Tag: Culture

So my buddy SL left for his home in Switzerland today. We parted after a morning walk across the Rialto to the Frari Church. I had a big breakfast here at the hotel and several cups of coffee. The Rialto Market was fantastic as was the Frari. The aqua alta was really alta so we made our way across San Marco on the elevated cross walks, along with every tourist in Venice. Stefan wasn’t sure that we could make it to the vaparetto stop near the Ducal Palace without getting wet but I argued that there was no way that a Venetian taxpayer would allow that to happen. I was right! He did leave his crazy water moon boots behind but I have yet to get my feet wet.

After he left I knew I had to get out of the San Marco sestieri and so I headed to the Palazzo Gramani to see the Hiroshige exhibition. I first saw it many years ago in Japan and was really excited. I got there and the doors were locked. Boy was I disappointed. However, maybe due to the number of churches that I have visited in the past several weeks, I noticed that there was another door that when I tried, allowed me entrance. I was super happy! After that I went to the Gesuti church and then wandered along the waterfront back to my B&B. I’m going to out for a bite to eat and a few more night photos!

What a difference a good sleep and resting my feet has made.

It’s my buddy’s birthday so we are eating and photographing Venice!

My upgraded suite is rather decadent 🙂

Stefan and I met for a beer and wandered the streets here in Venice last night before buying a bottle of wine and catching up. His hotel is around the corner so we will meet soon and start our day. He has a walking tour all mapped out!

I woke up early this morning before Aqua alta to take some photos. Here are a few and some shots of my suite 🙂

The train ride was quite nice from Florence. We came into S.Maria station and I quickly disembarked and waded into the teeming sea of tourists. I made my way to my hotel and was disappointed that the room that I requested was unavailable due to some recent construction. The upside was that they upgraded me to a double executive suite. And boy is it suite! I will take some photos later but suffice to say that it is mahogany floor to ceiling with a marble bathroom. Quite decadent!

My friend Stefan came to meet me at St. Marks and we went for a pizza and a beer. It’s his birthday tomorrow so we are going to hang out and eat a good meal. We chatted for a while and then took a walk. The Aqua Alta was already beginning and, with a full moon and the rain, the prediction is for a few feet of water over night!

Wow! This segment of the trip was really nice! It is raining and grey in northern Italy and all of the small mountains in this region are shrouded in fog. I dozed for a bit and awoke to fellow passengers speaking Japanese. For a split second I was transported back to my younger days, traveling to the small town of Ushimado on the Seto inland sea.

Next stop, Osaka.. Er… Venice Mestre then onto Venice itself!

So I went back to the Scuolo del Cuoio and bought another bag today. The craftsmanship is very impressive. Here is Francesco embossing my bag with my initials. The craft work is impressive!

I woke up this morning after a rather lousy sleep. More than likely due to the 1 kilo plus steak I ate last night. Always a trooper, got my gear and headed out into a rainy Florence. Even rainy Florence is beautiful!

I went to the Accademia for 8:15. By 8:14 it was me and another guy, who is a librarian in Bologna and incredibly knowledgeable about art and art history. I got a short course on the entire collection! I was really happy. We parted ways inside but I did bump into him at the statue of David. I asked him to take a photo of me but, evidently, he had never taken a photo before. I don’t think I was even in the frame 🙂

I then went to San Marco Church where I fell in love with Fra Angelico’s Annunciation. What a great spot, wonderful art and very peaceful.

After that it was noon so I went for a fantastic lunch at San Lorenzo Market (best location for the freshest everything) where I met and chatted with Kellie (sp?) from Chicago who, among other things, was taking a cooking class at San Lorenzo Cooking School. She has been here in Florence for several months and, like me, loves the food and everything else about this city. I was totally jealous! And FYI, the second level of the Market was transformed several years ago with only high end take away eateries and a cooking school. I had a really good soup with a amazing Sienese Ham sandwich… And a great conversation! When in Florence, this is a great place to shop and eat.

After all that and with the rain falling and the thunder still rolling in the sky, I went to the Medici Chapel to see the Michelangelo.sculptures. Wow!!!

Here are a few from my day;

And my lunch:

I’m sitting here in my room uploading photos and I turned on the TV to find episode 1 of Masterchef Italy 🙂