Harry Potter Marathon in Progress
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Milan - Day 14 (and day 15, home again)
I had forgotten how awe-inspiring the duomo in Milan is. It is an amazing structure with such intricate detail on such a large scope. I think every other time I've been in Milan, the duomo has been under scaffolding in one part or another. Now it is completely uncovered and literally shines in the sun. We did some final souveneir shopping and got our last shot at gelatto.
We decided to spend the night in Milan so we wouldn't have to get up so early to catch a bus, train and another bus in order to get to the airport. It proved to be a very wise decision. We left Milan on a 10:20 a.m. flight and finally made it to Salt Lake at about midnight (6 a.m. Italy time), so almost 20 hours of travel. I was amazed we didn't get bumped a single time. (Actually, we ended up taking 10 flights on this trip and the only time we got bumped was from Houston to Newark on the way out. Fortunately, my mom had the forsight to have us leave a day early, so it didn't interfere with our plans.)
We're so tired (2:45 a.m.), but at the same time, it feels weird to sleep since it's 8:45 a.m. Italy time, plus our house is really hot. Tomorrow we have to face the reality of mowing the lawn, weeding, laundry, trying to resurrect our flower pots, fixing our bank accounts, etc.
IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME! (Baylie headed straight for her toys. She was so excited to be in a familiar place again.)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Bergamo - Day 13
Another great day as we travelled about 1 1/2 hours to Bergamo. Bergamo is divided into two sections: Citta alta (upper city, the ancient part) and Citta bassa (lower city, more modern). You can take a cable car up the mountain to the old city. It's actually a sweet deal because your bus pass will also work for the cable car. Both parts of the city are really beautiful, but we spent our day in the old city. Bergamo became a roman municipality in 49 BC. That just blows my mind. Bergamo is referred to in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and in Debussy's "Suite Bergamasque."
One of the main cathedrals, Santa Maria Maggiore, had a continuous tradition of music teaching and singing for more than 800 years, beginning in 1137. While we were inside the church, a man started playing the organ and it was an incredible experience to feel the music vibrate through that beautiful cathedral.
High above even the old city is another section called San Vigilio which can also be accessed by a cable car. That area is topped off by an ancient citadel built by the Viscontis beginning in 1331.
All in all it was an awesome day (with the exception of the VERY HOT train rides). Oh, and I should mention that Baylie had a little mishap. She was running on some uneven pavement, fell and hit her head on a curb. She got a little cut above her eye. We were so grateful that it wasn't more serious because we wouldn't have even known where to go for help. Plus, it's in her eyebrow, so even if it does scar, it won't show. She looks kind of pitiful running around with a big bandaid on her head though.
Tomorrow we're going to spend some time in Milan. It's not my favorite city in Italy, but the duomo there is amazing and not to be missed. We're also hoping to do some souvenier shopping since Pavia isn't exactly a tourist spot (although it should be). That will be our last day and then Sunday we head for home. I guess it's time to start worrying about getting bumped!
P.S. If you'd like a cold hard reality check regarding the U.S. economy, spend two weeks trying to live on the Euro where the dollar is worth only about half as much. Very painful.
My Mormon friends should appreciate this shot. (Moroni is a prophet in the Book of Mormon.)
One of the main cathedrals, Santa Maria Maggiore, had a continuous tradition of music teaching and singing for more than 800 years, beginning in 1137. While we were inside the church, a man started playing the organ and it was an incredible experience to feel the music vibrate through that beautiful cathedral.
High above even the old city is another section called San Vigilio which can also be accessed by a cable car. That area is topped off by an ancient citadel built by the Viscontis beginning in 1331.
All in all it was an awesome day (with the exception of the VERY HOT train rides). Oh, and I should mention that Baylie had a little mishap. She was running on some uneven pavement, fell and hit her head on a curb. She got a little cut above her eye. We were so grateful that it wasn't more serious because we wouldn't have even known where to go for help. Plus, it's in her eyebrow, so even if it does scar, it won't show. She looks kind of pitiful running around with a big bandaid on her head though.
Tomorrow we're going to spend some time in Milan. It's not my favorite city in Italy, but the duomo there is amazing and not to be missed. We're also hoping to do some souvenier shopping since Pavia isn't exactly a tourist spot (although it should be). That will be our last day and then Sunday we head for home. I guess it's time to start worrying about getting bumped!
P.S. If you'd like a cold hard reality check regarding the U.S. economy, spend two weeks trying to live on the Euro where the dollar is worth only about half as much. Very painful.
My Mormon friends should appreciate this shot. (Moroni is a prophet in the Book of Mormon.)Thursday, July 23, 2009
Vigevano - Day 12
Vigevano is only 30 miles from Pavia, but takes about an hour to get there by bus. It's a beautiful little Renaissance town built around an ancient palace and one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy. David was able to get away this morning, so he went with us. It was a fun day.
You can read more abut Vigevano here and about it's famous duchess Beatrice D'Este here (one story has her as the model for the Mona Lisa).
Random thoughts:- Sandwiches in Europe rock! (i.e. Italian panini)
- After sweating in the heat and humidity every day, I can't help but think of how awful it must have been in earlier times when people didn't bathe.
- It is very hard to push an umbrella stroller over cobblestones. I'm shocked that ours hasn't broken yet.
- Gelato is so much better than ice cream.
- I wonder why the Western U.S. doesn't have a better rail/bus system.
- Netflix and Zulu.com do not work outside of the U.S. Bummer.
- It cost me $15.69 to do laundry yesterday, not incuding the 4 euros eaten by the machine (that would make it $21.40).
- I hope that all my walking will compensate for all my eating.
- I love that in Italy everyone gets a whole pizza to themself!
- The European concept of air conditioning is very different from the U.S. concept.
- I love traveling, but I also love coming back home.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Pavia - Day 11
I almost feel guilty because today was such a lazy day. We decided to let Baylie sleep in as long as she wanted and she didn't get up until after 10 a.m. Then at about 12:30 she took a 2-hour nap. I think we all needed the break. When she woke up we went for a walk along the river until we went to hear one of David's pieces performed.
This piece was written about a poem by an Italian poet. All the composers at the festival wrote a piece about the same poem. I know I'm biased and have no musical knowledge, but I thought David's piece was the best (of course, I'm his wife, so that's my job). Seriously though, it was very different from all the other pieces. I thought it was original and emotional. He got lots of compliments about it, so it wasn't just me that liked it. I think he's very talented and can't wait for him to make us rich (just kidding...sort of).
Baylie continues to be a big hit. People we don't know ask permission to take her picture and everyone stops to talk to her and ask about her. She is getting to be more and more outgoing and flirtatious. She's also becoming more and more headstrong. On the trip she's been held so much and had her pacifier 24-7, that I'm sure we'll be in for some hard adjustments once we come home.
On another note, we have been having major stress with our home in Houston. We had hired a management company to look after the home, collecting rent, overseeing repairs, etc. They have been really good in some ways and just awful in others. Their communication skills are the worst. I get e-mails from them with bolded text, exclamation points and basically chewing me out on a regular basis. (Hello! They work for me, not the other way around!) They'll give me advice and when I take it, they'll ask why I've done what they've advised me to do. Well, while we've been in Italy, our water heater broke. We tried to have them find a plumber who would take a credit card so we could get it repaired. But no, they want us to overnight them money so it can be paid in cash. Like there is no plumber in the city of Houston who can take a credit card. Give me a break! Our renters went a week without hot water until our management company finally said we were in breach of contract and they would no longer work with us. HALLELUJAH! We were finally able to reach the renters directly and get everything resolved. Of course, now the management company has sent us a final invoice with all these charges for the past two years that we have never heard of. I think I'll just pay them if only to get rid of these people. Nothing like a nightmare to make our vacation complete. I truly love our little home in Houston, but sure wish we could sell it. It's hard to continue to pay for a place where we don't live anymore.
Anyway, other than that fiasco, things continue to be good. We're looking forward to coming home, but are also enjoying our last few days in Italy. I didn't take any pictures today, so I'll post some from earlier days in the trip.
This piece was written about a poem by an Italian poet. All the composers at the festival wrote a piece about the same poem. I know I'm biased and have no musical knowledge, but I thought David's piece was the best (of course, I'm his wife, so that's my job). Seriously though, it was very different from all the other pieces. I thought it was original and emotional. He got lots of compliments about it, so it wasn't just me that liked it. I think he's very talented and can't wait for him to make us rich (just kidding...sort of).
Baylie continues to be a big hit. People we don't know ask permission to take her picture and everyone stops to talk to her and ask about her. She is getting to be more and more outgoing and flirtatious. She's also becoming more and more headstrong. On the trip she's been held so much and had her pacifier 24-7, that I'm sure we'll be in for some hard adjustments once we come home.
On another note, we have been having major stress with our home in Houston. We had hired a management company to look after the home, collecting rent, overseeing repairs, etc. They have been really good in some ways and just awful in others. Their communication skills are the worst. I get e-mails from them with bolded text, exclamation points and basically chewing me out on a regular basis. (Hello! They work for me, not the other way around!) They'll give me advice and when I take it, they'll ask why I've done what they've advised me to do. Well, while we've been in Italy, our water heater broke. We tried to have them find a plumber who would take a credit card so we could get it repaired. But no, they want us to overnight them money so it can be paid in cash. Like there is no plumber in the city of Houston who can take a credit card. Give me a break! Our renters went a week without hot water until our management company finally said we were in breach of contract and they would no longer work with us. HALLELUJAH! We were finally able to reach the renters directly and get everything resolved. Of course, now the management company has sent us a final invoice with all these charges for the past two years that we have never heard of. I think I'll just pay them if only to get rid of these people. Nothing like a nightmare to make our vacation complete. I truly love our little home in Houston, but sure wish we could sell it. It's hard to continue to pay for a place where we don't live anymore.
Anyway, other than that fiasco, things continue to be good. We're looking forward to coming home, but are also enjoying our last few days in Italy. I didn't take any pictures today, so I'll post some from earlier days in the trip.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Certosa di Pavia - Day 10
Today we slept in, which was lovely. When we finally got up and going, we went back to the Basilica di San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro to see St. Augustine's tomb. It was quite impressive.
Then in the afternoon, we went to Certosa di Pavia which is a large monastary complex built in the late 1300's and taking about 100 years to complete. It has changed hands from Carthusians to Cistercians to Carmelites back to the Carthusians and then Benedictines. The monks who currently reside there are Cistercians admitted in the 1960's.
I wish I could have taken more pictures, but they ask you not to. And even though there were still lots of people taking pictures, it seemed disrespectful to do so. I just took one picture from the outside before I realized we weren't supposed to take any.
Tonight David premiered two of his songs. He sang one and a soprano sang another. It was an awesome experience for him to sing in Italy, in Italian!
And now some photos of my parents since my mom said I didn't have any pictures of them on this travel log. If it weren't for my parents, none of this would be possible. I'd just be sitting in my dorm room in Pavia feeling sorry for myself. So ... THANKS MOM AND DAD!!
Then in the afternoon, we went to Certosa di Pavia which is a large monastary complex built in the late 1300's and taking about 100 years to complete. It has changed hands from Carthusians to Cistercians to Carmelites back to the Carthusians and then Benedictines. The monks who currently reside there are Cistercians admitted in the 1960's.
I wish I could have taken more pictures, but they ask you not to. And even though there were still lots of people taking pictures, it seemed disrespectful to do so. I just took one picture from the outside before I realized we weren't supposed to take any.
Tonight David premiered two of his songs. He sang one and a soprano sang another. It was an awesome experience for him to sing in Italy, in Italian!
And now some photos of my parents since my mom said I didn't have any pictures of them on this travel log. If it weren't for my parents, none of this would be possible. I'd just be sitting in my dorm room in Pavia feeling sorry for myself. So ... THANKS MOM AND DAD!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pavia - Day 9
Visconti Palace
Pavia used to be a very influential city and is mentioned in works of literature by writers such as Dante. It's not a big tourist destination and we have heard very little English here. There are great examples of Romanesque architecture throughout the city as well as a gothic church. St. Augustine is buried here. The city used to be filled with tall towers which gave it the name "The City of 100 Towers." You can still see some of these towers today. The clock at the top of this one still tells the correct time.
Pavia is where David is spending all of his time except for the weekend that he had free to go to Cinque Terre with us. The university here was originally started in 900 something AD and the current structure was built in the 1300s (see below). Incredible!
We spent the afternoon walking the entire city for about four hours and saw most of the sites. Tomorrow we plan to visit a monastery that is four miles to the north.
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