It gets better and better each day of this adventure. Dubrovnik Croatia is a sleepy town whose principal economy rests on tourism. Therefore, they work 9 months out of the year and off for three months. Everyone in this small town know each other because the population of locals is so small. This new country is only 21 years old. In the 1600s they built the walls in case of war but it wasn't until 1991 that Dubrovnik was attacked by the Serbs when it wanted to be liberated. However, because of the monetary contributions of American and Australian Croatians, they were able to afford artillery to fight back at which time the Serbs realized it may not be their war to win.
I was very impressed with the warmth of the ones we did come in contact with. I wouldn't mind living in this mediterranean town with its rich history, blue green seas and laid back people.
We went to a little farmhouse where they explained how olive oil is made, where the figs are so sweet and they served this orange rind that was so delicious!
These people are proud to have what enough they have not really wanting more and more that the whole town predominantly owned Yugos, the cheapest cars, to get them from point A to point B. There were a lot of them zipping around! Lol!
Trivia: after the attack it was decided that when the houses were rebuilt, every house would have orange tile roof. Hmm if I can move my house there it would already have that!
Learned a few words too:
Dobra dan - hello
Hvala(sp?) - thanks
Koliko costa? - how much does it cost?
TILL MY NEXT RANT... Love one another!
CLICK THIS ARTWORK TO ENTER GALLERY
CLICK THIS PHOTO TO ENTER GALLERY
Friday, July 27, 2012
NAPLES AND POMPEII
At the port there are a lot of taxi drivers that would take you to Pompeii and if you want to continue onto the best of Naples, we were charged a fraction of what we would have paid if we took the tour guide from the ship. Our driver, Gabriel was very informative and answered questions.
The Pompeii Ruins was the result of the destruction of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The whole town of Greeks was obliterated and I saw two bodies that were encased in glass boxes that showed the horror still on their faces for being burned alive by the scorching lava. The roads are paved with cobblestones and very uneven. My hip was sore later.
This is where we had margherita pizza and gelato. Not very impressed but not its fault, just not too much into pizza. The gelato was really good, not too sweet or heavy I suppose it will not make me fat if I ate it every day. Ya right!
So I pretty much saw the same architectures in Naples as beautiful as the rest. We had more margherita pizza but again it was a disappointment. Maybe before we leave we will give it another shot. We were given a sample of limoncello, a lemon liqueur that is indegenous to these parts made from buffalo lemons. Huge! As big as grapefruits! I loved the cream ones but the regular is also good.
Boy, they weren't kidding about the drivers here! It LOOKS like you are going to get run over by cars but my observation was that even if the drivers actually stop short and scary, they do stop and they won't hit you. The streets have a suggestion of two lanes but in reality there are 6. There is no right or wrong way of street parking, you can park either direction on either side of the street! It was actually hilarious. You park where your car fits. What is funny though is that nobody has road rage!! They beep at you from the side to let you know their presence if they want to pass or if they block the intersection they just wave at each other and say "grazie". I learned the phrase "quanto costa" meaning how much! So proud! I love these italians, they are just to happy go lucky!
Back on the ship, we had a great dinner with a couple from Buffalo, NY. We swung by the dance club and it was dead again, four nights in a row now!
The Pompeii Ruins was the result of the destruction of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The whole town of Greeks was obliterated and I saw two bodies that were encased in glass boxes that showed the horror still on their faces for being burned alive by the scorching lava. The roads are paved with cobblestones and very uneven. My hip was sore later.
This is where we had margherita pizza and gelato. Not very impressed but not its fault, just not too much into pizza. The gelato was really good, not too sweet or heavy I suppose it will not make me fat if I ate it every day. Ya right!
So I pretty much saw the same architectures in Naples as beautiful as the rest. We had more margherita pizza but again it was a disappointment. Maybe before we leave we will give it another shot. We were given a sample of limoncello, a lemon liqueur that is indegenous to these parts made from buffalo lemons. Huge! As big as grapefruits! I loved the cream ones but the regular is also good.
Boy, they weren't kidding about the drivers here! It LOOKS like you are going to get run over by cars but my observation was that even if the drivers actually stop short and scary, they do stop and they won't hit you. The streets have a suggestion of two lanes but in reality there are 6. There is no right or wrong way of street parking, you can park either direction on either side of the street! It was actually hilarious. You park where your car fits. What is funny though is that nobody has road rage!! They beep at you from the side to let you know their presence if they want to pass or if they block the intersection they just wave at each other and say "grazie". I learned the phrase "quanto costa" meaning how much! So proud! I love these italians, they are just to happy go lucky!
Back on the ship, we had a great dinner with a couple from Buffalo, NY. We swung by the dance club and it was dead again, four nights in a row now!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
ROMA - BUON GIORNO / ARIVEDERCI
Rome! What a wealth of information learned from this so very influential era that graced our earth with Jesus right in the midst of it. One can't help but marvel and at the same time be so confused at why God even chose this time to send His only Son to people who were so heartless and cruel? The only reason I can think of is to make that much more of an impact in our lives from His sacrifice and death.
There's not enough time. I felt like I missed out on so many details of the ceiling art because the tour guide was going way too fast although she didn't really have a choice as we felt like ants being herded through the entire hot Vatican Museum. It is as if all of its past contributors were right there with us. There was an eerie feeling of historical majesty consisting of God, Rafael, Michelangelo, all the saints, all the dead popes, and finally JC himself.
The Trompe L'Oeil art on the ceilings were crazy awesome! They really looked like carvings! The Sistine Chapel, whoa!! It wasn't very big in there but every inch but the floor was graced by the hand of Michelangelo. It took him 4 years to create the masterpiece without ever leaving the chapel. Well, according to the guide he never took a bath, maybe when he was born. In those days, you only bathe when born and married. He never married. Maybe here the tradition goes on.
St. Peter's Basilica was another WHOA moment! That is a big church lemme tell ya! The tallest dome, more than 400 feet tall she said you can fit the statue of liberty in it! The real popes on display were Pope John the 23rd, his body dipped in wax, Pope Innocence the 11th, his body dipped in silver. There was another guy but after taking pics of two dead popes I decided it may have been a little awkward.
The center where the pope overlooks when making an appearance on his balcony was big as well. 100k people fill that area.
There were scarf vendors out there who would trick you into thinking you were paying two euros for a scarf and then hand you an uglier one. Haha! I said gimme my money back! Finally realizing I can't be fooled, she gave in. Oyy!
The Trevi Fountain! OMG! I have never seen anything like it, not even in my dreams! Looking at it makes you just want to sit and stare at it if not for the noise and filthy surroundings!
The city itself although chockful of history is dirty! It reminded me of Oakland and Richmond. We perfected the street crossing, the motto, do as the locals do. The locals bravely cross so we follow their lead lol!
We had lunch at a restaurant and the waitresses did not impress me at all! They were kinda short with us, rolling their eyes if we request for condiments that weren't on the table already. Also, I had an upset stomach that day so I couldn't eat. They thought I didn't like the food and they were totally offended!
The coffee was another story! Little tiny cups of espresso instead of a huge cup of regular. Umm I think I'll take mine a quarter strength in a big mug with a shot of hazel nut please?
I've learned some words, here's one.. ANDIAMO! means Let's Go! I know one day I will be back. But this time I'm not going with a guide and just stay in Rome for a couple if days just to soak in the art and the wonderful architecture!!
While in Rome do as the Romans do except, do take showers.. They're free! Till my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
There's not enough time. I felt like I missed out on so many details of the ceiling art because the tour guide was going way too fast although she didn't really have a choice as we felt like ants being herded through the entire hot Vatican Museum. It is as if all of its past contributors were right there with us. There was an eerie feeling of historical majesty consisting of God, Rafael, Michelangelo, all the saints, all the dead popes, and finally JC himself.
The Trompe L'Oeil art on the ceilings were crazy awesome! They really looked like carvings! The Sistine Chapel, whoa!! It wasn't very big in there but every inch but the floor was graced by the hand of Michelangelo. It took him 4 years to create the masterpiece without ever leaving the chapel. Well, according to the guide he never took a bath, maybe when he was born. In those days, you only bathe when born and married. He never married. Maybe here the tradition goes on.
St. Peter's Basilica was another WHOA moment! That is a big church lemme tell ya! The tallest dome, more than 400 feet tall she said you can fit the statue of liberty in it! The real popes on display were Pope John the 23rd, his body dipped in wax, Pope Innocence the 11th, his body dipped in silver. There was another guy but after taking pics of two dead popes I decided it may have been a little awkward.
The center where the pope overlooks when making an appearance on his balcony was big as well. 100k people fill that area.
There were scarf vendors out there who would trick you into thinking you were paying two euros for a scarf and then hand you an uglier one. Haha! I said gimme my money back! Finally realizing I can't be fooled, she gave in. Oyy!
The Trevi Fountain! OMG! I have never seen anything like it, not even in my dreams! Looking at it makes you just want to sit and stare at it if not for the noise and filthy surroundings!
The city itself although chockful of history is dirty! It reminded me of Oakland and Richmond. We perfected the street crossing, the motto, do as the locals do. The locals bravely cross so we follow their lead lol!
We had lunch at a restaurant and the waitresses did not impress me at all! They were kinda short with us, rolling their eyes if we request for condiments that weren't on the table already. Also, I had an upset stomach that day so I couldn't eat. They thought I didn't like the food and they were totally offended!
The coffee was another story! Little tiny cups of espresso instead of a huge cup of regular. Umm I think I'll take mine a quarter strength in a big mug with a shot of hazel nut please?
I've learned some words, here's one.. ANDIAMO! means Let's Go! I know one day I will be back. But this time I'm not going with a guide and just stay in Rome for a couple if days just to soak in the art and the wonderful architecture!!
While in Rome do as the Romans do except, do take showers.. They're free! Till my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
SUMMER ART INSPIRATION AND WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM
I have always loved county fairs and although you can expect to see your favorites every year, they are somehow able to slip in something that get your heart excited. Other than the normal pig races, cotton candy, funnel cakes, clever gadget vendors, I was laughing my head off watching the Mutton Race. Little kids get on this sheep, the herder opens the door, and they run like heck. Whichever kid could hold on the longest, wins! Some of you may have already heard of it but it was my very first time. I was very delighted!
You can use every daycation to create art. This is mine. I call it My Fair Lady... fair, get it? :)
I hope you will be able to use your fun days to create art and commemorate your day.
You can use every daycation to create art. This is mine. I call it My Fair Lady... fair, get it? :)
I hope you will be able to use your fun days to create art and commemorate your day.
Have a great day! Till my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Monday, July 23, 2012
PISA, ITALY - DAY 3
The Tower of Pisa wow! Still not sure why it was built but whatever it was for it sure turned out to be an incredible thing! It is one of the eight wonders of the world. It was built on the 1600s and started leaning due to ground sinking. However, how it didnt completely fall is what the wonderment is all about. There were thousands of people there yesterday and also hundreds of street vendors both legal and illegal selling souvenirs and fake designer items to the tourists hoping to maybe help with Europe's sagging economy.
I can never have the words to describe this place and do it justice you will have to put it on your bucket list.
Further, I must apologize for not including photos in the blogs. Mobile devices do not allow it on Blogspot, believe me, I tried!
On the way to Pisa I noticed these pine trees but they are not your typical cone shaped trees like we have in the states. These trees are more umbrella like. So the guide said they were Umbrella Pine Trees and their fruit is... Ready? Pine nuts! Pine nuts are used to make pesto! Presto! Lol!
Next to the tower, there is another church that had intricate architactural design. It was as beautiful inside as the church we visited in Barcelona. In the past, mucky mucks built churches to display their wealth, that was how they were measured in society. Today, one's wealth is spiritual and your wealth is measured by how deep one's relationship is with God. That's my story snd I'm sticking to it!
Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!
I can never have the words to describe this place and do it justice you will have to put it on your bucket list.
Further, I must apologize for not including photos in the blogs. Mobile devices do not allow it on Blogspot, believe me, I tried!
On the way to Pisa I noticed these pine trees but they are not your typical cone shaped trees like we have in the states. These trees are more umbrella like. So the guide said they were Umbrella Pine Trees and their fruit is... Ready? Pine nuts! Pine nuts are used to make pesto! Presto! Lol!
Next to the tower, there is another church that had intricate architactural design. It was as beautiful inside as the church we visited in Barcelona. In the past, mucky mucks built churches to display their wealth, that was how they were measured in society. Today, one's wealth is spiritual and your wealth is measured by how deep one's relationship is with God. That's my story snd I'm sticking to it!
Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!
EUROPE TRIVIA
This cruise is The Carnival Breeze's fifth sail with a total of 4700 passengers
My chicken a la greque was hecka dry
There are a lot of folks who dont believe in deodorant and cant smell themselves
A lot of men wear the same cologne, I mean... A lot!
Maroon 5's "Move Like Jagger" is being worn out...still
The gay host of the Beatles Trivia game flirted with me and actually believed Scott would get jealous because he kept apologizing to him while calling me "sister".
It is insanely expensive in Europe, but you can still tip in dollars
Scott feels the need to speak Spanish in Barcelona even though they respond in English then raps to him in Spanish, at which time he responds, "Ingles".
The walk/dont walk signs are merely suggestions, the unwritten law is to run for your life if you want to reach the other side of the street.
My chicken a la greque was hecka dry
There are a lot of folks who dont believe in deodorant and cant smell themselves
A lot of men wear the same cologne, I mean... A lot!
Maroon 5's "Move Like Jagger" is being worn out...still
The gay host of the Beatles Trivia game flirted with me and actually believed Scott would get jealous because he kept apologizing to him while calling me "sister".
It is insanely expensive in Europe, but you can still tip in dollars
Scott feels the need to speak Spanish in Barcelona even though they respond in English then raps to him in Spanish, at which time he responds, "Ingles".
The walk/dont walk signs are merely suggestions, the unwritten law is to run for your life if you want to reach the other side of the street.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
DAY 2 MONACO
The moment you walk into this port you are hit with a pang of jealousy. Materialistic or not, when you see the parked lines of rolls royces, mazaratis, limited editions of mercedez benzes, noticing your mouth hanging open is not an impossibility. The yachts alone with a peek of their tan owners would make one wonder what do these folks really do in their year-long sunny side of the world? Whatever it was, it seems stress free. However, they seemed annoyed with our typical tourist shocked looks while walking up
and down the designer stores streets because while being respectful, they seem to speed off with their zippy cars.
But marvel we did! It was so interesting to be walking on the same road Princess Grace roamed feeling proud that a beautiful American captivated the heart of this powerful elite of Monaco. You go on with your bad self, Princess!
For a budjzi place, the boardwalk had a variety of restaurants that were not overly priced but I can't say the same about the price of realty. Our cruise director informs us that for a 500sft apartment, it costs 4.5 million dollars. Yikes! But to be quite honest, I was impressed by how clean the streets were and how respectful its citizens were in letting you cross the streets.
We visited the Oceanographic Museum simply meant aquarium, Prince Ranier's Palace with the changing of its guards, the Casino de Monaco, Paris Hotel, the Hermitage and others. Monaco streets have surveillance cemeras installed, so smile!
So I give Monaco a two thumbs up! I hope to come back to these parts to go to Grasse and make my own perfume. But for that I probably have to save a pretty penny or euro.
Till my next rant, LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
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