July 28, 2004
Links
In case you got lost, this is the link to the whole set of additional pictures from the Italy trips I did in May and June. As of today, some pages are still not there, but most of it is included.
June 12, 2004
PARIS
Well... This is the end of the trip. Time to go home. I sleep at the airport tonight. Can't wait to see family and friends!
June 10, 2004
Colmar
visited freiburg-Germany and then drove to Colmar. Less busy than Strasbourg and i reconnand both.
June 09, 2004
Oups!
No more minutes on my Italian phone card, and of course, they don't take
my credit card... it is Italy, after all...
So I will have to post text messages, and hunt internet cafes...
What a bummer? I just spent one hour in a cafe just to find at the very
end that MY visa card is not accepted for online renewals...
Oh well? only a few days left. Today is Wednesday, right?
Strasbourg
After dinner. It was about 22h00 when this picture was taken. Days are long
here!
Strasbourg
Nice city. Quite full of tourist though...
It's very warm (32 d) and I had a defective air conditioner that stopped
during the night! I was upgraded to their best room this morning. Nice!
I am leaving tomorrow for Paris (well...3 days to get back...no rush!) so
today is a kind of 'day off'. I'm visiting the Laundromat...not many
tourists here!
Hi to the people I know in Ireland. It was nice meeting you!
June 07, 2004
Champagne
Moët & Chandon sells 25,000,000 liters of champane...
Most of it is stored in these alcoves, amongst the 28 kilometers of underground galleries they dug in the chalk mountain. That's about 1,000,000 bottles per kilometer, or about 1,000 for each meter...lots of champagne.
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The Champagne region: beautiful, and of course there is champagne everywhere!
So tonight I'm sleeping in an old house (250 years) in a charming little village called Avize. It took my GPS to get here from Épernay...
Here's a picture of the front.
By the way, this is the Pearson Whitaker house...a champagne producer...
June 06, 2004
Guess what...
I am now in Paris. Just for fun, I turned on my cel phone. Sure enough,
there was a signal. From Bouyg. I try GPRS... it works !!
So, I tought I would not be able to connect during this last week, but
there will be no problem! (well...so far). That tells me a lot about cel
phone communication in America: it's crap compared to Europe! One system,
one standard, and competitive prices.
So I will post soon. Bye for now!
June 05, 2004
Michelangelo (again!)
The dome was one thing, but the pieta is simply stunning! But I will try
to find pictures of the other three versions so you too can appreciate the
sculptors evolution.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo was the architect for the dome of St-Peters cathedral (George
was in Paris today si I was able to get in...)
June 04, 2004
Rome
St-Peters cathedral dome, by Michelangelo.
Most tourists will never see the dome in full. The architects and
politicians who oversaw the completion of the church kind of forgot the
original idea... But the dome is clearly visible if you lean out of the
windows in the Musei Vaticani galleries. Too bad most of us walk like
drones, our camera bouncing on our belly...
Rome
When we entered the Sisteen Chapel, it was empty... of course except for
the incredible, recently restored, paintings by Michelangelo and others. We
went back later, walking through to go to St-Peters cathedral, and it took
us us a while to get through because it was so crowded!
We stayed there for one hour...AWE!
By the way... we didn't get in at St-Peters because Bush was visiting the
Pope. I guess there were so many policemen and soldiers that there was no
place left for tourists...
A head of state who needs so much security should stay home. He's a bad
tourist...! Think about it.
June 03, 2004
Rome
Only superlatives again... But I have to go to bet now 'cause we have to be
at the Sisteen chapel at 06h55!!
June 02, 2004
Bye bye...
Our last evening in Acquapendente! Already? Yes, sadly...
We are going to Rome tomorrow. There was of course an excellent dinner tonight, with tiramisu for dessert. Menoume!
A bit of crying here and there...
Here's a picture of Laura, one of the owners, and Tatiana, who works here. Of course Laura also works... Thanks to all of you at Agriturismo Buonumore. What an incredible feast!
Thanks to everyone who sent graduation congrats.
Merci à Aline et Suzanne pour le cadeau et à tous pour les encouragements.
Tuscania
Inside a medieval church in Tuscania (no...I don't remember the name of
that church...)
Drawing
Today is the last day of class. The final critique...in my case it also
marks my last class. This is it: I am now a professional artist!
So here are a few of the drawings I'm particularly happy with. They will
always refresh my memory of this very particular trip.
Drawing in the crypt in Acquapendente
June 01, 2004
Sienna
The cathedral in Sienna is nicer than the one in Florence, or anywhere else
we went, actually.
Sienna
Yesterday we visited Sienna. Beautiful city with lots of art and history.
Here's a picture of the surrounding region.
May 30, 2004
Slow day
We have this last day off before the final sprint. Sienna tomorrow, 2 days
of drawing class, final critique, and then our way to Rome on Thursday for
the 'finale'. Ouf!
I will post as many pictures as I can this week as it might be impossible
when I enter France on the 6th. But I will keep sending text messages!
May 29, 2004
Firenze
The 'ponte vecchio'.
Lots of tourists and ... tourist traps in Florence. Forget buying anything
in the 'hot' section. Spend you time (and money!) in the museums, or just
walk around and admire the architecture.
We are on the train back to Acquapendente.
May 27, 2004
Firenze
Sitting in a small (very) restaurant in the center, a stone's throw from
the Duomo (cathedral). Recommended by a friend and so far excellent.
In the picture, I am sitting at the very back of the restaurant (5 tables).
May 26, 2004
Suzanne
Suzanne REALLY didn't want to have her photo taken... but i succeeded!
Domani
Domani andremo a Firenze, la cittá la piú bella d'Italia.
Yes, Florence! We received a Museum list, with various other site lists. All are 'must see'. But we are only there for 2 1/2 days! We will have to run, I guess...
We will have a private guide Friday morning.
So, more to come. I will try to post some pictures during the day.
We spent the day in Bolsena, drawing in various places. Heres one drawing, from the beach, looking at the old city and the castle.
The barbecue...
The original post was incomplete! I put it in the Outbox but it was sent
automatically before completion. Here's the full version:
It was my idea: we would have a barbecue!
My job was to pick wine and wood supply, meaning whatever was necessary to
make a 'fairly big' fire.
So I threw a bag of charcoal in the HUGE fireplace/barbecue. I then used
about 10 little fuel cubes to prime it. One match was enough to get it
going! I had a major blaze going within minutes.
Someone else was preparing the huge amount of food-to-be-cooked (there was
8 of us eating...lots of food). That quantity of preparation, and copious
amounts of very interesting local wines meant that it took well over an
hour (more like two) to be ready to cook: my fire died!!!
After a purely democratic process, it was decided that Aline and I would go
for help: all the food was already partly cooked (although barely).
Luckily, the restaurant downstairs has a wood oven for pizza. After a
complicated negotiation using our limited knowledge of Italian, the pizza
guy said 'un momento' went out and came back with a 'cariole' (a wheel
barrel or 'brouette' in French)!! He used a big shovel to fill it with
amber and moments later we were dumping all that in our 'fire'.
Dinner was served minutes later.
I went to bed a few hours later and there was still lots of amber in the
barbecue. We probably kept our part of the Italian country side quite warm
for a god part of the night.
Next time we barbecue, we won't bother trying our own fire: we will give
the pizza guy an hour's warning and come back with the cariole!
May 24, 2004
The barbecue...
It was my idea: we hould have barbabcue!
My job was to pick wine and wood supply, meaning whatever was necessary to
make a 'fairly' big fire.
May 23, 2004
Viterbo
Viterbo has a long history. The first part goes back to the Romans. An
important city, capital of a province close to Rome, it was still much
alive in the middle-ages. Its old medieval city is still inhabited and in
excellent shape.
Viterbo also hosts a 'palazzo papale', a house for the Pope.
It is a drawer's paradise, with its complicated perspectives and
interesting vistas.
May 22, 2004
Tuscania
The tomb site
We then visited a couple of churches. This one was built around 600 a.d. by
the then emerging Christians, at the beginning of the middle ages. After
the fall of the Roman empire, the 'barbarians' from the north started to
invade the Empire and influenced the culture, in general, and the
architecture, in particular, of the Italian civilisation.
Tarquinia
We visited the Etruscan museum in Tarquinia, which was one of their
city-states around 400-600 b.c.
The Etruscans were eliminated, or actually assimilated by the then emerging
Romans, around 360 b.c. and all that is left of their civilisation is what
what found in their tombs, some of which are still being excavated today.
Just outside of the city is a series of tombs.
May 20, 2004
Exceptional temperature again today! I know you're getting bored/jealous
about it... but tough luck.
Today we ad an art history class in an Roman ruin. This marble floor h s
been there for over 2000 years...
May 18, 2004
Bolsena
Today is absolutely perfect! 22 degrees, dry, incredible blue sky... we are
on the side of the lake, just had lunch after this morning's drawing
class... Maudite vie sale!!
Not to insist, but look at this picture;
May 16, 2004
The Festa
Lots of people on the main 'piazza'. At least 50 people dressed in
middle-ages costumes and 'festiving' with shows and all! Beautiful!
Pugnaloni; before
The fresh flowers just before being glued to the board
May 15, 2004
I KNOW...
Yes, I know that some of the pictures are sideways! I did it on purpose...
We all need some exercise and I thought that some neck stretching would be
good for you all...
(besides, I can just picture you looking sideways at you screen...hihi...)
I pugnaloni
This weekend is the 'Festa dei pugnaloni'. This is THE festa of the year in
Acquapendente. Roughly, it's a flower thing. A number of teams compete to
show big flower 'paintings'. BIG is the word here! 3 or 4 meters per side!
It's kind of hard to explain, so I will post a bunch of pictures over the
next few days. In the mean time the picture in this post is from the
'bambini pugnanoli'. There were all very cute and I think they (every team)
all won a trophy.
Tonight we went to a 'party' at one of the adult pugnaloni team place.
Since this is mostly made of fresh flowers glued to a huge panel, the last
part is done all night on the eve of the actual Festa. We left shortly
before midnight and they were just starting the flower gluing process part.
It will be a long night...
Stay tuned for the 'live' report tomorrow...
We had perfect weather again today. I'm actually get some tan!
Friday, the 14th
This is a post for yesterday, Friday.
Weather was perfect today! Lots of sun and not too warm (22 C). We drew at
the town's weekly market this morning and generally stayed around for more
drawing in the afternoon. What a nice day!
May 13, 2004
Viterbo
We are actually in the province of Viterbo. The lake is in the crater of an
extinct volcano. The volcano became inactive very recently. All the rain of
the past few weeks killed it! (I also have some land to sell on Mars if you
are interested..,).
The region is quite hilly and right next to the Apenine mountain range that
divides Italy between east and west. Acquapendente sits 520 meters above
sea level, which is just a few kilometers away.
Tomorrow is Friday! One week already!!
May 12, 2004
Bolsena
Today we were in Bolsena, a medieval city on the side of a lake by the same
name. Weather was miserable, of course, but the drawing class was fun
nontheless.
We took the bus to get there and come back (13 kilometers). I would guess
that our bus driver is an ex race car driver! One thing for sure, you have
to sit down quick!
I bought a bottle of Est! Est!! Est!!! white wine (semi-sweet). A known
estate. Here's thinking of you!
May 11, 2004
Our meeting place
After a few more errors, I just figured that I HAVE to put text in each
entry because if only contains a photo, nothing gets posted.
So, this is our meal area. Very sunny in the morning. Today has been
partcularly pleasant; the weather is getting warmer and dryer. Yeah!
May 10, 2004
I know, I know...
...the picture is on it's side... But IT WORKS!
I will post a picture of everyone in our class...eventually. Here's the
first one: Richard-Max
Now it works!
Finally got everything to work together! The Palm now talks to the phone
that talks to the internet. It was a simple little parameters. Some of my
posts got lost, but I will post them now.
Here's a photo of the front of the hotel-'penzione' where we are, outside
of the village.
Test because i'm having some minor problems...
Hopefully solved tonight. I have been to establish a connection using my
Palm and my phone. This means that we now have full internet access in the
'penzione' and that I will be able to post more photos.
Hope this works... I'll see tomorrow.
Bye.
May 08, 2004
Some photos...
I am having problems getting my Palm to talk to the Internet through my
phone. So I have to do email on my phone... very annoying!
Today I went in an Internet Cafe and this is why you see this picture.
The weather is quite miserable. It's been cold and rainy for weeks... so
everything is VERY green!
Adjusting
Jet lag again: up at 4h00. Today we will "explore" the village- including finding internet access. I will post picts.
May 07, 2004
On the bus
On the bus to Acquapendente with the group. Everybody tired and quiet. Maybe we need a bit of wine!
First day
Well, this is Friday morning, very early. Jet lag woke me up at 5h00. Not
too bad, as I was in bed at 10h00 last night.
Slept in a dorm with 5 other people. Apparently I snore quite a bit...
"The wise traveler always carry ear plugs" (Confucious)
It was a long flight! About 16 hours total.
I am meeting with the rest of the group this morning. We are then driving
to our final destination: Acquapendente. I guess we'll take it easy today,
recuperating.
Sorry, but no photos yet: the computer I'm using now is as old as Rome and
the phone card I bought has all instructions in Italian, and nobody knows
how to activate GPRS (High speed Internet access through the card).
Probably today... Otherwise I' ll have to regularly go to the Internet
Cafe in Acquapendente (if they have one...)
All is fine.
May 06, 2004
A Roma!
Good morning to all! I an sitting in the train from the airport. Tired but happy. Need a serious nap!
Frankfurt
Uneventful flight from Boston. Boring enough to sleep soundly. I an here for 1 hour.
May 05, 2004
airbus 340
Nice ship, I must say. My part is half empty! Nice meal ahead. Next comm in Europe
boston: logan airport
Having a Samuel Adams in the Lufthansa lounge. Business class, or is it just class, is the way.
This is it!!
Yup. Today's the day.
It won't fit in the pack...
Guess what! I got new socks! (hihi)
Later, bye.
May 04, 2004
Leaving tomorrow
It doesn't matter how much time there is for packing, but for me it's
never enough. At the end of the day I always realise that there is still
much to do.
Take notice of the time of this posting: I'm up early today. It has to be
in today, or it's not coming with me!
These darn socks...
May 03, 2004
Two days...
Serious packing today. It has to get in the backpack so that I can weigh my luggage.
The shopping list is nearly empty. I'm missing a pencil, the Hardtmuth 401, #5 (or KOH.I.NOOR) 191 6B. I don't even know what it looks like!
The rest is all there, with lots of extras, of course! Now begins the elimination process.
Starting with this entry, everything will go into the "Italy 2004" category until I come back in June.
Now... if I can only find those socks...
April 29, 2004
Socks
Now now... I can't find socks. Nothing extraordinary, just plain 100% cotton socks. All of then now contain nylon, spandex and other fancy yarns. There is nothing wrong with spandex, but synthetic fiber in clothing ALWAYS smell. So not for me. Wool is good but too warm. So I am still looking.
I wear synthetics when hiking. I don't particularly care if the animals find me stinky. I think they smell too! But I only wear cotton when in town.
I've ordered a 512 Meg SD card for my Palm yesterday and received it today. I have to carry a lot of data. Mostly maps from Mapopolis, the mapping software I use most. I will be carrying all of Italy and France. 200 Megs for that! There's many other programs and data, and some MP3s for a little music.
April 27, 2004
O N E W E E K ! !
I know, I know, you just want me to leave... but it's in O N E W E E K !!!
So, I'll be packing for the next few days. I also have to buy socks and a few more pencils.
April 21, 2004
Two weeks!
In exactly two weeks, I will be sitting on a plane to Rome. Well, many planes, as I have to get to Boston to catch the Lufthansa trans-Atlantic flight to Frankfurt. Then to Rome.
I know, I know... I'm repeating myself. Blame excitement!
Starting next Monday, I will be posting very regularly. Final preparations and stuff: you can even share my packing list!
Packing will be a science this year. My flight out of Rome on Ryanair (to Paris) has a weight limit of 15 kilos. Those who know me can attest that this is WAY under my usual pack weight. And I have to carry Artist Material too!
I have a list, that our very organised teacher strongly suggested.
There's also my own stuff, like my Palm, clothes and trip miscellaneous (list to come).
The carry-on luggage has a 5 kilo limit. NUTS. But I have a multi pocket traveling vest. That's the trick to conceal an extra 5 kilos!!
So, next week, I will start to scientifically prepare my luggage. Hahem...
April 03, 2004
Actually, thinking about it...
In one month I will be packing. Wow! I'm actually thinking about the trip every day! It Keeps me sane (as much as before, anyway) and helps me get through this crasy period.
I have booked a hotel room in Rome. Got a dorm through Ryanair (same guys who sold me a plane ticket from Rome to Paris for €9.99). Downtown Rome! I will be there just one night, on my way to Acquapendente
The posting frequency will go up now as I get ready to go.
March 06, 2004
In 2 months!
In exactly 2 months, I will be arriving in Rome!
Everything is ready for that trip, except packing, of course. That is always a last minute affair...
I will be really busy until then, so time will fly!
February 19, 2004
Language
Time to learn a new language!
I borrowed a couple of old Italian lesson books and purchased a $10 twin-CD Italian course from Topics Entertainment.
We'll see were that leads me...
February 11, 2004
Getting ready... technically
As always, getting ready for a trip involves "The Technical". The trip to Italy is a lightweigth affair because: 1) I have nothing Official to do and 2) I have a weight limit of 15 kilos (33 pounds) on one of the flights. So I will not bring a laptop. The "Technical Page" explain the content of the 2 1/2 kilo kit.
February 07, 2004
Italy- Plane tickets
Just received the plane tickets for Italy. Leaving May 5th for Rome and coming back June 13th from Paris.
Montreal-Boston-Frankfurt-Rome will take the better part of 2 days. Paris-Montreal will be done quickly.
I got a cheap flight (10 euros!) on Ryanair from Rome to Paris.
I guess I'll get to see some of my friends in Paris! I will be there for a week.
February 06, 2004
Here's how it works:
This series of entries is for a trip to Italy in 2004 (5th May to 13th June). I will be posting whenever, from whatever device I can use: my main computer at home and the portable, any internet café, my palm or my cel phone while on the road.
There is a main site for this trip that will contain much more photos and I will complete it when I come back. This is what I did last year. This year's trips will use the same method but a better journal engine. MovableType rocks!