Well, it's that time of the year again that we must celebrate how thankful we are of our blessings each day. It's been a part of an American tradition brought by our founding fathers of this so called New World as a peace offering for the natives who once inhabit this great land.
To some, they call it "Turkey Day" because they get to prepare turkey to be shared by the whole family on the table during dinner time. It was a tradition long upheld for and was been celebrated by the whole American people wherever they are situated around the globe.
To some this is the time to be thankful of everything they have, of the blessings they got throughout the whole year, and for the success they committed. Not just the good ones but also for the bad ones because without them life would not be balanced.
For me being away with my immediate family is hard and I tend to celebrate it alone. I am just trying to mend my situation just to be with the spirit of the celebration. And I got used to it celebrating alone each year with myself. Even friends I call my own, if I have some, I totally shut them off me because I don't want to feel nostalgic about it. At least with myself I get to heal myself right away if I get emotional.
I don't know if this is a selfish act but all I do know is that I am just trying to protect myself and avoid myself got misinterpreted which I always gotten most of the time. I just don't want to hassle other people with my own problems and mishaps. I just wanted to take it all alone and cure it eventually as time will pass and it's always that way.
All I do is I just have to pray to Him intently and thank Him for everything He does to my life and my love ones on a day to day basis from this year and the years that had past. I always succumb myself to a heart to heart talk with Him all alone by myself spending quality time with Him for the whole day. And I am always glad I did it every time because have I not I don't know where I am at right now.
There were some heavy problems I have in the past which I myself had calculated could not do alone but I am glad I had surpassed it. That one I am most thankful of. There were times that I almost lose hope and almost gave up my faith and I am thankful I did not succumb to it and had intrepidly fought my life out of it. There were some times that the most darkest times in my life had clouded me and almost had won me over and I am thankful I continued the straighter path to come out towards the light and I admitted I struggled sometimes but I kept a level headed decisions to make it possible. All of that, I am thankful because of Him who gave me strength.
Life is no easy journey. We have to do our own course and believe me that course is not that easy. There were times that I stumbled several times yet I always stood up and continued it. There were times that I've almost given up but I have to think about the consequences if I do so. There were times that I always struggled about the challenges I am into but I just get on and learn from it even if it means defeat.
Defeat is not the end of it. It is not a dead end but a chance for us to take another alternate way. That's the alternative it offered us all the time. We always made mistakes along the way but it doesn't mean we have to give up with our challenges. Mistakes just merely means that we have to change our path in order to arrive to our goals. And I believe always that mistakes were always there for us to learn from it.
On this Thanksgiving Day I am so thankful that I am alive. I am thankful of the life that has sustained me to continue to do good to my fellows. That life is a gift that I needed to share with others and not keep or shut it away from them. That life is what makes the world go round.
I am thankful that I have a family to call my own and friends to lean on. Yet whatever they are I am so grateful to have them in my life. That they were there because they have a purpose for me. That they were His gifts to me because they are part of my life.
I am thankful because I lived on this earth. That there is life sustaining it. That the earth is everything for us and we must take care of it. The plants, the animals, the buildings, the air, the water, etc. I am thankful for everything He has created because it is beautiful to me.
I am thankful that I have a work I can call a job. Because without it I cannot continue helping my family to live life. That I am fortunate enough compared to other people who doesn't have a job to help their family and have no food at the table everyday.
I am very sorry for them that they have to live this way. I mean some tried to be good enough but they falter to do bad because they were compelled to do it out of hopelessness. I can't blame them but my heart goes out for them. They did not chose to be there but they have their options to do the right or the bad thing.
Everything is complicated around us but no matter what, we always have to think that He put the brain higher than our hearts because we have to make a lot of decision making before following what our heart says. It's that simple rule but it's hard to do for I myself was in a similar situation before.
Oh well...... I was just thankful for everything. No regrets in me because everything that happened to me makes the whole me and I made a choice which I learned a lot. I am thankful for everything that had happened to my life and that's the spirit of Thanksgiving Day for me.
Thanksgiving is not just counting my blessings but also realizing that I am a human being, prone to a lot of mistakes and is willing to change.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Joys Of Traveling
November 3, 2011: Hello peeps. When you've gotten to a situation to do traveling please get to involve yourself with it and take the opportunity at hand because it only happens once and you will not regret it at the end.
Well, my travels had made me aware of myself and my surroundings. I get to observe what the people are commonly doing in certain places. I have to know about the language they're speaking and most importantly I have to know how to calculate directions to save time.
My travels have made me a well seasoned person and I cannot make myself proud enough but just pat my back for being such a good one and for a job well done. Usually I traveled on my own but having the company of my best friend who really knows how to navigate directions because she had lived there for so long and had spoken and knew the language had added up to my consciousness because she's been orientating me of what to do and expect every time we embark on a new adventure.
Traveling is a joy to do. I got to meet different kinds of people. Mingle with them and observe how they act and do their day-to-day routines is a rare opportunity that happened to me. The subway is a good place to observe all these and it's a joy to watch how it's being done every day.
The coming in and out of different people of all walks of life from the train and their fast strides when going in and out of the subway or getting in and out of the train was just as dizzying and chaotic as hearing the invariable tapping of the shoes on the cobblestone pavement. The mixture of their movements, gestures, postures, and steps creates a chaotic, disorganized, and unharmonious music to the atmosphere and surroundings. It was very fascinating!
Being in a place that looks strange to me is quite a huge and atypical challenge. I got the chance to calculate, assess, recalculate, and evaluate what I needed to do before I attack the dire situation or problem. I became more keen and aware of what to ask and do before I make such valid decisions and I am so proud of myself for being so valiant and intrepid in making the right choices or decisions.
The surroundings of the places I've been had made me inspired and had brought me back to a certain period of time where I can clearly imagine myself having eternal respite and it seems that it was playing and taunting my disoriented mind that I actually exist in that era. It was nostalgic yet very endearing and quite delusional but it seems that it's was indeed real.
I tend to appreciate the beauty of the buildings and gilded architectures as well as appreciate the differences between the cultures, customs, practices, beliefs, food, and people of each country. I kind of imbued myself in taking lots and lots of pictures of all these places I've been and tried to click the camera's memory to reminisce my unholy times from these travels after spending a day or two in another place. It's quite a best memory reminder and a good icebreaker.
I tend to enjoy the regional and seasonal foods of each place which had titillated my personal food tastes and choices. I kind of try and know how to speak the language and had ordered them with the guidance of my friend beside me. And eventually, I had the honor to eat and taste these foods that I've ordered and compared it to the one I have previously eaten. T'was a minor miserable mistake but it's quite a habit now.
Traveling had made me more adept in using the subways and understand it's directions whether going north or south and east or west. I can now make choices on what mode of transportation I can take but it seems I am still fixated with the train or using the subway or Metro because to me it's more easy to understand. Well, this is Europe and the train is always accessible every where.
And lastly, this travel could not be possible without enough financial reserve that keeps my traveling going or else if the reserve rans out then my travels will be at halt or at a dead end. Money talks here people and everything in Europe is expensive if you don't know that. Just a caring and friendly warning from me peeps!
In the end, my travels had really influenced me the way I am now. I kind of know different cultures and customs of each country I've been to and I honestly loved to immitate what I've observed just for a change. It's really good to imbibe myself with some of these cultures and pretend I'm one of them because it feels very uplifting to me to mingle and internalized their practices. Funny huh! They say in order to understand the place you must immersed yourself with them.
My travels had really inspired me so much, the one I couldn't barter with any gazillion wealth on earth because as I grow old it will stay and stick at the back of my head and nobody can take that away from me and never a chance to erase it in my memory. It was such fun to have done it and a great unforgettable experience although there was some minor setbacks along the way yet my travels will always go on rain or shine.
No one can beat the way I do my traveling and trekking around and I really have to congratulate myself that I have done it that way so far. Having to travel to four countries in such a short time is a great and gigantic achievement and it was a magnificent awesome job I've accomplished and I greatly deserved an honest, touching, and sincere pat on my back.
Eventhough I got sick, tired, fatigued, and exhausted during these travels yet looking back at my pictures posted on my Facebook albums I can honestly say the I really have scoured the world with a fulfilling pride, enjoyable fun, nail-biting apprehensions, minor setbacks, and magical glee. It was totally and enormously awesome! That's how very inspired and excited I am doing my unplanned itineraries.
Life can be a bitch but my travels never can be an itch. I loved everything I've been doing during my travels and it's all secured in my memory bank. It's really a joy to have done it and if given another rare chance I will not hesitate doing it again..... now in a magical way.
If you have a chance to do traveling then don't hesitate doing it, charge yourself up and enjoy every bit of it. Congratulations and enjoy your travels because I really do enjoy mine. Pick up some good lessons along the way and come back whole to your family and love ones.
Life is good and traveling is a big break for me to handle myself alone in the mixed world of realities. Good luck.
Well, my travels had made me aware of myself and my surroundings. I get to observe what the people are commonly doing in certain places. I have to know about the language they're speaking and most importantly I have to know how to calculate directions to save time.
My travels have made me a well seasoned person and I cannot make myself proud enough but just pat my back for being such a good one and for a job well done. Usually I traveled on my own but having the company of my best friend who really knows how to navigate directions because she had lived there for so long and had spoken and knew the language had added up to my consciousness because she's been orientating me of what to do and expect every time we embark on a new adventure.
Traveling is a joy to do. I got to meet different kinds of people. Mingle with them and observe how they act and do their day-to-day routines is a rare opportunity that happened to me. The subway is a good place to observe all these and it's a joy to watch how it's being done every day.
The coming in and out of different people of all walks of life from the train and their fast strides when going in and out of the subway or getting in and out of the train was just as dizzying and chaotic as hearing the invariable tapping of the shoes on the cobblestone pavement. The mixture of their movements, gestures, postures, and steps creates a chaotic, disorganized, and unharmonious music to the atmosphere and surroundings. It was very fascinating!
Being in a place that looks strange to me is quite a huge and atypical challenge. I got the chance to calculate, assess, recalculate, and evaluate what I needed to do before I attack the dire situation or problem. I became more keen and aware of what to ask and do before I make such valid decisions and I am so proud of myself for being so valiant and intrepid in making the right choices or decisions.
The surroundings of the places I've been had made me inspired and had brought me back to a certain period of time where I can clearly imagine myself having eternal respite and it seems that it was playing and taunting my disoriented mind that I actually exist in that era. It was nostalgic yet very endearing and quite delusional but it seems that it's was indeed real.
I tend to appreciate the beauty of the buildings and gilded architectures as well as appreciate the differences between the cultures, customs, practices, beliefs, food, and people of each country. I kind of imbued myself in taking lots and lots of pictures of all these places I've been and tried to click the camera's memory to reminisce my unholy times from these travels after spending a day or two in another place. It's quite a best memory reminder and a good icebreaker.
I tend to enjoy the regional and seasonal foods of each place which had titillated my personal food tastes and choices. I kind of try and know how to speak the language and had ordered them with the guidance of my friend beside me. And eventually, I had the honor to eat and taste these foods that I've ordered and compared it to the one I have previously eaten. T'was a minor miserable mistake but it's quite a habit now.
Traveling had made me more adept in using the subways and understand it's directions whether going north or south and east or west. I can now make choices on what mode of transportation I can take but it seems I am still fixated with the train or using the subway or Metro because to me it's more easy to understand. Well, this is Europe and the train is always accessible every where.
And lastly, this travel could not be possible without enough financial reserve that keeps my traveling going or else if the reserve rans out then my travels will be at halt or at a dead end. Money talks here people and everything in Europe is expensive if you don't know that. Just a caring and friendly warning from me peeps!
In the end, my travels had really influenced me the way I am now. I kind of know different cultures and customs of each country I've been to and I honestly loved to immitate what I've observed just for a change. It's really good to imbibe myself with some of these cultures and pretend I'm one of them because it feels very uplifting to me to mingle and internalized their practices. Funny huh! They say in order to understand the place you must immersed yourself with them.
My travels had really inspired me so much, the one I couldn't barter with any gazillion wealth on earth because as I grow old it will stay and stick at the back of my head and nobody can take that away from me and never a chance to erase it in my memory. It was such fun to have done it and a great unforgettable experience although there was some minor setbacks along the way yet my travels will always go on rain or shine.
No one can beat the way I do my traveling and trekking around and I really have to congratulate myself that I have done it that way so far. Having to travel to four countries in such a short time is a great and gigantic achievement and it was a magnificent awesome job I've accomplished and I greatly deserved an honest, touching, and sincere pat on my back.
Eventhough I got sick, tired, fatigued, and exhausted during these travels yet looking back at my pictures posted on my Facebook albums I can honestly say the I really have scoured the world with a fulfilling pride, enjoyable fun, nail-biting apprehensions, minor setbacks, and magical glee. It was totally and enormously awesome! That's how very inspired and excited I am doing my unplanned itineraries.
Life can be a bitch but my travels never can be an itch. I loved everything I've been doing during my travels and it's all secured in my memory bank. It's really a joy to have done it and if given another rare chance I will not hesitate doing it again..... now in a magical way.
If you have a chance to do traveling then don't hesitate doing it, charge yourself up and enjoy every bit of it. Congratulations and enjoy your travels because I really do enjoy mine. Pick up some good lessons along the way and come back whole to your family and love ones.
Life is good and traveling is a big break for me to handle myself alone in the mixed world of realities. Good luck.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Los Angeles Arrival
November 3, 2011: It was so poignant leaving Paris with a pouring rain. It seems that the Parisian skies was crying for my departure and never wanted me to leave. My friend Doreen had been patient in accompanying me to the airport and waiting for me to go inside the the boarding area. I hate the surprise of goodbyes and I cannot stop myself yielding to melancholy.
The trip from Paris to Washington was very long but I tried to keep myself succumb to sleep to regain my strength from being fatigued after all this back to back travels we did the previous few weeks. After three weeks of traveling my fragile body had surrendered to infirmity and I got a cold with drippy nose and occasional nagging cough.
I was so worried because I was thinking the immigration in Washington will quarantine me while they were looking for the cause of the cold and cough. Before I left Paris I was already brewing a low grade fever but I took Tylenol right away before boarding and at the plane I asked for an aspirin because they don't have Tylenol.
My three weeks travel was super super duper packed with memorable adventures, dizzying fun, unforgettable memories, and of course hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I can't wait to tell my close friends at work in Los Angeles about my brave adventures in Europe. For sure they were anxiously waiting for me and can't wait to hear my fantastic experiences and unreal personal stories.
It was a fun travel and was fully loaded of lots and lots of unforgettable memories. We never stopped until our bodies resigned and succumbed to illness. Doreen had a hip fracture and was always grimacing and limping every time we go. It was a torture seeing her limp but she is in denial about it. And I have a forever nagging cough and sometimes occasional agitating wheezing and hard snoring spells.
When we got to Washington Dulles International Airport we were instructed to retrieve our luggages and pass through immigration again which I successfully passed without any problems or querries. Then I wheeled the luggages to the domestic flight transfer carousel and then I went up to the local or domestic airport and looked for the boarding gate for my flight back to Los Angeles. My lay-over in Washington was only one-and-a-half hour.
When I boarded the plane going to Los Angeles I then realized that I am on my way home and will have to face reality again. Now reality was my concern and number enemy. I was so excited yet adamant at he same time because I still feel that I am on vacation but I cannot afford it because I need to work and pay the bills. The flight to Los Angeles is three hours and was boring but uneventful.
Upon arrival at LAX I waited to retrieve my luggages and called a taxi to drive me home. The taxi driver was Armenian preferably about early forties. He was jabbing a lot inside the car about things like life, family, work, etc. It's not political but I sensed he is a smart and funny guy. He seems to be a nice guy so I tipped him $10 when I got home. He also helped me with my luggages and he was very courteous.
When I got home then it is now true that I am home at last. I have to pinch myself several times. I excitedly opened my apartment's door and had noticed that the top lock was open except the lower lock which was locked. I just brushed off my suspicion at the back of my head but it really bothers me a lot.
I went in to the apartment and placed my luggages at the living room and then I went to my room to turn on the laptop (my usual habit or routine when arriving home) and then I realized that the laptop was magically gone at it's majestic place on my bedside table. I then panicked and don't know what to do. I felt blank that time and was shuddering slightly inside my own apartment.
I then checked some of my properties inside the room and I noticed that there's a lot of things missing. I lastly checked the investment jewelry box under my bed hidden in a shoebox and had realized that it stolen and gone. Then boom...... a sudden shock had consumed or attacked me because the thief had taken the investment jewelry box (which is full of my investment jewelries). And it was a horrible feeling to see my room in disarray.
I shuddered badly alone in my room and rationally think what to do. I decided to call 911 and reported about my discovery, the theft, etc. The police came after three hours then asked me a lot of questions and had recorded a lot of queries pertaining to the burglary. She then instructed me what to do next and told me to wait for a call from their office for the fingerprinting of all the stuff in my house that can link for the the occurrence of the crime.
I then went outside and went to my landlord's house and told him what had happened. He was also shocked initially and told me that everything was just plain crazy and simply shocking. He told me that he had no idea of this very thing and had promised to help me with my enormous problems. He then went to my apartment and checked everything and he told me that the thief went into my bedroom's window. He also noticed that the window locks were open and I told him that I never closed the locks especially during those hot summer days..
My head was still riling from the long hours trip from Paris CDG to LAX and now this burglary case had greeted me condescendingly, mocking me that I deserved it despite of my happy and funny experiences in Europe. You know what.... I was contemplating that may be the thief was just living with us because nobody can pass through those two dogs. So technically, the dog's might probably know him.
Well, sorry for my angry mood. I just arrived from Paris yet my homecoming was highly unlikely not a welcome homecoming. My apartment was been burglarized and this greeted me during my official homecoming. It was unfortunate that this happens to me yet I was still shock about it.
At least I arrived in Los Angeles in a better condition and hopefully this burglary will be solved eventually. I am here to savor my homecoming day and not ruin or spoil it. Things happens for a reason and for sure I will find it out soon.
I am glad I'm back here in Los Angeles despite of the shocking scene that greeted me but I'm here ready to go back to work, rumble, and kick some ass....... as well as accept the reality that I will be busy in the following weeks. Aaaah..... it's nice to be back home!
The trip from Paris to Washington was very long but I tried to keep myself succumb to sleep to regain my strength from being fatigued after all this back to back travels we did the previous few weeks. After three weeks of traveling my fragile body had surrendered to infirmity and I got a cold with drippy nose and occasional nagging cough.
I was so worried because I was thinking the immigration in Washington will quarantine me while they were looking for the cause of the cold and cough. Before I left Paris I was already brewing a low grade fever but I took Tylenol right away before boarding and at the plane I asked for an aspirin because they don't have Tylenol.
My three weeks travel was super super duper packed with memorable adventures, dizzying fun, unforgettable memories, and of course hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I can't wait to tell my close friends at work in Los Angeles about my brave adventures in Europe. For sure they were anxiously waiting for me and can't wait to hear my fantastic experiences and unreal personal stories.
It was a fun travel and was fully loaded of lots and lots of unforgettable memories. We never stopped until our bodies resigned and succumbed to illness. Doreen had a hip fracture and was always grimacing and limping every time we go. It was a torture seeing her limp but she is in denial about it. And I have a forever nagging cough and sometimes occasional agitating wheezing and hard snoring spells.
When we got to Washington Dulles International Airport we were instructed to retrieve our luggages and pass through immigration again which I successfully passed without any problems or querries. Then I wheeled the luggages to the domestic flight transfer carousel and then I went up to the local or domestic airport and looked for the boarding gate for my flight back to Los Angeles. My lay-over in Washington was only one-and-a-half hour.
When I boarded the plane going to Los Angeles I then realized that I am on my way home and will have to face reality again. Now reality was my concern and number enemy. I was so excited yet adamant at he same time because I still feel that I am on vacation but I cannot afford it because I need to work and pay the bills. The flight to Los Angeles is three hours and was boring but uneventful.
Upon arrival at LAX I waited to retrieve my luggages and called a taxi to drive me home. The taxi driver was Armenian preferably about early forties. He was jabbing a lot inside the car about things like life, family, work, etc. It's not political but I sensed he is a smart and funny guy. He seems to be a nice guy so I tipped him $10 when I got home. He also helped me with my luggages and he was very courteous.
When I got home then it is now true that I am home at last. I have to pinch myself several times. I excitedly opened my apartment's door and had noticed that the top lock was open except the lower lock which was locked. I just brushed off my suspicion at the back of my head but it really bothers me a lot.
I went in to the apartment and placed my luggages at the living room and then I went to my room to turn on the laptop (my usual habit or routine when arriving home) and then I realized that the laptop was magically gone at it's majestic place on my bedside table. I then panicked and don't know what to do. I felt blank that time and was shuddering slightly inside my own apartment.
I then checked some of my properties inside the room and I noticed that there's a lot of things missing. I lastly checked the investment jewelry box under my bed hidden in a shoebox and had realized that it stolen and gone. Then boom...... a sudden shock had consumed or attacked me because the thief had taken the investment jewelry box (which is full of my investment jewelries). And it was a horrible feeling to see my room in disarray.
I shuddered badly alone in my room and rationally think what to do. I decided to call 911 and reported about my discovery, the theft, etc. The police came after three hours then asked me a lot of questions and had recorded a lot of queries pertaining to the burglary. She then instructed me what to do next and told me to wait for a call from their office for the fingerprinting of all the stuff in my house that can link for the the occurrence of the crime.
I then went outside and went to my landlord's house and told him what had happened. He was also shocked initially and told me that everything was just plain crazy and simply shocking. He told me that he had no idea of this very thing and had promised to help me with my enormous problems. He then went to my apartment and checked everything and he told me that the thief went into my bedroom's window. He also noticed that the window locks were open and I told him that I never closed the locks especially during those hot summer days..
My head was still riling from the long hours trip from Paris CDG to LAX and now this burglary case had greeted me condescendingly, mocking me that I deserved it despite of my happy and funny experiences in Europe. You know what.... I was contemplating that may be the thief was just living with us because nobody can pass through those two dogs. So technically, the dog's might probably know him.
Well, sorry for my angry mood. I just arrived from Paris yet my homecoming was highly unlikely not a welcome homecoming. My apartment was been burglarized and this greeted me during my official homecoming. It was unfortunate that this happens to me yet I was still shock about it.
At least I arrived in Los Angeles in a better condition and hopefully this burglary will be solved eventually. I am here to savor my homecoming day and not ruin or spoil it. Things happens for a reason and for sure I will find it out soon.
I am glad I'm back here in Los Angeles despite of the shocking scene that greeted me but I'm here ready to go back to work, rumble, and kick some ass....... as well as accept the reality that I will be busy in the following weeks. Aaaah..... it's nice to be back home!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Reminiscing My European Travels
November 2, 2011: It seems that I am fortunate enough to have traveled half the globe and solely discovered how well the people in that part of the world live life on a day to day basis. It was a great opportunity that I can never ever forget.
In this vacation, I went to four different countries and had explored several unforgettable and beautiful cities that I can still picture, like a movie, clearly playing in my finicky mind. Mingling with the various cultures of each country is a tad challenging job for me, yet it doesn't hinder my drive and eagerness in exploring these wonderful places that I am able to visit, to quench the million dollar-questions that had bombarded my voracious conscious mind, since I grew up way back home in the Philippines.
On this blog, I have to compare all four beautiful countries in retrospect and cover their culture, people, arts, architectures, food, transportation, and everyday lifestyle which I meticulously observed, described, and personally expounded here. Kind of writing an article in a travel magazine. I'm quite excited with this plan and what I'm getting at. Hopefully I can still vividly remember everything that I have experienced because three weeks of walking, exploring, and mingling in a highly strange environment was extremely quite taxing and entailed a lot more time for me to remember and recall, that I felt I already had gradually forgotten.
S P A I N: I went to Barcelona on the first few days of my first week vacation. Actually I spend three days and two nights in this small Spanish City, rich in culture and culinary selections. All in all it's a nice and excellent place to just unwind wonderfully for the weekend after a persevering whole week's work. It is a haven for some minute fun activities for a single and adventurous guy like me. Not really a family oriented place unless you enjoyably visit the famous attractions where family is being centered, targetted, or focused. The place maybe is the gastronomic capital of the world, because restaurants abound the famous "La Ramblas" teeming with people eating, celebrating, and appreciating food.
Architectures: Their architecture is more freestyle and contemporary as seen and evident in all of Gaudi's works especially at "La Sagrada Familia Cathedral", "Pedreras", and "Parq Guell." His conspicuously eye-catching "baroque style" still emanates from his past works. Many buildings dated in the 1500s were being transformed and had been eroded by time but some of Gaudi's work were still being left for preservation.
Arts: The arts were also more freestyle. Rarely, I haven't seen some famous Spanish painter's works on exhibit unless if I go to an actual museum. I have not been to one yet when I was there, but the one famous Spanish painter I knew of, is the infamous Pablo Picasso and his odd works, which also were more contemporary and freestyle like Antoni Gaudi's magnificent sculptures and towering architectures.
Chow: Food was evidently palatable and delicious and the staple "beef tapas" and "paellas" were the bomb and highly recommended when you're in Barcelona, as well as the tasteful drink commonly called "sangria", originally originated from this place, was deliciously addicting. The smooth and delectable "torta" was delightfully satiny soft and very delicious. Lot's of good and competitive restaurants sporadically scattered everywhere but mostly very expensive. A strong Spanish coffee could break the ice and is an excellent sleep buster.
Transportation: The Metro and bus were more accessible and were a common means of transportation. Yet we used the Metro all the time because it's more easier to understand rather than the mind-boggling bus' routes. White-green taxis abounds the whole city but are not reasonable and realistic for our traveling conditions.
People: There were a lot of wandering and mesmerized tourists, especially at the center of the city. A lot of goodlooking guys especially the younger ones. People were more heavy looking because of their knack to eat fatty rich foods. They were congregating at "La Ramblas", a long avenue or boulevard full of nice restaurants and curious tourists, to eat and watch people passing by.
Fashion: It looks like fashion there seems very informal. A lot of people wear T-shirts, jogging-pants, shorts, and jeans with plain and colorful sneakers. Rarely I can see people in formal or semi-formal attires. Yet they all look sleek and goodlooking. It all comes out maybe from their Spanish genes. In my close observation, headphones were a current fashion fad at the Metro station especially now that mp3's are in.
F R A N C E: France is a highly conservative country. A place where I can accustomed myself as an old fashion person emanating during the Victorian period. I love this country because of the overly conscious people that put their efforts in maintaining their well being and health. Most importantly, I love the charming rustic French countryside. However, I'm just turned off with the French's arrogant attitudes except for my friend Arnaud, who showed me around, and is extremely opposite with the locals, as what I've observed.
Architectures: I've been to Paris twice yet what really magically swooned me was the aura of the classical and romantic architectural designs of the various buildings and edifices scattered sporadically all over the city. No wonder why Paris was been noted as "The Romantic City" of the world. The French Opera, Madeliene, Arc de Triomph, the famous Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Church, Louvre Museum, Sacre Cauoer, Versailles Palace etc. were all teeming with intricate yet classical designs. All were globally famous and enormously hinted French architectural styles and designs to me. I mean these were original French structures wished by other people to see, visit, and explore and I am a very fortunate person to have it witnessed personally.
Arts: At the Louvre Museum alone there were a lot of arts that I can peruse depending on what era I want to be. But I am so fortunate to have seen the Renaissance era boasting the magnificent works of da Vinci and Michelangelo as the famous artists. In France, these arts were well preserved at the world renowned Louvre Museum. Whereas, in Versailles the arts were more Victorian in style loaded with numerous original French inspired paintings. The works of Cezanne, Rodin, and Monet depicting mother nature and the day-to-day people were more of a French way of art that I know of.
Chow: Although their food is not that so delectably filling I can grab a convenient wrap or a sandwich at the corner "patisserrie" or "brasserrie." The crunchy "croissant" dipped in a chocolate infused coffee during the morning was very addicting yet it worked and complimented well. I haven't tasted some authentic French cooking yet like the famous "ratatouille" and "bouillabaisse" but I know that the "hors dourves" and "apperitiffs" were exceptionally special especially if coupled with a matching tasty wine. Dipping diced and spiced breads, sliced fruits or veggies in a simmering "fondue" pot, be it a mouth watering first class cheese or a tasty sweet milk chocolate was interestingly fun. As well as slicing a melted cheese from a radiant "raclette" is tediuosly appetite stimulating. The wide array of sweets and desserts especially the "nutty almond macaroon" and the "powdery lady fingers" were famous for the French people especially when coupled with a good hot tea or coffee. And the ever loved soft "crepes" filled with different fruit jams or chocolate spread were exceptionally bedeviled. You can even wrap it in a sandwich and enjoy a hearty healthy meal. Yummy!
Transportation: The Metro is more convenient and accessible especially if you are trapped in a Paris' busy street. Buses were also a staple means of transit but I am accustomed to the subway better because my human navigator was very adept and prolific at it. Trains and buses were also very accessible when you travel on the famous French countryside. When it comes to cars we saw a lot of German cars at the parking lots, be it business or residential. There were Mercedeses and Peugeots at the most.
People: Yeah.... I surely like this part. All I can say is that there is no fat or curvy people in Paris or somewhere in France. There might be some but they're not French, maybe immigrants from neighboring countries. No, that's a hyperbole....... but it's a fact to me actually based on my own personal accounts. People were skinny and very conscious about their health. I can make three boyfriends if I stay and live there longer. Young and old appeared slender and slim, as well as very handsome and goodlooking, although what I don't like from them is their irritating arrogance and aggravating ferocity. It greatly irked me a lot. I'm sorry but it looks so vicious to me.
Fashion: At the subway, you'll notice people are very stylish and fashionably trendy. I seldom see some people wearing sneakers or jogging pants. They were all dressed up formally or semi-formally in leather shoes and slacks for a nice office day. Black and earthen colors were a trend. It must be because it's the usual Fall season colors. Very professional and elegant in their fashion sense. No wonder why "Louie Vuitton" had established a studio at the famous Champs Elysees. The use of expensive headphones (like Beat designed by LL Cool J) in the subway was the usual picture, I am accustomed with, everytime we took the subway. Pretty hip huh!
I T A L Y: "Italia" is a venerable and a very old fashion country. A very classical and beautiful place as well. Family and food is the focus in this country. I've had had enough time to explore every city in Italy and every city has their own uniqueness and originality, very distinct to that place, which you can distinguish from the other and I am glad I got the chance to see what is has to offer. Italy is very rich in ancient culture, stunning arts, eye-popping architectures, and endowed enormously with a rich countryside sceneries that were so captivating and enthralling. Myriad of local and national foods were delectably fascinating and the fashion trends was usually at its highs, considering that Milan is the fashion capital of the country. You'll never get tired of Italy in and out. There's a lot to do when you're there. Only time is of the essence and were always so hurried because of time constraints. It is a very stunning country and the people are very diverse.
Architectures: All the buildings I saw were potentially gorgeous and beautiful. Old yet elegant. That's how I personally define them. The churches were very classic and antique looking yet it was very captivating to the eyes. Some buildings have enormous statues and beautiful reliefs plastered on the pointed spires and walls that added more inscrutable galore to the naked eye. Italy is extremely rich in architectural buildings built from the Roman and Renaissance era. It was deeply rooted from the ancient times.
Arts: Arts were very rustic, romantic, and classical added to that insanely and passionately invoking. From the works of Botticelli, to Cellini, or even Michelangelo and da Vinci, their artworks put Italy on the A-list among the best of the best. Duomos and churches were adorned with excellent and famous artworks I've never seen in my entire life. They're just massive in numbers. I just can't forget the David statue, that is housed at the Academia in Firenze (currently known as Florence), that had magically captivated and imaginatively played my vision to unexplainably swoon on such a huge piece of smooth and hard marble art. The intricate lifelike nudity of the muscular statue and the odd charging pose and stance had extremely titillated and maybe mutilated my naive visual senses.
Chow: Technically when we speak of Italian foods, the "pizzas" and the "pastas" could not be neglected. I ate monstrously excellent and succulent pizzas that had magically melted in my mouth like first class cheese (not minding the high numbered calories) and was one of my best experiences I've had for this gastronomic and culinary experience-packed adventure. The just enough cooked "spaghettini" loaded with savory spiced "marinara" sauce and three authetic Italian cheeses generously topped with huge succulent Italian meatballs was indulgingly mouth-watering. Added to that, the tasteful chicken "pesto" mixed in a chewy boiled "penne pasta" or "gnocchi" was deliciously unforgettable. The slow-cooked and delicious "osso-bucco" marinated in red wine we ordered and tasted in a restaurant in Milan and the tender-succulent "veal scalloppine" topped with oyster mushroom "marsala" sauce we savored in Florence was a highly recommended regional menu. The exceptional "gelato" at the corner store were excellently delicious and could not be ignored. I like the roasted vanilla and pistacchio flavor. It had made me forgot about myself and made me more confused on what flavor to chose. The sweet cream-filled and chewey-and-crunchy "cannellonis" were excellently delectable and could not be forgotten as well. And of course, the best kept and perfectly fermented Italian wine couldn't be neglected, too, be it white or red wine. And the sweet "moscato" wine of the region was unforgettable. Muy magnifico!
Transportation: Trains and buses abounds the whole nation. We've been using the train a lot of times when we were hopping from town to town and uses the Metro bus when were within the city limits. They were both affordable and inexpensive. I haven't seen any subway there. I didn't remember we've been using them during our travels. The railways were very staple and can be seen everywhere, that's probably because we were using the inter city trains. When it comes to cars, Italians were very patronizing. There were a lot of "Fiats" parking on the streets in business and residential parking lots. We've seen some "Feraris" and "Maseratis" used as public vehicles. Quite odd!
People: People here were more darker compared to the Spaniards and French. I can see some goodlooking and toned guys, but in Barcelona and Paris more goodlooking people abounds. I can see that they are more hairy compared to the fair complexioned French. Most of the men have moustache if not has goatees, like sixty percent of them according to my observations. Yes, it couldn't be ignored that as Italians ate "pastas" and "pizzas" they've packed unexpected weights and I can see that to some of them..
Fashion: Italy is the home of a lot of the famous designers yet the people doesn't have a good fashion sense and does not dress good in public. They are fond of signatures even though it doesn't match or fit them. It is the home of "Versace" and "Dolce and Gabbana" yet people were not really fashionably trendy. Added to that, Milan is also famous as the nations fashion capital yet people dressed like drabs. Maybe because I was at a wrong place at a wrong time, I don't know. Italians also wear informally, with sneakers and flip-flops, as the staple footwear. Rarely, I can see somebody in shoes and formal wear not unless they're a politician, newscaster, or a rich person.
B E L G I U M: Our journey to Belgium was just a spur-of-the-moment decision and short lived yet Brussels proved to me that Belgium shouldn't be left off or ignored. Brussels is a very nice modern city yet we are always in a haste to explore it because we were only there for the whole day, but it is a very positive place for me. The surroundings were very clean and the atmosphere were very clear. The business and restaurant establishments were full of beer drinkers, where beer here was equated to drinking water. Brussels is an ultra modern city with a lot of history and it is a very nice place.
Architectures: Modern buildings were leaning towards a contemporary way of architectural boom. The odd "Atomium" is very eye catching to me and the "Little Europe" is a great and beautiful attraction to everyone. At the heart of the city many classical and old-fashioned buildings were being mixed with the modern ones appearing very unbalanced to the naked eye yet good to be perused and checked out. The vintage churches and antiquated government buildings were more French inspired to me. The main square at the center of the city was surrounded by very familiar old and new buildings with beautiful architectural structures.
Arts: Although we did not went to a museum, their ultra modern subways were all adorned with the finest modern colorful arts. Each subway stations were different and unique. Most of the arts posted were contemporary and abstract. Modernization is apparent in Belgium and everything appears so high tech. It's just like shopping at "Ikea" where furnitures were oddly shaped. I remember and thought of Singapore when I stepped out of the train at the main union station.
Chow: Speaking of Belgium you know what's globally famous..... wide array of delicious and mouth watering Belgian chocolates (be it dark or milked) and powdered sugary sprinkled waffles. Ooh yeah... you'll not give up eating those luscious Belgian chocolates and chewy Belgian waffles. Beers were also a staple drink (alternative to water) aside from the few good wines and people were accustomed to eating seafoods here, I don't know why. I tried this locally grown mussels boiled in wine, creme, and garlic-scallion mixture infusion called "Moulles".... hmmm .... hmmm..... so yummy!
Transporation: Train and buses abounds the whole city but we like the train better. Kinda not accustomed to transferring buses but trains oh yeah very well. It's not that hard to read the directions because they're all in English. And the directions were also color coded. We also like walking on the highly paved streets and checked out some of the famous parks and gardens.
People: People here were mixed Dutch and French and there were a lot of tourists every where. Belgium is a melting pot of people coming from other parts of Europe because of it's unique geographical location situated at the center of Europe. So what can I expect were also mixed ugly and handsome people. The Dutch? Oh well, not that par enough. Although, I don't really want to mention it here you know......
Fashion: Kinda mixed, too. Jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, and hooded jackets. Not too formal but very alternative..... I called it diversified fashion maybe because most of the people we've seen were tourists and not locals. Although, at the train station we can also see some businessmen dressed formally on their way to work. I kind of not established on this one though because of the high number of people traveling there and it's hard to assess the fashion trends of the locals.
In summary, my travels have gave me a lot of lessons especially with adapting to various cultures of the countries we've been. It only summed up to one lesson for me, that wherever you are, you have to adapt to the place and its people. There's an old adage saying; "When in Rome, do what the Romans do." And there you are, that's what I am talking about.
I learned that I have to learn at least some of the few local words because people just won't respond to you if you keep asking them in English. In Paris, people were so nationalistic and would not respond to you if you don't speak French. You have to warn them ahead of time that you can only speak English, or else you'll be left off somewhere. I am fortunate to have Doreen with me, who can speak French fluently and interpreted for me.
I am glad that I made this travel because it made me aware of the differences of people I've met, as well as made me more seasoned in traveling and mingling with different cultures of the countries I've been to. It was a great experience for me and my friend Doreen and I am very happy that everything turned out well.
I couldn't be more happier about everything we've experienced. I thanked Doreen for sticking with me all throughout my journeys. We both had enjoyed everything we went through and did during those travels. Thank you very much my friend.... see you again next time.
Yeah, I am grateful I did this traveling because from it I gained a lot of experiences and observations of what a harmonious world we have. As well as I gained, acquired, and met new friends along the way and had treasured their unconditional friendship. I am grateful for every thing that had happened and thankful that God was always with me during those travels.
Thank you Lord, for everything and I felt so fortunate and grateful that you had kept me safe from harm all the time. Ciao for now.
In this vacation, I went to four different countries and had explored several unforgettable and beautiful cities that I can still picture, like a movie, clearly playing in my finicky mind. Mingling with the various cultures of each country is a tad challenging job for me, yet it doesn't hinder my drive and eagerness in exploring these wonderful places that I am able to visit, to quench the million dollar-questions that had bombarded my voracious conscious mind, since I grew up way back home in the Philippines.
On this blog, I have to compare all four beautiful countries in retrospect and cover their culture, people, arts, architectures, food, transportation, and everyday lifestyle which I meticulously observed, described, and personally expounded here. Kind of writing an article in a travel magazine. I'm quite excited with this plan and what I'm getting at. Hopefully I can still vividly remember everything that I have experienced because three weeks of walking, exploring, and mingling in a highly strange environment was extremely quite taxing and entailed a lot more time for me to remember and recall, that I felt I already had gradually forgotten.
S P A I N: I went to Barcelona on the first few days of my first week vacation. Actually I spend three days and two nights in this small Spanish City, rich in culture and culinary selections. All in all it's a nice and excellent place to just unwind wonderfully for the weekend after a persevering whole week's work. It is a haven for some minute fun activities for a single and adventurous guy like me. Not really a family oriented place unless you enjoyably visit the famous attractions where family is being centered, targetted, or focused. The place maybe is the gastronomic capital of the world, because restaurants abound the famous "La Ramblas" teeming with people eating, celebrating, and appreciating food.
Architectures: Their architecture is more freestyle and contemporary as seen and evident in all of Gaudi's works especially at "La Sagrada Familia Cathedral", "Pedreras", and "Parq Guell." His conspicuously eye-catching "baroque style" still emanates from his past works. Many buildings dated in the 1500s were being transformed and had been eroded by time but some of Gaudi's work were still being left for preservation.
Arts: The arts were also more freestyle. Rarely, I haven't seen some famous Spanish painter's works on exhibit unless if I go to an actual museum. I have not been to one yet when I was there, but the one famous Spanish painter I knew of, is the infamous Pablo Picasso and his odd works, which also were more contemporary and freestyle like Antoni Gaudi's magnificent sculptures and towering architectures.
Chow: Food was evidently palatable and delicious and the staple "beef tapas" and "paellas" were the bomb and highly recommended when you're in Barcelona, as well as the tasteful drink commonly called "sangria", originally originated from this place, was deliciously addicting. The smooth and delectable "torta" was delightfully satiny soft and very delicious. Lot's of good and competitive restaurants sporadically scattered everywhere but mostly very expensive. A strong Spanish coffee could break the ice and is an excellent sleep buster.
Transportation: The Metro and bus were more accessible and were a common means of transportation. Yet we used the Metro all the time because it's more easier to understand rather than the mind-boggling bus' routes. White-green taxis abounds the whole city but are not reasonable and realistic for our traveling conditions.
People: There were a lot of wandering and mesmerized tourists, especially at the center of the city. A lot of goodlooking guys especially the younger ones. People were more heavy looking because of their knack to eat fatty rich foods. They were congregating at "La Ramblas", a long avenue or boulevard full of nice restaurants and curious tourists, to eat and watch people passing by.
Fashion: It looks like fashion there seems very informal. A lot of people wear T-shirts, jogging-pants, shorts, and jeans with plain and colorful sneakers. Rarely I can see people in formal or semi-formal attires. Yet they all look sleek and goodlooking. It all comes out maybe from their Spanish genes. In my close observation, headphones were a current fashion fad at the Metro station especially now that mp3's are in.
F R A N C E: France is a highly conservative country. A place where I can accustomed myself as an old fashion person emanating during the Victorian period. I love this country because of the overly conscious people that put their efforts in maintaining their well being and health. Most importantly, I love the charming rustic French countryside. However, I'm just turned off with the French's arrogant attitudes except for my friend Arnaud, who showed me around, and is extremely opposite with the locals, as what I've observed.
Architectures: I've been to Paris twice yet what really magically swooned me was the aura of the classical and romantic architectural designs of the various buildings and edifices scattered sporadically all over the city. No wonder why Paris was been noted as "The Romantic City" of the world. The French Opera, Madeliene, Arc de Triomph, the famous Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Church, Louvre Museum, Sacre Cauoer, Versailles Palace etc. were all teeming with intricate yet classical designs. All were globally famous and enormously hinted French architectural styles and designs to me. I mean these were original French structures wished by other people to see, visit, and explore and I am a very fortunate person to have it witnessed personally.
Arts: At the Louvre Museum alone there were a lot of arts that I can peruse depending on what era I want to be. But I am so fortunate to have seen the Renaissance era boasting the magnificent works of da Vinci and Michelangelo as the famous artists. In France, these arts were well preserved at the world renowned Louvre Museum. Whereas, in Versailles the arts were more Victorian in style loaded with numerous original French inspired paintings. The works of Cezanne, Rodin, and Monet depicting mother nature and the day-to-day people were more of a French way of art that I know of.
Chow: Although their food is not that so delectably filling I can grab a convenient wrap or a sandwich at the corner "patisserrie" or "brasserrie." The crunchy "croissant" dipped in a chocolate infused coffee during the morning was very addicting yet it worked and complimented well. I haven't tasted some authentic French cooking yet like the famous "ratatouille" and "bouillabaisse" but I know that the "hors dourves" and "apperitiffs" were exceptionally special especially if coupled with a matching tasty wine. Dipping diced and spiced breads, sliced fruits or veggies in a simmering "fondue" pot, be it a mouth watering first class cheese or a tasty sweet milk chocolate was interestingly fun. As well as slicing a melted cheese from a radiant "raclette" is tediuosly appetite stimulating. The wide array of sweets and desserts especially the "nutty almond macaroon" and the "powdery lady fingers" were famous for the French people especially when coupled with a good hot tea or coffee. And the ever loved soft "crepes" filled with different fruit jams or chocolate spread were exceptionally bedeviled. You can even wrap it in a sandwich and enjoy a hearty healthy meal. Yummy!
Transportation: The Metro is more convenient and accessible especially if you are trapped in a Paris' busy street. Buses were also a staple means of transit but I am accustomed to the subway better because my human navigator was very adept and prolific at it. Trains and buses were also very accessible when you travel on the famous French countryside. When it comes to cars we saw a lot of German cars at the parking lots, be it business or residential. There were Mercedeses and Peugeots at the most.
People: Yeah.... I surely like this part. All I can say is that there is no fat or curvy people in Paris or somewhere in France. There might be some but they're not French, maybe immigrants from neighboring countries. No, that's a hyperbole....... but it's a fact to me actually based on my own personal accounts. People were skinny and very conscious about their health. I can make three boyfriends if I stay and live there longer. Young and old appeared slender and slim, as well as very handsome and goodlooking, although what I don't like from them is their irritating arrogance and aggravating ferocity. It greatly irked me a lot. I'm sorry but it looks so vicious to me.
Fashion: At the subway, you'll notice people are very stylish and fashionably trendy. I seldom see some people wearing sneakers or jogging pants. They were all dressed up formally or semi-formally in leather shoes and slacks for a nice office day. Black and earthen colors were a trend. It must be because it's the usual Fall season colors. Very professional and elegant in their fashion sense. No wonder why "Louie Vuitton" had established a studio at the famous Champs Elysees. The use of expensive headphones (like Beat designed by LL Cool J) in the subway was the usual picture, I am accustomed with, everytime we took the subway. Pretty hip huh!
I T A L Y: "Italia" is a venerable and a very old fashion country. A very classical and beautiful place as well. Family and food is the focus in this country. I've had had enough time to explore every city in Italy and every city has their own uniqueness and originality, very distinct to that place, which you can distinguish from the other and I am glad I got the chance to see what is has to offer. Italy is very rich in ancient culture, stunning arts, eye-popping architectures, and endowed enormously with a rich countryside sceneries that were so captivating and enthralling. Myriad of local and national foods were delectably fascinating and the fashion trends was usually at its highs, considering that Milan is the fashion capital of the country. You'll never get tired of Italy in and out. There's a lot to do when you're there. Only time is of the essence and were always so hurried because of time constraints. It is a very stunning country and the people are very diverse.
Architectures: All the buildings I saw were potentially gorgeous and beautiful. Old yet elegant. That's how I personally define them. The churches were very classic and antique looking yet it was very captivating to the eyes. Some buildings have enormous statues and beautiful reliefs plastered on the pointed spires and walls that added more inscrutable galore to the naked eye. Italy is extremely rich in architectural buildings built from the Roman and Renaissance era. It was deeply rooted from the ancient times.
Arts: Arts were very rustic, romantic, and classical added to that insanely and passionately invoking. From the works of Botticelli, to Cellini, or even Michelangelo and da Vinci, their artworks put Italy on the A-list among the best of the best. Duomos and churches were adorned with excellent and famous artworks I've never seen in my entire life. They're just massive in numbers. I just can't forget the David statue, that is housed at the Academia in Firenze (currently known as Florence), that had magically captivated and imaginatively played my vision to unexplainably swoon on such a huge piece of smooth and hard marble art. The intricate lifelike nudity of the muscular statue and the odd charging pose and stance had extremely titillated and maybe mutilated my naive visual senses.
Chow: Technically when we speak of Italian foods, the "pizzas" and the "pastas" could not be neglected. I ate monstrously excellent and succulent pizzas that had magically melted in my mouth like first class cheese (not minding the high numbered calories) and was one of my best experiences I've had for this gastronomic and culinary experience-packed adventure. The just enough cooked "spaghettini" loaded with savory spiced "marinara" sauce and three authetic Italian cheeses generously topped with huge succulent Italian meatballs was indulgingly mouth-watering. Added to that, the tasteful chicken "pesto" mixed in a chewy boiled "penne pasta" or "gnocchi" was deliciously unforgettable. The slow-cooked and delicious "osso-bucco" marinated in red wine we ordered and tasted in a restaurant in Milan and the tender-succulent "veal scalloppine" topped with oyster mushroom "marsala" sauce we savored in Florence was a highly recommended regional menu. The exceptional "gelato" at the corner store were excellently delicious and could not be ignored. I like the roasted vanilla and pistacchio flavor. It had made me forgot about myself and made me more confused on what flavor to chose. The sweet cream-filled and chewey-and-crunchy "cannellonis" were excellently delectable and could not be forgotten as well. And of course, the best kept and perfectly fermented Italian wine couldn't be neglected, too, be it white or red wine. And the sweet "moscato" wine of the region was unforgettable. Muy magnifico!
Transportation: Trains and buses abounds the whole nation. We've been using the train a lot of times when we were hopping from town to town and uses the Metro bus when were within the city limits. They were both affordable and inexpensive. I haven't seen any subway there. I didn't remember we've been using them during our travels. The railways were very staple and can be seen everywhere, that's probably because we were using the inter city trains. When it comes to cars, Italians were very patronizing. There were a lot of "Fiats" parking on the streets in business and residential parking lots. We've seen some "Feraris" and "Maseratis" used as public vehicles. Quite odd!
People: People here were more darker compared to the Spaniards and French. I can see some goodlooking and toned guys, but in Barcelona and Paris more goodlooking people abounds. I can see that they are more hairy compared to the fair complexioned French. Most of the men have moustache if not has goatees, like sixty percent of them according to my observations. Yes, it couldn't be ignored that as Italians ate "pastas" and "pizzas" they've packed unexpected weights and I can see that to some of them..
Fashion: Italy is the home of a lot of the famous designers yet the people doesn't have a good fashion sense and does not dress good in public. They are fond of signatures even though it doesn't match or fit them. It is the home of "Versace" and "Dolce and Gabbana" yet people were not really fashionably trendy. Added to that, Milan is also famous as the nations fashion capital yet people dressed like drabs. Maybe because I was at a wrong place at a wrong time, I don't know. Italians also wear informally, with sneakers and flip-flops, as the staple footwear. Rarely, I can see somebody in shoes and formal wear not unless they're a politician, newscaster, or a rich person.
B E L G I U M: Our journey to Belgium was just a spur-of-the-moment decision and short lived yet Brussels proved to me that Belgium shouldn't be left off or ignored. Brussels is a very nice modern city yet we are always in a haste to explore it because we were only there for the whole day, but it is a very positive place for me. The surroundings were very clean and the atmosphere were very clear. The business and restaurant establishments were full of beer drinkers, where beer here was equated to drinking water. Brussels is an ultra modern city with a lot of history and it is a very nice place.
Architectures: Modern buildings were leaning towards a contemporary way of architectural boom. The odd "Atomium" is very eye catching to me and the "Little Europe" is a great and beautiful attraction to everyone. At the heart of the city many classical and old-fashioned buildings were being mixed with the modern ones appearing very unbalanced to the naked eye yet good to be perused and checked out. The vintage churches and antiquated government buildings were more French inspired to me. The main square at the center of the city was surrounded by very familiar old and new buildings with beautiful architectural structures.
Arts: Although we did not went to a museum, their ultra modern subways were all adorned with the finest modern colorful arts. Each subway stations were different and unique. Most of the arts posted were contemporary and abstract. Modernization is apparent in Belgium and everything appears so high tech. It's just like shopping at "Ikea" where furnitures were oddly shaped. I remember and thought of Singapore when I stepped out of the train at the main union station.
Chow: Speaking of Belgium you know what's globally famous..... wide array of delicious and mouth watering Belgian chocolates (be it dark or milked) and powdered sugary sprinkled waffles. Ooh yeah... you'll not give up eating those luscious Belgian chocolates and chewy Belgian waffles. Beers were also a staple drink (alternative to water) aside from the few good wines and people were accustomed to eating seafoods here, I don't know why. I tried this locally grown mussels boiled in wine, creme, and garlic-scallion mixture infusion called "Moulles".... hmmm .... hmmm..... so yummy!
Transporation: Train and buses abounds the whole city but we like the train better. Kinda not accustomed to transferring buses but trains oh yeah very well. It's not that hard to read the directions because they're all in English. And the directions were also color coded. We also like walking on the highly paved streets and checked out some of the famous parks and gardens.
People: People here were mixed Dutch and French and there were a lot of tourists every where. Belgium is a melting pot of people coming from other parts of Europe because of it's unique geographical location situated at the center of Europe. So what can I expect were also mixed ugly and handsome people. The Dutch? Oh well, not that par enough. Although, I don't really want to mention it here you know......
Fashion: Kinda mixed, too. Jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, and hooded jackets. Not too formal but very alternative..... I called it diversified fashion maybe because most of the people we've seen were tourists and not locals. Although, at the train station we can also see some businessmen dressed formally on their way to work. I kind of not established on this one though because of the high number of people traveling there and it's hard to assess the fashion trends of the locals.
In summary, my travels have gave me a lot of lessons especially with adapting to various cultures of the countries we've been. It only summed up to one lesson for me, that wherever you are, you have to adapt to the place and its people. There's an old adage saying; "When in Rome, do what the Romans do." And there you are, that's what I am talking about.
I learned that I have to learn at least some of the few local words because people just won't respond to you if you keep asking them in English. In Paris, people were so nationalistic and would not respond to you if you don't speak French. You have to warn them ahead of time that you can only speak English, or else you'll be left off somewhere. I am fortunate to have Doreen with me, who can speak French fluently and interpreted for me.
I am glad that I made this travel because it made me aware of the differences of people I've met, as well as made me more seasoned in traveling and mingling with different cultures of the countries I've been to. It was a great experience for me and my friend Doreen and I am very happy that everything turned out well.
I couldn't be more happier about everything we've experienced. I thanked Doreen for sticking with me all throughout my journeys. We both had enjoyed everything we went through and did during those travels. Thank you very much my friend.... see you again next time.
Yeah, I am grateful I did this traveling because from it I gained a lot of experiences and observations of what a harmonious world we have. As well as I gained, acquired, and met new friends along the way and had treasured their unconditional friendship. I am grateful for every thing that had happened and thankful that God was always with me during those travels.
Thank you Lord, for everything and I felt so fortunate and grateful that you had kept me safe from harm all the time. Ciao for now.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Leaving Paris Behind
November 2, 2011: Well, it was a cold Wednesday morning in Paris and it's 0500H. I woke up early because we will be checking out from the hotel at 0600H and then Doreen will drop me off at CDG airport.
It was still dark at 0600H in Paris and the morning misty fog are still apparent. My feelings of leaving Paris was kind of mixed from being numb to excited. I just couldn't explain and contain what I felt and it still didn't settle in me that I am ending my trip in few hours.
We took the subway to get the train going to CDG airport and my effort of pushing my luggages was making me tired which gave me a very important lesson to travel light next time. It's so awkward to pushed luggages into the train but oh well I saw several people doing it either. I think the train is more convenient and cheaper compared to the taxi and plus the fact that the train stops on each terminal in CDG.
Now I have to rehearse my lines whe I bade goodbye to Doreen later on. It's poignant to have it ended and leaving a close friend behind. I have to face the reality that this is always expected when someone is leaving. My heart aches and bleeds thinking of it and while the train is nearing the airport.
Every minute seems like hours and seconds like minutes. As I am near the final hour the more is gets slower. It is prolonging my agony yet this is reality at it's best.
We arrived at Terminal 1 and Doreen waited until 0730H before she left because she needs to catch her train in going back to Aix-en-Provence in time for her consultation with her primary physician.
We drank coffee for the last time then we hugged and kissed each other for the last time. Then off she go to catch her train. I know she left with a heavy heart but I am praying she will be okay.
I came early at CDG and the check-in time for my airline is not yet started and they told me to wait one more hour before the check-in time kicks in. When the check-in time was lifted I went in line and got cleared.
The tedious inspection at the entrance was very strict and I am very anxious to go home now. Pass the security I have to go to the next building for the boarding area. I waited for another hour-and-a-half to get boarded.
When the airplane taxied the tarmac and took off I knew that this is the end of my trip and now I am going home to face reality. The flight was 10 hours long and boring, my butt got sore from too much sitting, and my eyes just won't open because I am extremely tired. I only woke up when food is served and then went back again to sleep to recover my energy.
We arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport at 1600H and we were inspected by the immigration. I got out quickly then transferred to my next flight to Los Angeles. Another 6 hours of long, tiresome, and boring flight.
We arrived in Los Angeles at 1830H Pacific Standard Time and I finally realized that I am home now. I Facebooked Doreen that I already arrived and she responded immediately.
Looking back, for me this trip was a soul searching trip, giving me a lesson to value friendship over time and money. I am glad Imade this decision to vacation and visit my best friend.
I enjoyed every moment of it and I am so grateful everything went good and great as planned. Welcome back to Los Angeles, Tonee!
It was still dark at 0600H in Paris and the morning misty fog are still apparent. My feelings of leaving Paris was kind of mixed from being numb to excited. I just couldn't explain and contain what I felt and it still didn't settle in me that I am ending my trip in few hours.
We took the subway to get the train going to CDG airport and my effort of pushing my luggages was making me tired which gave me a very important lesson to travel light next time. It's so awkward to pushed luggages into the train but oh well I saw several people doing it either. I think the train is more convenient and cheaper compared to the taxi and plus the fact that the train stops on each terminal in CDG.
Now I have to rehearse my lines whe I bade goodbye to Doreen later on. It's poignant to have it ended and leaving a close friend behind. I have to face the reality that this is always expected when someone is leaving. My heart aches and bleeds thinking of it and while the train is nearing the airport.
Every minute seems like hours and seconds like minutes. As I am near the final hour the more is gets slower. It is prolonging my agony yet this is reality at it's best.
We arrived at Terminal 1 and Doreen waited until 0730H before she left because she needs to catch her train in going back to Aix-en-Provence in time for her consultation with her primary physician.
We drank coffee for the last time then we hugged and kissed each other for the last time. Then off she go to catch her train. I know she left with a heavy heart but I am praying she will be okay.
I came early at CDG and the check-in time for my airline is not yet started and they told me to wait one more hour before the check-in time kicks in. When the check-in time was lifted I went in line and got cleared.
The tedious inspection at the entrance was very strict and I am very anxious to go home now. Pass the security I have to go to the next building for the boarding area. I waited for another hour-and-a-half to get boarded.
When the airplane taxied the tarmac and took off I knew that this is the end of my trip and now I am going home to face reality. The flight was 10 hours long and boring, my butt got sore from too much sitting, and my eyes just won't open because I am extremely tired. I only woke up when food is served and then went back again to sleep to recover my energy.
We arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport at 1600H and we were inspected by the immigration. I got out quickly then transferred to my next flight to Los Angeles. Another 6 hours of long, tiresome, and boring flight.
We arrived in Los Angeles at 1830H Pacific Standard Time and I finally realized that I am home now. I Facebooked Doreen that I already arrived and she responded immediately.
Looking back, for me this trip was a soul searching trip, giving me a lesson to value friendship over time and money. I am glad Imade this decision to vacation and visit my best friend.
I enjoyed every moment of it and I am so grateful everything went good and great as planned. Welcome back to Los Angeles, Tonee!
A Day In Brussels
November 1, 2011: It was a chilly Tuesday morning in Paris and we woke up early at 0500 for our spur-of-the-moment decision to go to Brussels, Belgium. I am way too much excited because I've heard a lot about this place and saw soe pictures online.
Brussels is almost an hour-and-a-half train ride from Paris going east. And our decision to go there is an apt opportunity because we have a tad whole day to enjoy the place.
We took the subway in Paris to bring us to Gare du Nord which is the north train station which is the place where the trains going north of France are being parked. It's just like as big as Gare de Lyon and more modern compared to the classical atmosphere of the latter.
We bought two tickets to Brussels then looked for the train which eventually left ten minutes after we got in. The ride was super speedy fast and we arrived there in Brussels at 1000H, which is almost an hour-and-a-half train ride.
When we got there we immediately looked for the tourism information booth and asked for a recommendation on what to see there. Doreen grabbed some Metro maps because she intended to use the subway instead of the bus.
Brussels is so contemporary and the designs everywhere looks very modern. There were ads on the walls of the subway yet very clean city and people are a tad polite.
First stop was the Atomium at the far end of the subway. We went looking at it and took some pretty good ppictures of it. The Atomium appears like an atom complete with electrons and protons but shaped like a square compared to the spherical shape it is used to introduced in some science books.
Adjacent to the Atomium is the Little Europe. We just went there to eat because I was super hungry that time. We never explored the Little Europe and went up the Atomium because we consider our time golden. We just don't want to spend it unwisely because there's stillmore places for us to see around. I think pictures will suffice what I see.
From there we went back to the subway and went to the opposite area of the town called the financial district. We explored the city of Brussles and enjoyed the buildings and architectures, the churches, the piazzas, the hills, squares, and parks, etc.
There's this square we went with beautiful buildings around it and packed my people. We also went to a fountain in that square boasting a little infant standing holding his winnie and peeing water out from his winnie. It was cute. We also shopped for chocolates, which they were famous off, for my friends way back home as presents.
We keep waling and walking and never mindful of the time when we realized it was already 1600H. Our last stop was the Brussels Cathedral then boom the rain appeared.
There's still more places to cover in Brussels but I can't do it because our time won't permit it anymore. At least I've been to this beautiful place and learned about their confusing cultures. What's more confusing when Dutch and French unite.
Isn't it awestruck...... amazing...... and.... supercalifragilisticespialidocious? Aaah.... whatever! Magnifique! Alas.... this trip doesn't ran out of ideas about cultures. Hehehehe.
Brussels is almost an hour-and-a-half train ride from Paris going east. And our decision to go there is an apt opportunity because we have a tad whole day to enjoy the place.
We took the subway in Paris to bring us to Gare du Nord which is the north train station which is the place where the trains going north of France are being parked. It's just like as big as Gare de Lyon and more modern compared to the classical atmosphere of the latter.
We bought two tickets to Brussels then looked for the train which eventually left ten minutes after we got in. The ride was super speedy fast and we arrived there in Brussels at 1000H, which is almost an hour-and-a-half train ride.
When we got there we immediately looked for the tourism information booth and asked for a recommendation on what to see there. Doreen grabbed some Metro maps because she intended to use the subway instead of the bus.
Brussels is so contemporary and the designs everywhere looks very modern. There were ads on the walls of the subway yet very clean city and people are a tad polite.
First stop was the Atomium at the far end of the subway. We went looking at it and took some pretty good ppictures of it. The Atomium appears like an atom complete with electrons and protons but shaped like a square compared to the spherical shape it is used to introduced in some science books.
Adjacent to the Atomium is the Little Europe. We just went there to eat because I was super hungry that time. We never explored the Little Europe and went up the Atomium because we consider our time golden. We just don't want to spend it unwisely because there's stillmore places for us to see around. I think pictures will suffice what I see.
From there we went back to the subway and went to the opposite area of the town called the financial district. We explored the city of Brussles and enjoyed the buildings and architectures, the churches, the piazzas, the hills, squares, and parks, etc.
There's this square we went with beautiful buildings around it and packed my people. We also went to a fountain in that square boasting a little infant standing holding his winnie and peeing water out from his winnie. It was cute. We also shopped for chocolates, which they were famous off, for my friends way back home as presents.
We keep waling and walking and never mindful of the time when we realized it was already 1600H. Our last stop was the Brussels Cathedral then boom the rain appeared.
There's still more places to cover in Brussels but I can't do it because our time won't permit it anymore. At least I've been to this beautiful place and learned about their confusing cultures. What's more confusing when Dutch and French unite.
Isn't it awestruck...... amazing...... and.... supercalifragilisticespialidocious? Aaah.... whatever! Magnifique! Alas.... this trip doesn't ran out of ideas about cultures. Hehehehe.
Off To Paris
October 31, 2011: Well, it was a bright Monday morning, I woke up and checked my luggages. I can't believe my trip is finally over.I have to leave Aix-en-Provence with a heavy heart because for all the times I've been here in Europe I only spent little time to re-explore the place. I felt guilty.
The day of my departure is nearing and days away, actually a sort of two days, but I'm still not imbued to go home. It seems that my journey is not complete yet, that I wanted to stay here and live here forever.
I've been worrying about my friend Doreen, leaving her behind, despite of her vulnerable and fragile situation. I just can't but I have to because I still have a responsibility to do for my family and for my work. I have to man-it-up in order to fight this denial stage of saying goodbye.
We left Aix-en-Provence with a heavy heart. I am very thankful for Doreen for staying with me and accompany me to Paris until the day of my departure.
We purchased our ticket at the train station and then off to Paris. We arrived in Paris at 1700H and decided to look for a cheap yet reasonable hotel for us to stay for two nights. We left my luggages at the room then we started to explore the city again for the last time.
We grabbed something to eat then we started to look for a money transfer agency because Doreen needs to send money to her mom for the college tuition fee of her nephew and me to my sister for the preparation of the "All Souls Day."
We've been walking and walking around the Opera but we couldn't find the place where Doreen was been sending before until I spotted a different one after several hours of walking.
Then after that we took the subway and headed to Moulin Rouge just to take a picture there then we decided to eat dinner at the nearby Buffalo Wing House there.
After dinner we took the subway again going back to the hotel. It was 2000H and it was cold every where in Paris so we decided to go back to the hotel and checked our options for the next day which is my last day in Europe.
We passed by the hotel's concierge took the key at the counter and asked for a WiFi connected password so that I can post some more pics that I just took earlier on Facebook.
In the room while watching a television Doreen suddenly suggested that what if we go to Brussels the next day instead of exploring Paris which I already explored several times. And I agreed to her idea. At least I can see another place and add more pictures on my album.
We retired early because we knew that tomorrow will be another long day for us. Aaah.... it's really nice to travel because I don't have anything to worry about work. The only thing I have to worry is if I've got enough money to finance the trip and the answer is way too much money that I need to spend.
Money calls..... you can do whatever you want if the resources are sufficient and I am more fortunate enough to have had done it. I have saved enough to make this trip memorable and fun and I do feel I deserved it.
The day of my departure is nearing and days away, actually a sort of two days, but I'm still not imbued to go home. It seems that my journey is not complete yet, that I wanted to stay here and live here forever.
I've been worrying about my friend Doreen, leaving her behind, despite of her vulnerable and fragile situation. I just can't but I have to because I still have a responsibility to do for my family and for my work. I have to man-it-up in order to fight this denial stage of saying goodbye.
We left Aix-en-Provence with a heavy heart. I am very thankful for Doreen for staying with me and accompany me to Paris until the day of my departure.
We purchased our ticket at the train station and then off to Paris. We arrived in Paris at 1700H and decided to look for a cheap yet reasonable hotel for us to stay for two nights. We left my luggages at the room then we started to explore the city again for the last time.
We grabbed something to eat then we started to look for a money transfer agency because Doreen needs to send money to her mom for the college tuition fee of her nephew and me to my sister for the preparation of the "All Souls Day."
We've been walking and walking around the Opera but we couldn't find the place where Doreen was been sending before until I spotted a different one after several hours of walking.
Then after that we took the subway and headed to Moulin Rouge just to take a picture there then we decided to eat dinner at the nearby Buffalo Wing House there.
After dinner we took the subway again going back to the hotel. It was 2000H and it was cold every where in Paris so we decided to go back to the hotel and checked our options for the next day which is my last day in Europe.
We passed by the hotel's concierge took the key at the counter and asked for a WiFi connected password so that I can post some more pics that I just took earlier on Facebook.
In the room while watching a television Doreen suddenly suggested that what if we go to Brussels the next day instead of exploring Paris which I already explored several times. And I agreed to her idea. At least I can see another place and add more pictures on my album.
We retired early because we knew that tomorrow will be another long day for us. Aaah.... it's really nice to travel because I don't have anything to worry about work. The only thing I have to worry is if I've got enough money to finance the trip and the answer is way too much money that I need to spend.
Money calls..... you can do whatever you want if the resources are sufficient and I am more fortunate enough to have had done it. I have saved enough to make this trip memorable and fun and I do feel I deserved it.
Rest Day And Laundry
October 30, 2011: When we arrived at Aix-en-Provence at 2300H yesterday we were so tired and we retired right away. We were so beat up and exhausted from the long trip as well as tired from roaming around Italy.
My cold was worse. I just won't stop sneezing and my phlegm started to accumulate and clogged my throat. My voice became hoarse and I was running a low-grade-fever. This may be was my comeuppance for tiring myself and as a result my resistance became low and my body gave up.
We were supposed to go to Marseille to see Chateau d'If but it seems that I really needed my much needed rest so I decided to tell Doreen that we have to stay home and rest. It was also fortunate that Doreen needs to fix Shelley's room so she also agreed to stay around.
While Doreen was cleaning the other house I decided to do my laundry so that I won't be doing it when I arrived in Los Angeles. Then I wrote a couple of blogs about my travels then rest the whole day to recover my strengths.
After all those non-stop travels, walking, trekking, riding the trains and buses my body surrendered. I got sick and now I am nursing myself to abate the disease process formation and not to get worse. I was worn and tired and felt so tired.
When I woke up it was already dark and the evening had consumed me to get more sleep but Doreen woke me up and told me that Pacita was inviting us for my last dinner at Aix-en-Provence and also to see Ate Abigail.
We ate fish that Pascal had cooked the previous nights and it was very delicious. I did not regret going there to eat out. Hehehe. Pacita was very thrilled about our stories in Italy and we also had a good time at this dinner. Pascal was not around because he is busy in the restaurant.
After the dinner we stayed over for couple of hours then Pacita drove us off at the mansion. I felt so beat up and I retired early also.
What a nice day to rest although I was nursing my sick self, although it was challenging and boring yet I had a good rest. Now I am ready to drag myself else where to visit another place.
Tomorrow we will be heading to Paris and stay there for two days before I leave for Los Angeles yet Aix-en-Provence has an indelible memory for me to look back.
Looking back made me smile and coy because I realized that I am blessed and lucky to have travelled like this. I think I deserved it and hopefully all is well. Thank God!
My cold was worse. I just won't stop sneezing and my phlegm started to accumulate and clogged my throat. My voice became hoarse and I was running a low-grade-fever. This may be was my comeuppance for tiring myself and as a result my resistance became low and my body gave up.
We were supposed to go to Marseille to see Chateau d'If but it seems that I really needed my much needed rest so I decided to tell Doreen that we have to stay home and rest. It was also fortunate that Doreen needs to fix Shelley's room so she also agreed to stay around.
While Doreen was cleaning the other house I decided to do my laundry so that I won't be doing it when I arrived in Los Angeles. Then I wrote a couple of blogs about my travels then rest the whole day to recover my strengths.
After all those non-stop travels, walking, trekking, riding the trains and buses my body surrendered. I got sick and now I am nursing myself to abate the disease process formation and not to get worse. I was worn and tired and felt so tired.
When I woke up it was already dark and the evening had consumed me to get more sleep but Doreen woke me up and told me that Pacita was inviting us for my last dinner at Aix-en-Provence and also to see Ate Abigail.
We ate fish that Pascal had cooked the previous nights and it was very delicious. I did not regret going there to eat out. Hehehe. Pacita was very thrilled about our stories in Italy and we also had a good time at this dinner. Pascal was not around because he is busy in the restaurant.
After the dinner we stayed over for couple of hours then Pacita drove us off at the mansion. I felt so beat up and I retired early also.
What a nice day to rest although I was nursing my sick self, although it was challenging and boring yet I had a good rest. Now I am ready to drag myself else where to visit another place.
Tomorrow we will be heading to Paris and stay there for two days before I leave for Los Angeles yet Aix-en-Provence has an indelible memory for me to look back.
Looking back made me smile and coy because I realized that I am blessed and lucky to have travelled like this. I think I deserved it and hopefully all is well. Thank God!
Passing By Monaco, Monte Carlo
October 29, 2011: We woke up early the next day on a bright Saturday morning at 0500H packing our things up because we will be going back to France. Our sojourn in Italy was been over and we ran out of time because I will be leaving on Wednesday back to the United States.
We even missed going to Sienna and Gemingniano because our times could not allow us anymore plus our bodies have succumb to fatigue and stress already. I think I was also brewing a cold and I started to cough occasionally now and my nose was been stuffy plus I've been sniffing and sneezing at times and was been spitting thick yellow phlegm.
We left early at 0700H at Genova bidding goodbye to our dutiful and amiable hosts Melchor and Maricelle and also to their cute daughter Ashley. I could not forgot my stay with them in Genova. Their hospitality and warmth in accommodating us was beyond compare. It was a very tacit and emotional separation yet full of friendly wishes and gratefulness.
The reason we left early because me and Doreen wanted to pass by Monaco to meet with my cousins from my mom's side. It takes four hours for the train to reach Ventimiglia and from there we will transfer with SNCF going coastal towards the south of France. So we estimated by lunch time we will be in Monaco.
Leaving Genova was very melancholic and poignant because I have developed some fund memories of my week respite at the Chavez's apartment and plus Genova served as the home base of our travels all over Italy. I wish may be some day I could be back here and revisit my prior travels. That will be a more poignant situation to be in.
So we left Genova from the platforms of the Genova Principe Platform and then off to France. The ride to the border was very pleasant and uneventful and the car where we're at was full of travelers.
When we arrived at Ventimiglia we immediately bought a ticket for the SNCF train going to Monaco. It was only a short trip and we were al packed up to go home to Aix-en-Provence carrying our backpacks and some bags for our goodies from Italy which Doreen bought when we're at Genova.
When arrived at the Monaco train station at 1200H we immediately looked for the ticket counter to buy tickets going to Aix-en-Provence for the 1830H train so that we can leave on time. My cousin was been touching base with us trying to know if we arrived in Monaco already and we told him to meet us outside the train station.
My cousin had picked us up at the station and had helped us with our backpacks then we headed to the port where their yacht was docked. The yacht was named ICEBLUE and it was colored gray. It looks like a submarine and very contemporary. It was not that big yet good to accomodate at least five families inside.
We then toured the yacht and went at the top to take some pictures of Monaco and it's surroundings. Then we went to the dining hall to eat our lunch. I was starving and hungry so I ate with my heart out with no embarrassment or drama. I know my cousins were very happy to see me so they really accommodate and entertained us superbly.
They even broke some bottles of wine for us and I drank like a maniac not knowing I was drank, good thing I was not buzzing yet. The lunch was good and we talk and talk white they take turns going to shower then we were off to stroll Monaco by foot.
Our time constraints really spoiled our stay so our tour was just shortlived yet it was fun to see what Monaco is and what it has to offer for each tourist like me.
We went to see the Monaco casino which is globally famous and the palace of the Grimaldi's. And when our time ran out we hurried to get our stuff at the yacht and headed back to the train station.
Unfortunately, the train had left us so we went up to the ticket booth again to reroute our tickets. And we rerouted our train from Monaco to Nice to Aix-en-Provence. We will arrived there at 2200H and when we arrived we were so tired and drunk from drinking wine at the yacht.
I can't believe I will ever see my cousins there and for the first time it was a good feeling to have reunited with them. It was just totally and madly unforgettable as well as mind-boggling.
Aaaah..... it is really a small world to have seen somebody who's pestering me. Life is full of chances and if you blew it there's always an alternative and that was just exactly what had happened to me lately.
Ce'st la vie!
We even missed going to Sienna and Gemingniano because our times could not allow us anymore plus our bodies have succumb to fatigue and stress already. I think I was also brewing a cold and I started to cough occasionally now and my nose was been stuffy plus I've been sniffing and sneezing at times and was been spitting thick yellow phlegm.
We left early at 0700H at Genova bidding goodbye to our dutiful and amiable hosts Melchor and Maricelle and also to their cute daughter Ashley. I could not forgot my stay with them in Genova. Their hospitality and warmth in accommodating us was beyond compare. It was a very tacit and emotional separation yet full of friendly wishes and gratefulness.
The reason we left early because me and Doreen wanted to pass by Monaco to meet with my cousins from my mom's side. It takes four hours for the train to reach Ventimiglia and from there we will transfer with SNCF going coastal towards the south of France. So we estimated by lunch time we will be in Monaco.
Leaving Genova was very melancholic and poignant because I have developed some fund memories of my week respite at the Chavez's apartment and plus Genova served as the home base of our travels all over Italy. I wish may be some day I could be back here and revisit my prior travels. That will be a more poignant situation to be in.
So we left Genova from the platforms of the Genova Principe Platform and then off to France. The ride to the border was very pleasant and uneventful and the car where we're at was full of travelers.
When we arrived at Ventimiglia we immediately bought a ticket for the SNCF train going to Monaco. It was only a short trip and we were al packed up to go home to Aix-en-Provence carrying our backpacks and some bags for our goodies from Italy which Doreen bought when we're at Genova.
When arrived at the Monaco train station at 1200H we immediately looked for the ticket counter to buy tickets going to Aix-en-Provence for the 1830H train so that we can leave on time. My cousin was been touching base with us trying to know if we arrived in Monaco already and we told him to meet us outside the train station.
My cousin had picked us up at the station and had helped us with our backpacks then we headed to the port where their yacht was docked. The yacht was named ICEBLUE and it was colored gray. It looks like a submarine and very contemporary. It was not that big yet good to accomodate at least five families inside.
We then toured the yacht and went at the top to take some pictures of Monaco and it's surroundings. Then we went to the dining hall to eat our lunch. I was starving and hungry so I ate with my heart out with no embarrassment or drama. I know my cousins were very happy to see me so they really accommodate and entertained us superbly.
They even broke some bottles of wine for us and I drank like a maniac not knowing I was drank, good thing I was not buzzing yet. The lunch was good and we talk and talk white they take turns going to shower then we were off to stroll Monaco by foot.
Our time constraints really spoiled our stay so our tour was just shortlived yet it was fun to see what Monaco is and what it has to offer for each tourist like me.
We went to see the Monaco casino which is globally famous and the palace of the Grimaldi's. And when our time ran out we hurried to get our stuff at the yacht and headed back to the train station.
Unfortunately, the train had left us so we went up to the ticket booth again to reroute our tickets. And we rerouted our train from Monaco to Nice to Aix-en-Provence. We will arrived there at 2200H and when we arrived we were so tired and drunk from drinking wine at the yacht.
I can't believe I will ever see my cousins there and for the first time it was a good feeling to have reunited with them. It was just totally and madly unforgettable as well as mind-boggling.
Aaaah..... it is really a small world to have seen somebody who's pestering me. Life is full of chances and if you blew it there's always an alternative and that was just exactly what had happened to me lately.
Ce'st la vie!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The Beauty Of The "David Statue"
October 29, 2011: We woke up early in the morning on a cold Saturday morning in Florence. We took our early morning breakfast consisting of croissant, warm coffee, orange juice, yogurt, and jams. Then headed out to the Academia Gallery and lined up for the queue to watch the Statue of David inside.
I was so excited to see it because of the superlatives I've read from the online Wikipedia. We paid 11 euros for the individual entrance yet taking pictures was prohibited so I did not get the chance to capture the beauty of the statue on my iPhone. Doreen had the opportunity to get one.
The marble statue was very tall at 5.3 meters, very robust and handsome. Has curly hair and is very naked. I just can't stop looking at him as if he is real and I craned my neck even longer to appreciate the beauty of it. The pecs, biceps, and abs were very gorgeous, I was drooling inside me already.
Upon seeing the statue I was awestruck at the first glance from the entrance. The hands was really emphasize holding the stone and the sling, standing only with one leg on the left leg while looking handsomely from afar. The lips appears very cute and kissable and the curly hair added more spice to his beauty.
I have to ask myself if Michaelangelo had an inspiration in making him which took about two years to finish at the age of 29. Michaelangelo was a very proficient sculpture during that time already. This is his second statue and the most notable compare dto his first which is "The Pieta" made at age 26 years old.
Because of th wear and tear of the time and because of it's strategic post, standing on one leg, had caused a strain on the statue and was now noted to have a minor crack on the right hamstring which is monitored by a recorder at the back of the affected site.
I was there standing for 20 minutes trying to go around several times stopping at each corner of the statue meticulously inspecting how it was made by Michaelangelo. It looks alive at a closeup and you can see how each muscle was emphasized. From his very odd pose the statue was been emanating a manly physique and aura.
I was even watching him for an hour while I was sitting at the corner. I felt that I might melt the statue because I was staring at him for more than a day already.
It was really a wonder how Michaelangelo carved David from an abandoned marble stone in front of the Duomo during the 1400. Although Michaelangelo wasn't commissioned as the first artist yet his appointment had made him famous because of this very exceptional work of art.
As a Florentine citizen he gave his all for the pride of Florence against it's war enemies. David was their symbol of bravery and wealth based on the Biblical story of King David from the fall of Goliath.
I have th honor to have seen him in person and it was a very unforgettable experience for me because the silence upon meeting him and the gasp when checking him was very candid. Alas.... Florence is such a beautiful place.
I was so excited to see it because of the superlatives I've read from the online Wikipedia. We paid 11 euros for the individual entrance yet taking pictures was prohibited so I did not get the chance to capture the beauty of the statue on my iPhone. Doreen had the opportunity to get one.
The marble statue was very tall at 5.3 meters, very robust and handsome. Has curly hair and is very naked. I just can't stop looking at him as if he is real and I craned my neck even longer to appreciate the beauty of it. The pecs, biceps, and abs were very gorgeous, I was drooling inside me already.
Upon seeing the statue I was awestruck at the first glance from the entrance. The hands was really emphasize holding the stone and the sling, standing only with one leg on the left leg while looking handsomely from afar. The lips appears very cute and kissable and the curly hair added more spice to his beauty.
I have to ask myself if Michaelangelo had an inspiration in making him which took about two years to finish at the age of 29. Michaelangelo was a very proficient sculpture during that time already. This is his second statue and the most notable compare dto his first which is "The Pieta" made at age 26 years old.
Because of th wear and tear of the time and because of it's strategic post, standing on one leg, had caused a strain on the statue and was now noted to have a minor crack on the right hamstring which is monitored by a recorder at the back of the affected site.
I was there standing for 20 minutes trying to go around several times stopping at each corner of the statue meticulously inspecting how it was made by Michaelangelo. It looks alive at a closeup and you can see how each muscle was emphasized. From his very odd pose the statue was been emanating a manly physique and aura.
I was even watching him for an hour while I was sitting at the corner. I felt that I might melt the statue because I was staring at him for more than a day already.
It was really a wonder how Michaelangelo carved David from an abandoned marble stone in front of the Duomo during the 1400. Although Michaelangelo wasn't commissioned as the first artist yet his appointment had made him famous because of this very exceptional work of art.
As a Florentine citizen he gave his all for the pride of Florence against it's war enemies. David was their symbol of bravery and wealth based on the Biblical story of King David from the fall of Goliath.
I have th honor to have seen him in person and it was a very unforgettable experience for me because the silence upon meeting him and the gasp when checking him was very candid. Alas.... Florence is such a beautiful place.
Visiting Pisa, Italy
October 29, 2011: The next day on a cold Saturday morning we woke up to make this day the most busy day of all our travels. Our agenda for the day was to see David and the Uffizi Museum for the last time. Then go back to our hotel and leave Florence and go to Pisa, Italy to just see the leaning tower then go home to Genova after that.
We took our early morning shower despite the cold weather and then went down to the first floor and avail ourselves with our last continental Italian breakfast consisting mostly of croissant, butter and jams, coffee, orange juice, and yogurt. Then we went up to brush our teeth and left to check out then left our backpacks at the hotel lobby.
We lined up at the Academia Gallery before the gallery opens and watched the marble statue of David for an hour and also browsed some artworks of different Italian artist being displayed there at the Academia then headed to the Uffizi Museum and browsed a wide array of paintings and artworks made by famous Italian painters like Botticeli, Cellini, Micahelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, etc. Picture taking was prohibited so we have no remembrance from this two visits.
After all those last tour of seeing some artworks we went back to the hotel at 1200H and ambled to the train station and bought two tickets to Pisa, Italy. Doreen forgot to validate our tickets so we got penalized at the train and paid 5 euros.
When we got to Pisa along with our backpacks we bought tickets going to Genova and then rode a bus going to the town of Pisa. We have two hours to browse this famous tower and we didn't wasted any minute of it. When we got there we went down and go directly towards the cathedral and started clicking our cameras for a several pictures of the famous leaning tower. There were a lot of tourist to this area.
We stayed there for two hours then we went back to the train station and waited for the train going to Genova. The train ride was about was about four hours so we arrived at Genova at around 1900H exhausted, tired, and I was sick and coughing with flu.
When we arrived at Genova only Melchor and Ashley were there and Maricelle arrived an hour after us. Melchor made this seafood spaghetti and we shared it for dinner.
After dinner we talked for a while about our experience in Tuscany and then we went to ready our stuff for our trip back to Aix-en-Provence the next morning.
Although I was getting sick yet my experiences were very vivid in my memories. I was so happy to have it realized despite of the changes in some of our itineraries. Yet everything was excellent and the experience was fun and remarkable.
From this trip I gained a lot of friends as well as a good and exciting experience I could not trade with any monetary of material things. I was very lucky to have experienced it and I thanked God for making it possible for me despite of some setbacks I consider can damage my plans and goals.
Life is indeed a roller coaster sometimes you're up sometimes you're down. Yet no matter what will come out still we can get some alternatives to spice it up and we don't ran out of resources to make it more exciting because we are naturally resourceful in our own way. And that's what makes life going.
Viola! I gained a lot of experiences ans I've learned a lot from them. I pushed myself a little further in order to learn something for my own sake. At least learning different cultures had made me more aware that the world is diversified and needs to be in harmony learning from each other.
We took our early morning shower despite the cold weather and then went down to the first floor and avail ourselves with our last continental Italian breakfast consisting mostly of croissant, butter and jams, coffee, orange juice, and yogurt. Then we went up to brush our teeth and left to check out then left our backpacks at the hotel lobby.
We lined up at the Academia Gallery before the gallery opens and watched the marble statue of David for an hour and also browsed some artworks of different Italian artist being displayed there at the Academia then headed to the Uffizi Museum and browsed a wide array of paintings and artworks made by famous Italian painters like Botticeli, Cellini, Micahelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, etc. Picture taking was prohibited so we have no remembrance from this two visits.
After all those last tour of seeing some artworks we went back to the hotel at 1200H and ambled to the train station and bought two tickets to Pisa, Italy. Doreen forgot to validate our tickets so we got penalized at the train and paid 5 euros.
When we got to Pisa along with our backpacks we bought tickets going to Genova and then rode a bus going to the town of Pisa. We have two hours to browse this famous tower and we didn't wasted any minute of it. When we got there we went down and go directly towards the cathedral and started clicking our cameras for a several pictures of the famous leaning tower. There were a lot of tourist to this area.
We stayed there for two hours then we went back to the train station and waited for the train going to Genova. The train ride was about was about four hours so we arrived at Genova at around 1900H exhausted, tired, and I was sick and coughing with flu.
When we arrived at Genova only Melchor and Ashley were there and Maricelle arrived an hour after us. Melchor made this seafood spaghetti and we shared it for dinner.
After dinner we talked for a while about our experience in Tuscany and then we went to ready our stuff for our trip back to Aix-en-Provence the next morning.
Although I was getting sick yet my experiences were very vivid in my memories. I was so happy to have it realized despite of the changes in some of our itineraries. Yet everything was excellent and the experience was fun and remarkable.
From this trip I gained a lot of friends as well as a good and exciting experience I could not trade with any monetary of material things. I was very lucky to have experienced it and I thanked God for making it possible for me despite of some setbacks I consider can damage my plans and goals.
Life is indeed a roller coaster sometimes you're up sometimes you're down. Yet no matter what will come out still we can get some alternatives to spice it up and we don't ran out of resources to make it more exciting because we are naturally resourceful in our own way. And that's what makes life going.
Viola! I gained a lot of experiences ans I've learned a lot from them. I pushed myself a little further in order to learn something for my own sake. At least learning different cultures had made me more aware that the world is diversified and needs to be in harmony learning from each other.
A Fascinating Stroll Of Florence
October 28, 2011: Florence is a very captivating city. The wonders of the architectural buildings dated back in the 1400's was very fascinating. Adorned with myriad of sculptural designs on top of it's spires creates an architectural wonder during that era.
At first glance of the city of Florence, I felt so at home. The people are very gorgeous and appears very friendly. It creates an extension to the city and connects a romantic aura to the Renaissance essence of the place.
I can't seem to control myself for the passionate love of it's inhabitants to arts.
Strolling the streets of Florence is a much needed activity for us to do. We don't want to leave something from there before we leave the next day. We jusst want to peruse and imbued ourselves with what it has to offer to us while we were there.
We enjoyed looking at the beautiful buildings with beautiful and intricate designs as well as the churches surrounding the city which mostly kept numerous and countless of artworks made by some famous Italian artist of any art mediums. It was an honor to have witnessed it personally.
From the courtyards and piazzas of the Palazzo Vecchio to the artworks on the ceiling and walls of it's museum, I just couldn't helped craning my neck to appreciate the work of art of some famous Italian artist like Botticelli and Michaelangelo.
We really spend an ample time to observe each paintings because it's really worth it to have seen them all in person. So far it was the most exciting place I could have trying to appreciate the arts of some famous Renaissance artists.
In the afternoon after lunch we did some awesome lot of shopping from jewelries to shirts and pants. We took some time doing some shopping and sipping coffee at the nearby restaurants that offers a WiFi service for us to upload our pics into Facebook.
We also went back to Ponte Vecchio and ambled slowly as we appreciate the jewelries being displayed there at the stall windows. We also continued to walk around the River Arno and crossed the bridge and as well as shopped around the other side.
At night time we decided to ate our last dinner at the cafe offering a buffet of some Italian cuisines while sipping wine as well as mojito and margaritas and enjoyed browsing the internet from our iPhones trying to avail the free WiFi being offered at the cafe. We ate a lot of food and we felt so full when we got out.
Since it was our last night we went up to the rooftop and watch the night view of the city from up there until we get tired of the view. We went back to our hotel room and decided to pack our things for our next morning trip because we will be watching more artworks in the morning and then leave for Pisa in the afternoon.
We are planning to see the statue of David when the Academia Gallery opens at 0900H and then head to the Uffizi Museum to see some Micahelangelo's and Botticilli's paintings and Cellini's sculptures.
The day of strolling the city of Florence offers us time to know more of the city. Even if Doreen was been limping yet we managed to laugh at our every adventures and felt comfortable about of friendship.
Oh... it was really nice to have traveled with Doreen at least we both have enjoyed each other's company despite of our individual problems we still true to ourselves.... and that to enjoy our getaway. This seldom happens yet it was very fascinating. Didn't regret we gave it a shot despite of our original plan to get a cruise.
Now, I have this experiences that could not be bough by money and as well that left a mark in my being that Italians are not even a bad companion. Life is always good to me.
At first glance of the city of Florence, I felt so at home. The people are very gorgeous and appears very friendly. It creates an extension to the city and connects a romantic aura to the Renaissance essence of the place.
I can't seem to control myself for the passionate love of it's inhabitants to arts.
Strolling the streets of Florence is a much needed activity for us to do. We don't want to leave something from there before we leave the next day. We jusst want to peruse and imbued ourselves with what it has to offer to us while we were there.
We enjoyed looking at the beautiful buildings with beautiful and intricate designs as well as the churches surrounding the city which mostly kept numerous and countless of artworks made by some famous Italian artist of any art mediums. It was an honor to have witnessed it personally.
From the courtyards and piazzas of the Palazzo Vecchio to the artworks on the ceiling and walls of it's museum, I just couldn't helped craning my neck to appreciate the work of art of some famous Italian artist like Botticelli and Michaelangelo.
We really spend an ample time to observe each paintings because it's really worth it to have seen them all in person. So far it was the most exciting place I could have trying to appreciate the arts of some famous Renaissance artists.
In the afternoon after lunch we did some awesome lot of shopping from jewelries to shirts and pants. We took some time doing some shopping and sipping coffee at the nearby restaurants that offers a WiFi service for us to upload our pics into Facebook.
We also went back to Ponte Vecchio and ambled slowly as we appreciate the jewelries being displayed there at the stall windows. We also continued to walk around the River Arno and crossed the bridge and as well as shopped around the other side.
At night time we decided to ate our last dinner at the cafe offering a buffet of some Italian cuisines while sipping wine as well as mojito and margaritas and enjoyed browsing the internet from our iPhones trying to avail the free WiFi being offered at the cafe. We ate a lot of food and we felt so full when we got out.
Since it was our last night we went up to the rooftop and watch the night view of the city from up there until we get tired of the view. We went back to our hotel room and decided to pack our things for our next morning trip because we will be watching more artworks in the morning and then leave for Pisa in the afternoon.
We are planning to see the statue of David when the Academia Gallery opens at 0900H and then head to the Uffizi Museum to see some Micahelangelo's and Botticilli's paintings and Cellini's sculptures.
The day of strolling the city of Florence offers us time to know more of the city. Even if Doreen was been limping yet we managed to laugh at our every adventures and felt comfortable about of friendship.
Oh... it was really nice to have traveled with Doreen at least we both have enjoyed each other's company despite of our individual problems we still true to ourselves.... and that to enjoy our getaway. This seldom happens yet it was very fascinating. Didn't regret we gave it a shot despite of our original plan to get a cruise.
Now, I have this experiences that could not be bough by money and as well that left a mark in my being that Italians are not even a bad companion. Life is always good to me.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Firenze: The Famous Renaissance City
October 27, 2011: When we got to Florence the previous day we were so tired because we were been on a whole day train ride patiently transferring form one station to another station to get to the city because of the flooding that happened in Spieza.
Well, at least we are here now in Florence. We woke up this cold morning in this Tuscanian city, tired and very exhausted from yesterday's trip but eventually we got excited on what to expect today because the weather will be nice and the rain is not apparent although the cold breeze of the wind is still imminent everywhere.
Florence is considered one of the beautiful Italian city not just for it's exceptional architectural designs but also of it's massive collection of arts dated the renaissance time. The Duomo alone promised a lot of architectural wonders and the expanse of it's dome being the largest around the world is a wonder to my eyes.
The night before we strolled a little bit of the surrounding area around the Duomo because our hotel is near the church. We also went to their local restaurant Mocassa reecommended by the hotel to us and tasted the local foods they offered there. It was all delicious and delectable. The wine is unforgettable and excellent.
After we took a much needed shower we went down to the first floor and enjoyed the hearty Italian continental breakfast consisting of bread of varying shapes and sizes, coffeee, orange juice, fruit jams and yogurt. I took a light breakfast because I just want to reserve my appetite for the lunch later.
After the breakfast we started our stroll. We went back to the Plaza Vecchio and went to the Palazzo Vecchio and perused the museum inside. All the ceilings were painted with a wide array of frescoes and reliefs and I kept flashing my camera trying to capture the beautiful artworks.
The palace was adorned with a lot of sculptures also dated from Michaelangelo's time. The structures were very defined and very pleasing to look at. We took our time to check each room with the paintings and trying to imbued ourselves with the feeling of going back to those times where people are being painted half naked. It was a very welcoming feeling.
We stayed in the palace for two hours browsing all the artworks never leaving anything not being seen. We checked some twice or thrice until we got fed up. In short, we really feasted our eyes with all of these artworks that are abundant in front of us. We will probably never be back here again so this is the time to feel everything is real.
The difference between seeing it in person from the books is very different and I felt a little prouder because I got the opportunity to have seen Michaelangelo's "The Birth of Venus" and "The Spring". It was very fascinating and captivating.
Florence is Firenze in Italian. It is one of the big city in the Tuscanian country in 1400-1500's. It is where the Italian language had evolved as being marginalized in some of Dante's poems, an Italian poet.
After were done at the Palazzo de Vecchio we also browsed it's courtyard teeming with architectures and sculptures. The fountain of Neptune was very elaborate and pretty and the replica of the statue of David in front of the palace had even titillated my senses as well as the Odysseus cutting Medusa's head at the pantheon adjacent the palace. Various sculptural designs had captured my attention and I was very excited to checked them one by one and gave them an honest personal judgment on the artwork.
We then went to the Gallerie de Academia where they housed the original statue of David but when we got there the line was very long. We decided to grab some lunch because it was already past twelve at that time.
We went in to this very sleek restaurant and we didn't know it was a vegetarian restaurant. All their food and pasta's were made from vegetables and they are very delicious. We decided to come back to the Academia Gallery tomorrow to have a date with David.
After lunch we then headed to shop and I bought football jersies and jackets as well as Italian jewelries. We also shop a little bit on the shopping stalls and went to Ponte de Vecchio were the jewelries are being sold. The river was crystal clear and the bridge which was rumor to be nearly collapsing was teeming with stalls selling Italian golds and jewelries.
We also browsed the streets of Florence and the parks. We rode the bus and went to Michaelangelo's garden and saw the aerial view of the whole city.
It was already dusk when we went up there but the night shot or view of the city from the hill was very stunning. There was a bronze replica of David from there and I just can't stop clicking my iPhone from the sculpture's all corners 360 degrees.
We rode the bus back to the city and decided to have our dinner at another authentic Italian restaurant where we ate pizza and drank wine. We ate heartily because we were so tired then we walked back to the hotel.
On the way we noticed a very nice bar so we went and checked it out. Good thing they have WiFi so I started uploading some of my pics to Facebook to let my friends see that I am enjoying Italy on this journey.
We went back to the hotel past midnight and retired early because we were so tired. The day of strolling Florence was very fun. Good thing the weather had cooperated and I got to appreciate the beauty of the whole city personally compared to just looking at it from the pictures in the coffee table books.
I learned how romantic the city is and how people appreciate the beauty of art. I am so lucky to have witnessed it personally and I am glad I am here.
Well, at least we are here now in Florence. We woke up this cold morning in this Tuscanian city, tired and very exhausted from yesterday's trip but eventually we got excited on what to expect today because the weather will be nice and the rain is not apparent although the cold breeze of the wind is still imminent everywhere.
Florence is considered one of the beautiful Italian city not just for it's exceptional architectural designs but also of it's massive collection of arts dated the renaissance time. The Duomo alone promised a lot of architectural wonders and the expanse of it's dome being the largest around the world is a wonder to my eyes.
The night before we strolled a little bit of the surrounding area around the Duomo because our hotel is near the church. We also went to their local restaurant Mocassa reecommended by the hotel to us and tasted the local foods they offered there. It was all delicious and delectable. The wine is unforgettable and excellent.
After we took a much needed shower we went down to the first floor and enjoyed the hearty Italian continental breakfast consisting of bread of varying shapes and sizes, coffeee, orange juice, fruit jams and yogurt. I took a light breakfast because I just want to reserve my appetite for the lunch later.
After the breakfast we started our stroll. We went back to the Plaza Vecchio and went to the Palazzo Vecchio and perused the museum inside. All the ceilings were painted with a wide array of frescoes and reliefs and I kept flashing my camera trying to capture the beautiful artworks.
The palace was adorned with a lot of sculptures also dated from Michaelangelo's time. The structures were very defined and very pleasing to look at. We took our time to check each room with the paintings and trying to imbued ourselves with the feeling of going back to those times where people are being painted half naked. It was a very welcoming feeling.
We stayed in the palace for two hours browsing all the artworks never leaving anything not being seen. We checked some twice or thrice until we got fed up. In short, we really feasted our eyes with all of these artworks that are abundant in front of us. We will probably never be back here again so this is the time to feel everything is real.
The difference between seeing it in person from the books is very different and I felt a little prouder because I got the opportunity to have seen Michaelangelo's "The Birth of Venus" and "The Spring". It was very fascinating and captivating.
Florence is Firenze in Italian. It is one of the big city in the Tuscanian country in 1400-1500's. It is where the Italian language had evolved as being marginalized in some of Dante's poems, an Italian poet.
After were done at the Palazzo de Vecchio we also browsed it's courtyard teeming with architectures and sculptures. The fountain of Neptune was very elaborate and pretty and the replica of the statue of David in front of the palace had even titillated my senses as well as the Odysseus cutting Medusa's head at the pantheon adjacent the palace. Various sculptural designs had captured my attention and I was very excited to checked them one by one and gave them an honest personal judgment on the artwork.
We then went to the Gallerie de Academia where they housed the original statue of David but when we got there the line was very long. We decided to grab some lunch because it was already past twelve at that time.
We went in to this very sleek restaurant and we didn't know it was a vegetarian restaurant. All their food and pasta's were made from vegetables and they are very delicious. We decided to come back to the Academia Gallery tomorrow to have a date with David.
After lunch we then headed to shop and I bought football jersies and jackets as well as Italian jewelries. We also shop a little bit on the shopping stalls and went to Ponte de Vecchio were the jewelries are being sold. The river was crystal clear and the bridge which was rumor to be nearly collapsing was teeming with stalls selling Italian golds and jewelries.
We also browsed the streets of Florence and the parks. We rode the bus and went to Michaelangelo's garden and saw the aerial view of the whole city.
It was already dusk when we went up there but the night shot or view of the city from the hill was very stunning. There was a bronze replica of David from there and I just can't stop clicking my iPhone from the sculpture's all corners 360 degrees.
We rode the bus back to the city and decided to have our dinner at another authentic Italian restaurant where we ate pizza and drank wine. We ate heartily because we were so tired then we walked back to the hotel.
On the way we noticed a very nice bar so we went and checked it out. Good thing they have WiFi so I started uploading some of my pics to Facebook to let my friends see that I am enjoying Italy on this journey.
We went back to the hotel past midnight and retired early because we were so tired. The day of strolling Florence was very fun. Good thing the weather had cooperated and I got to appreciate the beauty of the whole city personally compared to just looking at it from the pictures in the coffee table books.
I learned how romantic the city is and how people appreciate the beauty of art. I am so lucky to have witnessed it personally and I am glad I am here.
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