Climbed up the duomo and got a close up view of the frescoes by Vasari (completed by Zuccari). The dome was built by Brunelleschi; finished in 1463. I thought this dome was more beautiful than St. Peter's.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Florence, Italy
Ponte Vecchio bridge built in 1345 has been lined with fine jewelry shops since 1593 when duke Ferdinand I replaced the blacksmiths, tanners and butchers who had dominated the bridge shops; using the river to dump their waste and refuse. Jewelers paid higher rent and didn't make the stench of the former occupants.
The Backs of the Apostles
These apostles, saints, or some such holy guys, look down from the above the basillica into the Piazza San Pietro.
July 2, 2005
On my birthday I climbed the 537 steps of the staircase in the Basillica of St. Peter's. It was early in the morning before any crowds and there was absolutely no waiting in lines. It was a peaceful and
totally perfect start to 'My Day'.
totally perfect start to 'My Day'.
Our Longest Line
This was the line we waited in to get into the Vatican Museum. We arrived about a half hour after it openned. It actually moved pretty fast. I don't think it took more than 45 minutes to get inside but the line was about a quarter of a mile long and it was a very hot day. We had a good time visiting with a couple from Mexico City who were driving around Europe for 5 weeks.
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
Located on the Left Bank, a haunt of famous and aspiring authors and poets for decades. Liberated by Hemmingway at the end of the War. It has the best stock of books in English print in Paris.
Sainte-Chappelle
A very gorgeous Gothic cathedral built between 1242 and 1248 for Louis IX. Worth the visit to see the sun light up the vast amount of lovely stained glass.
Van Gogh's Room at Arles
At the Orsay we saw countless works by Van Gogh and other Impressionists. I took way too many 'pictures of pictures' as AR and Chris informed me more than once. I realize I could just buy a book or postcards of all this incredible art work but it just wouldn't have been as satisfying. Taking the pictures was kind of like pinching myself to be sure I was really there, looking at the originals.
Musee d 'Orsay
This is by far, my favorite museum to have had the pleasure to visit while in Europe. From this picture it is easy to imagine what it must've looked like as a train station from 1900 to 1940. If you have seen the movie The Long Engagement, this IS the train station, reborn through the magic of digital effects.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Tanya and I (on my deck)
Thank you Tanya and all my other readers out there for encouraging me to keep on posting. I will try to add more
trip photos but right now I am at school busy setting up my classroom
(student in Yakima; pay attention!). Also looking forward to a visit from my parents. They arrive on the train from Wisconsin tomorrow and the forecast is rain. Since their weather has been darn hot I doubt that they will mind. Well,
back to pushing desks around and writing names on crayon boxes etc.
trip photos but right now I am at school busy setting up my classroom
(student in Yakima; pay attention!). Also looking forward to a visit from my parents. They arrive on the train from Wisconsin tomorrow and the forecast is rain. Since their weather has been darn hot I doubt that they will mind. Well,
back to pushing desks around and writing names on crayon boxes etc.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Anna Rae and Friends
This is Colombe and Hugo with Anna Rae in the middle. They are 2 of Anna Raes' classmates from Saint Michel's in Annecy.
Hugo is Anna Rae's host brother too.
Hugo is Anna Rae's host brother too.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Way Behind!
O.K. I still need to post pictures of Rome, Florence, Vernazza, Ville Franche Sur Mer, Nice, Monacco, Gap, more of Annecy, as well as many photos of friends. But it is hard to compete with the computer needs of a 17 year old, also FLICKR has been giving me impossible problems when I try to upload and our AOL account is no peach either. Add a weedy, water needy garden, visiting relatives, and day to day life to the mix, and well, that's what I have been up to. I have LOVED the company of visiting relatives (it is always a delight to 'show off' Seattle), bemoan my inability to catch up with the needs of my yard/garden, and grit my teeth and growl when I face technology glitches.
So, people have asked, "Is Anna Rae different?" and I must say "Yes, and No." She still is unapproachable in the first 2 hours of the morning, she still leaves lots of 'stuff' on the floor in her bedroom where it doesn't belong, she still talks ALOT, she has HUGE computer time needs, she watches MTV and TV in general, WAY too much, she lives here but she spends alot of time away from the house. She has been doing a lot of childcare for families; actually raking in quite a bit of income in these last weeks of summer. So how is she diffferent... well more than one person has described her as "Worldly." I do agree with that adjective yet I cringe a little too because when I was growing up if my parents described a teenager as "worldly" their eyebrows would go up as they talked meaning that the
teenager being discussed had morals that were 'suspect'. That is NOT the case with Anna Rae. Her worldliness is a genuine, first hand knowledge that there are cultures with customs, beliefs, and economic realities that should be more understood and respected by Americans. For example, when friends and relatives start talking about the high price of gas (currently $2.63/gal.) she informs us that gas has been well over $5.00 a gallon since December in Europe (she did the math to convert Euros to Dollars and Liters to Gallons). If possible, she is more confident; a quality that she has always had in abundance. She is driving here, there, and everywhere in West Seattle and Burien; oftentimes toting along the kids in her charge. Although she did not drive at all in France, I am more comfortable with her driving skills now than I was a year ago. She is taking an advanced class in French conversation at Highline Community College and while it is not for credit, I am happy she is doing something to keep up her language skills.
So that is a little slice of our life right now. Does anyone read this? I am thinking of giving up on posting pictures unless I get a comment or two. That is not asking much, folks.
So, people have asked, "Is Anna Rae different?" and I must say "Yes, and No." She still is unapproachable in the first 2 hours of the morning, she still leaves lots of 'stuff' on the floor in her bedroom where it doesn't belong, she still talks ALOT, she has HUGE computer time needs, she watches MTV and TV in general, WAY too much, she lives here but she spends alot of time away from the house. She has been doing a lot of childcare for families; actually raking in quite a bit of income in these last weeks of summer. So how is she diffferent... well more than one person has described her as "Worldly." I do agree with that adjective yet I cringe a little too because when I was growing up if my parents described a teenager as "worldly" their eyebrows would go up as they talked meaning that the
teenager being discussed had morals that were 'suspect'. That is NOT the case with Anna Rae. Her worldliness is a genuine, first hand knowledge that there are cultures with customs, beliefs, and economic realities that should be more understood and respected by Americans. For example, when friends and relatives start talking about the high price of gas (currently $2.63/gal.) she informs us that gas has been well over $5.00 a gallon since December in Europe (she did the math to convert Euros to Dollars and Liters to Gallons). If possible, she is more confident; a quality that she has always had in abundance. She is driving here, there, and everywhere in West Seattle and Burien; oftentimes toting along the kids in her charge. Although she did not drive at all in France, I am more comfortable with her driving skills now than I was a year ago. She is taking an advanced class in French conversation at Highline Community College and while it is not for credit, I am happy she is doing something to keep up her language skills.
So that is a little slice of our life right now. Does anyone read this? I am thinking of giving up on posting pictures unless I get a comment or two. That is not asking much, folks.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Victoire de Samothrace
One last photo from the Louvre. To get an idea of the size of this winged woman, look at the heads of the people on the left.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Copying the Masters
I suppose there is nothing comparable to
copying the masters for an aspiring artist to nail down a technique or style. I wonder if they sell their copies to high end furniture stores for 'above the couch'
decorating?
copying the masters for an aspiring artist to nail down a technique or style. I wonder if they sell their copies to high end furniture stores for 'above the couch'
decorating?
The Louvre
The line to get into the Louvre was not unbearable; maybe only a half hour. We arrived at about 15 minutes before openning time and once inside the door, the automated ticket machines made it a breeze to be in amongst the works of
the masters: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and many others obscure to me. Now that I am home I am going to drag out that coffee table book of 'Old Master Paintings from the Louvre' so I can make a little more sense of at least some of the paintings and sculptures I saw.
the masters: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and many others obscure to me. Now that I am home I am going to drag out that coffee table book of 'Old Master Paintings from the Louvre' so I can make a little more sense of at least some of the paintings and sculptures I saw.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Emilly and Anna Rae
This is one of Anna Rae's host sisters, Emilly. She is part of Family #3. Emilly
is going to school in Paris, learning to be an architectural designer. We went out to eat together and then walked around Paris. We walked down one of the neatest streets lined with inexpensive, diverse restaurants. I wish I could remember the name of it. It was sort of near the Sorbonne and Place St. Michel. It was very hard to find; we stumbled on it twice by accident but Emilly could walk us right to it! Emilly is outgoing,
passionate about her studies, and just the best of role models as 'big sister' to Anna Rae.
is going to school in Paris, learning to be an architectural designer. We went out to eat together and then walked around Paris. We walked down one of the neatest streets lined with inexpensive, diverse restaurants. I wish I could remember the name of it. It was sort of near the Sorbonne and Place St. Michel. It was very hard to find; we stumbled on it twice by accident but Emilly could walk us right to it! Emilly is outgoing,
passionate about her studies, and just the best of role models as 'big sister' to Anna Rae.
A Paris Sunset
It amazes me how such a big structure can also look so delicate and refined. We zipped down the stairs pretty quick to meet Chris at the dock on the Seine to take the Batobus back to Notre Dame.
Eiffel Tower
The guide books say it was constructed for no other reason than to impress and I must say the Eiffel Tower certainly succeeds at that. It is a magnificent structure and my guess is it is the most photographed building in France and maybe in the world. AR and I climbed the stairs to the second floor which was the cheaper choice, with a very short line and the view was sufficient for us. Lots of people were picnicing in the park below. It was another hot day but there was a good wind and we went close to sunset.
Deportation Memorial
This memorial is in a small park like setting behind Notre dame. Each little crystal light represents a French Holocaust victim (200,000). It is an emotionally moving and respectful display that encourages us to "Forgive But Not Forget."
Monday, July 25, 2005
Camille and Anna Rae
Camille and Anna Rae became pen pals when they were in 6th or 7th grade. She was Anna Rae's first French friend. Finally in Paris they got to meet each other face to face! Camille and her parents drove 4 hours from Lille to meet us. We spent the day together; visiting Montmarte which is the neighborhood that was frequented by Toulouse Lautrec and also has the Sacre'-Coeure which is a beautiful but relatively young church (130yrs). We also walked on the Champs-Elysees and looked in some of the ritzy stores. We walked a heck of a lot and it was hotter than blazes. While Camille writes pretty good English, she is VERY shy and hardly said a dozen words in English all day long! Her mom spoke a little English, her dad none and
Chris and I as you know are totally ignorant of any French other than bonjour, merci, oui, non, pardon, bon apetite, and au revoir. So guess who did most of the communicating....Anna Rae.
She must've been exhausted by the end of the day. This visit was a good example of how a French family went out of their way to extend hospitality towards us.
Chris and I as you know are totally ignorant of any French other than bonjour, merci, oui, non, pardon, bon apetite, and au revoir. So guess who did most of the communicating....Anna Rae.
She must've been exhausted by the end of the day. This visit was a good example of how a French family went out of their way to extend hospitality towards us.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Tuilieres
The Tuilieres Garden was once the private property of kings and queens. While they say it has been newly renovated, I found it quite disappointing as gardens go. I disliked the dusty, gravelly paths and none of the plantings were anything to 'write home about'. However, there were some relaxing outdoor cafes in the park that offered great vantage points for people watching. I also liked the way the
path of the park leads your eye straight to the Place de la Concorde (where the Tour de France ended today; Yeah Lance!)
and the Champs-Elysees.
path of the park leads your eye straight to the Place de la Concorde (where the Tour de France ended today; Yeah Lance!)
and the Champs-Elysees.
Looking Out Over Paris
This photo was taken from the tower of Notre Dame. do you seethe Eiffel Tower in the background?
So Classic
Ok. I expect to hear you "oooh" and "ahh" over this shot. If pressed to choose it is probably my favorite photo from our trip, or at least from Paris. I like the green of the statues against all the greys.
Notre Dame
That's me in the left hand corner. Chris and AR gave me the hardest time for taking oodles and oodles of pictures of Notre Dame. It was just so irresistable to me; it was directly across from our hotel, it is wonderfully ornate, it sits still and looks good in any light! The one picture I missed was of the day we arrived when it was POURING rain. There was lightning and thunder and streams of water were whipping in the wind from the mouths of the gargoyles.
Marion and Anna Rae
We also managed to visit Anna Rae's first host family. Anna Rae had some school books to return to them so we made somewhat of an impromptu visit. This is Marion, one of her 3 host sisters at this family. Marion was ana exchange student in Seattle in '03-'04 at Ballard H.S. and in fact she is visiting in Seattle right now.
We hope to have her here for dinner at least once. After her visit in Seattle Marion will head to Toronto where she will be joined by her parents and they will help her settle into an apartment as she begins her first year at the University there.
We hope to have her here for dinner at least once. After her visit in Seattle Marion will head to Toronto where she will be joined by her parents and they will help her settle into an apartment as she begins her first year at the University there.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
View from the Chateau
Photography was not allowed inside the chateau. This is the view from outside the looking toward Menthon. I know I have some relatives who are 'novice readers' of my blog. So this bit of advice is for you: if you want to see a bigger version of any picture just double click on the picture.
Chateau de Menthon St.- Bernard
Talk about waking up and thinking you were in a fairy tale; this is what we could see by looking out Gerard and Moniques' kitchen window. The Lords of Menthon who have had descendents since the 11th century, still occupy the premises of the castle. I hiked up to it alone on my second morning in France and took the tour.(Something, to my surprise, that Anna Rae has not done!) The tour is set up like a theatre production; as you move from room to room you are greeted by young actors and actresses dressed in 11th century garb and they take on a role and tell you about the room you are in; unfortunately for me it was all in French. I really enjoyed it just the same and if I ever go back I would do it again...with a translator!
Anna Rae with Family # 3
That evening we went to dinner at the home of Anna Rae's third family. Saying 'Family # 3' doesn't mean to cast a cold and impersonal tone; by numbering them you can get an inkling of Anna Rae' development in learning the culture and language. For example: family #1 got 'baby Anna Rae' because last August she knew not a word of French, family # 2 most likely got the 'middle school Anna Rae' (You know how kids think they know more than they do at that age?) and now family # 3 gets the personality closest to the Anna Rae we have at home now. Anna Rae liked all her families but this one was special to her because she arranged the invitation to stay with them. The first 2 families were Rotary placements that were scheduled for her before she went to France. In the picture you see Anna Rae, Anne, Phillipe, and Hugo. They fixed us a fabulous dinner with all the courses: champagne, mixed nuts and crackers as an apertif, a salad of sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and pickled beets and bread was on the table by now too, then an incredible stew of salmon and scallops in a tomatoe base and rice on the side,then came the cheese board with Brie, Comte, and another soft cheese I can't recall (I LOVED all the cheese I had in France!) Dessert was a berry torte or pie. Oh yes, we drank a white and a rose wine with our meal; and yes it felt strange at first to have Anna Rae drink with us.
At the Castle Wall
This is taken at the wall surrounding the castle in Annecy. I like the view looking down and out at all the red roof tops.
the breeze kept the heat from being unbearable. I remember I was feeling quite exhausted at this point, jet lag was setting in.I didn't even protest when Anna Rae said she didn't intend on taking us into the castle because, in her words, "There is not much to see."
the breeze kept the heat from being unbearable. I remember I was feeling quite exhausted at this point, jet lag was setting in.I didn't even protest when Anna Rae said she didn't intend on taking us into the castle because, in her words, "There is not much to see."
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Second Host Family
This is the Coupe-Callens family (minus a son who lives in another city). We had lunch with them on our first day in France. Actually is was more like the main meal: apertifs, a salad, baked potatoes and shish kebobs off the grill, wine, cheese, bread, and berries with ice cream for dessert. I am not going to even begin to name the cheeses; there are so many, more soft cheeses than I ever knew existed. Stinky? Yes! But definitely delicious. Caroline, the daughter, is going to be on an exchange in the Detroit area this coming school year. After eating we went to the pharmacy that they own. It is a very hi-tech place with a robot that shelves and retrieves medicines from a stockroom. The robot scans each item as it is shelved or sold so that they have an up to date inventory at all times. It was very interesting to watch it zip back and forth retrieving items from the shelves in the stock area.
Anna Rae and Chris
Yes, I know, it looks just like they stepped into a post card. It really is that beautiful. Anna Rae's friends thought
her dad was 'cute' which of course pleased him no end! Boats go in and out of certain of the canals but it is strictly forbidden
to swim or wade in them and I never saw anyone even try it, although in the heat, I certainly was tempted.
*What looks different about Chris? Do you notice?
her dad was 'cute' which of course pleased him no end! Boats go in and out of certain of the canals but it is strictly forbidden
to swim or wade in them and I never saw anyone even try it, although in the heat, I certainly was tempted.
*What looks different about Chris? Do you notice?
Annecy, 'The Old Town'
Anna Rae had us tightly scheduled from the first morning we arrived until we left for Paris 3 days later. Here we are in front of one of the canals in the old part of town. I was told that there were more
canals in the past but many have been covered to allow for building and road construction.
canals in the past but many have been covered to allow for building and road construction.
Giddy-up!
I have decided to write my updates on our European adventures through some of the 600 or more photos I have taken: don't worry I probably won't get more than 25 put onto the blog. How is this for a 'first morning in France' adventure? This is me riding Gerrard's horse back to the pasture after the horse's early morning swim in Lac Annecy. Chris rode the horse to the lake, Gerrard rode her in the water, and I did the ride home. I have pictures of them too, but like I said, I want to keep this at 25 photos or thereabouts.
Gerrard and Monique's House
This is the home that Chris and I stayed in during our time in Annecy, France. Monique was Anna Rae's choir director
during her year in France. More welcoming
hosts we could not have found anywhere.
Their house was originally the site of a
cider press. Well, actually the press is still in the basement apartment. It is HUGE: about 6 feet in height and nearly as big around. It is no longer in operation. If I had taken the picture from the front you would have seen the title of the house painted just under the roof line: Le Presseior (or however 'The Press' is spelled in French).
during her year in France. More welcoming
hosts we could not have found anywhere.
Their house was originally the site of a
cider press. Well, actually the press is still in the basement apartment. It is HUGE: about 6 feet in height and nearly as big around. It is no longer in operation. If I had taken the picture from the front you would have seen the title of the house painted just under the roof line: Le Presseior (or however 'The Press' is spelled in French).
The Wait is Over!
This is Anna Rae meeting us in the airport in Geneva on June 23rd. That is our friend, Gerrard, to her right. It was Chris' brilliant idea to take a picture, and I am SO glad he did! We were just so delighted to see each other. The phrase
'grinning ear to ear' could be used to describe any one of us.
'grinning ear to ear' could be used to describe any one of us.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Gather around. Look! See!
The rule and slogan that the children were taught by the beach naturalist was "Bring the teacher to the creature, NOT the creature to the teacher!" So all morning we were hearing, "Come here, come here, look at this!" They were so excited and happy and rarely did anyone look up long enough for a picture; they were so fascinated by the life they found at low tide.
Wow! You kids are GREAT!
Nicole, the naturalist from Seattle's
aquarium was so surprised when one of my students ran up to her yelling "Come see the Mossy Chiton!" Chitons are plentiful but to have a kindergartener identify it AND be able to tell her he ate by using his radula, well that is impressive. Ok now, how many of my readers out there can tell me what a radula is?
aquarium was so surprised when one of my students ran up to her yelling "Come see the Mossy Chiton!" Chitons are plentiful but to have a kindergartener identify it AND be able to tell her he ate by using his radula, well that is impressive. Ok now, how many of my readers out there can tell me what a radula is?
Lovely Day for A Low Tide Field Trip
Last Monday, June 6 we took the kindergarteners to Emma Schmitz Beach park for a low tide field trip. The weather man's forecast of rain never materialized and we had a wonderful time exploring tide pools and eating our lunch on beach logs.
We saw lots of anemones, barnacles, chitons, whelks, mussels, bamboo worms, sculpins, moon snail collars and more but we only saw one sea star this time. All the more reason to go back on my own.
We saw lots of anemones, barnacles, chitons, whelks, mussels, bamboo worms, sculpins, moon snail collars and more but we only saw one sea star this time. All the more reason to go back on my own.
Moon Snail Shell
Ben squints into the sun as he shows off his find; an empty moon snail shell. He put it down gently right where he found it after I took the photo. All the kids were so good at honoring the ecology of the beach, although it wasn't easy.
Touching a Sea Worm
The girls sorely wanted to pick up the Sea Worm but did as the beach naturalist requested and just petted it gently with a wet finger.
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