and a Roman Holiday...

will complete my vacation in Italia in the weeks ahead. One of my all time favorite movies was on last Sunday is Director William Wyler's film "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck and Eddie Albert. Watching it made me smile as they showed a vintage 1950s Rome. The Spanish Steps, the Forum, the Tiber with Castel Sant Angelo in the background, the Trevi Fountain and many other places were highlighted during the course of the film. One of my favorite scenes is when Audrey gets on the vespa and takes off on a wild ride through the streets of Rome and finally winds up at the local Police Station explaining her escapade.

From Rome I am planning some other little day trips by train. One will be to Anzio located an hour and a half south of Rome and on the coast. And, I am also returning to Orvieto and Deruta. I have not been back to either in over ten years and am looking forward to soaking in the ambiance of both hill towns. Both are located north and west of Rome.

Finally am starting to pack. Picked up a foldable piece of luggage at Target today just in case I need the extra space returning. I will be able to carry it on as I am not carrying on anything going other than my cameras. Found a nice compact camera case that goes across my body and holds everything nice and neat; I was hoping I would find something lightweight and practical. And, I also decided to pick up a 3/4 length black trench coat that isn't too heavy and will work perfectly over a sweater and blouse or whatever. It was either a black one or a green and white printed one...lol. So...

Thank you all, each and every one for your well wishes on my previous post and I look forward to sharing my photographs and stories with all of you when I return. Until then, take care and I will hopefully get a post up for My World the first week of March.

You can find great posters here.

Seven More Days...

A week from today, five more work days and seven calendar days, I will be off to to Italia. Driving to Dulles International and departing on a 7:14 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany where I grab a connecting flight to Florence.

On my agenda the first week besides Florence are trips to Sienna and San Gimignano . In Florence I will be staying near the Ponte Vecchio.

The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest and most famous bridge across the Arno, and the bridge as we know it today was built in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi to replace an earlier version. The characteristic overhanging shops have lined the bridge since at least the 12th century. In the 16th century, it was home to butchers until Cosimo I moved into the Palazzo Pitti across the river. He couldn't stand the stench as he crossed the bridge from on high in the Corridorio Vasariano every day, so he evicted the meat cutters and moved in the classier gold- and silversmiths, tradesmen who occupy the bridge to this day.

The Ponte Vecchio's fame saved it in 1944 from the Nazis, who had orders to blow up all the bridges before retreating out of Florence as Allied forces advanced. They couldn't bring themselves to reduce this span to rubble -- so they blew up the ancient buildings on either end instead to block it off. The Arno flood of 1966 wasn't so discriminating, however, and severely damaged the shops. Apparently, a private night watchman saw the waters rising alarmingly and called many of the goldsmiths at home, who rushed to remove their valuable stock before it was washed away.

I am still in my gathering, sorting and deciding what to and what not to take and knowing of course I have that 50 lb weight restriction to deal with; and, checking the weather daily to determine some of my decisions regarding what to pack.

Have a good week everyone.

See posters here.

An Award

I received this award from Lisa aka "Rapunzel" at Laughing Orca Ranch. Lisa is a hoot and she's a great blog that chronicles her life in beautiful New Mexico with her family and critters. She is currently recooperating from a fall from her dear painted pony Baby Doll. She's a trooper. So please check her fab site out when you have the chance. I know many of you are already famililar with it and enjoy it as much as I do.

Thank you Lisa and I am honored that you would pass this on to me. The following is the text that accompanies this award when passed on."These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

If you don't mind, I would like to pass this on to any other friend on my blog list who visits me regularly and who would like to accept it. I consider you all very good friends already. Thanks again Lisa and good thoughts to you always.

Hugs.