Friday, January 7, 2011
Edits
For some reason blogspot chains to words that make no sense as it is posting. Editing is not working on the iPad, but I will review and edit when I get to a computer. All is well. Sweet dreams.
Old
OLD....Wow, there is a word for you. We saw a lot that was old today. I am not talking about USA old.....I mean REALLY OLD...ANCIENT OLD!
We had an early start today, leaving the hotel ORTO DI MEDICI right after a hearty breakfast. SOME people learned NOT to trust That Italian wake up calls will be ON TIME. I know some guys who can dress and pack in three minutes flat......Teamwork got us across the cobblestones, out of the way of hurried Italian drivers and on the bus to start our day. The day was misty but not rainy.
The only time Italians hurry is when they are driving their car or Vespa.
It really was sad to leave Florence. It is beautiful, steeped in history, and really deserves a return visit. It would have been nice to have had a day for the Uffizi....galleries in the Medici palaces....
We enjoyed the ride through Tuscany....the region of Itsly that we are in. Th viNEYards are dormant this rme of year, bot you can see the strong root stock of the plants. STRONG ROOT STOCK....Strong foundation. THIS IS WHAT WE aRE GROWING IN our young people as well.
By lunch time we weed in Lucca. Lucca is a walled city and we saw the contrast between living in Lucca and in Florence, which is a much busier place. The kids enjoyed photography and we were thankful for the wall, because they labyrinth of street kept us confused. The streets still follow the plan from the Roman colony from 180 BC. I did mention OLD didn't I?
You will eventually see photos of our excursions and all of the a amazing cathedrals and churches....but I need a computer for that. Keep checking back.
We all had interesting lunch stories. The little shops only hold a dozen (or fewer) people so we scattered for lunch. Hardly anyone speaks English..oh thank goodness for the iPhones with language translators. Italians CAN read their language and a find the technology fun. It is actually fun to try to communicate. I do not know why we are so hesitant to try to speak. I love that the food is specially prepared when you order. everything is so fresh.
When the kids saw the city, they decided to skip the biking and preferred to a walk around and explore the town. given the misty day and a puddles, it was probably a wise decision.
and...back to the bus.....and off to San Gimignano.....I loved this town. Of the original 70 plus towers, 13 are still standing. This town was built in the 12 th and 13th centuries. Ancient but still standing.....that is what we all want to do, isn't it? We want something about us to endure. A couple of bouts of the bubonic plague over the centuries wiped out the population but this little town is still a jewel. the cathedral is now a church because it has no Bishop, but the craftsmanship...photos will not do it justice.
COOP.....co-op....actually this was the a coolest grocery store. Water bottles were 60 euro cents as opposed to 2,60 or two euro dollars and 60 euro cents. Ah, Disney prices. At least we understand that! The toilettes are also fun. You pay. Yes 50 cents....and there are two flushers and sometimes you have to hunt for them. And the sink water turns on and off by stepping on a button on the floor. Fun. My favorite sign /message for the day
.....courteous people leave the toilette area neat and tidy........
I guess only a mom would appreciate that one. Italians leave messages all over the place!
and a short trip over to Siena......inching ever close to Rome. Siena is another walled city with an ancient amphitheater and an incredible cathedral. I guess what amazes us the most is that these magnificent structures, these works of art and architecture, are Not used for their intended purpose and are now only monuments to older days. It is really sad. Our lesson oaf course is if religion is only a routine, this is where you are headed. ...cold, stale, empty, alone. How thankful we are that we have a relationship with Christ....living, growing, and fulfilling.
We walked at least three miles to dinner...if not more. Picture cobblestones, hilly streets, lots and lots of stones...big ones....again...photos will eventually follow, including our group shot in front of the walled city.
so it is time to turn in. I have discovered that my iPad is trying to be Italian and guessing what I want to say....some words automatically change to italian-ish. Do the best you can...I will read it on the big screen soon.
Tomorrow...
The road leads to Rome.
The catacombs of San Callisto, north of Rome will be our first stop. Mr. Darnell is SO excited...I guess he is anxious to visit those early Popes. These are the most prestigious catacombs, after all.
Orvieto is our final walled city before we reach the hustle and Bustle if Rome. Orvieto is surrounded by vineyards and has a 14th century church as well as a Duomo. It should be exciting. Don't be surprised if you get a gift of olive oil, freshly pressed from the nearby groves.
I guess that if yoau ever felt old..you might feel less so after the ancient adventures of the day. May we wall grow ald with grace and with God's love ever flowing through us
A
We had an early start today, leaving the hotel ORTO DI MEDICI right after a hearty breakfast. SOME people learned NOT to trust That Italian wake up calls will be ON TIME. I know some guys who can dress and pack in three minutes flat......Teamwork got us across the cobblestones, out of the way of hurried Italian drivers and on the bus to start our day. The day was misty but not rainy.
The only time Italians hurry is when they are driving their car or Vespa.
It really was sad to leave Florence. It is beautiful, steeped in history, and really deserves a return visit. It would have been nice to have had a day for the Uffizi....galleries in the Medici palaces....
We enjoyed the ride through Tuscany....the region of Itsly that we are in. Th viNEYards are dormant this rme of year, bot you can see the strong root stock of the plants. STRONG ROOT STOCK....Strong foundation. THIS IS WHAT WE aRE GROWING IN our young people as well.
By lunch time we weed in Lucca. Lucca is a walled city and we saw the contrast between living in Lucca and in Florence, which is a much busier place. The kids enjoyed photography and we were thankful for the wall, because they labyrinth of street kept us confused. The streets still follow the plan from the Roman colony from 180 BC. I did mention OLD didn't I?
You will eventually see photos of our excursions and all of the a amazing cathedrals and churches....but I need a computer for that. Keep checking back.
We all had interesting lunch stories. The little shops only hold a dozen (or fewer) people so we scattered for lunch. Hardly anyone speaks English..oh thank goodness for the iPhones with language translators. Italians CAN read their language and a find the technology fun. It is actually fun to try to communicate. I do not know why we are so hesitant to try to speak. I love that the food is specially prepared when you order. everything is so fresh.
When the kids saw the city, they decided to skip the biking and preferred to a walk around and explore the town. given the misty day and a puddles, it was probably a wise decision.
and...back to the bus.....and off to San Gimignano.....I loved this town. Of the original 70 plus towers, 13 are still standing. This town was built in the 12 th and 13th centuries. Ancient but still standing.....that is what we all want to do, isn't it? We want something about us to endure. A couple of bouts of the bubonic plague over the centuries wiped out the population but this little town is still a jewel. the cathedral is now a church because it has no Bishop, but the craftsmanship...photos will not do it justice.
COOP.....co-op....actually this was the a coolest grocery store. Water bottles were 60 euro cents as opposed to 2,60 or two euro dollars and 60 euro cents. Ah, Disney prices. At least we understand that! The toilettes are also fun. You pay. Yes 50 cents....and there are two flushers and sometimes you have to hunt for them. And the sink water turns on and off by stepping on a button on the floor. Fun. My favorite sign /message for the day
.....courteous people leave the toilette area neat and tidy........
I guess only a mom would appreciate that one. Italians leave messages all over the place!
and a short trip over to Siena......inching ever close to Rome. Siena is another walled city with an ancient amphitheater and an incredible cathedral. I guess what amazes us the most is that these magnificent structures, these works of art and architecture, are Not used for their intended purpose and are now only monuments to older days. It is really sad. Our lesson oaf course is if religion is only a routine, this is where you are headed. ...cold, stale, empty, alone. How thankful we are that we have a relationship with Christ....living, growing, and fulfilling.
We walked at least three miles to dinner...if not more. Picture cobblestones, hilly streets, lots and lots of stones...big ones....again...photos will eventually follow, including our group shot in front of the walled city.
so it is time to turn in. I have discovered that my iPad is trying to be Italian and guessing what I want to say....some words automatically change to italian-ish. Do the best you can...I will read it on the big screen soon.
Tomorrow...
The road leads to Rome.
The catacombs of San Callisto, north of Rome will be our first stop. Mr. Darnell is SO excited...I guess he is anxious to visit those early Popes. These are the most prestigious catacombs, after all.
Orvieto is our final walled city before we reach the hustle and Bustle if Rome. Orvieto is surrounded by vineyards and has a 14th century church as well as a Duomo. It should be exciting. Don't be surprised if you get a gift of olive oil, freshly pressed from the nearby groves.
I guess that if yoau ever felt old..you might feel less so after the ancient adventures of the day. May we wall grow ald with grace and with God's love ever flowing through us
A
Back online
Google did something. Posts should be back up one. Off to biking in the hill towns today. Siena tonight. Blessings.
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