Friday, June 1, 2007

Florence, Italy (May 31 - June 3)

****We updated the Auschwitz blog today so check it out if you are not in a good mood. Just click on the blog archives to the lower right. 10 pics are missing as the computer is no longer cooperating, so once again, coming soon...

We finally found cheap internet here. We have not used the computer in a while as it was $11 CAD/hr in switzerland and €8/hr in Venice. And when you are useless with booking accomodation, you need at least 1 hr and email, blog and stupid addicting facebook on top of that. Thats alot of moolah as we really like to eat. But cannot afford what we want.

So even though our camera stopped working in Venice (of all friggin places!!!), we are still trying to keep up with the blog with what pics we have. So below we updated Neuschwanstein castle and Munich. That is all we can handle for now. Enjoy!!

*******Update*********
These pics are someone else's (found them saved on a random computer in the hostel)but we literally took the exact same with our trusty disposable. Except for the city views, which are amazing but we never went up there but glad this person did.

-The first 3 are the Duomo (Santa Maria Del Fiore), an amazing church/basilica? built in 1296. The outside is incredible as it is covered in marble of all different colors. You can see its dome in the skyline of the picture below.
-The next church is the Santa Croce which contains the tombs of Michalangelo and Galileo and Dante (for all you poets).
-The next are of Ponte Vecchio ("old bridge") 13th Century, which is very cool and has all kinds of gold merchants and shops built on it since 1593. Before that it was butchers and tanners who were kicked out because they smelled.
-There is a pic of the statue of David (1504) which is crazy because photos are not allowed and they yell angrily at people who do it. This person did take one discreetly but it does not do any justice to his magnificence. This work of Michalangelo is truely mind blowing and so visually impressive that you get chills at the sight of him (but maybe not his er...you know). Tawnya did have a small crush on him though. The thing, as in the entire statue, is massive. And as you walk around it, the expression on his face changes at every angle from one of peace and silent reflection, to an intense and imposing gaze. Those of you who have seen him know. Also there is a copy of him in the Piazza della Signoria (last picture) where he originally stood but was moved in the 1800's to the Accademia Museum, as 'ol Dave just couldn't take the Florence weather after all those years. Poor guy, you'd think he would be tougher, being able to defeat Goliath and all?!
-the last pic is the Palazzo (palace) Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria which has some amazing sculptures and when we were there, had an open air full orchestra concert in the evening free to everyone. Very cool backdrop to an evening stroll through the streets of Firenze.

The names of these may be a little confusing for some (as they were on Tawnya's Art History final 7 years ago) and not sure if she knew them then either (they all sound the same). But you do have to describe the details of the photos somewhat so y'all kinda know what yer looking at, and so you can differentiate the structures somewhat. There is also the church of Santa Maria Novella (we stayed near there but its facade was under restoration) and countless other Santa ______ ______'s. You get the point.












5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, Girls, Just got in from golfing, the season is starting off great, I'm actually hitting the ball and it is getting to the hole. The weather has finally been hot! hot! Friday 28, Saturday 29, Sunday 30!!!!! The offer for Jamie & Andres's house was accepted, so I'll give you more details as they come. Hope you figured out your camera problem. Love you both Mom K.

Anonymous said...

Hey girls
Well Im back here in canada and not too happy to be back at work but hey s*** happens and i need to save money for december yay. the pictures look great and im glad you guys are having so much fun keep us informed i really do enjoy reading your fun adventures played my first game of outdoor soccer on wednesday and yay we won 4-1 so excited cynthia got a hat trick. The weather has been great since i got back but sort of wish i was back in nz but never mind ill get over it. well better go and do some more work. talk to ya soon take care miss you both
love karen

Anonymous said...

Hey Jodi, I just received your postcard. I have been reading your blog and I sent you an email but I guess you didn't get it. Me and Andres are excited about our house. When they excepted our offer it was hard for us both not to squeal like little girls. The market is crazy and it's been really hard to find a place. I'm working this summer at the U of A swine research center as a swine tech. The pigs are really funny. Some of the sows will knock their feeders off of their pens and run down the hallways as fast as they can (which is actually suprisingly fast and hilarious cause they grunt like monkeys). And the 800 pound boars like to get scratched behind their ears and come to you when you whistle like dogs. It is also really good experience for when I apply to vet school. The other day one sow was having trouble delivering her piglets and I gave her shoots of oxytocin and reached her and pulled out six piglets. Two were dead, but four survived (well sadly she layed on one). It sounds gross, but it's very interesting to me. Anyway, I'm glad the trip is going well. Mom told me about you two getting left behind on a tour, but the majority of the trip seems to be going good. Take care.
Love, Jamie

Anonymous said...

Left behind on a tour?
Can't wait to hear that one.
Love janet

Anonymous said...

Go girls, GO!!
Liked reading your blog. Have a good time and enjoy yourself there. Wish that Sanja is with you, to help you with lenguages.. and different cultures.
All the best, from Sanja's dad Zdenko.