/AAAAAAAACZ4/V9tdCCqeD9M/s1600/cortona%2B481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLwYQm7CwsY/VBXLSXoNxuI/AAAAAAAACZ4/V9tdCCqeD9M/s1600/cortona%2B481.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">excavation at the Foretzza above, Fortezza below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nur4yvVpzu8/VBXLP8OLadI/AAAAAAAACZw/KAtNpb-dl1U/s1600/cortona%2B487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nur4yvVpzu8/VBXLP8OLadI/AAAAAAAACZw/KAtNpb-dl1U/s1600/cortona%2B487.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After a tough day at the archaeological site Tom wanted a hamburger. We were worried we had lived in Italy so long we had forgotten how to make a burger, but luckily there was a recipe on the package of hamburger buns. Imagine our chagrin to learn we have been making the classic burger WRONG all these years by leaving off the cucumber!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWiGAFne0Qs/VBXOsvUnl4I/AAAAAAAACbQ/hbHyPLKNSpU/s1600/cortona%2B516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWiGAFne0Qs/VBXOsvUnl4I/AAAAAAAACbQ/hbHyPLKNSpU/s1600/cortona%2B516.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On Saturday we headed to Cortona courtesy of Mario who picked us up and acted as our tour guide for the trip. Cortona is the beautiful hill town made famous in "Under the Tuscan Sun." It is an old Etruscan town later taken over by the Romans and eventually a Ghibellinian city state. Parts of the old Etruscan wall remain but most of the structures date from the medieval period. There are 4 Etruscan tombs in the area around Cortona which unfortunately were not open on Saturday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEIej8rH9Vc/VBXPd1JugwI/AAAAAAAACcg/NJtm8NZZWmU/s1600/cortona%2B536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEIej8rH9Vc/VBXPd1JugwI/AAAAAAAACcg/NJtm8NZZWmU/s1600/cortona%2B536.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apartments built on top of the etruscan wall<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1250973736"></span><span id="goog_1250973737"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XI3D3cYZZp0/VBXMYQGxXxI/AAAAAAAACaQ/6zdbX30F6iA/s1600/cortona%2B494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XI3D3cYZZp0/VBXMYQGxXxI/AAAAAAAACaQ/6zdbX30F6iA/s1600/cortona%2B494.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit to the Archaeological museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6C66fkjhh_M/VBXO1WaKsUI/AAAAAAAACbY/g8BmCFiUYsA/s1600/cortona%2B518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6C66fkjhh_M/VBXO1WaKsUI/AAAAAAAACbY/g8BmCFiUYsA/s1600/cortona%2B518.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5YmrlT9Eto/VBXO_PP1DjI/AAAAAAAACbg/TTV-u1JKcFY/s1600/cortona%2B524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5YmrlT9Eto/VBXO_PP1DjI/AAAAAAAACbg/TTV-u1JKcFY/s1600/cortona%2B524.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">/Tom and Mario at the museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While wandering around town we saw a little procession celebrating blood donation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0UqxDqrCzvg/VBXNU7byeDI/AAAAAAAACag/38JmjKk5NcE/s1600/cortona%2B501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0UqxDqrCzvg/VBXNU7byeDI/AAAAAAAACag/38JmjKk5NcE/s1600/cortona%2B501.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CPxeGoAWe8/VBXYF-cOyJI/AAAAAAAACdk/balGfJZc0no/s1600/cortona%2B528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CPxeGoAWe8/VBXYF-cOyJI/AAAAAAAACdk/balGfJZc0no/s1600/cortona%2B528.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5J_tq9Rq2uc/VBXPIaJ2BwI/AAAAAAAACbo/iTcOuu0imGw/s1600/cortona%2B526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5J_tq9Rq2uc/VBXPIaJ2BwI/AAAAAAAACbo/iTcOuu0imGw/s1600/cortona%2B526.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drum player after Kelly's heart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also visited the Duomo and a piazza with a panoramic view of the chiana valley.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spYJSn_ZCn0/VBXPRIQr5HI/AAAAAAAACb4/qNNZ7J4lulE/s1600/cortona%2B529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spYJSn_ZCn0/VBXPRIQr5HI/AAAAAAAACb4/qNNZ7J4lulE/s1600/cortona%2B529.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the duomo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3C2GewXbnw/VBXPYVH5knI/AAAAAAAACcQ/3Gfan7asEWg/s1600/cortona%2B534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3C2GewXbnw/VBXPYVH5knI/AAAAAAAACcQ/3Gfan7asEWg/s1600/cortona%2B534.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHSQLJvjlIM/VBXPSN8c4XI/AAAAAAAACcA/KZYjFw0YmHo/s1600/cortona%2B532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHSQLJvjlIM/VBXPSN8c4XI/AAAAAAAACcA/KZYjFw0YmHo/s1600/cortona%2B532.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Left: this couple spent 20 minutes taking selfies on the wall while Tom and Mario spent an equal amount of time taking panoramic shots.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rp0X30X-jE/VBXNcTcuv7I/AAAAAAAACao/zucbOq7c5S0/s1600/cortona%2B503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Rp0X30X-jE/VBXNcTcuv7I/AAAAAAAACao/zucbOq7c5S0/s1600/cortona%2B503.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGr2ME0LrGI/VBXNeS2MfdI/AAAAAAAACaw/7-a7yXuDpFQ/s1600/cortona%2B504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGr2ME0LrGI/VBXNeS2MfdI/AAAAAAAACaw/7-a7yXuDpFQ/s1600/cortona%2B504.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">valley view with Lake Trasimeno in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFQ-JRwi1tY/VBXOZnYVI_I/AAAAAAAACa4/9ji_q7hm5SQ/s1600/cortona%2B506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFQ-JRwi1tY/VBXOZnYVI_I/AAAAAAAACa4/9ji_q7hm5SQ/s1600/cortona%2B506.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The last stop was at a capucin monastery built in the traditional tuscan fashion at a site chosen by St. Francis of Assisi (whose tunic, pillow and bible are on display at the church of St. Francis in Cortona).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IxozWz0XZIQ/VBXPUFQkYMI/AAAAAAAACcI/i4KHyAGhXXE/s1600/cortona%2B512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IxozWz0XZIQ/VBXPUFQkYMI/AAAAAAAACcI/i4KHyAGhXXE/s1600/cortona%2B512.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ov3zI2jfAk/VBXPKfrcZ0I/AAAAAAAACbw/_7-9A6guqP4/s1600/cortona%2B513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ov3zI2jfAk/VBXPKfrcZ0I/AAAAAAAACbw/_7-9A6guqP4/s1600/cortona%2B513.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset from the monastery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
To cap off a great day we headed to dinner with Mario and his family, Loretta and their two daughters Julia and Laura and our friends Giuseppe, Marissa and Pepe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRmoTzO26BA/VBXPgNcci0I/AAAAAAAACco/7AkPAdRGId4/s1600/cortona%2B537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRmoTzO26BA/VBXPgNcci0I/AAAAAAAACco/7AkPAdRGId4/s1600/cortona%2B537.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkDi5fdUZaM/VBXPpoLot_I/AAAAAAAACdA/KDtKyyWMxkM/s1600/cortona%2B541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkDi5fdUZaM/VBXPpoLot_I/AAAAAAAACdA/KDtKyyWMxkM/s1600/cortona%2B541.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restaurant was at the football academy. We started off<br />
with delicious brushetta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koGR8R0cEGE/VBXPh_VYN-I/AAAAAAAACcw/C88VoK850ps/s1600/cortona%2B538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koGR8R0cEGE/VBXPh_VYN-I/AAAAAAAACcw/C88VoK850ps/s1600/cortona%2B538.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cin cin. Giusseppe, Marissa, Loretta, Julia, Laura, Mario, Nancy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2EHTuk-Bb0/VBXPkMD34BI/AAAAAAAACc4/OV1-qb0_wuA/s1600/cortona%2B540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2EHTuk-Bb0/VBXPkMD34BI/AAAAAAAACc4/OV1-qb0_wuA/s1600/cortona%2B540.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Meucci sisters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8SNGzAjpp8/VBXPqeLtuBI/AAAAAAAACdI/XwPe6WHL9nU/s1600/cortona%2B544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8SNGzAjpp8/VBXPqeLtuBI/AAAAAAAACdI/XwPe6WHL9nU/s1600/cortona%2B544.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie<br />
that's amore....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-appBPbfUR3Q/VBXPq8eliAI/AAAAAAAACdM/j2IaUR36Oy8/s1600/cortona%2B545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-appBPbfUR3Q/VBXPq8eliAI/AAAAAAAACdM/j2IaUR36Oy8/s1600/cortona%2B545.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marissa slips a treat to Pepe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2bpDTkur-8/VBXPtuH0-nI/AAAAAAAACdY/9G-1H3y7gZI/s1600/cortona%2B546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2bpDTkur-8/VBXPtuH0-nI/AAAAAAAACdY/9G-1H3y7gZI/s1600/cortona%2B546.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Giuseppe models Tom's new hat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And after all that, we caught the second half of the Husky-Illinois game on tune-in radio--a great victory. Buona notte!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-32516639497461819662014-09-03T23:49:00.001+02:002014-09-04T12:51:50.621+02:00Back from 3 weeks in Ireland (my other favorite country starting with I)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNNp704DxC0/VAdYaYYUmbI/AAAAAAAACTM/mBhHi9okkK0/s1600/ireland%2B562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNNp704DxC0/VAdYaYYUmbI/AAAAAAAACTM/mBhHi9okkK0/s1600/ireland%2B562.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We went to Ireland for three weeks in August to escape the heat and tourists of Tuscany in August and it was a highly effective strategy--the average temperature was about 14 C (57F) during the days, with frequent rain. The weather is incredibly volatile, sunny, then rain, then sunny, then foggy--makes Seattle seem like southern California in comparison. We felt right at home in the rain and cool temperatures, and with the green everywhere (many, many Irish jokes about 50 shades of green). Rhododendrons and hardy fuchsias grow wild along the roads, along with thousands of crocosmia, making driving through the countryside on the tiny little roads a beautiful if terrifying experience. Of course we visited all the expected places (Dublin castle, Dingle Peninsula, Donegal, giant's causeway), and some less expected places as well. Tom mastered driving on the left and the incessant roundabouts, I did not master being calm when turning blind corners on narrow lanes and seeing a giant truck coming straight at us. We adapted to beer with lunch instead of wine (traveling does involve some sacrifices) and even kept up with our italian because there were many, many Italian tourists, especially in the south. They had some trouble coping with the temperatures--Italians wear down jackets, wool caps and scarfs when it is 70 degrees out, so you can imagine how bundled up they were for Ireland. At our B&B near Donegal town, it was 7 Italians and us, which was entertaining, especially as one of the young Italian men was ridiculously good looking.<br />
<br />
I was going to use 21 pictures to show our 21 days in Ireland but couldn't winnow down the 800 plus pictures that severely. Following are some highlights, not necessarily in the order in which we encountered them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93-17cbxrec/VAdX8ng0ivI/AAAAAAAACSw/61hLrsE_Ylw/s1600/ireland%2B554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93-17cbxrec/VAdX8ng0ivI/AAAAAAAACSw/61hLrsE_Ylw/s1600/ireland%2B554.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course we visited Trinity College, Kelly's 'alma mater'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRrJOk_J3Bk/VAdYObgvvpI/AAAAAAAACTA/pP1S0ywQbJc/s1600/ireland%2B560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRrJOk_J3Bk/VAdYObgvvpI/AAAAAAAACTA/pP1S0ywQbJc/s1600/ireland%2B560.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was an interesting exhibition of sand sculpture outside Dublin castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t9jg-mFeIA/VAdYsu78RbI/AAAAAAAACTY/aiWTgqhtGuo/s1600/ireland%2B575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t9jg-mFeIA/VAdYsu78RbI/AAAAAAAACTY/aiWTgqhtGuo/s1600/ireland%2B575.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing says Ireland like drinks and traditional music at a pub in Temple Bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZFxgMbgAuQ/VAdZLNyfeUI/AAAAAAAACTw/Y0SpKVRNusw/s1600/ireland%2B578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZFxgMbgAuQ/VAdZLNyfeUI/AAAAAAAACTw/Y0SpKVRNusw/s1600/ireland%2B578.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8_7teDp7lQ/VAdZCryYvnI/AAAAAAAACTo/ZBeIbHN3N1c/s1600/ireland%2B579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8_7teDp7lQ/VAdZCryYvnI/AAAAAAAACTo/ZBeIbHN3N1c/s1600/ireland%2B579.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset on the river liffey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_tF6P1MKWE/VAdZjBH0-yI/AAAAAAAACUE/kZm7qVT_0WY/s1600/ireland%2B600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_tF6P1MKWE/VAdZjBH0-yI/AAAAAAAACUE/kZm7qVT_0WY/s1600/ireland%2B600.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilmainham jail where the British held Irish political prisoners--not used since Ireland achieved independence, but a symbol to the Irish of their brutal treatment at the hands of the British. Below, inside a cell at the jail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfpqE2_g_Ws/VAdL0oSROyI/AAAAAAAACOU/CmpREaQGLMI/s1600/ireland%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfpqE2_g_Ws/VAdL0oSROyI/AAAAAAAACOU/CmpREaQGLMI/s1600/ireland%2B056.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next was a drive through the Wicklow mountains to Cashel, where we visited the Rock of Cashel, which was the seat of the Munster kings for centuries, but was eventually given to the Catholic church. Myth has it that the rock was originally 20 miles away but was magically transported to its current location when St. Patrick banished Satan from Ireland.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAACt1qJFto/VAdN1uxh1LI/AAAAAAAACO4/DnVo-CECj48/s1600/ireland%2B108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAACt1qJFto/VAdN1uxh1LI/AAAAAAAACO4/DnVo-CECj48/s1600/ireland%2B108.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Onward to Cobh (pronounced cove), the last port of call for the Titanic and home to the Titanic museum. En route (as is true everywhere in Ireland) we saw many sheep and cows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyONVD6dcNhJWfC_F2tyolNk4xMdJHWdFI2Ff8R0y5D3sM2CPGEuooHjq26NkC_yd05ptLdcV7AOtCUW_wr6evahU0g_fV5xjTwVCmu5dNFDRUChOie2qcUaEyx42LWZ1cjqXeFibgh5kD/s1600/ireland+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyONVD6dcNhJWfC_F2tyolNk4xMdJHWdFI2Ff8R0y5D3sM2CPGEuooHjq26NkC_yd05ptLdcV7AOtCUW_wr6evahU0g_fV5xjTwVCmu5dNFDRUChOie2qcUaEyx42LWZ1cjqXeFibgh5kD/s1600/ireland+124.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Also many green fields and rolling hills:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nifG4Yqk8o/VAdPFyaBfnI/AAAAAAAACPc/k1I68T9nw10/s1600/ireland%2B211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nifG4Yqk8o/VAdPFyaBfnI/AAAAAAAACPc/k1I68T9nw10/s1600/ireland%2B211.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We visited nearby Kinsale which involved taking a tiny car ferry across the Shannon River, and went on a guided tour of the town which involved more talk about the Titanic and the Lusitania.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u21zeqPOpzc/VAdaH5dJoYI/AAAAAAAACUk/D1KmDWy7vIU/s1600/ireland%2B691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u21zeqPOpzc/VAdaH5dJoYI/AAAAAAAACUk/D1KmDWy7vIU/s1600/ireland%2B691.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral in Cobh. There are baskets of flowers everywhere in Ireland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGdx-Q_kns4/VAdab_XmPZI/AAAAAAAACUs/uKW0PEv5fYQ/s1600/ireland%2B703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGdx-Q_kns4/VAdab_XmPZI/AAAAAAAACUs/uKW0PEv5fYQ/s1600/ireland%2B703.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
We didn't drive the whole Ring of Kerry road which is now very developed compared to 40 years ago when I rode my bike there, but we did tour a stately home and garden on the Ring of Kerry road.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_lZWfpZwxY/VAdM6V2kkcI/AAAAAAAACO0/Dj0QvdtKJTg/s1600/ireland%2B078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_lZWfpZwxY/VAdM6V2kkcI/AAAAAAAACO0/Dj0QvdtKJTg/s1600/ireland%2B078.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muckross house and garden </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wine is expensive and bad in Ireland, so we were forced to drink beer. Instead of expresso and biscotti, we had tea and pastry for our merenda.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KQuYsYxVRs/VAdaCtRodEI/AAAAAAAACUU/OdFmQUCP_Xg/s1600/ireland%2B666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KQuYsYxVRs/VAdaCtRodEI/AAAAAAAACUU/OdFmQUCP_Xg/s1600/ireland%2B666.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjWE1fwRB6qognYChQPiCKVga9O8XnjlWZSfUVBgCdeClzZR5Ne616laHRGX0oZ8JO4fPz8D6rt_pRPg6HTZFUlvw6N2VLPuUMezuHU1hmO4XCfCuFPOFSOQ0RdRk9QG0cYtLQ6LaqgUC/s1600/ireland+549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjWE1fwRB6qognYChQPiCKVga9O8XnjlWZSfUVBgCdeClzZR5Ne616laHRGX0oZ8JO4fPz8D6rt_pRPg6HTZFUlvw6N2VLPuUMezuHU1hmO4XCfCuFPOFSOQ0RdRk9QG0cYtLQ6LaqgUC/s1600/ireland+549.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent several days each in the Dingle peninsula and Donegal, both beautiful and wild areas of Ireland with many ancient ferry rings (3000 year old stone circles) and ruins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQcGf5iLk8o/VAdRVhw-n1I/AAAAAAAACQU/xl8zfhkW_ZA/s1600/ireland%2B235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQcGf5iLk8o/VAdRVhw-n1I/AAAAAAAACQU/xl8zfhkW_ZA/s1600/ireland%2B235.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4vn2L_pAkI/VAdRUa5-jlI/AAAAAAAACQQ/Tktm5UWzAkI/s1600/ireland%2B304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G4vn2L_pAkI/VAdRUa5-jlI/AAAAAAAACQQ/Tktm5UWzAkI/s1600/ireland%2B304.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portnabrone tomb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA52IYXnfGU/VAdQbRdEMLI/AAAAAAAACP8/kI689ZBLpDk/s1600/ireland%2B232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA52IYXnfGU/VAdQbRdEMLI/AAAAAAAACP8/kI689ZBLpDk/s1600/ireland%2B232.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fuschia lined walkway to the ancient beehive church--wild fuschias everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4w_HbW25zc/VAdQHU-4PxI/AAAAAAAACPs/GJXgJ_14V20/s1600/ireland%2B223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4w_HbW25zc/VAdQHU-4PxI/AAAAAAAACPs/GJXgJ_14V20/s1600/ireland%2B223.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and fantastic water views everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJecnAQX4iakqaG9HVTj7G_rs-Dv360NSS3Bp5LNRbkGZsG8I5wwIn96LmJ10UrubHy8Y6Ry6-Ru5HSl_A8vnPBBaYC8oGGaXXFLay_nBM5g377LNUyv-YMspejbcBg_y_JL4g-EVjtlBk/s1600/ireland+221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJecnAQX4iakqaG9HVTj7G_rs-Dv360NSS3Bp5LNRbkGZsG8I5wwIn96LmJ10UrubHy8Y6Ry6-Ru5HSl_A8vnPBBaYC8oGGaXXFLay_nBM5g377LNUyv-YMspejbcBg_y_JL4g-EVjtlBk/s1600/ireland+221.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As in Italy, there are shrines in unexpected places</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A day trip to Inishmore, one of the Aran islands was particularly interesting. Dun Aengus is an ancient fort built on top of a cliff overhanging the water and well worth the hike up to the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpptF3LSLzw/VAd9wQnn3YI/AAAAAAAACWU/XiDeYDnpHDg/s1600/ireland%2B326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpptF3LSLzw/VAd9wQnn3YI/AAAAAAAACWU/XiDeYDnpHDg/s1600/ireland%2B326.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuPiJn-6m4E/VAhCLLXRRVI/AAAAAAAACZA/h1qVtiezp7E/s1600/ireland%2B714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuPiJn-6m4E/VAhCLLXRRVI/AAAAAAAACZA/h1qVtiezp7E/s1600/ireland%2B714.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fort charles near Kinsale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sFh3_xIrAM/VAhCJh2yxSI/AAAAAAAACY4/HJa9wdATyCY/s1600/ireland%2B745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sFh3_xIrAM/VAhCJh2yxSI/AAAAAAAACY4/HJa9wdATyCY/s1600/ireland%2B745.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the burren--an area of Ireland with a strange, rocky landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Too many castles to enumerate...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFiL49N2-sc/VAdPO58vYmI/AAAAAAAACPk/qZj5xR7JuiQ/s1600/ireland%2B141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFiL49N2-sc/VAdPO58vYmI/AAAAAAAACPk/qZj5xR7JuiQ/s1600/ireland%2B141.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78VnZd-XIlk/VAdTIGFNULI/AAAAAAAACQ0/hdF_-rn3Jog/s1600/ireland%2B388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78VnZd-XIlk/VAdTIGFNULI/AAAAAAAACQ0/hdF_-rn3Jog/s1600/ireland%2B388.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donegal castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And many dramatic cliffs, from the famous cliffs of moher to the less famous but more spectacular slieve league, the highest cliffs in Europe.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2EYhcmm9Nk/VAdRTrCzNuI/AAAAAAAACQI/STjRTDksAkg/s1600/ireland%2B284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2EYhcmm9Nk/VAdRTrCzNuI/AAAAAAAACQI/STjRTDksAkg/s1600/ireland%2B284.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cliffs of moher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_65LLsywH4/VAdTeC5MVhI/AAAAAAAACQ8/Yk63vovptiQ/s1600/ireland%2B408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_65LLsywH4/VAdTeC5MVhI/AAAAAAAACQ8/Yk63vovptiQ/s1600/ireland%2B408.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slieve league in Donegal<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tom loved the antiquities and of course can never pass a museum, which is why we saw a 40,000 year old bear skeleton which had nothing to do with Ireland except that a rich Irish guy bought it and made a museum.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvsYaR1-Iyk/VAdbtVEafMI/AAAAAAAACVM/92L6UVlgILc/s1600/ireland%2B731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvsYaR1-Iyk/VAdbtVEafMI/AAAAAAAACVM/92L6UVlgILc/s1600/ireland%2B731.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q339oMnQUg8/VAdbrvjRrlI/AAAAAAAACVE/yaHhu1nu3RY/s1600/ireland%2B732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q339oMnQUg8/VAdbrvjRrlI/AAAAAAAACVE/yaHhu1nu3RY/s1600/ireland%2B732.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">also at the 'museum'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
We watched sheep dogs herding sheep, went to Derry and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, and finished the trip with a visit to Newgrange and Knouth, 5000 year old passage tombs which the guide quickly pointed out are 1000 years older than Stonehenge. Following is a miscellany of pictures of these and other events.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DrSqNb8Px0/VAhBtKoAo8I/AAAAAAAACYY/WZ_1HfzVqV0/s1600/ireland%2B459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DrSqNb8Px0/VAhBtKoAo8I/AAAAAAAACYY/WZ_1HfzVqV0/s1600/ireland%2B459.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Wu9yaeFb0/VAhBuFkjZ-I/AAAAAAAACYg/U5XTwNt6www/s1600/ireland%2B461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Wu9yaeFb0/VAhBuFkjZ-I/AAAAAAAACYg/U5XTwNt6www/s1600/ireland%2B461.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVJEd85A-k8/VAhB82QbaPI/AAAAAAAACYw/JGNUrXGvRu0/s1600/ireland%2B802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVJEd85A-k8/VAhB82QbaPI/AAAAAAAACYw/JGNUrXGvRu0/s1600/ireland%2B802.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The murals above are 2 of 12 murals by the bogside artists which commemorate the struggle for Irish independence in the late 60s and 70s. The entering free derry sign memorializes the sign put up by Catholics in Bogside in 1968, based on a similar sign posted in West Berlin after the wall was built. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6x_8tku2X8/VAd92MyTzgI/AAAAAAAACWc/cfrA9M7j2-k/s1600/ireland%2B331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6x_8tku2X8/VAd92MyTzgI/AAAAAAAACWc/cfrA9M7j2-k/s1600/ireland%2B331.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZHKWbnKHGY/VAd-gB_nmLI/AAAAAAAACWk/fx7O7l5jSqw/s1600/ireland%2B416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZHKWbnKHGY/VAd-gB_nmLI/AAAAAAAACWk/fx7O7l5jSqw/s1600/ireland%2B416.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew entertaining us on the way back from a boat ride in Donegal Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S25AH7Lr5U0/VAd-sSZ1zEI/AAAAAAAACWs/uV_D0UPQXOI/s1600/ireland%2B420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S25AH7Lr5U0/VAd-sSZ1zEI/AAAAAAAACWs/uV_D0UPQXOI/s1600/ireland%2B420.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one B&B Patsy demonstrated his award winning sheepdogs herding sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4GRWu5lvG8/VAd-tAUaSAI/AAAAAAAACWw/deRTeh3iJdU/s1600/ireland%2B437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4GRWu5lvG8/VAd-tAUaSAI/AAAAAAAACWw/deRTeh3iJdU/s1600/ireland%2B437.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3000 year old fairy circle </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QawPdQeu6fc/VAd_BKF2P-I/AAAAAAAACW8/SeqnfeTKOrU/s1600/ireland%2B444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QawPdQeu6fc/VAd_BKF2P-I/AAAAAAAACW8/SeqnfeTKOrU/s1600/ireland%2B444.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auDiJ-D9JDY/VAdb5BZU57I/AAAAAAAACVs/nVyJJvmzBDc/s1600/ireland%2B812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auDiJ-D9JDY/VAdb5BZU57I/AAAAAAAACVs/nVyJJvmzBDc/s1600/ireland%2B812.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom at Giant's Causeway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RxkFyij16I/VAdb8Lry4YI/AAAAAAAACV8/IrVQpRQ2fSg/s1600/ireland%2B814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RxkFyij16I/VAdb8Lry4YI/AAAAAAAACV8/IrVQpRQ2fSg/s1600/ireland%2B814.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom's first selfie (at giant's causeway)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSe-tQnMpL8/VAdVIElh4LI/AAAAAAAACRk/HsXBsJFYlro/s1600/ireland%2B470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSe-tQnMpL8/VAdVIElh4LI/AAAAAAAACRk/HsXBsJFYlro/s1600/ireland%2B470.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">giant's causeway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxx1JuR5Bk4/VAdWmdmYZQI/AAAAAAAACSM/Qk_2-7Bz5CI/s1600/ireland%2B479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxx1JuR5Bk4/VAdWmdmYZQI/AAAAAAAACSM/Qk_2-7Bz5CI/s1600/ireland%2B479.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjIriT5eXF8/VAdXddwkNkI/AAAAAAAACSk/n6cWnilThww/s1600/ireland%2B537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjIriT5eXF8/VAdXddwkNkI/AAAAAAAACSk/n6cWnilThww/s1600/ireland%2B537.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">several of the 40 passageway tombs at knowth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And where else would we have a drink but Kelly's bar? Slainte!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLd1qffmcXw/VAhB0zGOxmI/AAAAAAAACYo/fjtcDRSn2vM/s1600/ireland%2B682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLd1qffmcXw/VAhB0zGOxmI/AAAAAAAACYo/fjtcDRSn2vM/s1600/ireland%2B682.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-49872838701050137712014-08-09T15:10:00.002+02:002014-08-09T15:10:42.308+02:00One year anniversary of retiring--castles and fireworks<div class="tr_bq">
<br /></div>
<div class="tr_bq">
<br /></div>
<div class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>First, the fireworks. </b></span></div>
<div class="tr_bq">
<br /></div>
<div class="tr_bq">
<img src="http://northmetrofire.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Fireworks.jpg" /></div>
<div class="tr_bq">
August 7 is the feast day of the patron saint of Arezzo. The story of his life, written in the 5th century, has been described as unreliable, but the highlights are:</div>
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;">Donatus escaped to Arezzo and would work with a monk named </span><a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hilarian&action=edit&redlink=1" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #a55858; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; text-decoration: none;" title="Hilarian (page does not exist)">Hilarian</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> to preach the Christian faith, as well as perform </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penances" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; text-decoration: none;" title="Penances">penances</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> and miracles.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Santiebeati_1-7" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Arezzo#cite_note-Santiebeati-1" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> Severinus' </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;">Passio</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> states that Donatus brought back to life a woman named Euphrosina; fought and slew a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; text-decoration: none;" title="Dragon">dragon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> who had poisoned the local well;</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-heiligen_2-2" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Arezzo#cite_note-heiligen-2" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[2]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> gave sight back to a blind woman named Syriana; and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; text-decoration: none;" title="Exorcism">exorcised</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;"> a demon that had been tormenting Asterius, the son of the Roman prefect of Arezzo...</span>During a celebration of Mass, at the moment of the giving of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucharist" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Eucharist">Communion</a>, in which a glass chalice was being administered, some pagans entered the church and shattered the chalice in question. Donatus, after intense prayer, collected all of the fragments and joined them together. There was a piece missing from the bottom of the cup; miraculously, however, nothing spilled from the cup. Astounded, seventy-nine pagans converted to Christianity.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Santiebeati_1-12" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Arezzo#cite_note-Santiebeati-1" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup> A similar legend is told of <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nonnosus" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Saint Nonnosus">Saint Nonnosus</a>, but the object is a shattered glass lamp.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Arezzo#cite_note-4" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[4]</a></sup>A month after this episode, the prefect of Arezzo, Quadratian, arrested Hilarian the Monk and Donatus. Hilarian was martyred on July 16, 362 and Donatus was beheaded on August 7 at Arezzo.</blockquote>
<br />
So the feast day, which is a giorno di festivo or holiday, is basically celebrating the beheading of the bishop. Unfortunately, we had forgotten about the feast day and thus missed the pageantry in the Piazza Grande, 'due passe' (a few steps) from our apartment. We saw them processing away from the square in full medieval regalia after the festivities (and heard an unforgettable rendition of Beethoven's 5th by the Arezzo drum and bugle corps). Then we heard loud booms which Tom correctly identified as the sound of fireworks. We stepped out into our back yard and the fireworks were directly above us! I've never seen fireworks so close up and personal, we felt as if we could reach up and touch them. It was truly spectacular and a great end to a great day that marked our first visitors from Seattle. Karen, Todd & Perry and friends were spending a week at Castello Galbino in nearby Anghiari and came to spend a day with us. After a long lunch on Piazza Grande, they visited our apartment, then we did a small walk through town to see some of the sights, including an excellent gelateria.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjOf7GoOZEA/U-YKLSGI-vI/AAAAAAAACLI/NOMgWUn7THU/s1600/castello+gabino+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjOf7GoOZEA/U-YKLSGI-vI/AAAAAAAACLI/NOMgWUn7THU/s1600/castello+gabino+012.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">toasting absent friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEi0W0oRzQQ/U-YKLMkeQ1I/AAAAAAAACLE/Clwo9f1sLvQ/s1600/castello+gabino+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEi0W0oRzQQ/U-YKLMkeQ1I/AAAAAAAACLE/Clwo9f1sLvQ/s1600/castello+gabino+013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch at portici vasari in Arezzo with Phil, Mara, Paige, Nancy, Karen, Todd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGnDuvdIlVo/U-YKQxeBP-I/AAAAAAAACLU/-90t9xr8Mjc/s1600/castello+gabino+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGnDuvdIlVo/U-YKQxeBP-I/AAAAAAAACLU/-90t9xr8Mjc/s1600/castello+gabino+015.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pausing in piazza San Francesco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Second, the castle:</b></span><br />
<br />
The next day Tom and I took the bus to Anghiari where Todd and Karen met us at the bus stop and brought us to Castello Galbino where they were staying for a week with a group of friends. Anghiari is at a higher elevation than Arezzo, surrounded by rolling hills, trees, and tobacco and sunflower fields (tobacco is one of the major crops in Tuscany0. The castello is beautiful, large but surprisingly homey because it has been in the same family for generations and their possessions, including books and pictures, are everywhere.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PI41lPlpCi8/U-YMTuPwI6I/AAAAAAAACL8/IcJ1fzDqDSs/s1600/castello+gabino+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PI41lPlpCi8/U-YMTuPwI6I/AAAAAAAACL8/IcJ1fzDqDSs/s1600/castello+gabino+032.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castello Galbino</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ-66x4dySw/U-YLPAlaTqI/AAAAAAAACLk/MsM6Mdw1ve8/s1600/castello+gabino+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ-66x4dySw/U-YLPAlaTqI/AAAAAAAACLk/MsM6Mdw1ve8/s1600/castello+gabino+020.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the crossed rifles above the fireplace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmROCQt-4ko/U-YMG2qJ_8I/AAAAAAAACL0/h0DQdxfyoBQ/s1600/castello+gabino+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmROCQt-4ko/U-YMG2qJ_8I/AAAAAAAACL0/h0DQdxfyoBQ/s1600/castello+gabino+029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andre enjoying breakfast in the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agmuVn5nSwI/U-YPiOIxp5I/AAAAAAAACNk/iW3CHgwGVi0/s1600/castello+gabino+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agmuVn5nSwI/U-YPiOIxp5I/AAAAAAAACNk/iW3CHgwGVi0/s1600/castello+gabino+062.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dishes have a picture of the castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsCcJAgBRIc/U-YMb17HYwI/AAAAAAAACME/1KAVho81GwM/s1600/castello+gabino+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsCcJAgBRIc/U-YMb17HYwI/AAAAAAAACME/1KAVho81GwM/s1600/castello+gabino+036.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the castle crest on the ceiling<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z_7Mobx1dw/U-YLFcbuqjI/AAAAAAAACLc/_oBedfHoXdo/s1600/castello+gabino+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z_7Mobx1dw/U-YLFcbuqjI/AAAAAAAACLc/_oBedfHoXdo/s1600/castello+gabino+016.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The housekeeper/chef Nurella (born in 1953 like me) gave us a ravioli making lesson in the kitchen and we had the results for dinner.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oqv8sIT0LfE/U-YOtZD4k6I/AAAAAAAACM8/hJu_gdX6CzM/s1600/castello+gabino+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oqv8sIT0LfE/U-YOtZD4k6I/AAAAAAAACM8/hJu_gdX6CzM/s1600/castello+gabino+050.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADhdwOmDtu0/U-YO4Wk2y5I/AAAAAAAACNE/VW1yumMoztg/s1600/castello+gabino+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADhdwOmDtu0/U-YO4Wk2y5I/AAAAAAAACNE/VW1yumMoztg/s1600/castello+gabino+055.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTXX3OYb3aY/U-YLXbPTYVI/AAAAAAAACLs/qZfEmgTEtHY/s1600/castello+gabino+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DTXX3OYb3aY/U-YLXbPTYVI/AAAAAAAACLs/qZfEmgTEtHY/s1600/castello+gabino+022.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_1507921251"></span><span id="goog_1507921252"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Nurella let us try our hands at the various stages of making ravioli. Above, Paige is rolling the dough which has to be rolled until it is translucent. Nurella uses a giant rolling pin and really works the dough. None of us could master her method which she said took her two years to learn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After the rigors of ravioli making we had to retire to the terrazzo for apertivi. In the course of the evening 6 bottles of prosecco met their doom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3f_pRAA72A/U-YPK1rZZzI/AAAAAAAACNM/IxRJGTC3eW4/s1600/castello+gabino+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3f_pRAA72A/U-YPK1rZZzI/AAAAAAAACNM/IxRJGTC3eW4/s1600/castello+gabino+058.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJV7KeQPGxM/U-YPUJ6giPI/AAAAAAAACNU/vy1JSEacr3k/s1600/castello+gabino+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJV7KeQPGxM/U-YPUJ6giPI/AAAAAAAACNU/vy1JSEacr3k/s1600/castello+gabino+060.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-huTxbnqPvew/U-YPbalDt-I/AAAAAAAACNc/auTIWAxUqlc/s1600/castello+gabino+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-huTxbnqPvew/U-YPbalDt-I/AAAAAAAACNc/auTIWAxUqlc/s1600/castello+gabino+061.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ````````````````No, it isn't a hogwarts broom, it is an actual old style broom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">````````````````` still in use in Italy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The castle has beautiful grounds, including an infinity pool, which we enjoyed the next day, although regrettably Karen and co. had to leave for the airport at 2 am.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tUrMoIk3lU/U-YNMvwb6cI/AAAAAAAACMM/WiwEVAz_raM/s1600/castello+gabino+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tUrMoIk3lU/U-YNMvwb6cI/AAAAAAAACMM/WiwEVAz_raM/s1600/castello+gabino+040.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYtfz8UH3_E/U-YNenx-xwI/AAAAAAAACMc/z7qsp5y-52k/s1600/castello+gabino+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYtfz8UH3_E/U-YNenx-xwI/AAAAAAAACMc/z7qsp5y-52k/s1600/castello+gabino+042.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHUwXman6J8/U-YOO-ZKgOI/AAAAAAAACMk/d_rak3Qt__I/s1600/castello+gabino+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHUwXman6J8/U-YOO-ZKgOI/AAAAAAAACMk/d_rak3Qt__I/s1600/castello+gabino+045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is what retirement looks like--come on in, the water is great!</span></div>
<span id="goog_1507921249"></span><span id="goog_1507921250"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-7487904086903666682014-07-27T15:52:00.002+02:002014-07-27T15:52:36.591+02:00Castiglione della Pescaia: a week at the Tuscan coastAfter a cena Americana with our Italian friends Mario, Loretta and their daughters Julia and Laura, we were ready to head for Castiglione della Pescaia and a week on the Mediterranean coast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hw8axuDyGSs/U9Tt06QUXtI/AAAAAAAACGk/m3bbSbRowtM/s1600/cena+americana+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hw8axuDyGSs/U9Tt06QUXtI/AAAAAAAACGk/m3bbSbRowtM/s1600/cena+americana+001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario, Julia, Tom, Laura and Loretta at cena Americana (above)<br />
and a torta they brought for dessert with our names and the date on it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqxw60e5Hzewj7t_VU_M87UdjP_95pjL5qudwjZ6wCBR-bp0sSGkVRMfkz1wedFyG1IXGr4hx7wzTEK2w-HHHsNMol5iT9ACvlLWdcRcuBE3GUOE3lCcn5EHau-ISiu6Zv5KPuqZ6PaKO/s1600/cena+americana+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqxw60e5Hzewj7t_VU_M87UdjP_95pjL5qudwjZ6wCBR-bp0sSGkVRMfkz1wedFyG1IXGr4hx7wzTEK2w-HHHsNMol5iT9ACvlLWdcRcuBE3GUOE3lCcn5EHau-ISiu6Zv5KPuqZ6PaKO/s1600/cena+americana+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The next day Mario gave us a ride to Euro Car where we picked up our Fiat Panda and headed for the coast--only 2 1/2 hours away. We rented an apartment for a week in a small town called Castiglione della Pescai. The apartment was on a hill above the town, up 50 stairs to the apartment, but worth the hike for the spectacular 360 degree view from the balcony.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A56rSnN9Pog/U9TxRAD6qEI/AAAAAAAACIY/-kc_CN7au3M/s1600/castiglione+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A56rSnN9Pog/U9TxRAD6qEI/AAAAAAAACIY/-kc_CN7au3M/s1600/castiglione+045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykOtExdUzvc/U9TxX0HAPCI/AAAAAAAACIg/dkblK1wL5c8/s1600/castiglione+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykOtExdUzvc/U9TxX0HAPCI/AAAAAAAACIg/dkblK1wL5c8/s1600/castiglione+046.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8F4CkOOz0vc/U9TyBPKCPXI/AAAAAAAACIo/RLhqApUJ59k/s1600/castiglione+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8F4CkOOz0vc/U9TyBPKCPXI/AAAAAAAACIo/RLhqApUJ59k/s1600/castiglione+050.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2t_I2reOeX8RwoPebQt2yUz9LHiC32YW4OZN46Y3soWB2BB6HTqp8EwXv8XE6lSlZNqmf6YnL4tH26Yy2lC41pwIJu1g3FuGW5-6z88PG5aAZgaqiTYSPbb2NK6NhKCLLTnJTDfw5yzc/s1600/castiglione+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2t_I2reOeX8RwoPebQt2yUz9LHiC32YW4OZN46Y3soWB2BB6HTqp8EwXv8XE6lSlZNqmf6YnL4tH26Yy2lC41pwIJu1g3FuGW5-6z88PG5aAZgaqiTYSPbb2NK6NhKCLLTnJTDfw5yzc/s1600/castiglione+066.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Castiglione is a beautiful little town with a medieval center and is right on the water. The sagra della pesche (fish festival) was going on so there were concerts in the piazza, a market, and a tiny circus complete with three sleepy looking tigers. We had some great seafood, did a lot of swimming in the clear blue waters of the Med, and toured the countryside. Of course there were roman and etruscan ruins to visit along with a museum of archaeology (Rosselle) and we took a beautiful drive through the countryside into the hills to visit a tiny town called Tiroli and eat at a restaurant recommended by the apartment owner. They featured typical Tuscan food, emphasizing cinghiale (wild boar. Tom had an osso bucco of cinghiale that looked like something Fred Flintstone would have eaten.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OIMbLR9bB0/U9Tv4NaCnTI/AAAAAAAACH0/tmaoPr78ENY/s1600/castiglione+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OIMbLR9bB0/U9Tv4NaCnTI/AAAAAAAACH0/tmaoPr78ENY/s1600/castiglione+025.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to try the first Mexican restaurant we have seen in Italy--<br />non era veramente mexicano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zMJeaEBL8s/U9TwUdoi_vI/AAAAAAAACII/6Tmoy0QtmBg/s1600/castiglione+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zMJeaEBL8s/U9TwUdoi_vI/AAAAAAAACII/6Tmoy0QtmBg/s1600/castiglione+036.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzYm-Wke2wY/U9TzdhFp-lI/AAAAAAAACJQ/jxq2EVheJag/s1600/castiglione+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzYm-Wke2wY/U9TzdhFp-lI/AAAAAAAACJQ/jxq2EVheJag/s1600/castiglione+077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cinghiale (left), Tiroli above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qAA-LoakFR8/U9Tv4fib9_I/AAAAAAAACH4/YDFmRD3Jop4/s1600/castiglione+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qAA-LoakFR8/U9Tv4fib9_I/AAAAAAAACH4/YDFmRD3Jop4/s1600/castiglione+021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman ruins at Rosselle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDpMBrUE0JE/U9T0DimFlwI/AAAAAAAACJg/zsnVPD5qo_E/s1600/castiglione+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDpMBrUE0JE/U9T0DimFlwI/AAAAAAAACJg/zsnVPD5qo_E/s1600/castiglione+067.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by the apartment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9SXcSrF8qg/U9Tz9vsnPZI/AAAAAAAACJY/6LBreSv5PP0/s1600/castiglione+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G9SXcSrF8qg/U9Tz9vsnPZI/AAAAAAAACJY/6LBreSv5PP0/s1600/castiglione+081.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-zJm7PU94Q/U9TzGRE3JZI/AAAAAAAACJA/mBRzE_Aj0wQ/s1600/castiglione+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-zJm7PU94Q/U9TzGRE3JZI/AAAAAAAACJA/mBRzE_Aj0wQ/s1600/castiglione+068.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After a week of beach, sun, and thunderstorms, we headed back to Arezzo, past dozens of fields of blooming sunflowers, where the ever helpful Mario picked us up at the rental car place, took us shopping, and brought us home. What would we do without him? Next up, visiting Seattle friend who will be staying at a castle in nearby Anghiari and a trip to Cortona with Mario. Viva Italia!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1508492047022721090.post-81126370212347958022014-07-12T18:35:00.007+02:002014-07-12T18:35:56.026+02:00Umbria Jazz Festival in PerugiaWe returned to Perugia for the opening night of the Umbria Jazz festival, kicked off by Seattle's own Garfield jazz band. The band was great but the weather was not: rain and thunderstorms or, as Clarence Acox said, Seattle weather. The crowd was sparse but enthusiastic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egU0Kkm9h90/U8FdzMpwshI/AAAAAAAACFo/QpcqJDrmqfA/s1600/jazz+festival+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egU0Kkm9h90/U8FdzMpwshI/AAAAAAAACFo/QpcqJDrmqfA/s1600/jazz+festival+014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh0e_Xz019w/U8FeJQ3XD-I/AAAAAAAACFw/ypphLlf4mG8/s1600/jazz+festival+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh0e_Xz019w/U8FeJQ3XD-I/AAAAAAAACFw/ypphLlf4mG8/s1600/jazz+festival+020.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYfszQJgzD0/U8Fdlx8VwSI/AAAAAAAACFY/r0UhR0Qgi8E/s1600/jazz+festival+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYfszQJgzD0/U8Fdlx8VwSI/AAAAAAAACFY/r0UhR0Qgi8E/s1600/jazz+festival+012.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jazz fans 'enjoying' the show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To our surprise, we ran into two people we know--former co-worker John Dalton and his wife Susan. Their 15 year old son plays trombone in the band which is quite an honor as it is rare for freshmen to make the senior band. They were chaperoning the band's tour through Europe which included stops in Lyon, Venice and Rome as well as 7 or 8 other places. <br />
<br />
Following Garfield was a line up of New Orleans style jazz bands, all fantastic. My favorite was a band from Texas that had a 3 woman horn section. They really got the crowd dancing (and the fact that it quit raining helped). Since it is Italy after all, the refreshment booth was selling a tasty white wine, prosecco, and a red wine which I didn't try but a friend told me was not the worst swill he ever tasted (liberal translation from the Italian). <br />
<br />
In other news, we finally have out outdoor table, chairs and umbrella and also a shiny new BBQ.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--26nHH6v190/U8FdI0p7hFI/AAAAAAAACFM/TfaMbBoqaRY/s1600/jazz+festival+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--26nHH6v190/U8FdI0p7hFI/AAAAAAAACFM/TfaMbBoqaRY/s1600/jazz+festival+003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom watches Mario figuring out the instructions to assemble the bbq</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hope to have our Italian friends over for an American style BBQ Friday night. We have figured out how to do a giant shop at the PAM superstore--walk the kilometer there but take a cab back with all the heavy stuff. The PAM store is like an American supermarket and offers a lot of things we can't find elsewhere, such as soy sauce and a cute tiny Italian bottle of catsup, and even actual hamburger buns (not that we have been looking for those but we bought a package immediately). Mostly we loaded up with coke zero, milk, wine, potatoes, laundry soap and other stuff that is too heavy to haul up the hill in the heat without lots of rest stops.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAO2G96Vogk/U8FdGvTi_VI/AAAAAAAACFE/bXf8RUThRs0/s1600/jazz+festival+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAO2G96Vogk/U8FdGvTi_VI/AAAAAAAACFE/bXf8RUThRs0/s1600/jazz+festival+002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for the cab with a cart full of groceries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First Sunday of the month means the giant antique fair that covers almost every street in centro. We spent a few hours checking out the goods, but bought only an old picture to put on the mantel. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEXQu3kUiqQ/U8FdCpK8EGI/AAAAAAAACE8/VgsnLjyyEyc/s1600/jazz+festival+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEXQu3kUiqQ/U8FdCpK8EGI/AAAAAAAACE8/VgsnLjyyEyc/s1600/jazz+festival+006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">working hard at the antiques fair (above)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwBmOOGvruA/U8Fdb2i31rI/AAAAAAAACFU/M5UB5O9Xyfw/s1600/jazz+festival+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwBmOOGvruA/U8Fdb2i31rI/AAAAAAAACFU/M5UB5O9Xyfw/s1600/jazz+festival+007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loggia Vasari crowded with stalls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPIncHCyvfM/U8FdoCA6pVI/AAAAAAAACFk/0ddvVNFBLrw/s1600/jazz+festival+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPIncHCyvfM/U8FdoCA6pVI/AAAAAAAACFk/0ddvVNFBLrw/s1600/jazz+festival+008.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still searching for the best gelatto in Arezzo--despite the look on Tom's face,<br />this gelatto was pretty good</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Next Saturday it is off to the Tuscany coast for a week (near Grossetto). Armed with my new microsoft surface (having broken the kindle as previously reported) I am ready for some serious beach reading. Luckily there are also ancient ruins, old churches, and picturesque towns in case the turquoise water and white sand grows old.<br />
<br />
ciao a tutti!<br />
<br />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08879927593117121564noreply@blogger.com0