Florence

I think Florence is one of my favorite Italian cities. Granted, I haven't been to that many Italian cities recently, but this is one I really enjoy.

Below, a cistern...water was kept in here. And I thought of Biblical Joseph, who was thrown into one by his brothers...Imagine trying to get out!

 For my pal, Lisa, who loves cobblestones..

 Cooling off with Alex.

A cross without Jesus on it! Thank you, God, for His resurrection! Most of the Catholic crosses still have Jesus on them....

 Doors. These panels depict Bible stories, and were made by artists who competed for the honor.

 Amazing churches. Each one different.

 John baptising Jesus.

 Me and my Tilley hat!

My faithful naviguesser:

 Just a few of the wonderful shop windows...

The outside David. This is a copy of the one that is inside.

 Even old statues must endure pigeon poop. Note how muscular. The people of that time were not able to view women models, so they made male bodies and put female parts on them as they needed.

 Statue of Michelangelo....do you know his last name?

 This was a street artist, who painted himself all in silver to ask for coins.

Hotel Silla balcony. We could have breakfast out there. Quite lovely.

 A wooden facade of the planned facade for the church.

You could not pay me enough to get on this crane!!

Final Venezia

 We really enjoyed Venice, but I wouldn't want to live there. These gondolas are too close to the water. Alex was in the bow of the gondola...

 Some of the gondola were very impressive with their decorations. And the thing that the oar sits on had individual decorations, too.

Here you can see the step that got me...I didn't swing my legs up high enough and my two big toes collided with the block of concrete. Ouch.

 This is the church named after Moses. I was amazed by how ornate some of the churches were, both inside and out.

My first Italian scarf. I found one like this in Paris years ago and enjoyed finding them again.

Just one of the many fashions I did NOT purchase. But really, doesn't everyone need a furry dress?!

Another church on the Grand Canal. You can see how close to the water you are when in the gondola. I might have enjoyed this more if I hadn't been envisioning falling in. But thank God, I didn't!

More Venizia!

On this trip, I tried to take fewer pix. Taking photos does remove you from the scene, sort of...you get involved in the shot and miss what is going on around you, sometimes.  So instead of 300 to 500 shots each day, I averaged probably 150. Some habits are hard to break.

 Alex goofing near statuary that has been stolen a few times...

 Armored Alex!

 Churches abounded on our trip.

 Alex listening to tour narration by a local guide.

 Pasta Carbonara!

 So much lovely glass. I was saved from buying it by remembering how breakable it is.

 Everyone has a boat, not a car. No cars in Venice. It is quieter by far.

 Campari Spritz at the hotel.

 There were so many shots just begging to be taken.

 Cruise ship visiting Venice in the Grand Canal. They can't get closer, due to low water levels.

 Domo has a beer.

 We did visit the Outside of the Rock Shop. But didn't go in.

 Horses get armor too.

 Karen in the Columbia shirt. Love those pockets! and of course, a foulard! (scarf)

 Very good cellist outside the church.

 More armor.

 My lunch: lasagne with no tomato sauce! and it was GOOD.

 Below, our Venice hotel from the front door. Nice hotel. Small elevator. :)

The leaning tower. We discovered that many cities in Italy have leaners...not just Pisa.