tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87094005774420085702024-03-07T21:40:32.279-08:00sh...sh...sh...shake it like a polaroidpictures from recent travel and other musingscrchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-3858576698769079182007-11-29T22:27:00.000-08:002007-12-02T11:11:51.568-08:00Cheap good food - a missionFor those of you who read this blog, which may only be me at this point, I've decided to jot down some of my best cheap food eating experiences. As Danielle and I are tightening up our outflow of cash we've been re-seeking out cheap food that makes no sacrifice for quality.<br /><br /><a href="http://cheaperthanfood.blogspot.com/">http://cheaperthanfood.blogspot.com/</a>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-23246000922502231462007-10-02T16:36:00.000-07:002007-10-19T09:34:27.894-07:00Italy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 121px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu9JDaU5KI/AAAAAAAAB80/VXK9rYjjXNY/s288/DSCF0962.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">After over a year of debating Danielle and I finally decided to take a vacation in Italy this fall. For two weeks in September we walked, trained, bused, ate, and drank our way across Italy. We've tried to chronicle a few of the highlights here. For those of you with patience we've cataloged over 500 pictures on the linked web album. Just click on the picture above (or any of the ones below) to browse. </span>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-7243256216775245202007-10-02T16:35:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:32:26.629-07:00Rome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114886492276448834"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 81px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6KjaU3kI/AAAAAAAABvo/5xGH04Bstqk/s288/DSCF0852.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">After five hours to Newark, eight hours to Rome, and 30 min. to Termini train station </span><span style="font-size:100%;">we</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> arrived in the heart of Rome.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114886505161350738"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 152px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6LTaU3lI/AAAAAAAABvw/KkvA73A-LTM/s288/DSCF0853.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">The most dramatic </span><span style="font-size:100%;">parts of our trip centered around ancient Roman ruins. A surprising byproduct of a society that has lived</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> in the same locati</span><span style="font-size:100%;">on for thousands of years is the scattering of ruins acr</span><span style="font-size:100%;">oss Rome. Close to 200 ya</span><span style="font-size:100%;">rds from the train station Danielle had</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> already begun her quest </span><span style="font-size:100%;">to see every r</span><span style="font-size:100%;">emnant of ancient Roman civilization in Italy. This undescribed ruin was pa</span><span style="font-size:100%;">rt of the </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Baths of Diocletion and capped off our 26 hours of continuous walking, interrupted only by s</span><span style="font-size:100%;">even hours of sleep over the next two days.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Though tired we decided to make the most of the day and tried to get </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114886616830500610"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 144px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6RzaU3wI/AAAAAAAABxM/6wCGGZvnURY/s288/DSCF0864.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">on </span><span style="font-size:100%;">an </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Italian time</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> schedule. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">A short metro ride from Termini (tw</span><span style="font-size:100%;">o blocks from our pension) and quick walk throu</span><span style="font-size:100%;">gh the heart of central Rome'</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s shopping district brought us to the Pantheon, another wonderful example of the integration of ancient ruins in a bustling metropolis and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">pr</span><span style="font-size:100%;">obably, v</span><span style="font-size:100%;">isuall</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y, the most impressive ruin within Rome outside of the Colesseum. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114886625420435218"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 123px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6STaU3xI/AAAAAAAABxU/MzM1GCCI9a0/s288/DSCF0865.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">This picture was taken as I sat for a quick break while</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Danielle was getting cash from a nearby ATM. It was not long into th</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e day that we decided the 14 h</span><span style="font-size:100%;">our trip had ta</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ken more out of us than we had anticipated.<br /><br />Around 5pm we decided to walk back to the hotel for a quick nap. We woke up the next morning. After a quick e</span><span style="font-size:100%;">spresso and brioche the next morning we headed out for the big sites.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114886685549977426"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 122px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6VzaU31I/AAAAAAAABx0/_ubapuA9Y3o/s288/DSCF0869.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />After spending ~$15 on bottled water over the first 24 hours we were happy to find one of the many public fountains near the Colosseum. Fortunately the water surging through the all public fountains throughout Rome is potable. This fountain consisted of a steel pipe protruding from a concrete wall draining into an ancient marble sarcophagus. While we were good about keeping hydrated we did not have the foresight to properly care for our feet. This picture began the second day of the 26 hour marathon that resulted in ~9 blisters between the two of us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114887110751739890"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 106px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6ujaU3_I/AAAAAAAABzI/Jlr2thOkWuY/s288/DSCF0879.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Palatine Hill was the first ruins of the day. Rome was founded here. As we got there early in the day we had the site practically to ourselves. We wandered among the ruins for a few hours enjoying a few quiet moments away from the buzzing of the scooters on the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114887072097034210"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 84px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu6sTaU3-I/AAAAAAAABzA/E8qtiyiP6cE/s288/DSCF0878.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>streets before heading over to the Colosseum in the afternoon.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114887866665984306"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 83px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu7ajaU4TI/AAAAAAAAB1s/S0SkZ9-AFXQ/s288/DSCF0899.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We were fortunate to bypass the throngs of tourists outside the Colosseum, and the English dudes claiming to give you entry and tour for a discount, as our Palatine Hill pass granted access to the site for no extra charge. Outside of Pompeii and Herculaneum this had to be the most spectacular ruin of the trip. After purchasing the audio guide we climbed up the steps to come out on the upper level o<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114888364882190882"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 83px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu73jaU4iI/AAAAAAAAB3o/O-pf0js08LQ/s288/DSCF0917.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>f what once was the greatest theater in the Roman Empire. The audio tours were excellent, but Danielle could not get enough. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114888296162714114"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 79px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu7zjaU4gI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/iv6TQKY4ve8/s288/DSCF0915.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lucky for her she was able to eaves drop on a few of the English language tours and learn a few more esoteric details about the structure, its construction and use in ancient times. It was pretty cool. By this point I realized that I was in for a sweaty trip. Italy was hot. Maybe 80s every day. After a quick sandwich we concluded the ancient ruins of Rome in the Forum.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114888532385915490"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 84px; height: 113px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu8BTaU4mI/AAAAAAAAB4M/dnNuLV55eVo/s288/DSCF0921.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Roman Forum that is frequented by tourists (and the only part we went to) is only part of what was the original heart of the Roman government and marketplace. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114888682709770914"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 84px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu8KDaU4qI/AAAAAAAAB4s/cplxYwCTb2c/s288/DSCF0925.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Mussolini paved over much of what was the forum effectively destroying a few buildings and splitting the remaining ruins in two by one of Rome's major streets. Nevertheless, the remaining ruins are spectacular.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114888837328593650"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 92px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu8TDaU4vI/AAAAAAAAB5U/vVoXcS37zws/s288/DSCF0930.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>By the time we had fully explored the Forum it was 6-7PM. We decided to walk SE to cross the Tiber river and eat in Trastevere. On the way, we walked through the area of Rome where all of the Jewish people lived during ancient times called the "Jewish Ghetto" in all the guide books. There is still a small Jewish community here and when we walked through the little center square a number of kids were playing kick ball. It felt like Italy in the 1930s. At the end of the night, we picked up a few first aid supplies during a quick pit stop at one of the dozens of pharmacies that we passed after dinner. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114888931817874210"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 126px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu8YjaU4yI/AAAAAAAAB5s/7RScpuCLlmM/s288/DSCF0934.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> We still had 13 days of walking ahead of us and were not off to a good start.<br /><br /><br />Since this was our "last" night in Rome we decided to stop by the Pantheon one last time on our way to Trevi fountain and then head back to the hotel. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889082141729634"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 83px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu8hTaU42I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/VY3EpxfTgNc/s288/DSCF0938.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We were both surprised that the Pantheon was even more spectacular at night, surrounded by people enjoying the warm evening. We each threw the obligate coin into Trevi fountain (Danielle was embarrased to do so even though there were about 20 other tourists there doing the exact same thing) after finishing a cup of gelato. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889245350486946"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 135px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu8qzaU46I/AAAAAAAAB6w/wGuUc3i1K4s/s288/DSCF0944.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is supposed to guarantee our return to Rome (I hope the night prior to our flight out didn't count).<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-58368102232125732312007-10-02T16:33:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:36:12.174-07:00Naples<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114890520955774514"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 187px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu91DaU5jI/AAAAAAAACAE/nkSnI7II-LM/s288/DSCF0987.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889442918982674"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 89px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu82TaU5BI/AAAAAAAAB7s/_jJ00CCsvKI/s288/DSCF0952.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We woke up early the next morning and and went to one of Rome's archeology museums prior to our 10AM departure time to Naples. We had arranged for one nights stay and planned to see Pompeii and then make the 6 hour train ride to Siena. We ended up loving Naples and stayed for an additional two nights. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889490163622962"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 91px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu85DaU5DI/AAAAAAAAB78/RE_IGhzt9h8/s288/DSCF0954.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On the train ride south we caught glimpses of the ancient Roman aqueducts that provided the running water supply for the Roman people and the fountains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889554588132434"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 109px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu88zaU5FI/AAAAAAAAB8M/KGu3flOLZNI/s288/DSCF0957.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Our first stop was the National Archeological Museum which houses the most magnificent frescos and mosaics from both Pompeii and Herculaneum. Dozens of representative mosaics and red painted stucco walls were on display. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889610422707298"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 83px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu9ADaU5GI/AAAAAAAAB8U/3BM3yt1zMrM/s288/DSCF0958.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It was actually nice for us to be able to see these mosaics up close because most of the wall mosaics in Pompeii are out of reach. A scaled model gave the first preview of the magnitude of the ruins of Pompeii. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114889812286170290"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 102px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu9LzaU5LI/AAAAAAAAB88/t6UhHtqKgBQ/s288/DSCF0963.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The model was made in the 1800's (they started excavating Pompeii in the 1700! Some of the murals and houses found in this model from the 1800s have already been lost. Up until seeing this model I had never realized the sheer magnitude of the ruins.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114895786585681762"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 90px; height: 121px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvCnjaU72I/AAAAAAAACTE/S93sElIqepo/s288/DSCF1140.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We ate pizza that night. Naples is the birthplace of pizza. With that in mind we searched for a pizza place that would best represent the Neapolitan pizza experience. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114895859600125826"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 90px; height: 121px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvCrzaU74I/AAAAAAAACTU/RBbBNA1bjgY/s288/DSCF1142.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>All of our books pointed us toward Sorbillo's. The grandfather of the current owner of Sorbillo's pizza is said to have invented the calzone and has past his family secrets down through the generations. The restaurant was a quite four table operation with one server and about 10 diners, a mix of locals and tourists, at any given time. We were tired from training and walking all day, but the pizza was fantastic. There is nothing quite like hot wood-fired pizza in a city where it was actually invented. We would later learn that the true Sorbillo's was about 2 doors down. Who knows who the guy was who was running this one. We still came back the next night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114891371359299554"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 84px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu-mjaU5-I/AAAAAAAACDg/zp0HH6_dhoQ/s288/DSCF1017.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We had to leave our hotel - a room in a building from the 1400s where some of the rooms had the original frescos on the wall-because it was pricey and we only reserved the room for one night. So we checked into a hostel run by a Neopolitan guy who, perhaps because we were a bit older and less interested in partying, gave us an hour lecture about all of the wonderful sites in the city that we needed to see (he smoked about 2 packs of cigarettes during the lecture and meticulously used 6 different color highlighters to map out a rout for us around Naples). We then set off to do him proud. We also walked down to the waterfront to see Castel Nuovo and Palazzo Reale. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114891221035444114"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 103px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu-dzaU55I/AAAAAAAACC4/kFe2yMYujwI/s288/DSCF1012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This was the first of the palaces that we visited during our two week trip. It was everything you would expect from an ancient palace of Italian royalty. Filled with opulent decor, vaulted and painted ceilings, a beautiful garden in the back overlooking the Bay of Naples it did not disappoint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114891410014005234"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 81px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/Rvu-ozaU5_I/AAAAAAAACDo/GY5LyodG0c8/s288/DSCF1018.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On the way back to the hotel we stopped in to one of the oldest cafes in Naples for an espresso and sfogliatelle. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114891491618383906"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 86px; height: 115px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu-tjaU6CI/AAAAAAAACEE/itRx77TmopY/s288/DSCF1021.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sfogliatelle is a Neapolitan pastry which consists of layers of crispy, flaky dough usually filled with sweetened ricotta cheese. It sounds pretty bad, but was actually quite good. A little shell shopping brought us back to the hotel.crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-31930063118026876052007-10-02T16:30:00.000-07:002007-10-23T05:31:56.404-07:00Pompeii<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114892092913805602"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/Rvu_QjaU6SI/AAAAAAAACGI/fdlf-0V6Bt8/s288/DSCF1039.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next morning after bandaging up our feet we boarded the Circumvesuviana train which circumnavigates Mt. Vesuvius and connects the small towns in the Bay of Naples including Pompeii.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114892174518184258"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 105px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu_VTaU6UI/AAAAAAAACGY/OWIdtAi0jDg/s288/DSCF1041.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Immediately upon entering Pompeii it is hard not to be impressed with the size of the city. Blocks upon blocks of buildings are intact and preserved as though only build 100 years ago. Floors are covered by <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114892226057791826"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 106px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/Rvu_YTaU6VI/AAAAAAAACGg/cLa4PDhMJAc/s288/DSCF1042.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>geometric mosaics and abut walls with brilliant pastel frescoes illustrating scenes from ancient Roman life. The various public baths were some of the best preserved ruins that we saw during the entire trip still containing most of the original mosaic art present when buried two thousa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114892947612297858"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 84px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvACTaU6oI/AAAAAAAACI8/Um2rnyXuBas/s288/DSCF1061.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>nd years ago. Many of the frescoes surrounding the walls of house courtyards appeared as vivid today as they must have been in the past.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114893428648635234"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 89px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvAeTaU62I/AAAAAAAACKw/TQyUNskQIC8/s288/DSCF1075.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114892891777722978"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 88px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/Rvu__DaU6mI/AAAAAAAACIs/1XxlCHJbdLk/s288/DSCF1059.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The picture shown on the left served as one of the old laundry buildings of Pompeii.<br />The square basin was used to wash clothes with hot water. Through the door pictured on the left was a courtyard where they where wet clothes were hung out to dry. Despite it functioning as a business it was as brilliantly decorated as many of the other houses.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114894060008828018"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 124px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvBDDaU7HI/AAAAAAAACNA/oM21uAwOxzY/s288/DSCF1092.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The city of Pompeii was laid out in blocks with streets delineating each block. Sidewalks on the side of the street allowed foot traffic while the stone paved roads allowed animal, wheeled vehicles, and sewage/rain passageway. These stepping stones cut across each of the four sides of an intersection allowing pedestrians to c<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114893669166803906"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvAsTaU68I/AAAAAAAACLk/NSuGcK4Vspw/s288/DSCF1081.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>ross the street without soiling their feet. Grooves in the pavement attest to the carriages or wheels passing over the stones over hundreds of years. Vesuvius is visible from most parts of the city, a constant reminder of the reason Pompeii exists today.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114894485210590498"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 151px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvBbzaU7SI/AAAAAAAACOY/1wU-xj3RD6M/s288/DSCF1103.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The final bath that we walked through<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114893746476215266"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 151px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvAwzaU6-I/AAAAAAAACL0/K6VjB2IQ-Nk/s288/DSCF1083.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> contained the only plaster cast of a few of the victims of Pompeii. There are dozens of others, but the city is so large we were unable to find them. All for the better. It was pretty spooky to see the facial expressions and contorted bodies of these guys at the end of their life.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114893767951051762"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 106px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvAyDaU6_I/AAAAAAAACL8/oYrzfpAp7sw/s288/DSCF1084.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-2506769560637805802007-10-02T16:29:00.000-07:002007-10-23T05:32:11.410-07:00Herculaneum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114894811628105138"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 217px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvBuzaU7bI/AAAAAAAACPk/zfo3zKFrWxo/s288/DSCF1112.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114894893232483794"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 126px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvBzjaU7dI/AAAAAAAACP0/9zzax-19L3Y/s288/DSCF1114.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">After a good 6 hours wandering the streets of Pompeii we decided to move on to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum">Herculaneum</a>. Fortunately we had taped up th</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e feet well enough to en</span><span style="font-size:100%;">dure another couple of hours of walking. Just few train stops closer to Naples (and Mt Vesuvius) lies Herculaneum, the vacation spot for former dwellers of the bay of Naples. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">We arrived toward the end of the day and by the time we purchased tickets the site was only open for about 2 more hours. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114895000606666242"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 92px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvB5zaU7gI/AAAAAAAACQM/fMauXKgksao/s288/DSCF1117.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Compared to Pompeii, Herculaneum is considered a much better preserved set of ruins due to its closer proximity to the volcano. Many of the second and third stories of</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> the ancient businesses and houses have been preserved. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Occasionally one can see some of the original wood used during</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> construction of th</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e buildings th</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ousands of years</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114895266894638722"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 93px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvCJTaU7oI/AAAAAAAACRQ/sE3pqpv8XpY/s288/DSCF1125.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> ago that was instantly carbonized from the heat of the volcanic eruption. Some of the best mosaics and frescos of the site are not roped off or und</span><span style="font-size:100%;">er restoration like they are in Pompeii. Unfortunately, much of the original city still lies buried underground. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The current city of Herculaneum has been built on top of the old preventing any further excavation.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114895507412807394"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 134px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvCXTaU7uI/AAAAAAAACSA/rpOiKTdyj5Y/s288/DSCF1132.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114895387153723058"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 84px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvCQTaU7rI/AAAAAAAACRo/qWF0tNfFsrs/s288/DSCF1128.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Again, the baths held many of the best preserved mosaics and original building materials in the entire site. One particularly cool building was an old wine/food shop. Carbonized original wood shelving still holding what were once storage containers for food and wine. A small staircase led from the bottom of this shop to the living quarters upstairs.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-47342140338927264052007-10-02T16:28:00.000-07:002007-10-21T17:54:32.834-07:00Siena<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896104413261842"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 203px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvC6DaU8BI/AAAAAAAACUc/39J2ZdpJV1E/s288/DSCF1153.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114897264054432370"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 126px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvD9jaU8nI/AAAAAAAACZY/x5zHCoerB4w/s288/DSCF1205.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After a long day of Herculaneum and Pompeii we returned to our hotel in Naples for a good nights sleep. The next morning, after a dose of espresso, we hopped the train to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena">Siena</a>. About 5 hours later we landed in what was one of our favorite towns of the trip...and not just because one of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ross">Bob Ross</a>' favorite paint colors, Burnt Siena, is named after the brownish-red rooftops of this town.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896186017640498"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 124px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvC-zaU8DI/AAAAAAAACUw/ihmbXe6-E_s/s288/DSCF1155.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> It seems a bit cliche given that every tourist that has been here loves it, but it is hard to find anything unattractive about the city.<br /><br /><br />The social heart of Siena, particularly for tourists like us, is Il Campo, or the central plaza. It is shaped like a three dimensional scallop shell rising and fanning out from the Palazzo Publico (town hall). During all hours of the day every day people gather here to socialize, sit, eat, and just relax. According to Wikipedia, Il Campo is "regarded as one of the most beautiful civic spaces in Europe." I have to agree that it was one of our favorite places to relax during the entire trip. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896795902996882"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 95px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvDiTaU8ZI/AAAAAAAACXk/Toh1pclp-I4/s288/DSCF1186.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> The scallop shaped plaza is divided up into nine sections each one representing an original neighborhood in the historic old center. These represent nine of the 17 or so neighborhoods that compete in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Siena">Palio</a> (an annual bareback horse riding competition that takes place in the plaza twice a year). At the far end of Il Campo, near where I'm sitting above, is the plaza's fountain - Fonte Gaia. The "Fountain of Happiness" depicts stories of the bible. Marble panels here are replicas (we would later see the originals in the city's museum). Unfortunately, the fountain has been gated off from people and now is primarily ruled by pigeons. If you look closely at the picture on the left you'll see an unlucky pigeon floating in the distance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114897087960773154"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 145px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvDzTaU8iI/AAAAAAAACYs/dzopkYxCGzY/s288/DSCF1198.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The winner of the Palio competition is granted bragging rights until the next race (usually a year away). Bragging consists of parading through the town with your colors playing music and talking trash. We were lucky enough to stumble across one such parade during our second day in town on our way to see the Duomo (cathedral).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114897422968222402"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 130px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvEGzaU8sI/AAAAAAAACaA/xq1eK0Gc564/s288/DSCF1212.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Duomo in Siena bears a striking resemblance to that of Florence. Built in Tuscan Gothic style it is a bit of an eyesore albeit an ornate and kind of pretty one. The interior of the cathedral however differs from that of Florence dramatically. The people of Siena insisted that it be grander than the Florence <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114897594766914306"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 131px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvEQzaU8wI/AAAAAAAACag/fYYuRj_4mpM/s288/DSCF1216.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Duomo during the years when the two cities were fighting to be the renaissance capital of Italy. Lavish inlaid marble floors and statues by Michaelangelo and Donatello adorn the entire layout. There were even plans to expand the cathedral until the plague hit the city.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896460895547634"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 139px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvDOzaU8PI/AAAAAAAACWQ/iHgrORdbxis/s288/DSCF1172.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Siena was where Danielle discovered that most bars in northern Italy offer free appetizers to anyone who buys a cocktail. Most places would set their goods out around 5PM meaning that by 5:15 we would be in there mowing down "dinner." <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896353521365170"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 120px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvDIjaU8LI/AAAAAAAACVw/TQWRUmf-mHY/s288/DSCF1167.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I was impressed with Danielle's knack for stacking piles of olives, bread, cheese, fruit onto a cocktail napkin. Gelato was a highlight here, as it was just about everywhere else. Unfortunately, this is only one of a couple of pictures documenting the experience. If its good enough for Gods followers its good enough for me. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896568269730082"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 85px; height: 113px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvDVDaU8SI/AAAAAAAACWo/ADHvKeabdRQ/s288/DSCF1177.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Favorite flavors: pistachio, lemon, watermelon, and rice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114896405060972754"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 83px; height: 110px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvDLjaU8NI/AAAAAAAACWA/TpVBsB_Cz-A/s288/DSCF1170.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-44904399176153020592007-10-02T14:27:00.000-07:002007-10-23T05:36:20.664-07:00Florence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114900072963044658"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 199px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvGhDaU9TI/AAAAAAAACfE/x0JUWxv0LvM/s288/DSCF1260.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After two (three?) nights in Siena we had a one hour long train ride to Florence. We liked Florence, but did not love it. If we had more money and time it might have been more fun. Nevertheless, we felt obligated to stop through to see the heart of Tuscany and the home of the Renaissance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114900622718858770"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 126px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvHBDaU9hI/AAAAAAAACg4/e0npkK7HUwU/s288/DSCF1277.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>One evening, early into our time in Florence, we walked to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio">Ponte Vecchio</a> to get dinner. As Danielle was taking pictures of the fashion of various Europeans (pants in particular) we actually bumped into a couple of colleagues from Seattle. It was weird to be half-way across the world and run into someone you normally work with randomly. A<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114900652783629858"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 81px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvHCzaU9iI/AAAAAAAAChA/d7pg8a5EIKI/s288/DSCF1278.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>fter we got over the initial shock of seeing them we learned that they had basically just gotten off of the plane and were planning on vacationing in Italy for 4 days. They were traveling with their family so we did not spend much time with them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901202539444034"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 135px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvHizaU90I/AAAAAAAACjU/IuJxdCxj1X4/s288/DSCF1297.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After stewing on the weirdness of seeing people from Seattle, we walked to the main plaza, Piazza Vecchio (the previous site of Michalangelo's David prior to its placement in the Accademia) to see what was happening. Surrounding the piazza are a number of original statues including this one illustrating Perseus's killing of Medusa.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114900700028270146"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 138px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvHFjaU9kI/AAAAAAAAChQ/aewHLcuF3rc/s288/DSCF1280.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Danielle attracted the attention of the guard enforcing the "do not touch" policy in the plaza when we tried to take a picture for Reanne and Cassie (even though she never got close to touching it).<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114900828877289090"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 155px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvHNDaU9oI/AAAAAAAACh0/hr3aCSMqg0c/s288/DSCF1285.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The next day, after getting a pastry and cappuccino at the Roberto Cavalli cafe (at first I thought it was totally cool that we were drinking coffee at a Roberto Cavelli cafe only to realize that something similar exists in Seattle. Nordstrom's has the same crappy overpriced coffee joint attached to most of its stores. Fortunately the quality step-up from Nordstrom's to Roberto Cavalli seen in fashion was also noted in coffee) we set out to conquer the artistic sites of Florence including the Uffizi gallery and the Academia (with a rapid tour of one of the large palaces across the river in Florence. See the additional pictures in the album. The one with Danielle frowning in front of the garden illustrates her sadness upon my refusal to drop another 9 euros to walk in the garden.) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901339978397570"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 96px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvHqzaU94I/AAAAAAAACj4/MOl0zL3jpBA/s288/DSCF1303.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The cafe was on the way as was the flagship store of Santa Maria Novella Profumeria and Farmacia. This 16th century pharmacy once mixed perfumes for the Medici family. Surprisingly, they still mix and sell it (as well as hundreds of other items). Notably they have their menus printed in 4 languages. Based on the prices and the dozens of Japanese in the store the day we were there, they cater to the upper class....and Danielle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901361453234066"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 130px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvHsDaU95I/AAAAAAAACkA/dz0wMvguiDo/s288/DSCF1305.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, the guards in the Uffizi strictly enforce the no picture rule. Suffice it to say, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera are every bit as breathtaking in person as you would expect them to be. There is also a no picture policy in the Academy, but I managed to sneak one of Danielle appreciating Michaelangelo's masterpiece.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901168179705650"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 146px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvHgzaU9zI/AAAAAAAACjM/fmbl-mesGgk/s288/DSCF1296.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> After taking in David and looking over Michaelangelo's slaves we headed out to get a bite at what the Lonely Planet calls "the best sandwich shop in all of Europe." This walk-up-and-stand place makes quick sandwiches for cheap and while we loved it (we ate there twice) I'm unable to place it in context with all other sandwich places in Europe. Sandwiches consumed included: 1)prosciutto, pecorino, truffles, and 2)tomatoes, arrugula, and mozzarella. Another nice touch was the 4 euro glass of Brunello.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901447352580034"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 128px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvHxDaU98I/AAAAAAAACkY/06e9KWryaTE/s288/DSCF1309.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Late that afternoon we packed up our stuff and headed for the train station. Venice was three hours away.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901116640098066"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 129px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvHdzaU9xI/AAAAAAAACi8/za4AwRqv-Jg/s288/DSCF1294.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-73633190696835027352007-10-02T14:24:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:41:23.985-07:00Venice<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvJsjaU-nI/AAAAAAAACp8/QZtxDY1ajhw/s288/DSCF1356.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 164px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvJsjaU-nI/AAAAAAAACp8/QZtxDY1ajhw/s288/DSCF1356.jpg" border="0" height="122" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114901507482122210"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 130px; cursor: pointer; height: 97px;" alt="" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvH0jaU9-I/AAAAAAAACko/F0jkh8N6D1k/s288/DSCF1312.jpg" border="0" /></a>We arrived into Venice around 7:30 pm or so. By that point in the trip we had figured out that staying in hotels close to the local train station prevented us from having to carry all of our stuff (and the gifts that Danielle had accumulated) around town as we searched for our hotel. Somewhere around this point is when I began to feel ill - mainly abdominal pains that left me in a cold sweat and other intermittent GI issues. Nothing too serious (I was worried about pancreatic cancer), but enough to make me want to minimize the walking with baggage.<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903268418714082"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; width: 117px; cursor: pointer; height: 118px;" alt="" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvJbDaU-eI/AAAAAAAACo0/Gpk5FX8R87w/s288/DSCF1346.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our hotel was close to the train, had a window overlooking a nearby Piazza, and provided easy access to nearby public transportation. The evening we arrived, we walked around our hotel's neighborhood, ate snacks, and because I was not feeling great, went to bed early . The next morning we awoke and walked to the nearby vaporetto stop. A vaporetto is Venice's version of a bus. There are a dozen plus routes of these long, thin ferries shuttling people around the islands in Venice. We bought a 24 hour ticket allowing us to hop on hop off any of the routs for 24 hours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvIlzaU-FI/AAAAAAAAClk/GuSYs3d5KwU/s288/DSCF1319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 130px; cursor: pointer; height: 90px;" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvIlzaU-FI/AAAAAAAAClk/GuSYs3d5KwU/s288/DSCF1319.jpg" border="0" height="97" /></a>We hopped on the #1 vaporetto which meandered through the Grand Canal stopping between alternating banks of the canal as it made its way toward Piazza San Marco. The palaces lining the canal (many of <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114902813152180498"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 117px;" alt="" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvJAjaU-RI/AAAAAAAACnI/RmtxXRPTkOo/s288/DSCF1331.jpg" border="0" height="87" /></a>which are empty and abandoned) pay tribute to the wealth of the city in the past. After about 40 min or so we arrived at San Marco and promptly got grossed out by the pigeons. When I was in Venice as a 4th year medical student (~8 years ago) for a grand total of 6 hours the only thing that really stuck in my mind was the image of thousands of pigeons swarming tourists silly enough to pur<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903539001653858"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 89px; height: 113px;" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvJqzaU-mI/AAAAAAAACp0/D7qTahynnvE/s288/DSCF1355.jpg" border="0" height="127" /></a>chase "pigeon food" from the vendors in the square. Basically, nothing has changed (maybe more pigeons). When you cross the square, thousands of particles of pigeon shit, fuzz, feathers are swirling around you getting in your hair, your mouth. At least, luck for us, we escaped without a spot of crap on us.<br /><br />We were trying to decide where to eat and busted out the map to plan our route. All of our guidebooks (Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, Rough guide, and Lets Go) unanimously stated that a good Venice map was worth its weight in gold. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903418742569506"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 74px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvJjzaU-iI/AAAAAAAACpU/qd1I1NOCiJM/s288/DSCF1350.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>They even said that the 5 euro maps were often crappy and that one should opt for the 9+ euro maps. Of course we stupidly bought the 9 euro map. I think this picture was one of the two times that we opened it and both times found it unhelpful. It was more fun to just get lost and follow the signs. Otherwise sticking to the main canal was easiest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903629195967122"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 85px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvJwDaU-pI/AAAAAAAACqM/eEbr5xO8oOk/s288/DSCF1358.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Danielle managed to sniff out the Venice branch of the same 16th century pharmacy we stopped by in Florence.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903749455051474"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 78px; height: 105px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvJ3DaU-tI/AAAAAAAACqw/-Qlwfz7l17c/s288/DSCF1362.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I had to look at the map again to find it. Take notice of the stylish European way that I'm wearing my sweater. This brings up one of the sore points between Danielle and I during the trip. Danielle was annoyed (jealous) that multiple times during the trip Italians were coming up to me and speaking Italian perhaps because they though I was. I attributed it to my Roman nose and my stylish fashion sense. Danielle thought everyone was going to think <span style="font-style: italic;">she </span>was Italian! It was weird!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903788109757154"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 129px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvJ5TaU-uI/AAAAAAAACq4/qrTzCeD7lvI/s288/DSCF1363.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We eventually were able to make our way to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca%27_Rezzonico">Ca' Rezzonico</a>, one of the old palaces in Venice. It is the oly old mansion that was re-deorated as it was and now is a museum. Inside was Danielle's dream chandelier - the oldest largest preserved Venetian lamp made in the 1700s (pictured right). Though pictures were forbidden we managed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903843944332034"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 78px; height: 105px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvJ8jaU-wI/AAAAAAAACrI/cUouTa1MHrc/s288/DSCF1365.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> to snap a couple as best we could. Danielle wanted them for reference during the Christmas season when thinking of presents to buy her.<br /><br />After thee museum, we decided to get lost again. In the process we stumbled across a pleasant neighborhood square where Venetians <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114903942728579906"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 84px; height: 113px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvKCTaU-0I/AAAAAAAACro/inYDk-G0e1E/s288/DSCF1369.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> were relaxing, children playing soccer, and mothers and fathers pushing strollers. We managed to randomly stumble across the small shop that was featured in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summertime_%28film%29">Summertime</a>, a movie starring Katherine Hepburn in 1955. In the movie, which now plays in the store on a laptop sitting near the door, Hepburn enters the shop, looks around, and eventually, after leaving the store, jumps into the nearby canal and swims. It seems to be the store's claim to fame as they sell postcards, posters, and all sorts of other memorabilia from the film. Danielle said the move had always been her image of what Italy was like so she was really excited to just turn the corner and find it in the exact spot the movie was filmed. It really did look exactly the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904312095767538"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 79px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvKXzaU-_I/AAAAAAAACtE/Zpm2KQ9ugYg/s288/DSCF1385.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>One of the cool things, that I had not really <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904251966225362"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 93px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvKUTaU-9I/AAAAAAAACsw/3NbS4OVrJbs/s288/DSCF1383.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>appreciated the last time I was in Venice is the way that all aspects of life in Venice adapts to the canals. Buses, cabs, delivery trucks, mailman, police, every public and private service uses boats to get around. This picture shows one of the private package delivery services in Venice. We also saw yellow DHL boats and, although we did not see them, there are also brown UPS boats cruising around. Even the dudes that deliver oxygen tanks need to come by boat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904436649819186"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 73px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvKfDaU_DI/AAAAAAAACtk/NjzVcrg1NcY/s288/DSCF1389.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The next day we hopped a vaporetto to the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murano">Murano</a>. This island is known for its glass. In the 13th century all of the glass makers from Venice were forced to move to Murano because of risk of fires. Now it seems to be a tourist trap (it is hard to be too disparaging about tourists in Venice for two reasons. First, Danielle and I were tourists while there and second, tourists outnumber Venetians 2 to 1 in the city) for people interested in watching glass blowing and purchasing literally anything made out of glass. There were guys at the bus stop directing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904458124655682"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 79px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvKgTaU_EI/AAAAAAAACts/32EEFKgwMHk/s288/DSCF1391.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> everyone in a particular direction which basically was a dead end into his glass blowing shop. We turned around and hit the main canal of the island try to find a store that sold something we could actually afford. On the way back to Venice we passed by the current cemetery for Venice which basically is its own island between Murano and the heart of the city (built off the mainland for sanitary reasons).<br /></div></div>crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8709400577442008570.post-71462079384924677882007-10-02T14:23:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:41:06.132-07:00Lucca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEeD01hmbI/AAAAAAAACzU/m6BBH4RIlZY/s288/DSCF1434.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 125px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEeD01hmbI/AAAAAAAACzU/m6BBH4RIlZY/s288/DSCF1434.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904544024001650"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 123px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RvvKlTaU_HI/AAAAAAAACuE/Wk4A3hgm7WA/s288/DSCF1394.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After two full days in Venice we trained back through Florence on our way to Lucca, a small town in Tuscany about 1 hour East of Pisa. We had not originally planned on stopping through Lucca, but having heard about how much fun a work colleague had while vacationing there a few years ago I wanted to try and spend a little time there. Danielle and I originally wanted to rent a car for a few days to explore the hill towns of Tuscany, but I could not get the international driving permit now legally mandated in Italy for all foreigners that plan to drive in Italy. Despite this when we had a couple of days left toward the end of our trip (and had decided not to travel north to the Czech republic) we decided to go to Lucca.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403200230004850"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 126px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RwEdmk1hmHI/AAAAAAAAC9s/3MrdfhtVlrY/s288/DSCF1412.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We to took a cab to our hostel and drove through one of the portals - an opening in the huge protecting wall that surrounds the "old" city and separates it from the more modern surrounding town. The hostel, Ostello San Frediano, was a old monastery that had an amazing <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403195935037538"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 88px; height: 118px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RwEdmU1hmGI/AAAAAAAACwk/7zlKsimucSk/s288/DSCF1411.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> 13th-century exterior mosaic <span style="font-style: italic;">Christ in Majesty</span> - made with glittering gold tiles. The rooms were a bit spartan, but comfortable and clean (minus the hair that Danielle found in her sheets prompting her to force me to switch beds with her) and had the highest vaulted ceilings I think either of us had slept below. After checking in we headed across the street to a pizza place.<br /><br />At this point in the trip I was still feeling sick. Nothing too bad just the same GI issues. As a result my appetite was not too great. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904582678707330"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 91px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RvvKnjaU_II/AAAAAAAACuM/jCiQ8mTncL0/s288/DSCF1395.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Despite this I managed to muscle down a huge 12" pizza that night. It tasted great, but didnt feel that way (it was at this point that Danielle's support of my illness began to wane). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904879031450898"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 87px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RvvK4zaU_RI/AAAAAAAACvY/_WH6bl63vQw/s288/DSCF1404.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After mowing down dinner we decided to take a walk through the city to scope things out for the next day. The city center of Lucca is surrounded by ancient ramparts and is packed in pretty tight. This made for easy walking among all of the sites. One of the first buildings that we came across was the Toro di Oro, the tower of gold. This is the tallest and oldest tower in the city c<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy2007/photo?authkey=Nau8WvkKLP0#5114904763067333858"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 84px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RvvKyDaU_OI/AAAAAAAACu8/5SNClMkGqg4/s288/DSCF1401.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>rowned with an observation deck containing a bell that has rung every 15min for centuries. It was a full moon that night and the observation deck was open to the public. Danielle and I ventured up the 15 stories or so to check it out. The deck offered stunning views of the city and there were three telescopes set up at the top pointed at the moon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403238884710562"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 86px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEdo01hmKI/AAAAAAAACxE/NMo29EgNaUU/s288/DSCF1415.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The next morning we headed out to check out the city. Lucca was literally given to Napoleon's sister as a gift when Napoleon ru<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403264654514370"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 79px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RwEdqU1hmMI/AAAAAAAACxU/yEl_ugK0h9E/s288/DSCF1417.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>led Italy. She turned the ancient ramparts that surround the city into a park. The result is a magnificent partially paved park elevated above and surrounding the entire city. The circumference of the ramparts is just over 2 miles. To get a feel for the city and enjoy the views we walked to the south side of town and rented bicycles. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403299014252770"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 76px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RwEdsU1hmOI/AAAAAAAACxo/C4TYtnJLBrw/s288/DSCF1419.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We circled the city a few times stopping intermittently to look down on the city, drink some water, take pictures, or just rest. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403543827388786"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 82px; height: 110px;" src="http://lh5.google.com/crcooke/RwEd6k1hmXI/AAAAAAAAC94/4huk4c-WF84/s288/DSCF1430.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Note to Sharon: the Buckeye trees in Lucca were also all browned)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403844475099650"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 84px; height: 113px;" src="http://lh3.google.com/crcooke/RwEeME1hmgI/AAAAAAAAC-M/I-bBPr4bxPU/s288/DSCF1441.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>During the bike ride we noticed a pretty garden in the back of one of the palaces that we decided to visit later in the day. As it turned out the palace was Palazzo Pfanner. Pfanner was a wealthy beermaker who supposedly brought beer to Italy. He had a son or two, one of which was a physicia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116403900309674514"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 86px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RwEePU1hmhI/AAAAAAAAC0E/07FvDIRizDA/s288/DSCF1442.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>n and was a local hero. A large portion of the museum inside the palace consists of medical instruments and textbooks from the son. In the back of the palace, facing the ramparts, was the garden. It had a beautiful grove of lemon trees surrounding a circular fountain. A number of statues were situated facing the central fountain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116404175187581586"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 80px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RwEefU1hmpI/AAAAAAAAC1I/Mg9TpKjo1S4/s288/DSCF1453.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After browsing the museum and resting in the garden for a while we headed back toward the center of the historic city. In the main square of town there was a bustling market adjacent to the cities main church. Dozens of tents set up where people were selling olives, sweets, clothing, and other goods. Most of it dollar store type plastic stuff. Danielle found it interesting that even in this small city the market was totally run by immigrants. Of course she managed to pick out the jewels among the garbage (Cassie, this is where your red tin cup came from). One of the tents was dedicated to making these deep fried donuts things which were slight variations on the sugar donut. This version had a ton of sweetened lemon in the batter which added a little zest. It was actually pretty good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116404200957385378"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 80px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEeg01hmqI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/lW51adiUZto/s288/DSCF1454.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The other highlight of the market was the "tin man." This was one of those guys you see basically in every city in the world where tourists congregate. The idea is paint yourself in a single color, stand on some sort of pedestal where you can be seen, and be as still as you can while tourists, naturally entertained by the idea of a person standing still, throw change in an overturned hat. You've seen a variation on the theme somewhere. This guy was painted silver. Unfortunately for him he decided to bring his Chihuahua to work on the day we were in the market. He was so attentive to his dog that he was unable to stay still for more than about 10 seconds. Every few seconds he was looking down to check on the dog and about every 2 minutes he would get down, pet and play with his dog. Needless to say he was not making much money.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116404501605096258"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 82px; height: 110px;" src="http://lh4.google.com/crcooke/RwEeyU1hm0I/AAAAAAAAC-k/Ggmtpqj1Iks/s288/DSCF1474.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On the way out of town we stopped by the Lucca branch of Santa Maria Novella. After that we walked to the train station to head back to Rome. We stopped through Pisa and only had about a 45 min layover (not quite enough to get into the city and see the field of miracles). The train was delayed and we ended up waiting there for much longer. The train ride to Rome was easy though we spent a fair amount of it in the dining car nursing my stomach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116404613274246002"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 76px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEe401hm3I/AAAAAAAAC24/pprBrmPm1MI/s288/DSCF1478.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Once back in Rome (we got in around 9PM) we took the subway to the Spanish steps one last time and walked out for dinner. We found a restaurant from on of the guidebooks that ended up being ok, but nothing special. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116404802252807106"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 76px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEfD01hm8I/AAAAAAAAC3k/8uD-AZ_hrrg/s288/DSCF1483.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We then wandered back to the same hotel that we stayed in when we were in Rome two weeks earlier stopping by a few of the fountains on the way. Our flight left at 10am the next morning. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crcooke/Italy22007/photo?authkey=6rcBXkpJ_8s#5116404939691760658"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 82px;" src="http://lh6.google.com/crcooke/RwEfL01hnBI/AAAAAAAAC4M/UeEr1pdROKM/s288/DSCF1489.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the way home we flew right over the cliffs of Dover which was kind of cool to see from the air.crchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16204668578090692060noreply@blogger.com0