Built in the 11th century, atop Roman foundations, this is Florence’s oldest surviving building – one thousand years old. The Bapistry is known for it’s bronze doors. The most famous ones are these east doors that face the Duomo. Ghiberti spent 27 years (1425-1452) working on these panels. Murph and I ran over to see the doors one morning just after sunrise.Each panel in the doors depicts scenes from the old testiment. This one is of onlookers exulting as Moses receives the Tablets of the Law from God. (Or as I would say, the Ten Commandments)Iconic photo of Giatto’s tower (right), Brunelleschi’s Dome (in back), Duomo or Cathedral (center) and Bapistry (left). Breathtaking marble workmanship!We could stand here for hours to look at the details of this work of art!You know we did!!! Great view from up top 😉Ponte Vecchio at night. Nice reflections.Florence is so picturesque!Santa Croce – Michelangelo’s church and neighborhood while growing up.This sculpture by Michelangelo is in the Duomo museum. It was intended to be his sculptural epitaph. He used his face as the face of Joseph, so it’s kind of a self portrait.Evening photograph taken from the Piazzale Michelangelo – hilltop square with stunning views of Florence.Sculpture by Luca della Robbia – just love it!
In case you’ve forgotten our photographer. You can see by this photo why HE’S holding the camera most of the time. Anyway, here we are at the Medici Chapel.The elevator we took to and from our rooms was a 3 step operation. Open first set of doors…then slide this set of doors open.Squeeze into tiny elevator and push button “T” for terra. Don’t forget to close all the doors when you get out or else the elevator is nonoperational for the next people.Walked over to the 1st Renassaince square ever, created by Brunelleschi, to tour the Hopital of the Innocents.See the door at the end of the loggia?This grate was where women dropped their newborn babies if they couldn’t care for them. The grate was only large enough to fit a newborn. A bell was rung and a nurse would find the baby on a cushion on the ledge inside. A wet nurse would be assigned to the baby so it could be cared for quickly. After 400 years and hundreds of thousands of babies having been dropped here, the policy changed. Women were no longer allowed to anonomously leave their babies. The grate was sealed and from then on women came to them at 7 months of pregnancy. They were taken in to have their babies and to help nurse other babies too.Back in the 1400’s it was believed that for the first year a baby should be wrapped in order for it’s spine to develop properly. There were many of these painted terra cotta medallions by Luca delle Robbia showing different ways to wrap babies.Months ago George read about this sandwich shop so it was his pick for the day.
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I think you can see that we enjoyed our lunch. No sitting on the curb allowed! The Polizia made sure of that! See you after we’re done eating.
Michelangelo (26 years old) was given a block of marble that other sculptors had rejected as too tall, shallow, and flawed to be of any value.But Michelangelo picked up his hammer and chisel, knocked a knot off what became David’s heart, and started to work.The statue captures David as he’s sizing up his enemy. He stands relaxed but alert, leaning on one leg in a classical pose known as contrapposto.In his powerful left hand, he fondles the handle of the sling,ready to fling a stone at the giant.His gaze is steady – searching with intense concentration, but also with extreme confidence.Michelangelo has caught the precise moment when David is saying “I can take this guy.”David is the symbol of Renaissance optimism. He’s not a brute. He’s a civilized, thinking individual who can grapple with and overcome problems. He needs no armour, only his God-given physical strength and wits.
People often ask me if we speak the language of the country we’re going to visit. My answer is always “No, but we manage to communicate.” When we were on the train a few days ago I sat next to these two lovely young ladies. As I watched them chat and giggle I quickly realized they were from different parts of the world. In talking to them I learned that one girl was from Moscow and the other Japan. And yet here they were, cell phones out sharing family pictures to one another and learning about the other’s life etc. It’s absolutely my favorite part of travel. Observing people as they happily meet the challenge of talking to one another. (I do have to apologize to the girl from Moscow for the poor photo I took – we were all trying to get off of the train when I asked to take a picture of them and I didn’t have time to check.)
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr Seuss
When we were in the planning stage of our trip, Mary said her number one wish was to boat on Lake Como. Just about as soon as we got into town we headed to the docks. All of us chose a spot on the railing and for the next three hours we boated!We floated by Varenna, our home for the next three nights.And we sailed by beautiful villas.And more beautiful villas, hoping for a glance at George Clooney😉No, George but so many magnificent villas!Once on land it was time to explore Varenna – seriously, can’t we go anywhere that’s flat!?!I worked up a powerful appetite 😋9th century church, we discovered on one of our explores, with original frescoes.Being on the water makes for some very happy flowers!Also, visited Bellagio – down the lake from Varenna. Very pretty, filled with expensive shops. Good thing we only have carry on luggage. Not a lot of extra room!Tough lighting for the photographer but I wanted so show you our view at breakfast.Curious George is anxious to know where we’ll end up next. 😎
We take photos as a return ticket to a time otherwise gone.
The Last Supper – Decorating the former dining hall of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, this remarkable crafted fresco, painted around 1498 by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the ultimate masterpieces of the Renaissance.This giant needle and thread represents the fashion industry that Milan is known for.On our tour we went to the Sforza Castle and marveled at the gigantic fortress that it was back in it’s day.Inside Milan’s Duomo. The third largest cathedral in Europe. There are 52 columns like these, one for each week of the liturgical year.The Duomo has the most beautiful marble facade!I loved the stone balconies.Typical Milanese building.Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Glass domed arcade on the main square, perfect for window shopping and people watching.For good luck, put your heel on the the torino’s (little bull) testicles and spin clockwise. People were lined up to do just that! With so much spinning, the mosaic has to be replaced every few years.Murph and I walked over to this local park.And I had a delightful interaction with this little boy. As he went round on the train we would clasp hands for a few seconds each time. The smile on his face was priceless!The glory of this Duomo is hard to capture,but I think you get the “picture” 😉Look at the entrance to their Apple store! 🍎And down below, where the store is located, many stairs to sit on and a fountain to play in.In front of the Milan train station The Apple Made Whole Again is a symbolic work opening itself up to the world, in the same way as the train station, also symbolically, opens the city up to the world…The symbol of the apple made whole again symbolizes the recomposition of the opposites: nature and artifice.Met up with friends, George and Mary, in Milan. After two days there, we’re heading to the train. See where we end up – next post…
Started the day by eating breakfast on our terrace overlooking the village of Vernazza.We climbed up the trails.And stepped down the trails. (I know what you’re thinking, Catherine. Motrin has become one of my best friends, along with you 😗 )Destination – the village of Corniglia.Stopped to watch a man working at his art – constructing a wall by fitting the stones together as if he were building a puzzle.Worked up quite a sweat or as I like to think, I was glistening 😉Saw many Madonnas along the trail and prayed we’d make it!Must have worked because we happily arrived!A perfect Italian lunch – caprese on foccacia! And oh, the view!Hiked back home again – journey taking about 4 hours in total. Plenty of time to see the sun set at the harbor.Lively dinner scene at the square. Good night 😗
Leiden moat.Lakes – nearby Leiden.DelftDelftDelft.DelftAlong the path, riding out to Kinderdijk.KinderdijkCountryside – near DoesburgDoesburgDe Haar CastleZuiderzee museumDifferent kinds of mint at Velo Droom B & BDe Haar CastleKennett Avon canal – Wiltshire
When was the last time you saw Olive Oyl, if ever? After “meeting” her, in Leiden city centrum, I did a bit of research. She was introduced in 1919 and Popeye? – 1929!Just a fraction of bikes at the Central train station in Leiden.Our room with a view – Delft.Obligatory shot of me filling my water bottle. Or am I !?!?A face only it’s mother could love!Outside a tea room in Hungerford, Wiltshire, EnglandThis man never misses an opportunity to photograph a train. He loves them!The living room at our place in Hoorn.Hey Roger, remember when we used to talk about opening a restaurant? We ate at a Kabob House in Hoorn and Murph’s lamb kabab came with pizza on top!
Murphys on the Move 