We pulled into Port in Cannes early on Friday morning. I had purchased an excursion for Monaco and MonteCarlo and was really looking forward to it but Bernie just couldn't do it with his back and although he told me to go without him, I chose to cancel it and instead just get off at Cannes and see what we saw.
So beautiful. The first sight of Cannes is stunning. I can see why everyone speaks of Cannes as if they were having a religious experience. It is very very pretty. I would say it looks a lot like South Beach but on the French Riviera! Didn't really see too much in Cannes. Just walked around the shops and took pictures.
Cannes is obviously a playground for the rich. The beaufiul homes, the stunning hotels, the Ferraris and the Rolls Royce's sort of give you a clue that this is not Kansas, Toto.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Thursday - Day Ten - 9/17/17 LIVORNO, ITALY
I am not even sure I am spelling it correctly. That is the port where we stopped on Thursday. We went on very comfortable buses and traveled an hour and a half to Florence. Funny, it is nothing the way I expected. It is very pretty - I really liked it - but somehow I pictured it totally different.
We spent some time in Florence. Very pretty streets, great shops, beautiful cobblestone streets. We spent a couple of hours walking around Florence and had lunch at a very picturesque cafe. The food sort of sucked but the ambience was totally italian! So who cares if the lasagna tasted like paper with cheese?
Did you know the writer of Pinnochio was from Florence? I didn't either! But he was and Pinnochio is as big in Florence as the apple is in New York.
We then got back on the bus and traveled an hour to Pisa - a small town with very pretty homes. It probably has nothing else but the church and the Tower of Pisa - NOTHING - but I did get some cute leather purses!
The leaning tower of Pisa is so cool. It really is leaning and it's amazing that the it is standing at all. But a little anti-climatic. I expected to be in the middle of a beautiful Italian square. Nope. It's just there, surrounded by a wall, like something that belongs somewhere else and was somehow left behind.
By the time we got back to the boat we were exhausted. In bed and asleep by 9!
We spent some time in Florence. Very pretty streets, great shops, beautiful cobblestone streets. We spent a couple of hours walking around Florence and had lunch at a very picturesque cafe. The food sort of sucked but the ambience was totally italian! So who cares if the lasagna tasted like paper with cheese?
Did you know the writer of Pinnochio was from Florence? I didn't either! But he was and Pinnochio is as big in Florence as the apple is in New York.
We then got back on the bus and traveled an hour to Pisa - a small town with very pretty homes. It probably has nothing else but the church and the Tower of Pisa - NOTHING - but I did get some cute leather purses!
The leaning tower of Pisa is so cool. It really is leaning and it's amazing that the it is standing at all. But a little anti-climatic. I expected to be in the middle of a beautiful Italian square. Nope. It's just there, surrounded by a wall, like something that belongs somewhere else and was somehow left behind.
By the time we got back to the boat we were exhausted. In bed and asleep by 9!
Wednesday - Day Nine - 9/16/2015
Left Rome today on the Norwegian Epic. This ship is HUGE! 3500 people plus 1800 staff. Very clean, very well fun, very impressive. We arrived at the ship early - around 12:00 and left at 7:30 for Livorna, Italy. Livorna is in Tuscany and we are scheduled to do a tour of Florence and Pisa.
We had dinner tonight at something called Cirque and Dinner. It was absolutely amazing! Unfortunately they did not allow any pictures but what a spectacular show! Some of these girls absolutely have to be made of rubber in order to do what they do. There were contortionists, high wire walkers, balancing acts and of course the trapeze. The ring leaders was absolutely hilarious. I really enjoyed the dinner tremendously.
I will admit that I would enjoy these cruises much more if they were not on the water. The ocean and I have aa love/hate relationship. I get sea sick just LOOKING at water so I walk around as if I have a stiff neck - not looking out any window. It's really funny but even when I have to speak to someone I have to turn them around if their back is to the water! Ugg.
As soon as I get into my room - mind you it has a balcony or I would shoot myself from the claustrophobia - I pop a sleeping pill so I don't realize the darn thing moves at all (it probably doesn't but the mind is an EVIL, evil thing).
We had dinner tonight at something called Cirque and Dinner. It was absolutely amazing! Unfortunately they did not allow any pictures but what a spectacular show! Some of these girls absolutely have to be made of rubber in order to do what they do. There were contortionists, high wire walkers, balancing acts and of course the trapeze. The ring leaders was absolutely hilarious. I really enjoyed the dinner tremendously.
I will admit that I would enjoy these cruises much more if they were not on the water. The ocean and I have aa love/hate relationship. I get sea sick just LOOKING at water so I walk around as if I have a stiff neck - not looking out any window. It's really funny but even when I have to speak to someone I have to turn them around if their back is to the water! Ugg.
As soon as I get into my room - mind you it has a balcony or I would shoot myself from the claustrophobia - I pop a sleeping pill so I don't realize the darn thing moves at all (it probably doesn't but the mind is an EVIL, evil thing).
Back to Tuesday - Day Eight - Rome 9/15/15
What an amazing day! Went to the Vatican this morning. The art and the architecutre was absolutely stunning. But I have to say it was not the "moment" I expected. I didn't FEEL it. Make sense? St. Peter's Basilica is amazing. Yet...... still..... however.... I "felt" more at the other basilicas I visted throughout Italy. The Vatican seemed so "commercialized" to me. I am a practicing Catholic, I expected a "deep experience" when visitng the Vatican but honestly? Nada. It is more like a museum, a tourist trap, then a holy place. Very disappointing. I know that it is sacriligious to even SAY this, but I felt more of a "religious experience" at Graceland. Maybe it was because of all the shops inside of the Vatican with signs saying everything for sale was "blessed". I don't know how to explain it but it just was not the experience I wanted or expected.
After visiting the Vatican I went on a tour called Piazzas and Fountains and that is exactly what it was. We went to some absolutely stunning plazas with amazing fountains. We of course went to the Trevi fountain which unfortunately was under construction but still stunning. To think that it was the back yard to a private home is shocking. What a BBQ we could hold there!!!
Went to the famous Spanish Steps. No idea why they are famous or what is supposed to be so impressive about them. Nothing except some steps with 20,000 people sitting on them. Yes, it is beautiful. You sit there and everything around you is beautiful. But I just didn't "get it" I guess. The Valentino home - now THAT was impressive. Absolutely beautiful.
Plaza Novana, very beautiful. The Italians love their statues and their fountains!
We ended our time in Rome with a dinner show and dinner which was fantastic and a night bus tour of the City. Exhausted but so happy to have been here. Rome truly is an amazing city. One day when I come back I will dig somewhere. Who knows? I might find an old home!
After visiting the Vatican I went on a tour called Piazzas and Fountains and that is exactly what it was. We went to some absolutely stunning plazas with amazing fountains. We of course went to the Trevi fountain which unfortunately was under construction but still stunning. To think that it was the back yard to a private home is shocking. What a BBQ we could hold there!!!
Went to the famous Spanish Steps. No idea why they are famous or what is supposed to be so impressive about them. Nothing except some steps with 20,000 people sitting on them. Yes, it is beautiful. You sit there and everything around you is beautiful. But I just didn't "get it" I guess. The Valentino home - now THAT was impressive. Absolutely beautiful.
Plaza Novana, very beautiful. The Italians love their statues and their fountains!
We ended our time in Rome with a dinner show and dinner which was fantastic and a night bus tour of the City. Exhausted but so happy to have been here. Rome truly is an amazing city. One day when I come back I will dig somewhere. Who knows? I might find an old home!
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Day Eight: Our last Day in Rome
What an amazing day!!! WAY too tired to write tonight. Will catch you up tomorrow!!!
Day Seven: Rome
Okay, so Rome is growing on me. Very quickly. I still prefer the elegant beauty of Venice, but Rome has so much rich history.
Went to the Colliseum today. Like everyone else, I have seen it in pictures, documentaries, etc. But I never imagined the size! It is overwhelming. Walked through it today and did like my friend Jacquie recommended, closed my eyes and imagined first the 25,000 prisoners of war working on builidng this incredible place. The foot holds they carved into the pillars of travertine helps you to imagine the strenuous, back-breaking effort it took.
Then I stood in the bleachers and could "see" the gladiators. The ladies dressed in silks and gowns (at least on the first floor), the "commoners" on the very top nose bleed sections (nothing much has changed - you know this if you go to concerts!). The gladiators coming in through the life door, many leaving through the death door. I could hear the noise, smell the fear and the blood.
For not only did gladiators fight to impress their rulers, but men and women sentenced to death were murdered in the most barbaric and cruel ways in this structure. Torn apart by horses, beheaded by soldiers.... Whether for huge or small infractions, dying in the Colliseum had to be an atrocity to watch. Yet watch they did. The Romans were brilliant people but unbelievably cruel. You can hear not only the dignataries and royals, but the commoners cheering as these poor people were torn apart by animals. Were they just celebrating the fact that it was someone else and not them being killed? Or did even the lowliest of commoners possess the cruel and sadistic streak of the Romans? I wonder.
The Roman Forum was a sight to behold. Many of the buildings are only pillars and concrete, but many of them still stand today. A beautiful church whose entrance remains as it was in 70 AD but whose "core" has been renovated and is still used for special occasions. The Roman City Hall - a testament to the arrogance and self indulgence of the Roman culture. This area still has the original cobblestones and lava rocks that were placed there thousands of years ago. It was fascinating. I have a very vivid imagination and sat on a bench, closed my eyes and visualized what that area must have been like back when the Romans ruled. The beautiful fortresses they built for the royal families, the slaves and prisoners of war serving them...
So here are a couple of "DID YOU KNOW's?
- The Roman Colliseum gave us the term "arena" as it is currently used. The area in the Collesium used for the entertainment of the Romans was always covered in sand. Once the spectacles were over, they could "shovel" the sand out of the Collesium along with the blood, body parts, etc. Sand in latin is "arena" (also in Spanish by the way), so that is how our own arenas came to get their name. (Tell your friends and they will think you are a genius!!!)
- The Roman empire was built over itself many times over. In 1932, while preparing to build a building near the Colliseum, they found, underground, a buried structure which is where the Gladiators met before their battles and where the animals were kept to go into the Colliseum. From this discovery, it is known that underneath the buildings that stand acroos the street with pizzerias and other shops, is a structure, a tunnel of sorts, connecting this structure with the Colliseum.
- The Forum has a huge church which is in fabulous condition. It's door is WAY above the street level - way above. So, query: Were the Romans super athletes who catapulted their way into this church or was this bottom part of the church excavated at some point? We can assume of course that it was excavated. The burial grounds for so much of Roman architecture still lies beneath the surface.
- The Romans invented concrete!!! I did not know this.
After leaving the Colliseum and catching my breath from all the movies going through my head, we went to a church (I will get the name as soon as I can find it) which is built on top of another church which is in trun built above an old mint, which is itself built upon a jail which is known to be built upon buildings of the republic. It was discovered and excavated in the early 1900s. There is a river that runs beneath all of this which is the cause for the sinking of the first 3 buildings. The conditions in which these buried treasures remain is truly remarkable and speaks louder than words for the efficacy of the Romans.
I also went to see Michael Angelos' os
Went to the Colliseum today. Like everyone else, I have seen it in pictures, documentaries, etc. But I never imagined the size! It is overwhelming. Walked through it today and did like my friend Jacquie recommended, closed my eyes and imagined first the 25,000 prisoners of war working on builidng this incredible place. The foot holds they carved into the pillars of travertine helps you to imagine the strenuous, back-breaking effort it took.
Then I stood in the bleachers and could "see" the gladiators. The ladies dressed in silks and gowns (at least on the first floor), the "commoners" on the very top nose bleed sections (nothing much has changed - you know this if you go to concerts!). The gladiators coming in through the life door, many leaving through the death door. I could hear the noise, smell the fear and the blood.
For not only did gladiators fight to impress their rulers, but men and women sentenced to death were murdered in the most barbaric and cruel ways in this structure. Torn apart by horses, beheaded by soldiers.... Whether for huge or small infractions, dying in the Colliseum had to be an atrocity to watch. Yet watch they did. The Romans were brilliant people but unbelievably cruel. You can hear not only the dignataries and royals, but the commoners cheering as these poor people were torn apart by animals. Were they just celebrating the fact that it was someone else and not them being killed? Or did even the lowliest of commoners possess the cruel and sadistic streak of the Romans? I wonder.
The Roman Forum was a sight to behold. Many of the buildings are only pillars and concrete, but many of them still stand today. A beautiful church whose entrance remains as it was in 70 AD but whose "core" has been renovated and is still used for special occasions. The Roman City Hall - a testament to the arrogance and self indulgence of the Roman culture. This area still has the original cobblestones and lava rocks that were placed there thousands of years ago. It was fascinating. I have a very vivid imagination and sat on a bench, closed my eyes and visualized what that area must have been like back when the Romans ruled. The beautiful fortresses they built for the royal families, the slaves and prisoners of war serving them...
So here are a couple of "DID YOU KNOW's?
- The Roman Colliseum gave us the term "arena" as it is currently used. The area in the Collesium used for the entertainment of the Romans was always covered in sand. Once the spectacles were over, they could "shovel" the sand out of the Collesium along with the blood, body parts, etc. Sand in latin is "arena" (also in Spanish by the way), so that is how our own arenas came to get their name. (Tell your friends and they will think you are a genius!!!)
- The Roman empire was built over itself many times over. In 1932, while preparing to build a building near the Colliseum, they found, underground, a buried structure which is where the Gladiators met before their battles and where the animals were kept to go into the Colliseum. From this discovery, it is known that underneath the buildings that stand acroos the street with pizzerias and other shops, is a structure, a tunnel of sorts, connecting this structure with the Colliseum.
- The Forum has a huge church which is in fabulous condition. It's door is WAY above the street level - way above. So, query: Were the Romans super athletes who catapulted their way into this church or was this bottom part of the church excavated at some point? We can assume of course that it was excavated. The burial grounds for so much of Roman architecture still lies beneath the surface.
- The Romans invented concrete!!! I did not know this.
After leaving the Colliseum and catching my breath from all the movies going through my head, we went to a church (I will get the name as soon as I can find it) which is built on top of another church which is in trun built above an old mint, which is itself built upon a jail which is known to be built upon buildings of the republic. It was discovered and excavated in the early 1900s. There is a river that runs beneath all of this which is the cause for the sinking of the first 3 buildings. The conditions in which these buried treasures remain is truly remarkable and speaks louder than words for the efficacy of the Romans.
I also went to see Michael Angelos' os
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Day Six - Rome
As I said yesterday, after the soft beauty of Venice, Rome seemed harsh and dirty upon arriving. Today? Not so much.
Rome really does have a magic of its own. Where Venice is soft and romantic, Rome is rich and historical. Where Venice is like a southern belle, soft spoken and delicate, Rome is like a New Yorker - loud and in your face! (Sorry my New York friends, but you know it's true!).
We went for a long walk today. I attended mass at Santa Maria Maggioli Basilica. So beautiful. Majestic is how to best describe it. The omnipotence of God is present in every corner and in the faces of the Roman faithful. It was a wonderfully spiritual experience.
After leaving the basilica we went to Plaza de la Republica. An amazing fountain surrounded by shops with prices that would make your hair fall off. Maybe I am just not "cool" but I have to tell you that I would not be caught dead wearing most of these things. LOL! It may be very "chic" and very "Italian" but very "strange" too!
I am hooked on a drink called "spritz" - pretty much a wine spritzer. Not really sure what's in them. Wine and apple something or other but they are quite good.
Met and had conversations with many people (I can get a rock to talk to me) and am still digesting much of what I have heard from the Romans. Will share this with you when I get my thoughts in order.
While walking around, we realized that our hotel (Gran Hotel Palatino) is about two blocks away from the Colliseum. Yes, THE Colliseum. So cool. So beautiful! We will be taking a tour of the Colliseum tomorrow. We will also be touring some other places I can not pronounce. I have not posted any pictures on my blog because for some reason my phone (which by the way I totally shattered today when I dropped it) will not transfer pictures to the iPad. No smart asses, it was not caused by it shattering today. It has been that way since I got to Europe!
The Romans are passionate, intense people who have very high emotions about just about everything. If you tied their hands to their bodies they would be mute!!! Not much different than Cubans! LOL! We are getting along just fine!
Rome really does have a magic of its own. Where Venice is soft and romantic, Rome is rich and historical. Where Venice is like a southern belle, soft spoken and delicate, Rome is like a New Yorker - loud and in your face! (Sorry my New York friends, but you know it's true!).
We went for a long walk today. I attended mass at Santa Maria Maggioli Basilica. So beautiful. Majestic is how to best describe it. The omnipotence of God is present in every corner and in the faces of the Roman faithful. It was a wonderfully spiritual experience.
After leaving the basilica we went to Plaza de la Republica. An amazing fountain surrounded by shops with prices that would make your hair fall off. Maybe I am just not "cool" but I have to tell you that I would not be caught dead wearing most of these things. LOL! It may be very "chic" and very "Italian" but very "strange" too!
I am hooked on a drink called "spritz" - pretty much a wine spritzer. Not really sure what's in them. Wine and apple something or other but they are quite good.
Met and had conversations with many people (I can get a rock to talk to me) and am still digesting much of what I have heard from the Romans. Will share this with you when I get my thoughts in order.
While walking around, we realized that our hotel (Gran Hotel Palatino) is about two blocks away from the Colliseum. Yes, THE Colliseum. So cool. So beautiful! We will be taking a tour of the Colliseum tomorrow. We will also be touring some other places I can not pronounce. I have not posted any pictures on my blog because for some reason my phone (which by the way I totally shattered today when I dropped it) will not transfer pictures to the iPad. No smart asses, it was not caused by it shattering today. It has been that way since I got to Europe!
The Romans are passionate, intense people who have very high emotions about just about everything. If you tied their hands to their bodies they would be mute!!! Not much different than Cubans! LOL! We are getting along just fine!
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