tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16144718990609157152024-03-05T19:20:30.245+08:00KATE'S TRAVELSLife has placed us on the Island of Maui. I will catch up with old posts...go forward with my new experiences. Let the games begin!
<a href="http://pinterest.com/berklybums/"><img src="http://passets-cdn.pinterest.com/images/pinterest-button.png" width="78" height="26" alt="Follow Me on Pinterest"></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-50583949928237410612016-12-16T08:46:00.000+08:002016-12-16T08:46:01.812+08:00"Scrooge” Christmas?Our family is frighteningly small. I mean tiny…super tiny.<br />
<br />
My parents were
never particularly close to their siblings, so we were never close to our
cousins. When we moved to California what little contact we had was gone. Our
Aunts and Uncles came out every once in awhile, but we pretty much were on our
own.<br />
<br />
When we moved to Texas, our tiny family became even more isolated. Mom, Dad,
Mair, Stew and Bill in LA, me, Corey, the kids and Corey’s parents with us in
TX. To overcome the divide, Christmas became opulent. We showed our love for
each other and how much we missed each other through gifts.<br />
<br />
Fast forward through the years, a move to Seattle, the loss of all of the
elders of the family, my brother wandering off into his alcoholism…and we became
even more compact.<br />
<br />
Toss a move to Hong Kong into the mix and now Christmas became exponentially
large. The living room floor groaned under the weight of gifts…it took hours to
open. Each person opened one gift at a time…we all paid attention, reveling in
our togetherness that shortly would end.<br />
<br />
SO…after Christmas 2014, after Merry Mosas were consumed, after
breakfast was served, and all the wrapping paper tossed...we looked around...loved everything we saw...but my sister had an idea.<br />
<br />
How about instead of the mounds and mounds of gifts...we do experiences. Change it up. <br />
<br />
How about Christmas on Maui? Corey and I would take our condo for December...Mair would get the condo next door...and Kari and Kirk could share a unit in the complex.<br />
<br />
Kirk and Skyler decided to go to Los Angeles to be with her family...hard but acceptable since, well...Skyler HAS family. And yes....she is allowed to see them at Christmas sine she'd been away for a few years.<br />
<br />
Christmas 2015 WAS a change! We decided it would be the trip and stockings only. <br />
<br />
Corey had a tough time with it...called it "Scrooge Christmas" and bent the rules by buying a nice gift for every stocking. <br />
<br />
While it WAS a new way to celebrate....we still had Maui err Merry Mosas...we just had them with 75 degree tropical breezes and a stint by the pool before dinner was cooked.<br />
<br />
Fast forward one year...and hear we go. All things have changed. AGAIN. Corey and I are living on Maui now...the kids have even less vacation...and Corey and I are both working, in retail, so long leisurely holidays have ended . It't the busiest two weeks of the year...too tough to be gone. <br />
<br />
This year we are continuing with the "scrooge" Christmas if you really want to still say that. (It didn't feel scroogy to me last year!).<br />
<br />
This year we agreed to exchange names. We all joined a website www.drawnames.com The Website takes care of pulling names for Secret Santa. The spend limit is $100.00 (not including shipping).<br />
<br />
We will all meet in Los Angeles at my sister's house. We won't see each other for very long, but I"m happy we will all be together again. <br />
<br />
Mary Ann has even devised a way to keep the stockings secret until Christmas Day! We are all in to this!<br />
<br />
I gotta tell ya. WHAT A RELIEF. We focus our efforts on one person...ridiculous amounts of money are not being spent...and we get to see and enjoy each other.<br />
<br />
Merry Mosas will still be had...good food will still be had. Togetherness will still be had. All of this without the running and dashing and spending to spend.<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
Not sure this will be how we do Christmas forever...but we learned last year changing traditions is NOT terrible. We even liked it....just a little bit. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-63122755311104280832015-02-08T18:18:00.000+08:002015-02-08T18:19:14.585+08:00Tourists? Locusts? People…<p>Chinese New Year (CNY) is upon us. </p> <p>You can tell this because of how the city transforms itself. Smoothly transitioning from (sometimes crazy) Christmas decorations to bright reds and glimmering golds. Showcasing the creature that we are in the “Year” of.</p> <p>The creature this year has brought much consternation and discussion among the Non-Chinese. </p> <p>Is it the Year of The Goat? The Year of The Ram? The Year of The Sheep? The answer is “Yes” </p> <p>It depends who you ask, where you look, what page from Google you click on. From what I can tell, this is the year of a “horned” thing…but NOT Ox. In OUR house, this is the “Year of Kari” She’s been waiting…she is waiting for her birth-year’s place on the window sill with the other gold figurines we have collected. (each figurine represents a year in Hong Kong for us…if only I had done this with my LINKS bracelet)</p> <p>I digress.</p> <p>CNY brings HOARDES and I mean HOARDES of people to Hong Kong. The celebration is about one month long. EVERYONE in China has this time (or part of it) off. Many travel back to their homes and villages, and with China being HUGE…this can take awhile.</p> <p>However, now that it is very common for Chinese to travel…Hong Kong is a pretty popular destination. </p> <p>This is not really new…Chinese Tourism to Hong Kong has been on the upswing for years. This has caused much debate, distaste, distress to those who live and work here. See…Hong Kong is pretty packed as it is…add tons more people…and well, our orderly life gets interrupted.</p> <p>I’m going to list some of those interruptions…and when I do…because I’ve been thinking about this…we all pretty much seem like a whiny bunch of spoiled brats…and we are. We want these people gone from “our” city (seriously…OUR city?). <font color="#ff0000"><strong>NOW…also let it be said that I am writing from personal experience and thoughts…</strong></font></p> <p><strong>We have to wait longer for trains.</strong> The transport system here is one of the best in the world. It is clean. somewhat orderly (except when you can’t get off the train b/c people are jamming on – which is a year long event…not tied to these two weeks) efficient, reliable, timely. Boo Hoo…we have to wait 3 min to the next train? WAHHHHHHH</p> <p><strong>We have to be more vigilant of our handbags and safety:</strong> - With crowds brings opportunists. Tourists are known targets…and because it is drilled into us that Hong Kong is SO safe…we ourselves might get a bit lax in taking care of our stuff. Thefts will soar these next few weeks…and I doubt seriously it is Mainlanders doing the thieving… I get a bit careless…and after a couple of reports these last few weeks, I am watching…and zipping my bags…and putting my wallet in the “middle” of the bag…not on top… Shouldn’t we just be smarter anyway? </p> <p><strong>We have to wait longer in line at Starbucks</strong>. Ok…I will admit it…I was a tad annoyed this morning when the family of six was ordering their pastries and I really could not make my away around them to the counter. Since this was BC (before coffee) I had my moment. Then I calmed. (This is what got me thinking about this subject). I got my coffee…moved myself away from what I was SURE would be unruly children (they weren’t). </p> <p><strong>We have to Dodge Duck Dip Dive and Dodge as we walk down the street</strong>: As a rule, Hong Kongers don’t walk well…at all. It is every man/woman for themselves. Heads down, watching a video, playing IPhone Mahjong, serpentining their way through life. Some days we are in the mood to move…some days we are not. These next couple of weeks we tend to “not” be in the mood, especially with the added traffic. Take your eyes off of your own phone…you will be happier for it. </p> <p><strong>Waiting in line as “they” check out at the stores:</strong> Once again, it comes down to the “waiting” We are all in such a G/D hurry…all the time…we can not fathom having people in front of us. NOW…what tends to get us all crazy is the queue jumping…and I’m with you on that…THAT one (also a year long event) gets me nuts at this time of year. That one I don’t tolerate…</p> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">WHAT COULD THEY BE BUYING?</font></strong> </p> <p>And THERE it is. This is what grabbed me today…really got me and I’m hoping that it will carry me through the next two weeks.</p> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>EVERYTHING.</strong></font></p> <p>Hong Kongers tend to call these tourists Locusts. I’ve read it, I’ve seen it depicted in a child’s art show (locusts sitting on houses in the New Territories – drawn by a 15 year old boy); I’ve heard fellow ExPats say it.</p> <p>Why do <em>they</em> do it? WHY are <em>they</em> HERE buying EVERYTHING. Why are they lining up on Canton Road to get into LV, Hermes, Coach? Why has baby formula been limited to two tins per traveler? </p> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE:</font></strong></p> <p>They cannot trust the purity of their food.</p> <p>They cannot trust the purity of their beauty products. </p> <p>They cannot trust the authenticity of their glamour goods .</p> <p>They cannot (do not) trust their government to handle the above.</p> <p>Wow…Not sure anyone is still here…reading b/c that was a long time to get to this point : We live a charmed life…really charmed. The freedoms afforded us are endless…fought for by brave men and women. </p> <p>MOST of the time…we don’t give the first three things a thought…I mean…bad things happen, but tainted food is jumped on pretty quickly…and as to the governments… Right now I’m not a fan of either side of the aisle in the US Government…but…I’d much rather THEM be my government than the one those visiting Hong Kong over the next couple of weeks have to endure. I’m sure most of my ExPat friends from where ever they are will say the same thing.</p> <p>Next time you see the term “locust” or even want to use it…think about the above? They are just moving through their lives, seeing something new. Taking advantage of Hong Kong’s plusses. These people also spend a TON of money here…I mean…that has GOT to be good right? </p> <p>SO…I’m going to try to stay calm…travel on slightly off peak times…and maybe try to catch the eye of someone I’m passing…smile…then jump out of the way as they veer into me.</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a41ac88f-b536-4871-b1a5-0cdc2534b938" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Chinese+New+Year" rel="tag">Chinese New Year</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hong+Kong" rel="tag">Hong Kong</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Starbucks" rel="tag">Starbucks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Year+of+the+Ram" rel="tag">Year of the Ram</a></div> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b181f17b-09a9-4175-95ff-99d7d4c48f6b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Year+of+the+Goat" rel="tag">Year of the Goat</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Year+of+the+Sheep" rel="tag">Year of the Sheep</a></div> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-87632143344549293642015-01-10T11:28:00.001+08:002015-02-08T12:05:18.646+08:00Getting “Fit” My body does NOT like it<p> </p> <p>Corey loves to hike. This is not a secret. His lungs are strong. His legs are stronger. He also has been working diligently over the past 2 1/2 years to remove his weight. His hard work has been rewarded with low heart rates, normal cholesterol and a half empty closet because nothing fits anymore!</p> <p>I do not like to hike. The thought of it makes me anxious, angry, and pretty much impossible to be around. I do not have strong legs, I do not have strong lungs…(at least my cholesterol is fine. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TDiucC6lFuc/VLCcX6AwDgI/AAAAAAAAFFk/TL6sUJeXAXM/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> )</p> <p>So WHY do it? I want to be with Corey. Like Scuba Diving, this is something we can do together. However, I LOVE scuba diving (falling off a boat, floating, descending, ascending…not hard…not hard at all)</p> <p>Over the past 2 years we have been hiking in Hong Kong and we are three stages from finishing every “formal” trail. </p> <p>Over the past 2 years I have hyperventilated on every trail. I have bitched, moaned, cried, yelled (yes…there was that one temper fit), and basically been a real pain in the ass.</p> <p>SO…after last hiking season…I decided that if I was going to continue to hike, I had better do something about my overall fitness level. Being at a healthy weight does NOT mean you are a healthy person. It does not mean you are fit.</p> <p>So starting in May, I have worked pretty darn hard to get some fitness back into my life. </p> <p>For the first two months I was working out…and “sort” of journaling my food. While I saw some improvement in my heart rate…my weight barely moved.</p> <p>Then I went back to Hawaii for a few weeks. In Hawaii I was able to attend Weight Watchers meeting regularly. </p> <p>ACCOUNTABILITY. What a concept. For the first time in a LONG time…my weight moved…every week…down…for five meetings. There was even that one day Corey had our car…so I walked 8 km to the meeting (I did end up going the very long way and coming home a much shorter way…but still…) I was committed. </p> <p>Coming back to Hong Kong those days were over. I took a good look at HOW I was tracking my food. Every day I was writing down my food…but then, I would turn the page, and move on. </p> <p>After one person took a look…she said “do you KNOW what vegetables are? SO…while I was (sort of) eating in my points range…I was not eating “”well” </p> <p>I designed my own tracker in excel. I can see my whole week in one glance…looking at my week this way let me see if my “five fruits and veg” requirement was not really happening. </p> <p>It is an eye opening experience. </p> <p>After 14 years of working and working for Weight Watchers…it is still a challenge…I want to “get away” with things. I want my wine and drink it too. Alas, I don’t’ think that strategy will work anymore. </p> <p>I got through the Holidays unscathed. I left Hong Kong at one weight…and came back the exact same weight. I will take it! </p> <p>But now…now I want to move forward. There is still weight to remove and fitness to improve. </p> <p>My body is fighting me…my brain is fighting. I took a really good look at my food diary vs. my activity…and they are NOT offsetting each other. I am earning between 8 – 10 Activity Points a day…and my weight is pretty much stuck right now. </p> <p>That tells me that I can not play loose and fast with my tracking. I can not play loose and fast with my points. My allotment is 26 points a day…and supposedly…49 extra points a week. I really think I am getting to the point where I can’t use all 49 and lose weight. SIGH. </p> <p>Fitness IS one thing. Weight IS another thing. However…I have to think that hiking will be easier with less weight on me. the less of me there is…the less of me there is to haul over a mountain (or up steps…or down a hill).</p> <p>So my goal is to track even more diligently. My goal is to use my points wisely. My goal is to stick as close to 26 as possible and see…if this moves me off of this weight. </p> <p>It’s back to basics…just like 14 years ago. </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dc7b9272-cc02-4ba1-a6b5-fa98931fa684" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Weight+Watchers" rel="tag">Weight Watchers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/trakking" rel="tag">trakking</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hiking" rel="tag">Hiking</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fitness" rel="tag">Fitness</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fitbit" rel="tag">Fitbit</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Activity+Points" rel="tag">Activity Points</a></div> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-67819636177870400292015-01-06T08:41:00.001+08:002015-01-06T08:41:39.706+08:00January 6 2015<p>I’ve done my writing for the day…twice. Finished an article for the AWAre magazine…and finished up a blog post from March.</p> <p>But do you want to know what I hate…I went to work on another Blog Post…with a catchy title…I’m sure I had all intensions of it being pretty darn funny… (well….I would have found it funny) and I ended the post with </p> <p>“So here’s the thing”…</p> <p>AND I DON’T REMEMBER WHAT THE “THING” WAS!</p> <p>Sigh.</p> <p>Lesson learned! </p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-74390794612763162812015-01-05T09:44:00.001+08:002015-01-05T09:44:14.107+08:00I am realizing…<p>As my project continues, that my writing is going to take various forms. Todays’ exercise was to finish an article for the AWAre magazine. I worked for 30 minutes…quietly and somewhat focused. </p> <p>My goal is to maybe write a blurb about my days…but also catch up on my travel writing. THIS is a task that while I let it get away from me….got larger and larger and thus, more daunting.</p> <p>I will persevere.</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-39260846816430750272015-01-04T09:31:00.000+08:002015-01-06T08:43:44.241+08:00So…my storyboard had to say “FIRST” thing?<p>I have gotten into this “nap” a bit in the evening habit…and then am awake until late. This does NOT help someone who sleeps badly anyway.</p> <p>Corey has been researching giving “micro-loans” to people all over the world and was up late doing that. </p> <p>I got Corey sick. We had full intentions of hiking today…but with his very late night, and now the cold, and MY late night…I actually stayed in bed today until 9…hoping it will turn the tide and almost get me into a normal pattern.</p> <p>It’s Saturday night in the US. First day of NFL Playoffs. For the first time in two years the Steelers are IN. </p> <p>I wake up, realize it’s time for kick off, turn on the computer, make coffee…go to turn on our Slingbox and …. </p> <p>STOP</p> <p>You said you would write 15 min a day. This is a “lesson in discipline” </p> <p>So I unhook all the wires (we use my computer for the Slingbox mostly)…come to my spot. I set the timer.</p> <p>Sigh. The game will still be there.</p> <p>Yesterday was one of “those” days in Hong Kong. It was cooler, bright, just perfect. </p> <p>Corey and I had lunch at the Metropolitan Café (they have good lettuce and a decent salad bar) then we walked past LegCo. Corey had not seen the “layout” of Occupy Hong Kong. </p> <p>The waterfront walk between Wanchai and Central is just gorgeous. I brought my camera with me for the day…an am so glad I did. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kEPpCizFFto/VKiYjswAn1I/AAAAAAAAE90/XUHlTHhQo4w/s1600-h/IMG_7296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7296" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7296" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sy7Nna0ej8o/VKiYkWL3zAI/AAAAAAAAE98/gpnMiR_br_U/IMG_7296_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UoAhLcLWOUE/VKiYk3WC6NI/AAAAAAAAE-E/xrQLQb0uP0A/s1600-h/IMG_7295%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7295" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7295" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HmJtO4qaROM/VKiYlhP2hEI/AAAAAAAAE-M/quZzm3QlRM4/IMG_7295_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cIyrblnrAZw/VKiYmRKQ7TI/AAAAAAAAE-U/Xfekd3bouiY/s1600-h/IMG_7289%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7289" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7289" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2rWf_JefTB8/VKiYm8zAQfI/AAAAAAAAE-c/kLWnx6YOHG0/IMG_7289_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="167"></a></p> <p>I’m rusty. Maybe another “discipline” after I get this one down is to shoot more. So much of my camera I still rely on “auto” No sometimes I realize you just want to take a picture…but I’m also kind of sick of the “spray and pray” habit I’ve developed. It leads to disappointment.</p> <p>AIA Insurance is hosting a very fun carnival. Mostly for kids…but we had fun walking around . It wasn’t a bad deal. 125 HKD gets you in with 10 tokens…and each token is worth 10 HKD. </p> <p>c<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-esqjMWKEfhg/VKiYnohHvTI/AAAAAAAAE-k/_-_SL5qDt7k/s1600-h/IMG_7312%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7312" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7312" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dbi0jw_oxH8/VKiYoDkPmEI/AAAAAAAAE-s/9v1PIIDvXKo/IMG_7312_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="215"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4PUtp1ewtQY/VKiYo2fJy8I/AAAAAAAAE-0/gUzzIRUyPMQ/s1600-h/IMG_7314%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7314" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7314" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BR1BnNHl32A/VKiYpYuGjNI/AAAAAAAAE-8/eFN2C0RDAcw/IMG_7314_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="212"></a></p> <p>Christmas was the early theme…but since it goes to February, I’m sure it will switch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5Lz4EiqzLV0/VKiYqDE-5bI/AAAAAAAAE_E/O9UTTRZd8nU/s1600-h/IMG_7316%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7316" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7316" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9aH01CknP48/VKiYqllbRLI/AAAAAAAAE_M/iJ1_9-bLJKY/IMG_7316_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KNdswrR508M/VKiYrUqKoEI/AAAAAAAAE_U/jszyqwlmRds/s1600-h/IMG_7325%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7325" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7325" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ar8Dtnm-tQ4/VKiYsEULkEI/AAAAAAAAE_c/c6HYfyRiCOI/IMG_7325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Pictures, games, it was very fun.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wyjG4059ea8/VKiYs28EX3I/AAAAAAAAE_k/q_MbZI_BnU8/s1600-h/IMG_7352%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7352" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7352" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UCYO_U-xSAQ/VKiYtV2rknI/AAAAAAAAE_o/a78xv1JqJNM/IMG_7352_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="171"></a>Corey is a killer at a dart game.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--UN_AG2XLmk/VKiYuHXmHZI/AAAAAAAAE_0/zj1jdXG1HiE/s1600-h/IMG_7356%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7356" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpknRMFUIg9FkYpFpJk0x4d4saBnq1sMby5VvCuRkxRpKCaeS0onM-_YjdagA1gWzyG0qziErf3Ds73MkC4mhM0R-zYgtul9-s6Hipv3jgKX2voEFdTXdzn8Vx8j-QBBH0A40Ur6JqCnk/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>And went on to give some away.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9pcN3LAPCkA/VKiYvTIiyoI/AAAAAAAAFAE/pCakgsMHUIY/s1600-h/IMG_7361%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7361" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7361" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gdUbF2sEUf4/VKiYwRTopgI/AAAAAAAAFAI/wplMYLc8564/IMG_7361_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u0Ze7QEKtV8/VKiYxkFTTBI/AAAAAAAAFAU/KpClgOYSf8E/s1600-h/IMG_7359%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7359" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7359" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pxb336L8RcU/VKiYyuMNnzI/AAAAAAAAFAc/RARAhpeifAs/IMG_7359_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="230"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-351nj3Y-lsc/VKiYzXHwZ0I/AAAAAAAAFAk/fnYUSH-DFfw/s1600-h/IMG_7357%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7357" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7357" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_KJAlwn5PRk/VKiYz3J3mkI/AAAAAAAAFAo/IoYyVS8Wcsw/IMG_7357_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a>We got out before the crowds got crazy…Ferry ride home. Light workout. Salmon. (nap)</p> <p>A lovely day. </p> <p>And now….</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vS-DN9jIxMo/VKiY0tBolHI/AAAAAAAAFA0/46a65k0pyD0/s1600-h/STEELERS%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="STEELERS" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="STEELERS" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BXSRSHwY94o/VKiY1Mq06UI/AAAAAAAAFA4/7JpKRZAfE04/STEELERS_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>#herewego</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-64991855077550638242015-01-03T08:33:00.000+08:002015-01-03T10:16:37.417+08:00My Quest for 2015 - Jan 3<p> </p> <p>Resolutions are for the birds…but why should we strap birds down with such baggage (except maybe Eagles…Eagles can carry a lot of weight)…</p> <p>HOWEVER…I do know the power of having a goal. A very specific goal. </p> <p>Having small, attainable, specific goals is how I removed my weight and it is how I encouraged others to lose theirs. </p> <p>For example…right now…when I ask this question:</p> <p>“Raise your hand if, you want to remove some weight”</p> <p>I am betting many of your hands just went up. </p> <p>The next question to ask is…</p> <p>“Raise your hand if you have a plan to get that weight off” </p> <p>Ummm, are the same amount of hands still up? I’m betting not. </p> <p>That old saying “You don’t plan to fail, you fail to plan”… Well, it’s true.</p> <p>Without a specific plan, with specific goals, things just don’t happen. It <em>sounds</em> like a good idea to lose weight. You know you <em>want</em> to do it…but you blink…and then it’s Thursday, and you figure…”Eh, I will start Monday” And then months and possibly years go by. </p> <p>TRUST ME! I’m a master at this. </p> <p>Writing down the goal…and then the steps to get there is a wonderful way to achieve….well, anything. </p> <p>In Weight Watchers the tool was “Storyboarding” and it was one of my very favorite meetings (next to The Paper Plate meeting…NOTHING is better than The Paper Plate meeting)</p> <p>SO…I bet some of you are thinking…”Well, Kate has put some weight back on and she is going to Storyboard her way back to goal”</p> <p><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><strong>WRONG</strong></font></p> <p><font color="#ff0000"></font>This is not about weight…this time. </p> <p>My goal for 2015:</p> <p><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><strong>WRITE EVERY DAY</strong></font></p> <p>I’ve been past neglectful of this blog. I’ve been past neglectful of documenting my experiences beyond my pictures. (Just backed them up last night, over 25,000 images with two cameras in 3 years). I rarely can remember what I had for lunch…do I really think I will remember the nuances of a trip I took last year? </p> <p>I’m not egotistical enough to think my kids or friends or family will jump to read it. However, I come from a tiny tiny family. Seriously. SMALL. I know little to nothing about my relatives and our history. Maybe one day, someone will find it. Maybe not. </p> <p>I will sit down, and write, uninterrupted for a minimum of 15 minutes. EVERY DAY.</p> <p>It might be drivel. But it will be an exercise in discipline. Will every day happen? Fingers Crossed. </p> <p><font color="#ff0000" size="3"><strong>WHAT’S THE PLAN?</strong></font> </p> <p>I don’t know how to do flow charts and such…and I just spent 20 minutes putting one together…just to struggle pasting it here…SO…please trust there IS a flow chart… and here is what it says (I will print it)</p> <p><strong><font color="#ff0000">GOAL</font></strong> – <strong>WRITE 15 MINUTES EVERY DAY</strong> <strong>>> </strong>do not open internet <strong>>></strong> do not make phone calls <strong>>></strong> make coffee <strong>>></strong> turn on computer <strong>>></strong> wake up.</p> <p>Now, there are some days I am out early early…but here is the game plan…here is the strategy.</p> <p>Let the games begin. </p> <p>(by the way…this took 50 minutes…I’ll get better and I figure that almost covers Jan 1 and Jan 2! </p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-72737673769495117532014-05-01T17:22:00.000+08:002015-01-07T17:46:04.739+08:00“Seeing” Hong Kong thru the eyes of the sight impaired<p> </p> <p>Once again I was offered an opportunity to participate in an activity that, while not unique (due to its availability in other cities), was definitely off the radar, yet life changing, and excuse this…eye opening.</p> <p>One of my volunteer opportunities is Reading for the Blind. My group is responsible for clipping news articles from periodicals for a two week period, then reading them in a recording booth. The readings are transferred to tapes, so the sight impaired of Hong Kong can check out tapes and hear news and, well, English. I love doing it. I am always amazed as I walk through the facility how many sight-impaired workers are there…doing office work, dealing with computers…just day to day stuff millions do around the world…but most of those millions CAN SEE. I thought by going to the Hong Kong Society for the Blind I had a clue as to what went on with a sight impaired person…nope, not one inkling. </p> <p>SO…the opportunity afforded to me (us, I went with a group) was to experience Hong Kong as a sight impaired person would experience Hong Kong. </p> <p>We journeyed to Mei Foo…one of the stops on the Tsuen Wan line of the MTR (our subway). I take the MTR most days and don’t think twice about it. Buzz myself in with my Octopus card, go downstairs to my train (left is to one set of locations, right to another) Get on, watch for the stop, get off. </p> <p>We walked over to The Household Centre ( a shopping mall of course) and took the escalators to our destination. For those that needed the restrooms, off we went…those that wanted water at the SUPER HUGE Park ‘N Shop, yep, scattered to reconvene a few minutes later.</p> <p>Travel. Walking to destinations. Restrooms. Supermarkets. Just things that happen. Just things we do. In 90 minutes, my perception of all of that would change!. </p> <p>We are met and briefed. We are told to stow our belongings in a locker…NO PHONES! Nothing that illuminates (watches, etc.). NO glasses. You won’t need them (total darkness) and I guess there might be a falling issue. We are shown how to hold a walking cane (you hold it like a pen??). We are broken into two groups. My group has 5 individuals, the other 4. </p> <p>We are moved into an area that is shrouded with curtains, I think to get us used to the darkness to come. We are told to stand with our backs to the wall…and somehow, I end up as the last person (Matthew, the brilliant, personable twenty-something Pastor moved right to the front. Oh the confidence of youth!). We are told that when our guide is ready, she or he will turn on a green light, and we will enter the exhibition. </p> <p>I have to tell you, I am getting anxious…like really anxious. I figure this has to be a safe environment…I mean if the guests were hurt constantly, how would this place stay in business? </p> <p>SO…on goes the green light, and we file into a dark room. When I mean dark…well, DARK. PITCH black. We were told to keep our eyes closed as much as possible so when we exit the tour, our eyes won’t need as much time adjusting…but I would vary from opening to closing my eyes trying to get a glimpse of light. Yea, there wasn’t a lick! </p> <p>I was behind Eileen. Eileen is a good egg. I did apologize in advance for any random touches, grabs, etc. that might happen. Believe me…it happened!</p> <p>Our first moments were to just get acclimated to the dark. Eyes open? Eyes closed? It just didn’t matter…dark is dark.</p> <p>Our first steps get us used to changing elevations. They aren’t great changes…I am talking cement to grass…and back. I’ve decided that tiny steps and shuffling is a pretty safe way to go.</p> <p>Without leaving the floor of this warehouse, our guide has us move through different parts of “Hong Kong” We cross a bridge, we cross a road (trying to get across before the light changes and the onslaught of waiting passenger cars and taxis hits us. Our ears are our allies. The changing tones of the chimes as we cross the street lets us know the timing involved. While I know I will not be smashed, I am still quite anxious.</p> <p>We were instructed to bring a little bit of cash so when we stop at a store, we could buy refreshments. We were told the menu (water, juice, milk, iced coffee) then ordered and offered change. I had a $20 bill carefully folded in my buttoned pocket. My water was $10 HKD,. I handed over my $20 and I knew I got correct change since a $10 HKD bill is very distinct (small and plastic)…but it got me thinking…in the US…all bills are the same size…how DO the site impaired know?? They have to rely on the honesty of others for the correct change…and I’m guessing that does not always happen.</p> <p>Our fingers move over products that are in barrels, feeling the goods that are for sale. The store here was a general hardware type …buckets, mops, sponges. The are large and obvious for a reason, but of course, that would never always be the case. </p> <p>The next challenge sounded so simple…find a seat in a theater for a concert. However, we were not prepped as to the seat arrangements. How many rows were there…how many seats in that row…was there someone else IN the seat? I only tripped twice and sat on someone once before I kind of stumbled into a chair. Luckily the chairs did not move, or I would have been on floor. </p> <p>Truly listening to music in the dark is a pretty amazing experience. With nothing to distract you, the music is 100% of the focus. Instead of watching performers, your mind has a chance to paint its’ own picture of what you are hearing. I do not know the name of the piece we heard…but it reminded me of space travel. It was great.</p> <p>Soon enough we were making our way to the end of the tour. We were escorted out and told one of the guides would come and speak with us and answer questions when the 2nd group was done.</p> <p>In the mean time…we were given the opportunity to try our hand at braille writing. Each letter of the alphabet has a series of bumps attached to it…as do numbers. You read it from left to right…of course…but here’s a thing…you WRITE it right to left…backwards…so when you flip the page over it reads properly (think mirror). HOLY HECK! It took forever to write my name…let alone a paper, or a test. WOW. </p> <p>When our 2nd group returned, their guide was escorted in. She was a lovely young lady. Born in China, brought to Hong Kong at age 9 or so to go to school. She lost her sight very young…and was just kept at home while her sisters went to school. Hong Kong gave her the opportunity to go to school. </p> <p>The BEST BEST BEST part of the entire day is Eileen (remember Eileen? I apologized to her early on for the probable groping that would happen!)…She taught this young lady years ago at Ebenezer School and Home for the visually impaired here in Hong Kong. The minute Eileen tried to re-introduce herself, the young girl knew exactly who Eileen was and got up to give her a big hug.</p> <p>It was such a lovely moment and what a statement to what the school does for students. This young lady was educated there. She left and went to a main stream school in Sha Tin and now has worked for Dialog in the Dark in other cities. </p> <p>It brought the whole thing full circle for all of us I think. </p> <p>To this day I look at the tracks on the ground and listen to the bells as I cross the street and know how lucky I am…and again to take opportunities as they are opened to me. </p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-6766185987924900192014-03-22T11:17:00.000+08:002015-01-06T08:36:33.668+08:00Dodgers Down Under<p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9DC0Gcd5RUM/VKstvJQ-j2I/AAAAAAAAFBM/BIQEuOZbdyo/s1600-h/IMG_4114%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4114" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4114" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cpXmD3mPLBU/VKstvgMBGJI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/OVgtqt53Ka0/IMG_4114_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Over and over and, well, over, I am amazed at the opportunities I have. This last one brought some Americana our way…via Australia.</p> <p>I miss sports. I miss sports A LOT! I got in the habit of watching ESPN and Sports Center because there doesn’t tend to be much BAD news there (except if your team is having a season like the Steelers had this past year). I’ve never really gotten used to watching College football on Sunday, Pro Football on Monday AND drinking coffee during those games ! </p> <p>Low and behold, the Dodgers announce they will be “opening” their season against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney! I mentioned to Corey that we should think about going…after all…Sydney is a mere 9 hours away! A hop for us compared to those coming from the US for the game…well, <em>mentioned</em> probably is the wrong word…let’s just say I brought it up …repeatedly…you know, JUST in case he <em>happened</em> to have a trip into Australia that … week. </p> <p>My mentions (wishing, urging) stuck in Corey’s head…and yes, the trip was a few days before the games were to be played. He moved heaven and earth to have me go with him from Tuesday – Sunday, but tight flights and my schedule had me going into Sydney on Thursday night. Corey secured the tickets …airline and game…we were set. (What a guy!)</p> <p>Major League Baseball claims they wanted to help expand baseball in Australia. It had been 100 years since Professional American Baseball had been played there. Others have theories of MLB going to Australia to expand a fan base, a fan base that would buy merchandise (oh boy…was that part right!).</p> <p>The games were to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It is a BEAUTIFUL cricket ground with history and holds upwards of 70,000 people. Some of it reminded me of the Ironwork around The Ballpark at Arlington (my favorite park)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QVg08wbuEas/VKstwOb-_FI/AAAAAAAAFBc/zSy4EwSYVJA/s1600-h/IMG_40923.jpg"><img title="IMG_4092" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4092" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PiYGgdqXVBA/VKstwnqk6YI/AAAAAAAAFBg/zBhMZw-x0kA/IMG_4092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>A cricket field is a pitch. A Cricket Pitch is HUGE! WAY bigger than a baseball field, so getting this particular field ready was a Herculean effort. 50,000 TONS of sand was brought in from San Diego to make the infield and fill Center Field. Fences were erected, measurements to somewhat equal a big league ballpark. Tarps were dropped over seats in “center field” so the batters would not be distracted. It took 16 days to pull this off! LORD only knows the money! Four games were scheduled…two against Team Australia and then the Major League Openers.</p> <p>Herculean efforts brought Herculean ticket prices:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wkx0Tshn-pI/VKstxQYkGYI/AAAAAAAAFBs/cxODNV_aFWs/s1600-h/IMG_39543.jpg"><img title="IMG_3954" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3954" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U3ucIfdqStU/VKstx2W59SI/AAAAAAAAFBw/u3Tx2kFiOO8/IMG_3954_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> The tickets were very dear! There is very little need for a currency converter here…the AUD is just about even with the USD. So, yep…you wanna SEE baseball? You’re gonna PAY to see baseball.</p> <p>Traffic was a nightmare…is that the way everywhere?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5C4hDNwOmA0/VKstyVeQzpI/AAAAAAAAFB8/of3O13KZDWM/s1600-h/IMG_21013.jpg"><img title="IMG_2101" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2101" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6dVlwXS53Qs/VKsty5sBsgI/AAAAAAAAFCA/Kr3BoCg-riI/IMG_2101_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>We ended up walking in. It was a good night for it!</p> <p>Corey was met right away with a few Dodger friends. WHAT a picture opportunity!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E1p-OZZvfBI/VKstznuwXtI/AAAAAAAAFCM/5iPIQ8UPjr4/s1600-h/IMG_39563.jpg"><img title="IMG_3956" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3956" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1qxK7aqlAHg/VKst0djMJ0I/AAAAAAAAFCQ/FVIrbjdBRBs/IMG_3956_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="193"></a>They were so nice to stand by while he posed.</p> <p>I loved that the ushers and attendants did not keep fans away from the field (pitch) during batting practice. There was no pretense of “these are not your seats”. There were tons of us down at the rail (or as close as we could get) snapping pictures, hoping for an autograph.</p> <p>MY best spot of the night was this one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-deF8mnuBqzo/VKst0wrntMI/AAAAAAAAFCc/ZO1jwEndYTI/s1600-h/IMG_3994%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3994" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3994" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LVgBh9QiVAg/VKst1gYa-MI/AAAAAAAAFCg/jmesXIdEJMk/IMG_3994_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="120"></a>a small glimpse of Vin Scully in the broadcast booth! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BTFComf2gYk/VKst2EUbcgI/AAAAAAAAFCs/v0hi-HI2Kj4/s1600-h/IMG_4056%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4056" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4056" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P7hVNurwQug/VKst3ICsOAI/AAAAAAAAFC0/82Zsj_MSO0w/IMG_4056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ub8bPFNPPpY/VKst4E_uelI/AAAAAAAAFC8/O-FfWQ5jwVM/s1600-h/IMG_4045%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4045" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4045" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4OYf1GGHzbA/VKst4gqMgvI/AAAAAAAAFDE/oVqEknMLSEs/IMG_4045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M_hYsjlLv1c/VKst5VxqTyI/AAAAAAAAFDM/em2ERmT6-BE/s1600-h/IMG_3995%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3995" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3995" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cjNeh6qyCxE/VKst59JbqBI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/kfQSTXsEhOA/IMG_3995_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hA446Qkq2CI/VKst6pabfhI/AAAAAAAAFDc/HM2Uv3LRCR8/s1600-h/IMG_3984%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3984" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3984" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--8gHYkeI7Ps/VKst7L5IfaI/AAAAAAAAFDg/65WFkGsnYho/IMG_3984_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="204"></a></p> <p>Some fans got souvenirs. Most of us settled for being close to the field and grabbing some decent pictures.</p> <p>It was a perfect night. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xGm9f04X4eo/VKst72Xq2II/AAAAAAAAFDs/0xd6CjaQ1lE/s1600-h/IMG_4073%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4073" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yL8r9NUKCIU/VKst8Rxp2tI/AAAAAAAAFD0/UIFHaOOMuYg/IMG_4073_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="147"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SwnWx97fFiQ/VKst9DqKxUI/AAAAAAAAFD8/p4Qss0FhleI/s1600-h/IMG_4071%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4071" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4071" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v4mZ4_dhsKc/VKst9uAYPNI/AAAAAAAAFEE/E_wT0vjOdd4/IMG_4071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>All too soon it was time to head to our seats, hear the anthems and Play Ball!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HR-ZF2gxQS0/VKst-KiCsCI/AAAAAAAAFEM/q5Q4KPlEAaY/s1600-h/IMG_4112%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4112" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4112" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3N0gNO9BWKU/VKst-96fsHI/AAAAAAAAFEU/eRKXRNosOcc/IMG_4112_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ti1OGhqQBeg/VKst_hpf2kI/AAAAAAAAFEc/aiwk8ojD2EA/s1600-h/IMG_4097%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4097" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4097" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nQef4F633bA/VKsuABvXYEI/AAAAAAAAFEk/C2spyBopzy4/IMG_4097_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>The Dodgers were playing the Diamondbacks. So we got to see Kirk Gibson (who was the inspiration for our Kirks naming)</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xxp4nbbmvHw/VKsuA_hd1gI/AAAAAAAAFEs/4LJOurEvoUc/s1600-h/IMG_4066%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4066" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4066" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LnVYuakzRSI/VKsuBU69stI/AAAAAAAAFEw/JWdjhvf2g60/IMG_4066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Corey and I had a great time…the Dodgers won! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eldzOIarcic/VKsuBxmOr0I/AAAAAAAAFE8/GPju8ZrORuk/s1600-h/IMG_4104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4104" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4104" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4UmEut5V2Z0/VKsuCsm8KmI/AAAAAAAAFFE/L019FC-vQQk/IMG_4104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z1ipAyS6l8A/VKsuDXSmJBI/AAAAAAAAFFM/3P-8OsQt6YA/s1600-h/IMG_4103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4103" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-10vtogU5_i8/VKsuEA7wm_I/AAAAAAAAFFQ/MhXidOlays4/IMG_4103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>AND…nice people took our pictures! </p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-84076427796381375452014-03-03T19:07:00.000+08:002014-03-07T09:19:10.578+08:00You know how your mom ALWAYS told you NOT to talk to strangers…<p>(this could also be called “Almost Shanghaied in Shanghai!</p> <p>Most of what I have written is about my travels…and most of my travels have been in China.</p> <p>As a blonde (cough cough) traveller in Asia…I experience what to the Westerners seems odd…but once you consider whence it comes…you learn to accept it. Now, my brunette and red-headed friends have also been approached…but blondes…well “us” blondes seem to get the most attention. </p> <p>People want to take their pictures with us. A LOT. This tends to happen most in more remote areas of Asia…and when I say Asia…I really mean China.</p> <p>The Chinese have really just started to travel in the last few years…so coming from remote areas to the “big city” affords them to see things they just don’t normally see…and when I say “things they don’t normally see” I mean fair people…and by fair people I really mean blondes. </p> <p>What I know about the gene pool can fill a thimble…but I do know that Asian genes are dominate…and with 1.3 billion dominate people…blonde just is NOT going to sprout….ever. </p> <p>SO…now they are traveling,..and blonde haired people just stop them in their tracks. </p> <p>The first time I really was aware of this was Chengdu. The ladies I traveled with were inside shopping…the sales clerk had irked me so I left. I was standing on the sidewalk waiting when a little girl came around the corner slightly ahead of her grandfather. She saw me and she stopped in her tracks. STOPPED DEAD. She turned back to Grandpa…and thankfully, for my self esteem at least, she did not burst into tears. He bent down to her…whispered in her ear…and THEN she turned to me and gave me the slightest wave. </p> <p>I really think I was the first fair-haired person she had ever seen. </p> <p>Friends have told me about being stopped for pictures. It happened to me in Beijing and Harbin…in Harbin I could have charged! I literally had to step away or risk losing the tour group.</p> <p>The other crazy time I’ve ever seen with Chinese Nationals being enthralled by blondes was in Jiuzhaigou and Chengdu (the second time). Most of our group was blonde:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eZ9kV_bbwoE/UxfdUdH72wI/AAAAAAAAE7c/kYifcNygPqE/s1600-h/1467203_10152365846884129_1580128745%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1467203_10152365846884129_1580128745_n" border="0" alt="1467203_10152365846884129_1580128745_n" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKLFXcYSdyJ_xAMh397K-GSzvyK8wc5ZT79dp6-dEAg1GIdA347i7cuu3LqPkcilXMqdOnQuHnlsPW-_oJ6MaSZnI-5O96jEuJYyKq4qAdBdXq4kAKwyBRzrPm8jtuc1rMU5iuBVshuU/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> This is literally my favorite pic of the trip!</p> <p>…but Becky Wong was approached relentlessly. She was a good egg and took many pics…smiled her beautiful smile, and took it all in stride.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hKaVTvz_fuw/UxfdVzmOZKI/AAAAAAAAE7s/d6Ga8H2WL24/s1600-h/IMG_08073.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0807" border="0" alt="IMG_0807" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9MEkh4Mt4lY/UxfdWhOORMI/AAAAAAAAE7w/-26E_ieNNtk/IMG_0807_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-biRFXS-xHFE/UxfdXZ6DM8I/AAAAAAAAE78/OusatPrX_9I/s1600-h/IMG_08083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0808" border="0" alt="IMG_0808" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PTPfQ-7vXXs/UxfdX7efS_I/AAAAAAAAE8A/u3yypgq6GVg/IMG_0808_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>SO…what’s this all got to do with our title?</p> <p>Fast forward to Shanghai. Now…this city gets LOTS of tourists…cruise ships…so tons of westerners and tourists from inside the country.</p> <p>I like to travel with Corey. I like to travel with Corey which means I get to tour alone most of the time. I can do whatever I want…go when I want…come back when I want…selfish maybe…but it just works! </p> <p>Today I decided to take a walk on the Bund (I will write about this another time) and take a river cruise. </p> <p>There were 15 of us on a boat that held 100’s. I was the only blonde…hell, I was the only westerner. </p> <p>It was windy and cold (not Harbin cold…but the wind chill was impressive). I stayed outside the entire time…hoping to capture “that” shot of Shanghai </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rcDbEtwLefA/UxfdYllLB-I/AAAAAAAAE8M/_CmVeu4J7vo/s1600-h/IMG_36523.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3652" border="0" alt="IMG_3652" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GRrG2tcPbBU/UxfdZNYfDpI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/G7f7jFYNRxY/IMG_3652_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Ah_xPat9BI/UxfdZ_UE63I/AAAAAAAAE8Y/ty54tHCm754/s1600-h/IMG_36663.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3666" border="0" alt="IMG_3666" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Um3Ra9EL1OI/UxfdaWi7fYI/AAAAAAAAE8g/keiQ2MbE-GA/IMG_3666_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Yea…that didn’t happen…sigh</p> <p>So we cruised for 50 min…and at the very end I was approached by a young couple who wanted to take a pic with me. I obliged. Two snaps…off I went…they took TONS of other pics…I didn’t think anything of it.</p> <p>My other goal today was to walk the Bund. ALL OF IT. Well, I thought it was longer than it was b/c my Active Link is being STUPID (it’s telling the truth)…and I only earned 3 activity points so far…</p> <p>As I walked…I was approached by a young lady who wanted me to take a picture of her w/Mao. “Make SURE you get the statue” Ok…whatever…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CUCBBL--Cro/UxfdbBXprvI/AAAAAAAAE8o/jj_vtsg9-jg/s1600-h/IMG_37423.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3742" border="0" alt="IMG_3742" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-83Qu12HMgCg/UxfdbjdDSBI/AAAAAAAAE8w/cxIsEvmNZOM/IMG_3742_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>(here he is)</p> <p>After I took the picture…she starts to chat me up…Also not super new b/c students like to practice their English. She goes on and on…and I chat back…I’m from HK…here for 5 days…nothing terrible. She talks about how her friend has not time for her b/c she is working and she is from Harbin (I’ve been there!)…She asks what I am doing today (meeting my husband LIE). She asks what I have planned (lunch with husband LIE) Then she tells me she has made a reservation for a tea ceremony and would I like to go? “Come with me”…and goes to take my arm. </p> <p>SEE ABOVE NOTE. I like to be alone…and well, seriously…I’m going to follow a stranger in SHANGHAI (have you NEVER seen a Bonanza or Big Valley episode people…they barely got Nick back alive!)? I don’t’ think so.</p> <p>I decline…move away…off I go. About 30 minutes later (still walking stupid active link…) and I am approached again by another young couple. Yes, I will take a picture with them. He asks me where I am from…do I speak Cantonese (no…)and the girl goes…I kid you not…”What are you doing…we are going to a tea ceremony. Come with us" </p> <p>HUH? I’ve lived in HK 3 years and I’ve not been invited to tea EVER…let alone a tea ceremony in a new place…let alone twice in 30 minutes. I decline and move on.</p> <p>I finish the walk…start making my way back to my hotel. I am stopped one last time by an older couple and yes…I will take a pic…he flashed the “peace” sign…and thank me and off they go.</p> <p>SO…I walk along and walk some more… stop in to see if the tunnel from this side to the other is work 70 Mao's to use…I see a curious sign about not believing “tour guides” and the “coMsumption trap”…and my mind starts to work overtime. What is WITH all of these invitations? </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6smMiDZUZdM/UxfdcYLEZpI/AAAAAAAAE88/b7AVcm4z2RA/s1600-h/IMG_3889%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3889" border="0" alt="IMG_3889" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RwLml52oLp4/Uxfdc1_AMDI/AAAAAAAAE9E/7UF_sy1b20s/IMG_3889_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>I get back to our beautiful room with a view, download my pics (sigh again…just nothing great today)….Well…I DO like this one….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1lG-D2Qt9S8/UxfddjTg81I/AAAAAAAAE9Q/vLbx91dpu1A/s1600-h/IMG_37503.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3750" border="0" alt="IMG_3750" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gW4SDz61DP8/UxfdfSdHYdI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/RF5PxYIT49s/IMG_3750_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> I couldn’t capture it …but all the flags…straight out, being whipped by the wind…on top of all of these old buildings…it just looked cool …</p> <p>And I do a GOOGLE search. Yes, you CAN do GOOGLE searches here…I’ve been able to find answers for things I want to know…but I’m not looking for anything too interesting…</p> <p>I search “Tea Ceremony + Scam + Shanghai” (no quotes and YES KIRK I KNOW…I don’t need the “+” anymore).</p> <p>In .26 seconds I get 1000’s of results. Yep…my instincts held true…being a “glass half empty” person served me well…Mom’s training came in handy.</p> <p>These overly friendly strangers are indeed scammers. They take you over the river, through the neighborhoods to a tea place (the one girl called it a festival)…where you taste 3 cups of normal tea…then get the bill for 100’s of Yuan. I guess the deal is the scammers and the tea place split what is paid b/c people are afraid to rock the boat in a foreign country…so they pay, escape, and kick themselves all the way back to their hotel. Some report paying upwards of 50-100 (or more) USD….for 3 cups of tea! </p> <p>There ARE reports of people getting the police and finding their way back (the police stand by…really don’t get involved)…but most of the stories just say “learn from me…learn from my lesson” </p> <p>Here’s what I’ve learned:</p> <p>***Your gut is good to follow. If it feels wrong…it probably is. </p> <p>***Do an internet search for scams in the city you are visiting. I have NEVER done this before…but I will from now on.</p> <p>***When people want a picture with me…they just want a picture…not a conversation…those that want a conversation…want something else…</p> <p>***Signs on the main tourist walkway that don’t’ seem to make sense….WILL make sense…you just need to mull it over <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FEzCjBalx3c/Uxfdf0Ej6dI/AAAAAAAAE9c/NAh5ARbOE1k/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"></p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-29084531029114126802014-02-18T12:07:00.000+08:002014-02-19T12:07:23.414+08:00When what has always been there…Won’t Be<p> </p> <p>Today…was a rough day here in Hong Kong. Nothing personally happened to me…but I received a bit of news that saddened me beyond belief.</p> <p>It is no secret that 13 1/2 years ago…I walked into a Weight Watchers meeting in Lynnwood Washington. I was greeted by Phil Cook, Jean Osborn, Marcia Montgomery … all of whom were supportive…and later became friends and colleagues.</p> <p>From October of 2000 to August of 2001…I removed around 45 pounds…I traveled (twice to Italy, one time was a cruise – and yes I lost weight). My father was diagnosed with cancer and died that year. No, I did not eat my way through it.</p> <p>In 2002, 2003 and 2004 I trained for and completed Sprint Triathlons (this from the girl whose athletic life peaked in the 1st grade after I won the potato sack race). </p> <p>In 2002 I became a staff member as a receptionist, and later, from the urging of Linda Guangorena and Caryn Shively, I became a leader. I was well trained, molded, lost my fear of public speaking, and if I do say so myself, became pretty damn good at working a meeting. </p> <p>I watched, urged, and supported 100’s of people as they worked themselves into a healthier lifestyle. I witnessed Marisa and her mom collectively lose over 200 lbs. Virginia could not walk from bench 1 to bench 2 at Green lake…and 75 lbs. later…was walking the whole thing. Marissa received her lifetime award THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING! Which SUCKED…b/c most people were too afraid to be there…so she celebrated with a smaller group than she deserved. She is now a staff member and doing AWESOME! A real role model. </p> <p>Our Saturday meeting walked/ran a 5k to help get people moving…we collected canned goods for “lose for Good” I got to go into people’s work and watch them change and become healthier people and embrace activity as a lifestyle (Ms. Virginia…you rock) . And even while some friends did not stay with WW…they continued their work to become healthy and fit (Rhonda is KILLING it)</p> <p>I never left my work in a worse mood than when I entered. How many of you can say that about your work? Not very many I am betting.</p> <p>I worked with the BEST group of people…all seriously and ridiculously fun, awesome and dedicated. Ms. Claire was especially dear to me…I think to all of us. My 2nd day of training as a receptionist…I was pushed into the deep end of the pool…she stood next to me…but I was on my own. I swam…I loved her. </p> <p>So…forward to January 2011. I said goodbye to my friends, members and colleagues and moved to Hong Kong. Day 2 I got my HKID (took a bus alone…but Corey met me) Day 4 I went to CHAT (the AWA’s Come Have a Talk). Day 7? I was in a Weight Watchers meeting. </p> <p>When I found out we were moving…that’s what I looked up. Where was my meeting?</p> <p>I blogged about finding the meeting. Again was met by great staff members…Thanks Tonda and Lisa . I met two friends who immediately introduced themselves and took me under their wings and invited me to lunch.</p> <p>Have you figured it out? Weight Watchers has been a huge part of my life for all of these years.</p> <p>And Monday I found out that Weight Watchers Hong Kong is closing. Forever</p> <p>Well…not just Hong Kong…China too…but I never went there…Hong Kong. Closed . </p> <p>So…this girl (lady, old broad) has a hole in her week. I have struggled with 8 lbs. for 4 years…I’ve always been at a “healthy” weight…just not the weight I want to be…and I’m not in the “shape” I want to be. I’ve been up…down…but always in the range. My meetings kept things from getting out of hand…and reinforced the knowledge I had the tools to keep/take control of my world. </p> <p>I am not thinking that without a meeting I will regain all my weight. I won’t let not having a meeting derail the efforts of all of these years.</p> <p>HOWEVER…and it’s only been 2 days…I have a true sense of mourning and loss . It will be fine. I know my friends will be there for me in a more casual way. </p> <p>But please... don’t’ take for granted what’s “always been there”…b/c you just never know when what has “always been there” won’t be anymore…</p> <p>By the way…if you want something to stick around …YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP. Just sayin’</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-56527926461597845352014-02-07T17:51:00.000+08:002014-02-07T18:00:28.189+08:00The Lion Dance Comes to K-11 Art Mall<p> </p> <p>Chinese New Year is a beautiful time. There are decorations and flowers everywhere…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4IsRT-_nHwY/UvSuFcAAHTI/AAAAAAAAEu8/cqtFHfrSyUM/s1600-h/IMG_3366%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3366" border="0" alt="IMG_3366" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jHdDIku2zj0/UvSuGKY-cdI/AAAAAAAAEvE/q8SN0v20STQ/IMG_3366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="122"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nixPfOx_ln4/UvSuHKV7qBI/AAAAAAAAEvM/vY8L_xvV59E/s1600-h/IMG_3262%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3262" border="0" alt="IMG_3262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lbu1s0mnx28/UvSuH7-3TqI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/NiY-mj-Ixmc/IMG_3262_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L9PryL2lvZg/UvSuI3rmAyI/AAAAAAAAEvc/LF4e8NOPW_o/s1600-h/IMG_3249%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3249" border="0" alt="IMG_3249" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MWIQwyOqyEU/UvSuJevNY9I/AAAAAAAAEvg/2gwm13cRjnQ/IMG_3249_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1EuBAj53byM/UvSuKSpemXI/AAAAAAAAEvs/QRzBby2cgLI/s1600-h/IMG_3247%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3247" border="0" alt="IMG_3247" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S_tQw-wiSl0/UvSuLBub00I/AAAAAAAAEvw/0G-M5cX0XYg/IMG_3247_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dfTPC9cVkj4/UvSuMNlVEcI/AAAAAAAAEv8/RIaqdbMks14/s1600-h/IMG_3246%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3246" border="0" alt="IMG_3246" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xopxdjlQRCM/UvSuM-iNXDI/AAAAAAAAEwE/t5BH14W13M8/IMG_3246_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-shOagHH_Qls/UvSuN_r3PyI/AAAAAAAAEwM/q-OBUoQB6GA/s1600-h/IMG_3239%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3239" border="0" alt="IMG_3239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd349Ck6mzq6URFkeuKeftYOv_G8Y9q3BdiKy4_6nSLwrvO8rM7HTw4YxN08dL0ut_chRXiiUgHTCPaOla-hWYMj9qPz-n_waS_lzEifknau-GrqgsH-f0drze_UiXAJMsyaBOEsDKEk/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bWldw4jsxxE/UvSuPhL1vpI/AAAAAAAAEwc/JqC5rsteN2s/s1600-h/IMG_3244%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3244" border="0" alt="IMG_3244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hp9ky2Zo3ok/UvSuQQAO-bI/AAAAAAAAEwk/SSPWHG_th3U/IMG_3244_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="181"></a>(these little “orange” trees are ever-present)</p> <p>One very popular one are these wishing trees…branches with Lai-See packets hung from them. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-omc6rwmownk/UvSuRrfz38I/AAAAAAAAEws/hrI3ldBNSGw/s1600-h/IMG_3361%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3361" border="0" alt="IMG_3361" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k7BD-egCFXo/UvSuSQh16PI/AAAAAAAAEw0/jPo1p5sVibw/IMG_3361_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="233"></a></p> <p>During the weeks of Chinese New Year Lion Dances are EVERYWHERE! </p> <p>At first glimpse…one might think they are watching a Dragon at work…but alas, no, these are Lions. You will see them on corners, in parks, at malls. Well…actually, you tend to HEAR them before you see them.</p> <p>My first real encounter with Lion Dancing happened in January 2012. Most Mondays a group of us would head down to Pacific Place to have salad at the Metropolitan Café. We would eat, rehash our Weight Watchers meeting…and then sit and chat. It was a weekly tradition and we had loads of fun sitting and catching up. After 2 PM, the Café would empty out,and we would have the place pretty much to ourselves.</p> <p>Then…the drums started from afar…and we didn’t think much of it. Then the drums continued, and continued…and got closer, and closer, and then…the drums arrived. We tried to wait out the drumming…but it went on and on. FOR HOURS. After an hour of TRYIING to keep conversation going…we left. (Note to self…NO MUSIC during dinner at any weddings I’m involved in planning!)</p> <p>Fast forward to today. I entered the K-11 Art Mall (I live above it)…and I heard the drums. FLASHBACK…I wanted to flee. As I made my way upstairs…I noticed the “offerings” hanging above the doors OF EVERY RETAILER in the Mall!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EVylqhA1wVs/UvSuTWkVrYI/AAAAAAAAEw8/k9BwGBiS9B4/s1600-h/IMG_3349%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3349" border="0" alt="IMG_3349" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dQwRar_8Sao/UvSuTwXhCmI/AAAAAAAAExE/M63c8Gn8MYs/IMG_3349_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>See the “greens” hanging…every shop had one! A quick search discovered the following:</p> <p>“Chinese martial art schools or Chinese guild and associations will visit the houses and shops of the Chinese community to perform the traditional custom of "cai qing" (採青), literally means "plucking the greens", a quest by the 'lion' to pluck the auspicious green normally 'vegetables' like lettuce which in Chinese called 'cái'(菜)that sound like 'cái'(财)(fortune) and auspicious fruit like oranges tied to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_envelope">"Red Envelope"</a> containing money; either hang highly or just put on a table in front of the premises.” --From Wikipedia </p> <p>The Lion grabs the greens</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-05NAbf5vD7I/UvSuU2BQ4II/AAAAAAAAExM/AsiHXQ-Dyk0/s1600-h/IMG_3383%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3383" border="0" alt="IMG_3383" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zfU3JjMaUtg/UvSuVo5JYAI/AAAAAAAAExU/J2mRoZ9Bq4k/IMG_3383_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>…then carefully cuts away the greens and Lai-See (offering packet attached)…shakes it’s head…and TOSSES the greens back into the store!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ND-2xWZPqL4/UvSuWrFMc-I/AAAAAAAAExc/5v50tZj2YdI/s1600-h/IMG_3350%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3350" border="0" alt="IMG_3350" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lVcNdnox3Z8/UvSuXYjozyI/AAAAAAAAExg/Bc7mSwYzt1M/IMG_3350_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ph7sVT6WvKU/UvSuYPBbS5I/AAAAAAAAExs/6R9-uBNUjRg/s1600-h/IMG_3351%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3351" border="0" alt="IMG_3351" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-swdF-RECUuM/UvSuY6ljORI/AAAAAAAAEx0/KTxVzD2p5fQ/IMG_3351_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>(see above…going in for the kill…grabbing the packet)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R7ntTkC2tzo/UvSuZ0vFkNI/AAAAAAAAEx8/bTvRLXCi82A/s1600-h/IMG_3352%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3352" border="0" alt="IMG_3352" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GWXRF2pbu-I/UvSuaap4ejI/AAAAAAAAEyE/y45P5j8jO4Q/IMG_3352_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hNi2q25Gjrc/UvSubnJI0YI/AAAAAAAAEyM/QDHZGib61es/s1600-h/IMG_3353%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3353" border="0" alt="IMG_3353" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9tPEUVKtKrM/UvSucADfhYI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/JoUIBWXT8tM/IMG_3353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Shaking his head (YES…I know it’s blurry)…getting ready…and</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H-xu_aDVgZM/UvSudKljmbI/AAAAAAAAEyc/bQVc_PfIiK8/s1600-h/IMG_3354%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3354" border="0" alt="IMG_3354" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wz0fNqomYKo/UvSudyBfBdI/AAAAAAAAEyk/IIXreaHdjjM/IMG_3354_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>TOSSED … back into the store.</p> <p>The aftermath…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--w7IFbnM6vk/UvSuejJbBtI/AAAAAAAAEys/eUizDaq5HMc/s1600-h/IMG_3375%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3375" border="0" alt="IMG_3375" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GrqRCnti_58/UvSufEjpz9I/AAAAAAAAEy0/urupKSYltRA/IMG_3375_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>This goes on from store to store to store!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S1S5d-58kU4/UvSufwuRU1I/AAAAAAAAEy8/DfkVAZ2--sU/s1600-h/IMG_3371%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3371" border="0" alt="IMG_3371" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D26cxPeSUtI/UvSugbsg8fI/AAAAAAAAEzA/oN4A0_lFO0k/IMG_3371_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3kbLxPnGUO4/UvSuhHn23tI/AAAAAAAAEzM/gWu7cFy6UaQ/s1600-h/IMG_3372%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3372" border="0" alt="IMG_3372" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iQ6Jp6EdoG8/UvSuh2nVwqI/AAAAAAAAEzU/9q1VI7wcYy8/IMG_3372_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h3gWPeSfxaY/UvSui6EluBI/AAAAAAAAEzc/P6vH-0LAolQ/s1600-h/IMG_3373%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3373" border="0" alt="IMG_3373" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fREc_RKz69A/UvSujQcmr0I/AAAAAAAAEzk/6aD4SwROUlA/IMG_3373_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>SMILE Yogurt wasn’t quite ready…and had to hurry to get their offering up in time!</p> <p>A new one for me…(well, it’s all new)…was one of the jewelry stores had MANY packets tacked to the walls…and the lion went from packet to packet and grabbed all of the offerings. Entering the store:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3SnpCvdwxn8/UvSukWwWGsI/AAAAAAAAEzs/JjlJvvdyyBY/s1600-h/IMG_3377%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3377" border="0" alt="IMG_3377" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4LLqZJjJ1A4/UvSuk1xXs9I/AAAAAAAAEz0/IF9drD-MdvQ/IMG_3377_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wsn-qxOXpgc/UvSumEocGxI/AAAAAAAAEz8/Mrtx7t6Aj-o/s1600-h/IMG_3378%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3378" border="0" alt="IMG_3378" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o_YgRbfr-20/UvSumh0Ne4I/AAAAAAAAE0E/nLliNL8Acak/IMG_3378_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oyp_GuBz0mc/UvSunxfYjNI/AAAAAAAAE0M/682R4IHTGcw/s1600-h/IMG_3379%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3379" border="0" alt="IMG_3379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WhvS4SvCPBk/UvSuoXRw9ZI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/Q3_KNOcugHc/IMG_3379_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gD9d4xU036U/UvSupBTSe8I/AAAAAAAAE0c/ZqTsEAfnvcI/s1600-h/IMG_3380%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3380" border="0" alt="IMG_3380" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mbX79zK8bWM/UvSupoM4-cI/AAAAAAAAE0g/cibdktaztc8/IMG_3380_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> It looks a bit like the Lion is licking the wall…but EVERY packet must be collected!</p> <p>The Lion travels with a big group!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5WlB_0Cog5A/UvSuqtG-uQI/AAAAAAAAE0s/R8A0knjb-Ww/s1600-h/IMG_3376%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3376" border="0" alt="IMG_3376" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3b7911y_ul0/UvSurYiGdeI/AAAAAAAAE0w/EBxSzsLzYmU/IMG_3376_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>And it must take hours to go from store to store to store…EVERY store participates b/c it is believed the greens and packets will bring good luck and fortune to the store!</p> <p>Here is the Lion…in all it’s glory. Shots were tough b/c of the crowds!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WcrJZ1zXLtE/UvSusU1StGI/AAAAAAAAE08/fye7i6yzvX4/s1600-h/IMG_3381%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3381" border="0" alt="IMG_3381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fD6P_hcvAHE/UvSus25rlWI/AAAAAAAAE1E/ATTus7nn7gY/IMG_3381_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xOql7CAhpXU/UvSutyki8gI/AAAAAAAAE1M/EGkSoDciJvM/s1600-h/IMG_3382%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3382" border="0" alt="IMG_3382" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cbajb-M9Yys/UvSuuTv234I/AAAAAAAAE1U/Mg0sKq5OWh0/IMG_3382_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>I’m in absorption mode…must take pics and admire all that is Hong Kong. </p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-76198194484074620492014-01-01T09:04:00.000+08:002014-01-01T09:10:14.233+08:00Happy New Year!<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZXhWcSgHsK8/UsNquubyhyI/AAAAAAAAEg4/KYBkq1UxNr0/s1600-h/IMG_2710%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2710" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2710" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y2gklVjKGac/UsNqvGfLG0I/AAAAAAAAEg8/5CMi59aGTGQ/IMG_2710_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We got back Dec 31 at 8 am …and did a darn good job staying awake…we unpacked, ran to our “crack” noodle shop for lunch…errands, dinner…and then BANG hit the wall at a whopping 8:30</p> <p>What a set of party animals we are!</p> <p>I am like a child when it comes to Hong Kong having a fireworks event. I watch the barges get into place…I count them (sadly, CNY barges have decreased from four to three….I’m thinking budget cuts). This year there were two barges BUT…there were lots of tiny boats all around promising a different show!</p> <p>I set the alarm on my phone because, well, let me admit it…LAST year…well, we slept through ALL the festivities outside…I woke up at 12:15…crowds gone…all quite on the Waterfront.</p> <p>I was NOT going to miss anything this year. There were promises of light shows at 11:15/11:30/11:45…and fireworks off of buildings at the same time. </p> <p>I will say the “light show” and building fireworks were just ok…(though the building fireworks DID look like shooting stars)</p> <p>Then, finally, the crowds outside starting getting restless so I grabbed my camera. The Hong Kong Convention Center started their countdown!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3urhMdy8NlQ/UsNqwJw0TjI/AAAAAAAAEhI/PMK_-iwwKzQ/s1600-h/IMG_2692%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2692" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2692" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pxKluAf2dEI/UsNqwu9qJLI/AAAAAAAAEhM/r5Mm40Fstog/IMG_2692_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>The show then began. The problem with having a camera is that you forget to SEE! You don’t take in the whole picture because you are so focused on what is in the view finder! This time I really worked to not only grab some pictures but look at what was happening.</p> <p>I also have to remember to take pictures EARLY in the show b/c the smoke from the previous bursts just gets in the way!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MjB6WsUtdbQ/UsNqxQVna0I/AAAAAAAAEhY/A6VHJrrTM0o/s1600-h/IMG_2695%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2695" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2695" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iZb83M80Qg8/UsNqyXRj42I/AAAAAAAAEhg/xUaaZts05QY/IMG_2695_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-57uHT1L6cZM/UsNqzawVeiI/AAAAAAAAEho/Nlwt0sCRDD0/s1600-h/IMG_2697%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2697" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2697" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zk8HP3omZNo/UsNqz2Ll89I/AAAAAAAAEhs/SrAS-ALSkVc/IMG_2697_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sxq-cgIkqUo/UsNq0sRPicI/AAAAAAAAEh4/JVdrv24BM5o/s1600-h/IMG_2699%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2699" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2699" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eu8bteDgYqc/UsNq1HCdi2I/AAAAAAAAEh8/OFJVY2NnL5o/IMG_2699_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="170"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wX3jDed_ZZE/UsNq16xqAbI/AAAAAAAAEiI/WbRsRA0x-vo/s1600-h/IMG_2700%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2700" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2700" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_MRspv-y-2I/UsNq2T5XuOI/AAAAAAAAEiM/3_rjK6T2njY/IMG_2700_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="146"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-80gv97ctXsc/UsNq3D_f3qI/AAAAAAAAEiY/WJxQTqwil_A/s1600-h/IMG_2705%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2705" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2705" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7qXUOo7W_B4/UsNq3grhQ0I/AAAAAAAAEic/rnFJpon4mvU/IMG_2705_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="132"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_F5LBde_omY/UsNq4Vxx0bI/AAAAAAAAEio/S0M9lWT4KTc/s1600-h/IMG_2707%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2707" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2707" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-33QQOcYkml0/UsNq46a2UWI/AAAAAAAAEis/rwaZbY8foSM/IMG_2707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EWMjRGXLlIk/UsNq52vp8vI/AAAAAAAAEi4/Fi6qpZcNx0s/s1600-h/IMG_2713%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2713" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2713" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--AzLTRaSNh4/UsNq6S_vAkI/AAAAAAAAEjA/aMW0VNCzlDU/IMG_2713_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-93m-ctrFffk/UsNq7AMULfI/AAAAAAAAEjI/JDGClvNaBHk/s1600-h/IMG_2716%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2716" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2716" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NrcFZrE0P94/UsNq764hupI/AAAAAAAAEjM/M9D0ptPOjDA/IMG_2716_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="131"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3dVsTWFa394/UsNq8lvGvKI/AAAAAAAAEjY/vDiFIbnD1ac/s1600-h/IMG_2719%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2719" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2719" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1tn2QZAQ_w8-64aKptrWlLXywlaIJUe_EjKk9hPiChB2J8NlhgSW-_YpHLsu30TNrne-rpagwYHB3mvpUreQsRMSftImKQ9wRKd0VnMV_oB1sZcuiilptin6WytGmwZqg3Zd24UDjOA/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>The New Years show is the shortest…but I really loved it. Chinese New Year folks need to take note!!</p> <p>Awake until 1 am and then CRASH…until 6:30…a good night for me! </p> <p>Happy New Year to you all.</p> <p>This is completely stolen from FB…but you now have a book with 365 blank pages…write a good one !</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-83277510961123959472013-12-30T04:20:00.000+08:002013-12-31T10:17:33.900+08:00I’ve lost that Blogging feeling<p> </p> <p>How long does it take for the “new” to become the “not so new”? </p> <p>When I came to Asia I committed to writing about my experiences. I knew I was being handed the opportunity of a lifetime, and I wanted to make sure I not only took full advantage of that opportunity…but it was also important to me to actually remember all that I saw, smelled, tasted. </p> <p>My dad used to keep diaries. He had years of them…and I always loved reading them…the day in, day out, normalness of his life…of my mom’s life…of our lives. It’s really our only record of our family.</p> <p>We have a small family. Not many cousins, and sadly, I don’t know a lot about our ancestors or history.</p> <p>I wanted to leave a little something behind that told the story of the years I had here. My goal was to write about all of it…right as it happened, when my ever failing memory was fresh…the places, the names, the impressions.</p> <p>Year 1 was EASY! EVERYTHING was so new…I literally would run back to write about my day, my travels. (Jan 2011 to Dec 2011)</p> <p>Year 2….well, the wheels started coming off the cart…slowly off the cart…but…sure enough, things started to slow down…even though my traveling was accelerating! (Jan 2012 to Dec 2012)</p> <p>Corey would say “you are losing your audience”…he may have meant readers…I now know it means …me</p> <p>Year 3…well, the cart was now sitting by the side of the road…I was still an avid picture taker…and I thought that having the pics would help me reconstruct. It will be invaluable. Corey always wanted me to change how my pictures are stored on the computer (why no names?? ). I held on to date and picture order for one reason…continuity, consistency…Thank heaven! </p> <p>Year 4 - It’s time to catch up. It’s time to keep up. That is going to be my charge … I’m not under the impression that my kids want to read this <em>now</em>…but maybe, one day, they, or their kids…will want to know…or maybe, just maybe…when someone does a search on line…they will see MY experiences (I will be page 9,000 on Google…but I might be found)…and read my words, and know just a little, about my/about our lives. </p> <p>In an effort NOT to set myself up for failure…I will not make promises in writing, no “resolutions”. However, I will, this year, search for, set time for, prioritize…getting that feeling back…the feeling of newness…wonder…awe. </p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-87518069192361665622013-12-26T16:41:00.000+08:002014-03-06T10:22:36.632+08:00Playing tourist in my own (Seattle) back yard!<p>This one is ALL about the pics! </p> <p>I took a fair amount of grief for having waited well over two and a half years to visit the various markets that are literally two MTR stops away from my house. It just seems to happen that so many of us live in great places…yet don’t take advantage of what there is to SEE in those places.</p> <p>Case in point:</p> <p>We’ve been in Seattle for about 13 years…ok…you can take away the HK years…but it’s still well over 10 years.</p> <p>While I have driven North on the I-5…I’ve never gone more than 3 miles east off of WA522. Why would I? There’s nothing out there right?</p> <p>Well, I learned quickly on December 26, that I have been missing SO much beauty and it was a mere 90 minutes from our house.</p> <p>I love eagles. The American Bald Eagle…the once endangered, now protected kind.</p> <p>It started many years ago because of the California Channel Island “Eagle Cams” I sort of got a little addicted to watching the parent eagles incubate the eggs (like watching paint dry); then after the eggs hatch, I would watch the babies struggle to move and eat…then beat the shit out of each other in an attempt to kill each other (I called it “beaking” the professional call it “siblicide”). It is natural I guess…survival of the fittest and all that.</p> <p>I did move on from my addiction … mostly…(Facebook updates filled in the gaps of my needs)</p> <p>Christmas was rolling around and Kirk asked if I would like to go on an Eagle Watching River float trip he saw a Groupon for? The BEST gifts are those that family and friends think about you and the things you love (or were addicted to).</p> <p>I told Kirk we had a limited window to go on the trip when we were back…so he set it up for December 26. </p> <p>The day boasted an amazing blue sky. Our weather hadn’t been terrible while we were back…but it sure wasn’t THIS! Truth be told also…Corey did not want to go. He was actually a little pissy about it. </p> <p>We drove north on the 5, We had some snow at the house, and as we made our way to the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport WA. We could see how just few miles were a huge difference in weather. There was a lot of snow on the ground from the dusting we had. But the roads were clear, and we moved right along.</p> <p>We arrived at the park…not really quite sure where to park, or what to do…but finally found the “shuttle” that would be picking us up after our float ended.</p> <p>We got our own raft (nice since the only person I had to compete with for a prime picture taking spot was my Brother in law!)</p> <p>Here’s the view as we turned to go down river</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GDfKmjRrSQ4/UxfbbvvBLRI/AAAAAAAAE1k/Ogzk0iAjGlo/s1600-h/IMG_25323.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2532" border="0" alt="IMG_2532" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HWQIQQHVOdM/Uxfbce1ToVI/AAAAAAAAE1o/lO_135jSs8A/IMG_2532_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ydv7s8x3aoo/Uxfbc59SCDI/AAAAAAAAE1w/1PtfgWdwoEY/s1600-h/IMG_25283.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2528" border="0" alt="IMG_2528" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9RvnARBU6fQ/UxfbdizwavI/AAAAAAAAE18/wtIZkiBOXSk/IMG_2528_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x3SkL_cs3e4/UxfbeRjL79I/AAAAAAAAE2E/HnFXtPAd8hM/s1600-h/IMG_25263.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2526" border="0" alt="IMG_2526" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5Qgb4jl3cWg/Uxfbe0fW_qI/AAAAAAAAE2M/C7v3wJanTGM/IMG_2526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>It took about 2 minutes to spot a pair of Eagles and a juvenile! “Juvies” as we fans call them are a great sign that eagles are not only surviving </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GShotpuvBxc/UxfbfgzCqKI/AAAAAAAAE2U/LaF5gZx6ckw/s1600-h/IMG_25353.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2535" border="0" alt="IMG_2535" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4lOKWfQ8GSQ/UxfbgLnm22I/AAAAAAAAE2c/GVVV2eFV0OU/IMG_2535_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OftxKe1dVzc/UxfbhAtlL1I/AAAAAAAAE2k/aA1Vv5nmxqs/s1600-h/IMG_25343.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2534" border="0" alt="IMG_2534" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tMx4Clj6SrE/UxfbhwNvalI/AAAAAAAAE2s/dQY2gDgGztM/IMG_2534_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> You can see this guy (girl) has yet to develop its’ white feathers on the head…and blends right in to the trees!</p> <p>Here’s Corey, Mair and our guide having a discussion…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_l-eNBRVWNY/UxfbigCb70I/AAAAAAAAE20/poG939t33co/s1600-h/IMG_25413.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2541" border="0" alt="IMG_2541" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HHkdP5b39wA/UxfbjDxqqDI/AAAAAAAAE24/2ogHtXoCzWU/IMG_2541_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Sadly…today is the day I decided to change some camera settings …and the result is smaller files…which makes them impossible to crop…so I’m super disappointed in what you won’t be able to see…but here’s a few <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-49nr_6xxxl0/UxfbjjxfvVI/AAAAAAAAE3A/-Y7LqGkvtlo/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QR9OqbZL2Rc/UxfbkQHTADI/AAAAAAAAE3M/MXNKgAphvs4/s1600-h/IMG_25463.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2546" border="0" alt="IMG_2546" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7QF6Yath9X0/Uxfbk0vCZJI/AAAAAAAAE3U/X3sPNPMXUU0/IMG_2546_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N2GOsJqnsxw/UxfblWzTPNI/AAAAAAAAE3c/NQcsE15wTAI/s1600-h/IMG_25573.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2557" border="0" alt="IMG_2557" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NGH_0D-1qvE/Uxfbl_vaRQI/AAAAAAAAE3g/njYTMzvtwfo/IMG_2557_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fE7aHdyGa0Y/UxfbmbfGc6I/AAAAAAAAE3s/TADsFvhk300/s1600-h/IMG_26083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2608" border="0" alt="IMG_2608" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c3JNRlC0WlM/UxfbnsJT0LI/AAAAAAAAE30/SJz5xdG3mx4/IMG_2608_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZXDvOfUXvHY/UxfboNbJrWI/AAAAAAAAE38/xefnouPh72Q/s1600-h/IMG_26093.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2609" border="0" alt="IMG_2609" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a-G5rUwfXbY/Uxfboksp6XI/AAAAAAAAE4A/bqK-WMtOsbU/IMG_2609_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Here’s the Eagle deciding he’s had enough of us looking: OFF he goes!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QYd939YGa4s/UxfbpYSau3I/AAAAAAAAE4M/hKAWuHzumGM/s1600-h/IMG_26203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2620" border="0" alt="IMG_2620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LNw3bDPfe34/UxfbtMkqpgI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/UpTdbLiG5sc/IMG_2620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kZaL2T74PKY/Uxfbtm9uHtI/AAAAAAAAE4c/YNKBjxIwZTU/s1600-h/IMG_26213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2621" border="0" alt="IMG_2621" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Epp5xkf3D_M/UxfbuXpOwSI/AAAAAAAAE4k/bxOssnYje2Q/IMG_2621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k0DyzABGjtE/Uxfbu07rJJI/AAAAAAAAE4s/jWNY18UOjyU/s1600-h/IMG_26223.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2622" border="0" alt="IMG_2622" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8664bsybe-4/Uxfbvo3KKAI/AAAAAAAAE40/SNwcRZKdsOA/IMG_2622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dY9xeSbKbHc/Uxfbwd5BAMI/AAAAAAAAE48/WQLiAMjP0Hg/s1600-h/IMG_26233.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2623" border="0" alt="IMG_2623" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H50Ipg8BJb4/Uxfbw2A3E4I/AAAAAAAAE5E/dgHXxn0v1RI/IMG_2623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We saw many Eagles! We also had breathtaking views!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mRpuYckoRQc/UxfbxuzRCPI/AAAAAAAAE5M/AOGbsKZ6T-o/s1600-h/IMG_25313.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2531" border="0" alt="IMG_2531" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m2EJUHJ2zAg/UxfbyIugzzI/AAAAAAAAE5U/wZG0nWLwJ0A/IMG_2531_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m6HRI9BLDNM/Uxfbyxpce5I/AAAAAAAAE5c/N77j-5zv3qg/s1600-h/IMG_25733.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2573" border="0" alt="IMG_2573" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2xJ24Spoano/UxfbzdEjINI/AAAAAAAAE5g/hWEAcHjcHAo/IMG_2573_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kgerhkzvyfs/Uxfbz5arQII/AAAAAAAAE5s/DqwUmoX-tts/s1600-h/IMG_25793.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2579" border="0" alt="IMG_2579" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZXx-CsYyH4Q/Uxfb0fwaLnI/AAAAAAAAE50/ik0aPYnRCxg/IMG_2579_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rvpg_nBZ-cI/Uxfb1KLWznI/AAAAAAAAE58/6Ncv9SaTzUI/s1600-h/IMG_25853.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2585" border="0" alt="IMG_2585" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EzTv8y8G1qc/Uxfb1jwD1iI/AAAAAAAAE6E/JcpED0Ywyjw/IMG_2585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uNz8JpD3mqg/Uxfb2RR8fsI/AAAAAAAAE6M/JQeTL2p1Nuw/s1600-h/IMG_26393.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2639" border="0" alt="IMG_2639" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SpcXbDSQ41E/Uxfb3FfKCoI/AAAAAAAAE6U/XVFwfemZjI0/IMG_2639_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-47SIZlh9T5o/Uxfb3zn9ZrI/AAAAAAAAE6c/wY4qQAYTCl4/s1600-h/IMG_26683.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2668" border="0" alt="IMG_2668" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MLRr_9SKlsM/Uxfb4RSR7lI/AAAAAAAAE6k/bjPltnvQQyM/IMG_2668_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>These two are the ride home! Light through the mist and reflecting off the sun</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tTyY5AFQfhE/Uxfb4woSLAI/AAAAAAAAE6s/NpCyZ92FlwU/s1600-h/IMG_26773.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2677" border="0" alt="IMG_2677" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zSCziYOygNE/Uxfb5h14QZI/AAAAAAAAE60/6B40_uMmkcQ/IMG_2677_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iRBRyboWjgw/Uxfb6PvlvSI/AAAAAAAAE68/-NC0i40IH9w/s1600-h/IMG_26783.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2678" border="0" alt="IMG_2678" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z9fBTS3sS3I/Uxfb6lkh4yI/AAAAAAAAE7A/FICFHDAecEY/IMG_2678_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>So…a great day was had by all. I got to see Eagles. Corey admitted it was pretty cool….Stewart and I shared the front of the raft easily and didn’t fight over photo ops! Mair didn’t freeze…</p> <p>SO…look around…open those eyes…and go see those things that are right under your nose…Take the time to explore close to home. You just don’t’ know what you might be missing!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-23738939044715961842013-10-18T10:34:00.000+08:002014-01-03T10:39:46.295+08:00Jiuzhaigou–THE Most Beautiful Place I Have Ever Seen<p> </p> <p>Twice in my life I have felt compelled to thank the people in Corey’s world that have placed us in the cities we live in. First was the … err…gentleman… who prompted our move to Dallas. While it was hard to leave family, I truly feel it saved our marriage and we got to meet great people. The move to Dallas helped set up our move to Seattle.</p> <p>The move to Hong Kong is without a doubt the move of a lifetime. It’s hard to be a Mom and Sister from afar…and I do not know how people did it years ago before Skype, Whatsapp, internet and fast airplanes. But I don’t have to worry about that. All of the technology keeps us close.</p> <p>Our move here has afforded the best travel. My trip to Jiuzhaigou (zhoo – zhi-go) was, hands down, one of the most amazing things ever!</p> <p>It was my first time coordinating and leading a trip for the American Women’s Association. No stress right? Responsible for 11 others having a good and flawless trip…right…</p> <p>We had a terrific group of travellers. There were ups and downs (details to come)…but all in all it was amazing.</p> <p>We landed in Jiuzhaigou and were greeted by Walter, our guide for the week. He spoke great English (except every time he said “government” I thought he was saying “garment”)</p> <p>We grabbed our bags…did the “bathroom thing”. Bathrooms are an adventure in China…the question is always asked “How was it” or “How are they” What we really want to know “Squat or No-Squat”,“Smelly or Not Smelly” “Paper or No Paper” A bathroom that provides tissue is RARE…I’ve come a long way from Blue Jay Drive.</p> <p>Our bus was waiting….with Oxygen. YES…each of us was provided with a bottle of Oxygen since where we were is about 4,000 meters (I looked out the window to see another tourist on a bus sucking hers down)</p> <p>Here is Becky checking out the instructions!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SCMG8Jx13T0/UsYhzVvn5KI/AAAAAAAAEjw/ktRndbF8A5g/s1600-h/IMG_11333.jpg"><img title="IMG_1133" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1133" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6OtaQqsbYHI/UsYh0HnvOSI/AAAAAAAAEj0/ZjOlRusRoHk/IMG_1133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y83VSf_fb5I/UsYh0_c9_kI/AAAAAAAAEkA/GKoCt4l0RNE/s1600-h/IMG_11323.jpg"><img title="IMG_1132" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1132" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rUbbjIXTaNo/UsYh1RVyoMI/AAAAAAAAEkI/2CjrhyklILA/IMG_1132_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Me on the bus. We passed plenty of these guys: Yakkity Yaks</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gHhjlkDr_kE/UsYh2s8Ck-I/AAAAAAAAEkM/2_HMyJlP-Ec/s1600-h/IMG_11343.jpg"><img title="IMG_1134" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1134" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YdurETX2Pug/UsYh3NcxCRI/AAAAAAAAEkY/gDnjPSOLBvg/IMG_1134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ha0zJUmU2Wk/UsYh4iMGD5I/AAAAAAAAEkg/fa-hQ9YA6Yw/s1600-h/IMG_11363.jpg"><img title="IMG_1136" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1136" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dh-wqnHnS3k/UsYh5EjmH1I/AAAAAAAAEkk/BYoK7ncmabs/IMG_1136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l87Mx7OOmw0/UsYh6DILmSI/AAAAAAAAEkw/6GL4RMXx44U/s1600-h/IMG_11373.jpg"><img title="IMG_1137" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1137" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VcgKUZPXmR0/UsYh6h7ay3I/AAAAAAAAEk0/6oEZ2Q19h7E/IMG_1137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yH2NRLd1_ZU/UsYh7do9fSI/AAAAAAAAElA/1ZZ5rIgW8Ao/s1600-h/IMG_11383.jpg"><img title="IMG_1138" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1138" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-opy10m0BFcs/UsYh72TKf0I/AAAAAAAAElE/HoUJeO8lZWM/IMG_1138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MJx5JR1y9Fo/UsYh8h3A5VI/AAAAAAAAElQ/f6dAJkcb5_M/s1600-h/IMG_11423.jpg"><img title="IMG_1142" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1142" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZEaPy4DoR18/UsYh9ThCGvI/AAAAAAAAElU/oOLew8RLThY/IMG_1142_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GGvO8Ccb_3g/UsYh-cTmj2I/AAAAAAAAElg/P8xrl0bmzjM/s1600-h/IMG_11433.jpg"><img title="IMG_1143" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1143" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yhb7wmaLb4s/UsYh-0ZpjvI/AAAAAAAAElk/F79EEvEIaE4/IMG_1143_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>Here are some of the Tibetan Villages we passed on the way to our hotel. The Village at the bottom was destroyed in the 2008 Earthquake and rebuilt up the road as a “Tourist Area” We did not stop</p> <p>We drove to the Jiuzhaigou Sheraton for a Hot Pot dinner, Internet in the lobby and to bed. The morning was going to come very quickly.</p> <p>China celebrates Golden Week from Oct 1 – 7 (ish). The ENTIRE country is off that week and as China has prospered, many have started to travel. We heard reports that on October 2, the army had to be called to Jiuzhagou to handle the 40,000 (you are reading that right) people that came there to see the park. Traffic was gridlock. Tourists had to walk 5-10 km to get to buses. There was almost a riot. </p> <p>Luckily, it was not nearly as crowded when we were there…but don’t get me wrong…it was plenty busy. </p> <p>The park has public buses so that those without guides can jump on and off to see the sights. But imagine dragging strollers, lunches, walkers, etc on and off these buses AND fighting for spaces. I was advised and agree to pay to have a private bus (BEST MONEY EVER SPENT). Walter let us know…repeatedly, how much more we paid for this (lots and lots). </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fy8HDuPuYJU/UsYh_8LRQpI/AAAAAAAAElw/-HoP-s9G9KE/s1600-h/IMG_1293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1293" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1293" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PlJjJZwizSQ/UsYiBiPlOgI/AAAAAAAAEl0/FSqlmZoKD-U/IMG_1293_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Here is a map of the park…you can see it’s shaped like a “Y”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wnK8W-Dp7kk/UsYiD8Ge6ZI/AAAAAAAAEmA/HSvIPfNkjvc/s1600-h/IMG_0951%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0951" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0951" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vfnRPxXqFwk/UsYiEgL-eGI/AAAAAAAAEmI/Tcr1RKevlVo/IMG_0951_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We started the day at 7:00 with our mini-bus waiting for us outside. Walter took our passports and got our reserved tickets and the bus for us at 6 am. The park is just a few minutes away and we got to breeze through lines and get the tour going.</p> <p>At first it was very cloudy (with a threat of rain). </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1791VeZ729k/UsYiFWAMlBI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/UEVhEZ3d-N0/s1600-h/IMG_06363.jpg"><img title="IMG_0636" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0636" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-84eNg-ISwpc/UsYiF5C2SII/AAAAAAAAEmU/YHE88VWlfzo/IMG_0636_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>I was truly worried how the day would turn out and yes, how the pictures would be without light and sun. I had heard overcast was best for color(??) but this? </p> <p>I had the new camera with me…and my fellow travellers (Becky and Joanne) were VERY kind it helping with settings….or I would just sneak up behind them and copy theirs! My favorite thing was playing with the settings to get the water to look like it was “frozen in place!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pryl8LZJmno/UsYiG5pl2_I/AAAAAAAAEmg/ixy0DEtxsdo/s1600-h/IMG_06623.jpg"><img title="IMG_0662" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0662" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v2iW_6Q-myk/UsYiHQ9PUZI/AAAAAAAAEmo/BXdYVhC9B-Q/IMG_0662_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tTgkQstA9GE/UsYiIW7b2RI/AAAAAAAAEmw/mAXERaktS9U/s1600-h/IMG_06773.jpg"><img title="IMG_0677" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0677" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QegkYzOcoIg/UsYiI1zWkuI/AAAAAAAAEm4/QWpWBjcmdFM/IMG_0677_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dmar81RCoTA/UsYiKY1IL8I/AAAAAAAAEnA/qupVuWh93_E/s1600-h/IMG_09623.jpg"><img title="IMG_0962" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0962" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l65G8bl0kSA/UsYiK_OrgjI/AAAAAAAAEnE/7dZDlIkMcb8/IMG_0962_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>vs..<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n34raJzp50Q/UsYiLjX_umI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/dwBRt8vCHDY/s1600-h/IMG_09603.jpg"><img title="IMG_0960" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0960" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-czx62Qe5N1c/UsYiMBnActI/AAAAAAAAEnU/tUZJheifbVA/IMG_0960_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We moved through the park, and as the day progressed, it got lighter, so I became more hopeful for the pictures.</p> <p>I did discover an amazing feature on my Canon Sureshot (point and shoot)…it has an “enhance image” feature (hey, three years in…not a bad learning curve!)…it pulls color (or maybe puts color) where it exists…case in point: </p> <p>Before I found the setting:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J_JeGc-Cjl4/UsYiNbnF-RI/AAAAAAAAEng/YlGVi57FvBc/s1600-h/IMG_11673.jpg"><img title="IMG_1167" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1167" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cC4UFMKO9gE/UsYiN1ugtiI/AAAAAAAAEnk/szDVIwIQn60/IMG_1167_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="182"></a></p> <p>And AFTER!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xVygjLi_36g/UsYiPqprMvI/AAAAAAAAEnw/HRNp66Ocgvg/s1600-h/IMG_11683.jpg"><img title="IMG_1168" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1168" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vJqkhKa0S3s/UsYiQNvjDmI/AAAAAAAAEn0/aXHykASZHHI/IMG_1168_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Just a little different! </p> <p>Some of it looked too phony:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gZ0acVVW28E/UsYiRRqdLNI/AAAAAAAAEoA/bx5tAaomJV8/s1600-h/IMG_11868.jpg"><img title="IMG_1186" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1186" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sVK6mCpBrsE/UsYiR8b7ACI/AAAAAAAAEoE/RSL-690wsBo/IMG_1186_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="151"></a> VS <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0stpSljsPas/UsYiS1MZ3eI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/Tn8BB04y7qI/s1600-h/IMG_11844.jpg"><img title="IMG_1184" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UDUsfbQPon4/UsYiThPTDTI/AAAAAAAAEoU/JLdh5kNLv3E/IMG_1184_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="146"></a>but it was fun to play with</p> <p>ANYWAY! Off we went, moving pretty freely through the park:</p> <p>Our guide set up our tour to go backwards…start at the least popular places and end at the most popular…thinking being most people do it the other way….this was truly helpful with crowd control…and AGAIN he stressed how much more we paid for the private coach (still worth it)</p> <p>Much of the fun of traveling is taking pics of others. Trust me…PLENTY of people too our pictures (most of our group was blonde so we were VERY popular) </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0qspwir6NVU/UsYiUYPO4tI/AAAAAAAAEog/Pyf4XaPGBHo/s1600-h/IMG_0807%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0807" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0807" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_9Hu5HwgAcE/UsYiVJ4U3uI/AAAAAAAAEok/8fjjYsPQ76U/IMG_0807_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c02ICDN_BGs/UsYiWEYrOCI/AAAAAAAAEow/fqRqM5gBS7o/s1600-h/IMG_0808%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0808" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0808" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RZjRxlTpxHY/UsYiWn1mygI/AAAAAAAAEo0/_wP3EP8sVfg/IMG_0808_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> I try to be respectful…ok…sneaky…or I ask in that universal non-language language (hold up my camera to show them I want to take their picture)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GJgNN9WJcQg/UsYiXcezbVI/AAAAAAAAEpA/dJWVu5cjCVo/s1600-h/IMG_0727%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0727" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0727" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jdaT8MR86qc/UsYiYItTecI/AAAAAAAAEpE/Ko9LO8FRSDQ/IMG_0727_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="162"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qY_vZtr2Xps/UsYiY_L_MCI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/-G7lrWJ0uGI/s1600-h/IMG_0806%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0806" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0806" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Aogv3qme06M/UsYiZbDDKyI/AAAAAAAAEpU/vnf9Wa7L_Mk/IMG_0806_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dbar8K7qS-w/UsYiaYMS4vI/AAAAAAAAEpg/CQ_Y3oDWczE/s1600-h/IMG_0773%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0773" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0773" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hXERCdDLBwE/UsYiawLBzFI/AAAAAAAAEpk/8mN1X2jiqhE/IMG_0773_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="192"></a> (for a fee you can dress up in costume for you pics!)</p> <p>The other thing about having a guide is that they tend to have the best ideas of HOW to see things…and this is where my breath was literally taken from my body.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--zxwZz2A4Jk/UsYicSqsspI/AAAAAAAAEpw/K8I28P1GZuQ/s1600-h/IMG_0785%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0785" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0785" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7fLAeqvP1-s/UsYic84Zm-I/AAAAAAAAEp0/yqMPVzX9T-U/IMG_0785_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> See that color of blue? This color comes from elements in the soil. We walked down a set of stairs, turned a corner to this. I stopped in my tracks. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9R_Y6KRtaDw/UsYieOrIJ5I/AAAAAAAAEqA/et2sACa2teM/s1600-h/IMG_0789%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0789" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0789" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D-4Q95XCw7Y/UsYiep_XHkI/AAAAAAAAEqE/GZ-Cc0WMuV0/IMG_0789_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E7bKjWtIxd8/UsYigESL38I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/5NM464vP9qo/s1600-h/IMG_0786%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0786" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0786" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QxPmD66KzGQ/UsYigrW_4XI/AAAAAAAAEqU/w_f_EKPWIdQ/IMG_0786_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a>It was a GREAT spot for our group photo!</p> <p>This shows you the crowds…all of these people came down the “walking” path while we came down stairs from the bus parking area…our approach had NO people …which, you can tell…was good!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KS4DFBfkenA/UsYih8fgjoI/AAAAAAAAEqg/moxxDw6zzbY/s1600-h/IMG_0792%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0792" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0792" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VyUyKzYyFQc/UsYiiaD-w4I/AAAAAAAAEqk/dlyceMlaN_4/IMG_0792_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>While we admired the spot…we grabbed our own pics (tough to try to shoulder your way in to get a pic without thousands around you!) Then moved on!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lwXEMOPUJ-A/UsYijjlXMzI/AAAAAAAAEqw/Wy69k2PxGHI/s1600-h/IMG_0803%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0803" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0803" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WBqPVRmPnfc/UsYikMV9dmI/AAAAAAAAEq0/E1rnCmWOwaE/IMG_0803_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O_pjQr8Z0uo/UsYildcJ5XI/AAAAAAAAErA/eP_yce-3WEU/s1600-h/IMG_0797%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0797" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0797" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OILAPzNtFq8/UsYil1UlehI/AAAAAAAAErE/COxnsToW8Ow/IMG_0797_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Our day progressed…the sun stayed out…playing peek-a-boo behind the clouds, but all in all it was gorgeous, and not nearly as cold as we thought it would be.</p> <p>Here are some pictures so you can see the beauty of it w/o my words trying to describe the place!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yR7l1lhVlCE/UsYingUmIXI/AAAAAAAAErQ/eERnlb1YXXQ/s1600-h/IMG_0935%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0935" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0935" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ss08xTZoHOU/UsYioMi6BiI/AAAAAAAAErY/sWeciT33Gjc/IMG_0935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="179"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8aKLVpgsvo8/UsYiqanuGLI/AAAAAAAAErg/MxDA_3MYDZM/s1600-h/IMG_0909%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0909" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0909" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O6SA0ffa6yA/UsYiq8OBx-I/AAAAAAAAErk/REWPy1bOZ-c/IMG_0909_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lMP4-eGqJyw/UsYir-K_sgI/AAAAAAAAErw/ktx74oxKjXQ/s1600-h/IMG_0928%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0928" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0928" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2G-bRs3ssz0/UsYisaMSRRI/AAAAAAAAEr0/fAald5ihE0M/IMG_0928_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mD6sKYDQ6GQ/UsYits85rwI/AAAAAAAAEsA/klrYytteCCo/s1600-h/IMG_0925%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0925" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0925" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zGzFdpNvUIM/UsYiuFQNgXI/AAAAAAAAEsE/dwz9Ac6lvlc/IMG_0925_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>(can you tell with these two I got fascinated with the reflections in the water??</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uJ7-Q5FFgBI/UsYivDMgtfI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/bSjmtn8HTMc/s1600-h/IMG_0907%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0907" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0907" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ynVSP0FpYKY/UsYivj0fPjI/AAAAAAAAEsU/yIVVb-NfI0Y/IMG_0907_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uWcUV3EKD5U/UsYiw1BTk3I/AAAAAAAAEsg/vDgwb6f0vKU/s1600-h/IMG_0898%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0898" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0898" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k8kfPCdfbmg/UsYixkNv83I/AAAAAAAAEsk/sce2lDDw0-M/IMG_0898_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>How about having THIS as your wedding backdrop??</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q0Ex4OcDmuQ/UsYiyvWTesI/AAAAAAAAEsw/lh3bgdf0LT0/s1600-h/IMG_0921%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0921" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0921" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vxi3Bi30EPg/UsYizP8PWVI/AAAAAAAAEs0/wKhMe2ru1Ls/IMG_0921_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QUSJdDKGidc/UsYi0I0aIVI/AAAAAAAAEtA/_7zCLSlOTgA/s1600-h/IMG_0918%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0918" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0918" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oXdSVuzfMv4/UsYi0ivp3oI/AAAAAAAAEtE/EGcpS_KSlP0/IMG_0918_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lf9GGCj5J8w/UsYi1cY2xgI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/3iediuNz-HY/s1600-h/IMG_0916%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0916" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0916" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-92IP6QtP6d0/UsYi2PVq7rI/AAAAAAAAEtU/yc0IAFcrdVM/IMG_0916_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> There were tons of us taking their pictures! They could have saved a fortune on a photographer!</p> <p>We ended the day seeing a local show that showed us dancing from different ethnicities, etc. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mW0vhHf255g/UsYi25yTCiI/AAAAAAAAEtg/ebT4qgqsHgE/s1600-h/IMG_1031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vo1i0gw9Gws/UsYi3dV_ILI/AAAAAAAAEtk/Gkvc2HqisP0/IMG_1031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UTGDWltkNnE/UsYi4Mt-mvI/AAAAAAAAEtw/A0oF_TmVBjE/s1600-h/IMG_1014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-enT-P2Dgj0A/UsYi4tJcZyI/AAAAAAAAEt0/CA7j1kQfyUM/IMG_1014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2zqxpveI3WI/UsYi57UvAyI/AAAAAAAAEuA/u02A2Yvluys/s1600-h/IMG_1046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1046" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-refkVofKXhM/UsYi6WTtf7I/AAAAAAAAEuE/HTSBdYmHMns/IMG_1046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="188"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9saoMyFbmWs/UsYi7dJ-H-I/AAAAAAAAEuQ/oT-zxcrEvEI/s1600-h/IMG_1037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ojznPRub9WQ/UsYi8O-6uDI/AAAAAAAAEuU/nsDP76A5-00/IMG_1037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="174"></a>Some of our group got up and danced with them.</p> <p>It was a perfect start to our trip. There promised to be more good days ahead.</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-20932558347123213832013-09-28T10:57:00.000+08:002013-09-29T12:28:42.259+08:00Playing Tourist in My Own Back Yard<p>What I am about to type will result in screams of “WHAT” or “HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?” from my Hong Kong friends…</p> <p>Until today, just about 32 months after I landed in Hong Kong, Corey and I had never…ever…been to the Fish Market, Flower Market or Bird Market in Kowloon.</p> <p>WHAT??</p> <p>HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?</p> <p>Let me go back.</p> <p>Today we had nothing on the agenda and Corey asked me what I wanted to do. I actually went to the Hong Kong Tourism website to get some ideas. It’s a GREAT website <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com">www.discoverhongkong.com</a> </p> <p>These hugely colorful, local, historical and picturesque places are a mere four train stops away from our home. I don’t’ know why…but I’ve never been inclined to go see them. </p> <p>Maybe it’s b/c I don’t own a fish (don’t want to). Maybe it’s because I don’t own a bird (don’t’ want to) or maybe it’s b/c I don’t’ have a nice vase (how do you like THAT reasoning?)</p> <p>This little field trip gave me the opportunity to take my new “big girl” camera for a walk.</p> <p>We decided to walk down Nathan Road and stop for coffee, lunch (hot and sour soup and dumplings at a 12 table hole in the wall that is AWESOME – thank you Jane Buck!) then walk to the markets It’s not far…but with HOURDES of people out and about…it took us awhile!</p> <p>While Corey stopped for a water (getting puffy after lunch…MSG? Sodium? ), I stayed outside and watched three local men play a board game. No table and chairs? No Problem! No “real” board? No Problem! A box, a stool and a stairway and a hand drawn board is all one needs! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v9M8mpGl_9I/Uker84Jno5I/AAAAAAAAEaw/f61cAjXwrKI/s1600-h/IMG_05605.jpg"><img title="IMG_0560" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0560" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XFgcNm9wZL0/Uker9kiceKI/AAAAAAAAEa0/R5M0ClkGLNw/IMG_0560_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="213"></a></p> <p>First stop is the Gold Fish Market. It’s REAL name is Tung Choi Street , but who needs a real name when the map has it marked as Gold Fish Market? I will bet if I asked a local, they would know “fish” before Tung Choi Street. EVERY type of supply or fish that you would want or need is here. </p> <p>It was interesting to me that some shops were PACKED and others empty. We liked this first shop. It had a fun tank with shrimp and other pretty creatures.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TIaxwugxExc/Uker-t_GgoI/AAAAAAAAEbA/RHz1oaOyQWw/s1600-h/IMG_05623.jpg"><img title="IMG_0562" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0562" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u-y99GBSs9w/Uker_Muy01I/AAAAAAAAEbE/9BKkFzTFRt8/IMG_0562_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YJDWGEI2r_g/UkesAKmZByI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/FBC28VDzDGk/s1600-h/IMG_05633.jpg"><img title="IMG_0563" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0563" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UZlWmsuEH7g/UkesAkS3zlI/AAAAAAAAEbY/BC1rSKLzJJo/IMG_0563_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>See the lizard like guy hanging on the rock? Corey didn’t either! I was happy to NOT see any clownfish or other real exotics out in plain sight. </p> <p>There are ferns, and tanks and plastic bags of fish ready to be taken home</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hjOYm0MwU4s/UkesBc062GI/AAAAAAAAEbg/As7yopG1gi8/s1600-h/IMG_05643.jpg"><img title="IMG_0564" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0564" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lWxbTq_XQZ8/UkesBwFFuhI/AAAAAAAAEbo/--jF51yh6go/IMG_0564_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> This guy had a particularly cute face I thought!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-asBk8EuDcOE/UkesCn87OwI/AAAAAAAAEbw/BFuNqqGLktY/s1600-h/IMG_05653.jpg"><img title="IMG_0565" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0565" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-puNqqVFJ4nA/UkesDCjzjhI/AAAAAAAAEb0/7HEp9m1ZlmE/IMG_0565_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>I found these…albino turtles(??) very fun to look at!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i1K8axXNFxs/UkesEA_Nc-I/AAAAAAAAEcA/xk-P2BxblIs/s1600-h/IMG_05743.jpg"><img title="IMG_0574" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0574" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ujp-u6UhXxY/UkesEjwzxyI/AAAAAAAAEcE/aR4Usb6BnJo/IMG_0574_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6KDkaE_JMTA/UkesFRGADzI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/2kQgantWcVA/s1600-h/IMG_05753.jpg"><img title="IMG_0575" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0575" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4VH9Xp5VMpg/UkesF91-3CI/AAAAAAAAEcY/rYgNVtsxoDc/IMG_0575_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>(getting some air) <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wDaEIal8xyQ/UkesG3bccfI/AAAAAAAAEcg/CJqHEdVG5sU/s1600-h/IMG_05763.jpg"><img title="IMG_0576" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0576" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yzltQxOkX3I/UkesHVseNgI/AAAAAAAAEck/mEmDIzN0H0k/IMG_0576_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>The area is also very cramped with housing :</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_I0xKwn5wXk/UkesIYbpyWI/AAAAAAAAEcw/VjbGNVSH56o/s1600-h/IMG_05673.jpg"><img title="IMG_0567" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0567" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vSi88hT6kic/UkesIwplCeI/AAAAAAAAEc0/PArn-Wi7Gh0/IMG_0567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SsTf6u7la3M/UkesKHxUSyI/AAAAAAAAEdA/T2LMmXbJiyY/s1600-h/IMG_05683.jpg"><img title="IMG_0568" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0568" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QnpOBwPKEuE/UkesKrDb56I/AAAAAAAAEdE/Mx05YG3FDy0/IMG_0568_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1wyINwMzXU0/UkesLmQvNXI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/-K-Oe2vHBD8/s1600-h/IMG_05703.jpg"><img title="IMG_0570" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0570" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ub6VOeRFNJc/UkesMGY1u0I/AAAAAAAAEdU/3q5U2wZvCKE/IMG_0570_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Living in these areas you use every space you can to dry clothes! I think at night the area would be beautiful (think Blade Runner and neon lights)</p> <p>As we moved on, we came to the Flower Market. Hong Kong does many things well, and one of them is MAPS. </p> <p>Before you really even get to “the street” there is this store…where in true Western tradition is READY for Christmas</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DzoH53Yr1cQ/UkesM6ZHydI/AAAAAAAAEdg/OhdyKZ9-xsE/s1600-h/IMG_05773.jpg"><img title="IMG_0577" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0577" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5d7cy9zsrXc/UkesNvdNO0I/AAAAAAAAEdk/_0Zd0qodG7Y/IMG_0577_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244"></a> All sorts of ornaments, etc., EXCEPT…if you go to Sham Shui Po in early December…you get the same things…even cheaper! We kept going…</p> <p>The flower market is called…wait for it….Flower Street (someone was using their head). It is shop after shop after shop of flowers, plants, orchids, trees. There were many couples sitting inside the stores planning their weddings (I knew this b/c HE looked pained as SHE was pouring over the catalogues) </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qhEken8hT0E/UkesOgTnhgI/AAAAAAAAEdw/MbTPTwTv-0A/s1600-h/IMG_05803.jpg"><img title="IMG_0580" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0580" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d0CTScRWXKY/UkesPNKh8SI/AAAAAAAAEd0/eWZjwhTExaA/IMG_0580_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="234"></a> Gerbera Daisy's are Kari’s favorites…it’s what we saw first! </p> <p>Once again, if you want it…you can be pretty sure they have it. Some shops do NOT want you to take pics…and some say “please feel free ) I can only tell this by the signs on the walls, I have NOT become fluent in the last 15 minutes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O2SVsq1bZTI/UkesQLzUQOI/AAAAAAAAEeA/DtBGXcbJUZ8/s1600-h/IMG_05783.jpg"><img title="IMG_0578" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0578" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nZmDyk4KGtw/UkesQ_XzcNI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Bb0LGiXEAVQ/IMG_0578_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WE-sf0Nm4lE/UkesRloduyI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/Ps2aAjcNDj0/s1600-h/IMG_05873.jpg"><img title="IMG_0587" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0587" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--DJzwXaO5iE/UkesSI8ZbQI/AAAAAAAAEeU/JpGsIrNtBvc/IMG_0587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8PUva8YcbdQ/UkesTOKl-YI/AAAAAAAAEeg/waWMqD5Lfi4/s1600-h/IMG_05923.jpg"><img title="IMG_0592" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0592" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kp0eDpLjq74/UkesTgO-NiI/AAAAAAAAEek/hCvrfFx248U/IMG_0592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ceJkhrh8S7k/UkesUfrUPAI/AAAAAAAAEew/e38je4pANic/s1600-h/IMG_05943.jpg"><img title="IMG_0594" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0594" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4SpsbDmVLLM/UkesU0adZOI/AAAAAAAAEe4/kuMuEiBKJGo/IMG_0594_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>I know ONE friend who would love this place (Bo Ward!)</p> <p>Corey sat and munched on his freshly roasted peanuts as I wandered. He missed this guy:<br></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z_Gz8EPR1Hk/UkesVx9ZRxI/AAAAAAAAEfA/SRMfxHZfQW4/s1600-h/IMG_05853.jpg"><img title="IMG_0585" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0585" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-isunKTgBxlE/UkesWSsF4zI/AAAAAAAAEfE/RBaMPmn5DBA/IMG_0585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-er3aXuIEp_8/UkesXMKPmVI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/S0suhfpi010/s1600-h/IMG_05863.jpg"><img title="IMG_0586" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0586" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sTQlLvmy60k/UkesX_I2HiI/AAAAAAAAEfU/y7Lc5SIvDJQ/IMG_0586_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> </p> <p>People in Hong Kong sleep whenever and wherever they can…and shoppers just continue with their day!</p> <p>Right at the end of Flower Street is the Bird Park. This is where you can pick up all of your bird needs.</p> <p>While most of us DON’T get the birds, I do know many friends who have decorated with the beautiful cages that can be found here! </p> <p>As we entered we passed older gentlemen sitting together chatting, their bird cages hanging close by. Yes, that’s right, they take their little birds for a walk and then have a chat. From what I have seen, if retired, this is done on a daily basis. </p> <p>I realize as I type this I did NOT get pics of cages OR the visiting men (though I am VERY careful and respectful of taking pictures of locals…I try to be stealth like)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a5GSegZXh-I/UkesYoVkESI/AAAAAAAAEfg/o58XXyrjIqA/s1600-h/IMG_06013.jpg"><img title="IMG_0601" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0601" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7CJg9_q2HDE/UkesY8fX2bI/AAAAAAAAEfk/7LcXfru5u6Q/IMG_0601_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="191"></a> Pretty bird!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VZHtSKocrwg/UkesZ0YzEeI/AAAAAAAAEfw/WiKHCR8Rs6w/s1600-h/IMG_06053.jpg"><img title="IMG_0605" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0605" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k-7M5jSDsUs/UkesaZ4H92I/AAAAAAAAEf0/xF2riftr2Bk/IMG_0605_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Happy Talk !</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PNRHlBhU320/UkesbJVQZmI/AAAAAAAAEgA/kltTI3sSNAo/s1600-h/IMG_06073.jpg"><img title="IMG_0607" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0607" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zTZDdz2dhjo/Ukesbjl1SvI/AAAAAAAAEgE/Gxmq9a0b7Bg/IMG_0607_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="207"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5erSN38C7zM/UkescRAUI3I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/v5nKW_UiM30/s1600-h/IMG_06094.jpg"><img title="IMG_0609" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0609" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ouazrdZwm8/Ukesc3bQsGI/AAAAAAAAEgU/OxO3EOlwd5E/IMG_0609_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="198"></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CP91I-BspOU/UkesdqTnDvI/AAAAAAAAEgg/BI4UIDK5svU/s1600-h/IMG_06103.jpg"><img title="IMG_0610" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0610" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wdNxkbaIJD0/UkeseLqK9UI/AAAAAAAAEgo/jFhJ8-TEclA/IMG_0610_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Hello….</p> <p>Our walk came to an end and we headed back home to put our flowers (yes, I bought flowers) into a vase. I a NOT a flower arranger… but they are pretty…and I WILL be back before the next 32 months is up!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-6576042342183951682013-05-30T05:59:00.000+08:002013-05-30T06:00:07.351+08:00Morning Breaks<p> <p>Hong Kong has been shrouded by thick black clouds for weeks. They hover at the tops of the high rises like hats, but hats that are permanently pinned in place. <p>It gets old, quickly, especially living high enough to be IN those clouds. <p>At street level, it is depressing, yet life goes on. We know this will pass, and all too soon, we will be complaining bitterly about the humidity and heat that summer will bring. <p>This mornings’ daybreak brings promise. The promise of sun. The guarantee of heat. <p>I awoke to broken grey and black clouds. Moving slowly to the East. <p>Directly in front of me is a dip in the hills that are Hong Kong’s backdrop. Between the hills,directly behind the Shangri-La Hotel and the Hopewell Center in Wanchai loomed a series of dark clouds. In the lowest part of the dip, was a starkly white cloud, almost dragon like, backlit by pink. It stood alone, so bright, almost heaven like. It moved up, it moved back, and now, it is slowly slipping behind the hills. All that is left now is a bit of white puffs, peaking over, not dominating the hill. <p>To the west, a large bright cloud is growing. As it develops higher, the top is bright white, while the bottom of the cloud becomes more and more pink. Under the pink, are heaps and heaps of clouds still in shadow. Are they trying to decide to take on the pink, or force their way to the top of the cloud which is being lit by the rising sun? <p>The grey clouds have moved away, the skies just about clear, except for that growing, luminous cloud over Sheung Wan. <p>5:50 AM. It is fully light. I am fully awake. The Harbour below me is slowly coming to life. <p>Another day. <p>I am blessed.</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-36177362624144531592013-04-24T07:35:00.000+08:002013-09-27T22:31:35.373+08:00Xi’an–Terracotta Warriors & Horses<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4A4qpza5wIU/UkWWD6xF5sI/AAAAAAAAES4/rxqJd_NOfC4/s1600-h/IMG_91413.jpg"><img title="IMG_9141" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9141" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KY5Njh06WfM/UkWWEufS_FI/AAAAAAAAETA/CzBBHDuLIZ0/IMG_9141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MWJjseyzgKA/UkWWFmFUGwI/AAAAAAAAETI/jCb5D0PMIak/s1600-h/IMG_91534.jpg"><img title="IMG_9153" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9153" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f387U1N_ibE/UkWWGUEk0TI/AAAAAAAAETQ/H9H3CCsRp0I/IMG_9153_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="186"></a></p> <p>Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow from the UK? They are constantly appraising items that are many hundreds of years old. Then there are the US episodes where most of the items are from the late 18th or 19th (even 20th) centuries. Seeing history is pretty cool…and I think most of us find that the older the items the better…</p> <p>One of the beauties of where we live is that history surrounds us. </p> <p>So imagine what it is like to be in the presence of something that was created in 210-209 BC. It is just jaw-dropping awe-inspiring!</p> <p>I traveled to Xi’an (depending on who you talk to is how you pronounce it…I have taken to saying “shee’awn”) with three friends. Traveling in China, especially places not known for having much English, it is best to hire a guide. Doyle, our FABULOUS guide in Beijing, connected us with an agency and our guide, Eric. </p> <p>Xi’an is the capital of the Shaanxi Province. </p> <p>SO…the Warriors and Horses were buried to protect the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty. It went undiscovered for thousands of years, which was odd and incredibly lucky.</p> <p>First, the emperors were known for being buried with riches and protection. There are Tombs all over China (hills) with leaders and their treasures buried. Many are undisturbed…OR…if disturbed…ravaged, yet marked with who was there.</p> <p>I am positive that historians were curious why the very first Emperor did not have legions around him. Other emperors did…but this one was a mystery. It ends up, that this Emperor had his legions (protectors) buried over a kilometer away from his tomb.</p> <p>Then…one day in the 1970’s …a group of farmers digging drainage ditches discovered a piece of a warrior. Then more…The government was called in …digs proceeded, and VOILA…probably one of the richest historical finds of China was revealed. The timing could not have been better. </p> <p>SO…we arrive and are greeted by our guide. We had our Beijing guide (Love Doyle) help connect us with a guide for Xi’an. China is MUCH easier with a personal guide…and it is just not that expensive, In China…having a guide…and separate driver is helpful b/c of the crowds and difficulty in parking…AND…in complete contrast to Hong Kong…it’s just not THAT easy to get around.</p> <p>Our first night we walked around our Hotel…street food was really the only fair, and some of us were not that interested in trying . </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IT-Dr6rlCrM/UkWWG1ban-I/AAAAAAAAETY/8NZK4DEslis/s1600-h/IMG_91273.jpg"><img title="IMG_9127" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9127" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G-j2_lXQLi8/UkWWHvr3GyI/AAAAAAAAETg/ylW5l9HDC64/IMG_9127_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rT2EsOoYOyU/UkWWI8UmyeI/AAAAAAAAETo/uY7pSIgkK1U/s1600-h/IMG_91283.jpg"><img title="IMG_9128" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9128" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3YW7NjHiiX0/UkWWJTaN4LI/AAAAAAAAETs/6YL76OitRBI/IMG_9128_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> I have found that there are bar areas in most cities…these two were particularly fun to look at. No one wanted to stop…sadly.</p> <p>I think this was because language is an issue. Communicating is tougher…so to avoid miscommunication and, well, mystery meat, we ate in the Concierge area and had wine. </p> <p>Be adventurous. Dinner was awful, yet wine filled.</p> <p>The next day dawned to our extended trip to the Terracotta Warriors!</p> <p>Our guide and driver met us. The night before I had read up on the area because we were scolded by ‘Eric’ for “never reading a book?” (Love a good internet search…it’s where I got the info for above!)</p> <p>We headed straight to The Warriors for an extended stay. We had a walk in from where the driver dropped us. There were some statues and stores not yet open. We kept going…we were on a mission.</p> <p>Eric paid our fees and off we walked towards the digs..</p> <p>China has done some great work here. Timing truly WAS everything. Mao didn’t get here. They are still exploring and expanding.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R13QoWBEJak/UkWWKM6alYI/AAAAAAAAET4/YKjs-vv96tg/s1600-h/IMG_9229%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9229" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcA5sIAziuAv1R3BEFDKhn6sb0wMyfwXadtJ97cnN7Z_XNZ2-42LHEzBGE0RhakLNlqSdthyphenhyphenat4vZY4JSJidibC_Baae-01XwmQ0aQoJY11wUIkWTfkWf5sz7wLAXsrVDhyphenhyphenA-cdhNMtI/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zMtfIXbdwd0/UkWWLdDE4rI/AAAAAAAAEUI/FXSi2VhqW2g/s1600-h/IMG_9232%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9232" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9232" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wW7XmeKXCMY/UkWWL6QGK2I/AAAAAAAAEUQ/eusB6LtvBpg/IMG_9232_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>You walk past the “scenic spot AND the big horses to get to the digs:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-39GQn737yXw/UkWWMqjH6ZI/AAAAAAAAEUY/1toQ9YhxY8M/s1600-h/IMG_9227%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9227" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9227" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a1a16r4QlfA/UkWWNPEk8oI/AAAAAAAAEUc/FgWW5aXvxrw/IMG_9227_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HKWOoBRz7go/UkWWN3LturI/AAAAAAAAEUo/4zVUMzZuz-8/s1600-h/IMG_9228%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9228" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9228" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I871W5bZNL8/UkWWOb3wwfI/AAAAAAAAEUw/LvPwPurVRwY/IMG_9228_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>See the sky…I guess this was a GOOD day. Xi’an is terribly polluted, and the sky is NEVER blue! </p> <p>We enter the first building:</p> <p>OH MY</p> <p>The first dig is the biggest and the brightest when it comes to lighting. Sadly, and of no one’s fault, the Chinese had no idea what would happen when the Warriors were exposed to air. Maybe very sophisticated Universities would have known…but, within minutes of exposure, the paint, which EVERY Warrior was covered with, began to peal. </p> <p>If you are VERY special, you get to go to a lower, yet closer, viewing platform. The days of walking amongst the Warriors has passed…at least from what we saw. There was an Irish diplomat there…not sure who…and they stayed below us. I must say, I was quite satisfied with our view. </p> <p>I think a camera with a super zoom would be awesome…but I use my cropping function on my pics, and that seems to work.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPUY2ZeE0rjUdjXIkUxKlIPhimic1fCudODQDZ2umcDTyZBMheHzUj21gGReLLG4oC-QyM5VZlB5_cn583VaRIIGJlITsgu8vip2MX5aH86Dh4CtDNHlepWcRHbH0O57szYRRkuZYJU/s1600-h/IMG_91373.jpg"><img title="IMG_9137" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9137" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-THnh9gCNlOY/UkWWQDu4GTI/AAAAAAAAEU8/a91kEU-hzSM/IMG_9137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Here is the sign for Pit 1. It tells the size (11 corridors divided by 10 walls, then the entire thing covered by dirt) I am thankful for such signs!</p> <p>So here is how the historians have recreated the columns:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xp3EOQKTGy0/UkWWQ_2a6VI/AAAAAAAAEVI/FElgetrQDS8/s1600-h/IMG_91413%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9141" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9141" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JRXT2fsoAI8/UkWWRZ69vTI/AAAAAAAAEVM/9vak6JmiCGo/IMG_9141_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3XdUiYcqlsw/UkWWSYzjA1I/AAAAAAAAEVY/ba7WqIKDWWw/s1600-h/IMG_91383.jpg"><img title="IMG_9138" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9138" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7txCjeWWYDc/UkWWTFz_9BI/AAAAAAAAEVc/ZdDzObKCMVw/IMG_9138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> See, the thing is…ONLY ONE of the estimated 8,000 figures was found in tact. All of the pieces you see here have been painstakingly put back together…one head, one arm, one hand, one foot at a time. And the work is ongoing!</p> <p>I need to take a writing course to tell you how awe inspiring this whole thing was. My mother did not own a passport, yet here I was, among pieces of history buried in the 2nd century BC. I had tears in my eyes more than once this day. I know I felt the same thing when I was in the Yunnan Province looking at The Himalayas. I am blessed…I can not say this enough.</p> <p>Eric pointed out to us a “hole” in the walls between the rows of warriors. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0_Um4p640qk/UkWWUPj9foI/AAAAAAAAEVo/QRJOxqreul8/s1600-h/IMG_91573.jpg"><img title="IMG_9157" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9157" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v2bsVBnnywE/UkWWUiMD14I/AAAAAAAAEVs/mdcKU5kDXCs/IMG_9157_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> This was a tomb. It seems, that during the years and years and years since the Warriors were buried, the area was a farmland. And during those years, those farmers died,to be buried in the land they worked. In ALL OF THOSE YEARS, with all of those buried…all of the tombs “just missed” discovering The Warriors. Because, here’s the thing…if any of this had been discovered during The Cultural Revolution…THE WHOLE THING WOULD HAVE/COULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. Mao’s Cultural Revolution would have seen to all of that. All of it. Look at that hole…dug “just so” in the wall that separated one row of Warriors from another…this is just another indication to me that higher beings are at work.</p> <p>We got to see bits and pieces of Warriors being put back together. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7l7seD7pTtc/UkWWVpbDfMI/AAAAAAAAEV4/ClpuiluAbYg/s1600-h/IMG_91533.jpg"><img title="IMG_9153" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9153" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-11kwJ-K3DM0/UkWWWHodpYI/AAAAAAAAEWA/Isfireuj2ts/IMG_9153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> You can see here that some heads have not yet been found to match to the bodies. Speaking of heads…EACH face is unique. Yes, each one.-and each one was individually painted</p> <p>The workers are right there in the pits for us to see. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z0wrexk8sqM/UkWWXCpno-I/AAAAAAAAEWI/12UUcwbWRqI/s1600-h/IMG_91653.jpg"><img title="IMG_9165" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9165" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a5Hg2G5VBEU/UkWWXz2OX8I/AAAAAAAAEWQ/Vd_MXKJpd3I/IMG_9165_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xU2qJzbKc8s/UkWWY4T7MzI/AAAAAAAAEWY/uTyNOqhbid4/s1600-h/IMG_91633.jpg"><img title="IMG_9163" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9163" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s0spQeYeJZk/UkWWZlX-41I/AAAAAAAAEWc/4xtK7-aE1yQ/IMG_9163_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> </p> <p>Each Pit is a work in progress. </p> <p>Here is a slight attempt to show you the scope of Pit 1</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q-BeneCsfFU/UkWWamDIYzI/AAAAAAAAEWo/BspLsw80cfA/s1600-h/IMG_91443.jpg"><img title="IMG_9144" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9144" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l__L4qUGcC0/UkWWbNFS1nI/AAAAAAAAEWs/Y-ScX_V5iPI/IMG_9144_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>I could not miss this opportunity to pose with my Terrible Towel. My travel mates were very accommodating, and the people around me were quite curious. Our guide explained many times that it was a “football” thing…but I’m sure everyone was thinking soccer</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1qQ6MMMf7bs/UkWWcLnWWxI/AAAAAAAAEW4/z8SF9Cybywk/s1600-h/IMG_91463.jpg"><img title="IMG_9146" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9146" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PowUqaRPGT8/UkWWcokc1ZI/AAAAAAAAEW8/TbIUtFt97zo/IMG_9146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> I’m afraid this picture did not pic up NEARLY as much traction on twitter with Steelers groups…it seems truly “recognizable” places are more the flavor of the fans (thus the popularity of The Leaning Tower of Pisa )</p> <p>We walked down the entirety of this pit and saw horses, and statues being worked on. There were “staging areas”. As things were ;unearthed, they were brought to areas, tagged, and cataloged. Each piece waited for something…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I5Ouk44Nfu8/UkWWdnMJTyI/AAAAAAAAEXI/BOLEuN1ABFs/s1600-h/IMG_91763.jpg"><img title="IMG_9176" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9176" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3TpDatW6fm8/UkWWefcFDrI/AAAAAAAAEXM/0r4PJffFrvw/IMG_9176_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SY0ST_Xn_3A/UkWWfALZ1BI/AAAAAAAAEXY/RH5ciWNK80s/s1600-h/IMG_91663.jpg"><img title="IMG_9166" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qQxNpJVMB2U/UkWWf6bJhwI/AAAAAAAAEXg/ElKdyG414sc/IMG_9166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We moved to the next Pit. Here you can see how things were truly found:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uz6dYyFSlt4/UkWWhL60R3I/AAAAAAAAEXo/ajRM0ziKDDU/s1600-h/IMG_91783.jpg"><img title="IMG_9178" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9178" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vGgNsu7haLs/UkWWhgbOwoI/AAAAAAAAEXs/PzVNV2nKEPU/IMG_9178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BUDaWAvqjcw/UkWWiupwEEI/AAAAAAAAEX4/EKx5slpkA6g/s1600-h/IMG_92243.jpg"><img title="IMG_9224" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9224" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xAiN38pH4WY/UkWWjDeWymI/AAAAAAAAEYA/0Y8VXbZqhyg/IMG_9224_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PHDi139Y9Ho/UkWWkO99yDI/AAAAAAAAEYI/We9xdn2olpg/s1600-h/IMG_92223.jpg"><img title="IMG_9222" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9222" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iYk6ZJ2mBsY/UkWWkzUWPVI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/fFIMklumq5E/IMG_9222_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dd9IHomGBMs/UkWWljYBL1I/AAAAAAAAEYY/dBMGT1l9ujs/s1600-h/IMG_92213.jpg"><img title="IMG_9221" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9221" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tNTLSHvP1fI/UkWWmGppxHI/AAAAAAAAEYg/lCaOsosU7Ro/IMG_9221_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WcWM0FB2l6o/UkWWnIeWkcI/AAAAAAAAEYo/F7WCsSd5HE8/s1600-h/IMG_92203.jpg"><img title="IMG_9220" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9220" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PVO5fPz_Ebc/UkWWnv2pHEI/AAAAAAAAEYs/NOtFVArGThA/IMG_9220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>The top two pictures are mine…the rest are pictures of pictures…taken before all things disintegrated. </p> <p>From this….err…mess??…came ALL those Warriors you just saw in rows in Pit 1! </p> <p>This Pit was the “Headquarters” of the group protecting the Emperor. The historians could tell this because there was just one “in and one out”…Here are the horses protecting that entrance:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGu8wf-nS8I/UkWWodh7IQI/AAAAAAAAEY4/nuTJcrRnWMw/s1600-h/IMG_91843.jpg"><img title="IMG_9184" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zp4F-dnpmVY/UkWWo9JxFhI/AAAAAAAAEZA/RGIC4lm1WMQ/IMG_9184_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> This is the Pit where there are pictures of what The Warriors looked like when they were unearthed. As I said before, sadly, they did not remain this way, as atmospheric conditions deteriorated them quickly. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07znTF9SZD8/UkWWplxaJXI/AAAAAAAAEZI/8hxNIGEbjCg/s1600-h/IMG_91863.jpg"><img title="IMG_9186" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9186" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NcGgTeEYrRg/UkWWqCNDb-I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/VsqsJ-YtUBk/IMG_9186_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9jaQRRCrD4E/UkWWrEsGdEI/AAAAAAAAEZY/G0OZ02H7XY8/s1600-h/IMG_91873.jpg"><img title="IMG_9187" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9187" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KJsDr3FEEIQ/UkWWr2dLifI/AAAAAAAAEZg/g7GerOPI7RU/IMG_9187_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p>Like I said…there is ONE warrior that came out whole. He is encased and to this day you can still see just a bit of color from being painted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tgSzjso4a50/UkWWsov1F8I/AAAAAAAAEZo/Jc_kVrhNnek/s1600-h/IMG_9204%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9204" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9204" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RmMwgBcPZrM/UkWWtMrF6hI/AAAAAAAAEZw/e9QSW1mi8FQ/IMG_9204_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5j4d_AbV7Kk/UkWWtxuLGhI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/9VoTndZqJ_8/s1600-h/IMG_9201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9201" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9201" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R5uSzzsGMdg/UkWWuWMBx_I/AAAAAAAAEaA/velv4lZm4fM/IMG_9201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> Look closely at the picture of his back…you can see the red paint.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qcSQgaIbvTk/UkWWvtW--1I/AAAAAAAAEaI/WwzVOsJP5CI/s1600-h/IMG_9225%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9225" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Y9WDhgOYNc/UkWWwFELKqI/AAAAAAAAEaM/Ma_ydxKu7ZY/IMG_9225_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>Here is the official photo from all sides that is close to where the kneeling archer is today. it shows the colors better. They got it in a case…but not fast enough to keep it from breaking down.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rQE8PNdYK68/UkWWw7tU2aI/AAAAAAAAEaY/rkyd07uMqAA/s1600-h/IMG_9214%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9214" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b6nLrnNDUQ4/UkWWxZiiQkI/AAAAAAAAEac/iVMGNhFhjCc/IMG_9214_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> What amazes me about most civilizations is that they all came up with some version of arrowheads for hunting. All over the world…centuries and thousands of mile apart…and the same innovation strikes.</p> <p>We finished our tour here and headed out to lunch. We had more to do today, but I can tell you…I’m not sure what I have seen or will see that could have topped this site. </p> <p>I’m going to end this here. We had a whole afternoon to fill, but this is long enough and I truly could go on and on!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-59128162162040338112013-04-08T00:19:00.000+08:002013-04-12T18:18:06.066+08:00Santa Croce Church-Where the BIGGIES are Buried!<p> </p> <p>Our weekend was glorious and sunny. Monday dawned overcast and cool. Today I was meeting Kari after her first class to get a little touring in before her 2nd class.</p> <p>We managed to get to the Medici Library, and planned to go back in the afternoon for the rest of the sights.</p> <p>The Library was awesome! The floor and ceiling are reflections of each other…just one made of tile one made of wood:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ulqVKV5A6xE/UWfeGH4AE-I/AAAAAAAAEL8/dPN2IgXoXO8/s1600-h/IMG_90353.jpg"><img title="IMG_9035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eeYfqbpZyVE/UWfeGfEYzbI/AAAAAAAAEME/yTpnau6NPf8/IMG_9035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BdYb0eGSqnY/UWfeHJlwsgI/AAAAAAAAEMM/cvaXSByWnyQ/s1600-h/IMG_90343.jpg"><img title="IMG_9034" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SFu2rrzh5mM/UWfeHc9wWqI/AAAAAAAAEMU/H_oTbOh3Tkk/IMG_9034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> We figured it out b/c of the animal head at the top…the tile floor is half covered to protect it, but it’s there!</p> <p>The cool thing on display was a limited exhibit on books and printing from Asia. It was so strange to see Arabic books in this library</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NcCVIag2HlI/UWfeID5z-BI/AAAAAAAAEMc/7KycdVCcMog/s1600-h/IMG_90383.jpg"><img title="IMG_9038" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9038" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XxFXMfZguss/UWfeIWfCNqI/AAAAAAAAEMk/3lN0X1LHWhE/IMG_9038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>The actual library was not vast…and the “seating areas” themselves were small. I think once again it shows how humans have grown over the years.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-48tCkoUBBd8/UWfeIwMzd-I/AAAAAAAAEMs/dnsp5hfJZWU/s1600-h/IMG_90443.jpg"><img title="IMG_9044" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9044" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bEu_IlWoxNk/UWfeJGcC_fI/AAAAAAAAEM0/1Mzz6yl2NVg/IMG_9044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nEznATWgKZw/UWfeKLMmrQI/AAAAAAAAEM8/S5CabJnQNCw/s1600-h/IMG_90423.jpg"><img title="IMG_9042" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZxDjJC9ck3k/UWfeKaH-hXI/AAAAAAAAENE/KVKu-Qz6f28/IMG_9042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> (I don’t think the chairs in there now are original…do you?)</p> <p>The entryway to the library is impressive…I wonder if the alcoves had statues in them at one time?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--uAsVtdFkdk/UWfeLV3ay7I/AAAAAAAAENM/WhfVUawpbGQ/s1600-h/IMG_90453.jpg"><img title="IMG_9045" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d_56RE6rDwI/UWfeLlJWhiI/AAAAAAAAENU/S8Gmd4SpR9U/IMG_9045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lXFgHjhwXC4/UWfeMZCH28I/AAAAAAAAENc/xczHOrl27jA/s1600-h/IMG_90463.jpg"><img title="IMG_9046" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--rlS0QKbHXQ/UWfeM7DQl9I/AAAAAAAAENk/x7CHpYH29cE/IMG_9046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Kari went off to class and I was charged with finding two things.</p> <p>When we were here in 2000, we had a walking tour and it stopped at a Panini place where we had a sandwich and glass of wine. This is a literal hole in the wall and outside of it are two shelves. The shelves have numbers so you can put your wine up there and know which one is yours. Second…I was to make my way to Santa Croce.</p> <p>I found the sandwich shop no problem! Kari’s directions were perfect (turn left at the street BEFORE Zara). It was a super cheap lunch (3.50 Euro for sandwich and drink) and it was pretty yummy. One again you gauge places based on the locals there…I was early, but as I was finishing the locals started showing. </p> <p>Next, I had to make my way To Santa Croce. I had two maps…and started to walk. I did have a couple mis-turns…but I made it in good order. (very proud)</p> <p>Here is a pic from the top of The Duomo of Santa Croce</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OegLM2Wxlj8/UWffW1hmK9I/AAAAAAAAERs/1US0AfSBX1w/s1600-h/IMG_8771%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8771" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8771" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YT74PX8I0II/UWffXCQDekI/AAAAAAAAER0/1-kurF-kB3Q/IMG_8771_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a>(it’s the big white thing in the rear…)</p> <p>Santa Croce is 14th Century Franciscan Church. If memory serves me…it was also a nunnery (will check Wikipedia for this !)</p> <p>After admission and audio guide were paid for…off I went. The audio guide has a map with numbers…since Santa Croce is still a “working” church…they don’t mark the “exhibits” (tombs, alters, etc) with numbers like can in museums.</p> <p>Santa Croce, like many many places, is under renovation. The main alter was under scaffolding, but you could see the frescos and crucifix. You could also see the workers up there doing the restorations. There is a tour you can take later in the day, but it did not fit into my schedule. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--rnl4f8xLno/UWfeNR7H8TI/AAAAAAAAENs/GhFtPWcwB_U/s1600-h/IMG_90523.jpg"><img title="IMG_9052" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9052" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BYjFMOQd_xs/UWfeNk_YbGI/AAAAAAAAEN0/6UyYlU_qw74/IMG_9052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> Yes…you are allowed to take pictures here…just no flash!</p> <p>SO…the big draw to Santa Croce is who is buried here.</p> <p>When Santa Croce was built, it was a burial ground for the local people…most of which were poor. Then, later, two of Florence’s main guys wanted to be buried here and the flood gates opened…and ALL the prominent people wanted in. (people were dying to get in there!)</p> <p>The floor is literally covered with marble slabs, under which are the remains of Florence citizens. The balance comes from these slabs being there as art. The people buried there KNEW they would be trodden on, and that was ok with them, since the thought was humbling. Also, though, the marble has to be protected and preserved…so at various times some of them are covered. </p> <p>The first big “celebrity” (to me) is Galileo Galilei. This man who flew in the face of The Church w/his theories on science. He lived under house arrest near Florence because he defied the church by saying the earth revolved around the sun. Now…Rome said he could not be buried on “blessed” ground…so, The Franciscans took his remains and secretly buried them in the Santa Croce until they could publically give him a place of honor. (Gotta love 17th century rebels)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D3jebwYpCwk/UWfeOc0vXAI/AAAAAAAAEN8/FnjapXOAt2o/s1600-h/IMG_90623.jpg"><img title="IMG_9062" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fIEdAN-EGEs/UWfePN2Pm-I/AAAAAAAAEOE/vNrn1HR-bOY/IMG_9062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> You can see right below his bust is an “homage” to the solar system.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4syktPDcgaY/UWfePxgZ87I/AAAAAAAAEOM/dZaSGS1RhOs/s1600-h/IMG_90603.jpg"><img title="IMG_9060" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9060" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0j59JNm9DHw/UWfeQfuAwEI/AAAAAAAAEOU/uTcaLnrYm5g/IMG_9060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> Buried with him now are his daughters and favorite student.</p> <p>The other “biggie” is Michelangelo.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ACKFICfdviA/UWfeQxETbTI/AAAAAAAAEOc/WD6tcEcyQ1Q/s1600-h/IMG_90663.jpg"><img title="IMG_9066" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9066" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-POk8rrZVoXo/UWfeRabbgCI/AAAAAAAAEOk/GEAcTq2PsDs/IMG_9066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YVIoc5sbIJ8/UWfeSHJATdI/AAAAAAAAEOs/_lNCHN2_1OE/s1600-h/IMG_90643.jpg"><img title="IMG_9064" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9064" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EQZg6u5Nj30/UWfeSyy_fEI/AAAAAAAAEO0/DjlWsNuVNsY/IMG_9064_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EVGUIOIxG34/UWfeTugcQhI/AAAAAAAAEO8/G-qJXqhvXm8/s1600-h/IMG_90633.jpg"><img title="IMG_9063" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iNetys_xXcE/UWfeT6RfHhI/AAAAAAAAEPE/qZZQtuRdbbM/IMG_9063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nb_s7Aaupjw/UWfeU3AIPTI/AAAAAAAAEPM/g99AcyJgImY/s1600-h/IMG_90683.jpg"><img title="IMG_9068" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9068" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SBbIQ6PmQIA/UWfeVf3uF-I/AAAAAAAAEPU/93EgbgzSj34/IMG_9068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>He did NOT want to be buried here…and in fact was quite insistent he NOT be buried in Florence. He wanted to be buried in Rome. But with money comes influence and here he is.</p> <p>The Three sculptures you see in the last picture represent Painting, Sculpture and Architecture…all things Michelangelo was well known for.</p> <p>As with all things old…there is a lot of decay. </p> <p>There was a terrible flood in the church in 1966, and under the destroyed frescos, charcoal drawings were found</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9g8gJzretds/UWfeV2UMEhI/AAAAAAAAEPc/sT9c15PN_uI/s1600-h/IMG_90873.jpg"><img title="IMG_9087" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9087" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LCa4KgT-RDk/UWfeWY1SyzI/AAAAAAAAEPk/i-pgopuCK4g/IMG_9087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> </p> <p>I did find another “AWA” group. This is “Advancing Women Artists” and is an American organization that is dedicated to lifting Female artists in Florence from obscurity.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bBWmDyD0yfA/UWfeW6PzS4I/AAAAAAAAEPs/_G4C3zuV7BA/s1600-h/IMG_90743.jpg"><img title="IMG_9074" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9074" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-veGWbQQYzX8/UWfeXYCe6sI/AAAAAAAAEP0/yWryWFF2yEY/IMG_9074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wwIaVAnHKvE/UWfeX1phKmI/AAAAAAAAEP8/vMdAMeC4-8A/s1600-h/IMG_90733.jpg"><img title="IMG_9073" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9073" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-byJI_qRTSH4/UWfeYfAgeMI/AAAAAAAAEQE/8MIRrj-kygk/IMG_9073_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TMoHFzHj8-k/UWfeZfzOpiI/AAAAAAAAEQM/zjCNIb1luE0/s1600-h/IMG_90713.jpg"><img title="IMG_9071" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9071" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YK3u-z81Ty0/UWfeZmNklaI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/iRFj8Gmc53s/IMG_9071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p>Here are a few more pictures from Santa Croce…I think one of my favorite places and I will go back and give it more time the next time I am here.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I3aRbr0Dwlw/UWfeaKEU9rI/AAAAAAAAEQY/QO5gAfUToIo/s1600-h/IMG_90883.jpg"><img title="IMG_9088" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9088" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aW4Guinuf_w/UWfeaiVqntI/AAAAAAAAEQg/51kgIVvIBhs/IMG_9088_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YPDRw9kAuUE/UWfebUxnpcI/AAAAAAAAEQo/6nj38T3PdEg/s1600-h/IMG_90853.jpg"><img title="IMG_9085" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9085" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IzNDALe4RVY/UWfeb49uBMI/AAAAAAAAEQw/HGMsXrHY-z4/IMG_9085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xn3eY_vYH1s/UWfec1Xt1sI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/M-EhpV3hbwU/s1600-h/IMG_90833.jpg"><img title="IMG_9083" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9083" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2pz6ybhav6w/UWfedSgBvWI/AAAAAAAAERA/CdGXB_J91XM/IMG_9083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OskBL_ij23U/UWfeeF_fXCI/AAAAAAAAERI/S7uTQr_T_jI/s1600-h/IMG_90813.jpg"><img title="IMG_9081" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9081" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cJO1swlZGyM/UWfeeZU3kgI/AAAAAAAAERQ/PkQLhlqIqAs/IMG_9081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-woeNAXUIcwc/UWfee5kD1kI/AAAAAAAAERY/-NkpMXFHlx8/s1600-h/IMG_90753.jpg"><img title="IMG_9075" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9075" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HsG-P-8K-qg/UWfefdEvCKI/AAAAAAAAERg/BMwqYEgni3U/IMG_9075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> This last picture is from the area where there are many many people buried. The floor is literally wall to wall w/names and dates…and the walls themselves have crypts.</p> <p>I made my way back to Kari for more touring…this time w/no wrong turns. Now she is working, I am blogging, and we are having a quiet afternoon. Not a bad way to start winding down the trip.</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-47827846824606661392013-04-07T23:12:00.000+08:002013-04-12T09:04:53.462+08:00DAMN! That Thing Really Does LEAN!<p> </p> <p>Sunday was field trip day. We purposefully chose not to have an early start to the day. The night before we had climbed to Piazza Michelangelo for wine and sunset. THAT really helped me get some steps on my pedometer! To be kind, the ladies took the “easier” way up…which was driveways not stairs .</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hF20nzOg3SA/UWdda2wffNI/AAAAAAAAEHk/nFpaOXrLz2I/s1600-h/IMG_89953.jpg"><img title="IMG_8995" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8995" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wv5FmM8UAaY/UWddbYIOryI/AAAAAAAAEHs/IUSHEnOzmF4/IMG_8995_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RTivuPz4JDg/UWddcFUBanI/AAAAAAAAEH0/Ag7q8idcnDs/s1600-h/IMG_89875.jpg"><img title="IMG_8987" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8987" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n9jA632vFqo/UWddcm7oNtI/AAAAAAAAEH8/W-18ajfhesM/IMG_8987_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="158"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o0RigSpW6L8/UWdddd8G23I/AAAAAAAAEIE/wUMYlhWksy0/s1600-h/IMG_89853.jpg"><img title="IMG_8985" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8985" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CaLeLH3me7E/UWdddlDu7OI/AAAAAAAAEIM/EknvBKZrii8/IMG_8985_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2yWp0tRm3s8/UWddeLEPCcI/AAAAAAAAEIU/j2tmIART0QM/s1600-h/IMG_89793.jpg"><img title="IMG_8979" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8979" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FaELigYaOiM/UWddeprkeoI/AAAAAAAAEIc/GKPW1Akm8fU/IMG_8979_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>SO…after a very fun “all you can drink –it’s included” dinner…the ladies headed their way…I went to my place…and we agreed the next day we would go to Pisa.</p> <p>We checked the train and bus schedule and had planned to train there. Somehow, when we got to the train station, the trains were not scheduled…so Plan B…we took the Ryan Air Bus to Pisa. 5 Euro and it was leaving in 10 minutes. PERFECT timing!</p> <p>On the bus we found out that the trains were on strike today…so they were cancelling trips one or two at a time. Thankfully the bus was an option</p> <p>The ride is about an hour. Kari and I snoozed. The bus takes you to the airport, and then you take the local bus to Pisa.</p> <p>At the airport we met people from Bellingham and Camino Island…and the Bellingham people knew the family we had met in Venice the day before. REALLY small world!</p> <p>So we jump on the local bus…our ticket is good for 70 minutes…but we were silly and validated before the bus was moving…and we sat for 10 minutes…well…we could possibly get done in an hour…Rumor has it it’s a tiny place.</p> <p>We arrive in good order..the bus drops you right at the gates of the complex.</p> <p>The Tower is part of a series of buildings.</p> <p>The complex is The Tower, The Duomo and the Baptistery. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yKPBQwmcdfQ/UWddfPpmz4I/AAAAAAAAEIk/r9zBq8pGpAc/s1600-h/IMG_89973.jpg"><img title="IMG_8997" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8997" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VqCRnvEMp-8/UWddfmXBvBI/AAAAAAAAEIs/yoIevaE0yn4/IMG_8997_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="131"></a> Here is the Duomo and The Tower. Reading up on the area, I have since found out the tower has ALWAYS leaned! It is a bell tower, was started in 1173…and by the time they got to the 3rd floor…it was tilting. By the time they finished it in 1350, the tilt was permanent. The Tower’s real claim to fame is that it is said THIS is where Galileo did his experiments in regards to gravity (WOW)</p> <p>Here is a better shot of the “lean”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C5i1e7xjLgs/UWddgINx5aI/AAAAAAAAEI0/JFy5k_EclF8/s1600-h/IMG_89987.jpg"><img title="IMG_8998" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8998" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MgZe5EalsQg/UWddgZA1JVI/AAAAAAAAEI8/od1wGYe4I28/IMG_8998_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> </p> <p>OK…enough of that…we all know why THIS little field trip was made.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L13WxPQDVJ0/UWddgwiDS-I/AAAAAAAAEJE/FV1J0GQ-qz8/s1600-h/IMG_90123.jpg"><img title="IMG_9012" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ucg6Qhiaq2A/UWddhU0fcDI/AAAAAAAAEJM/ORDu4GDHASU/IMG_9012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="155" height="244"></a> Here’s The Terrible Towel picture</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zsOsV0oRfIw/UWddh6QJRNI/AAAAAAAAEJU/QtbpGYLKgIA/s1600-h/IMG_90103.jpg"><img title="IMG_9010" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AS9fZit9Gag/UWddiQFrcoI/AAAAAAAAEJc/nnaV1bYo6lE/IMG_9010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bOiAYfOpXwg/UWddi4UrNeI/AAAAAAAAEJk/p4Tdpo_oWr8/s1600-h/IMG_90023.jpg"><img title="IMG_9002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vYr9_CybDW4/UWddjXAlijI/AAAAAAAAEJs/a_DBuBXqkTI/IMG_9002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> To practice safe building holding…I figured I better help Kari!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_bkimxcKw-Q/UWddkN1hAsI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/Y3dQaRrATX8/s1600-h/IMG_90043.jpg"><img title="IMG_9004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u2cdMEJ09vY/UWddklC2bZI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/HEQNxCStIXE/IMG_9004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p>Because the grass is cordoned off, it was hard to get all the girls in one shot so we took the silly pics</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J1ADgmOa07k/UWddlKz60NI/AAAAAAAAEKE/0El65BgRGm8/s1600-h/IMG_90213.jpg"><img title="IMG_9021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-759gKy2OIf0/UWddlbtmyCI/AAAAAAAAEKM/JBosoHMjlCk/IMG_9021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="144" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DgkkP425Q5w/UWddmUH3RTI/AAAAAAAAEKU/Y1A46roIXbI/s1600-h/IMG_90173.jpg"><img title="IMG_9017" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f0wWg8GeH2U/UWddm3On2RI/AAAAAAAAEKc/vDIMyxQ-GsQ/IMG_9017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Then this bird decided it wanted in on the action:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PCIzn3VWdCw/UWddnozPdyI/AAAAAAAAEKk/GZEvLVu570o/s1600-h/IMG_90193.jpg"><img title="IMG_9019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eLzksTu-Suo/UWddn4BvzcI/AAAAAAAAEKs/6CXipP-eJCA/IMG_9019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> (click on this one…see the girls laughing…the bird literally almost landed on my head…he parted my hair as he went sailing over)</p> <p>We walked around a little bit more before heading back to the airport for the bus ride home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--d1X2KIDQJg/UWddorq2YpI/AAAAAAAAEK0/KmjsrCVMf-k/s1600-h/IMG_90303.jpg"><img title="IMG_9030" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jU-JEH9fU3w/UWddpaVsESI/AAAAAAAAEK8/yrdBqPmt9HE/IMG_9030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j1lXxBifsDI/UWddpyq8aTI/AAAAAAAAELE/4xjzRdZKJew/s1600-h/IMG_90253.jpg"><img title="IMG_9025" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i-HUKBcFauA/UWddqbC6BxI/AAAAAAAAELM/b1P-LBU-rdU/IMG_9025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-70t9a5jhfhk/UWddreKMvkI/AAAAAAAAELU/isvqAuXJMdg/s1600-h/IMG_90243.jpg"><img title="IMG_9024" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3UlHqWpOxi4/UWddr8oyU0I/AAAAAAAAELc/1GLjFOjJJgo/IMG_9024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IGUiMGSSWus/UWddshqOQZI/AAAAAAAAELk/ZmUyBdLTUbc/s1600-h/IMG_90233.jpg"><img title="IMG_9023" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vwZqIgcrFSU/UWddtGegM9I/AAAAAAAAELs/jpyvWrfBK-I/IMG_9023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>(Tower almost looks straight from right underneath it!)</p> <p>We were there for more than an hour so we rebought tickets for the bus. Not bad at 1.50 Euro. Again we got to the airport to find the bus was leaving in 10 minutes…more perfect timing. </p> <p>The ride back to Florence was quick, uneventful and quiet. More snoozing commenced.</p> <p>I had a solo dinner and then packed it in. Tomorrow means I only have 2 full days left! I knew the time would fly…and it has!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-41769277486527375422013-04-06T13:34:00.000+08:002013-04-11T09:23:41.516+08:00Venice–What A Difference A Day Makes!!!<p>WOW! It is amazing how 12 dry hours and a stellar blue sky changes moods, pictures, everything!</p> <p>I hope I did not sound whiny about yesterdays’ rain. I mean…it IS Venice…and a day here, rain or shine, is amazing (even if it means wet, cold toes)</p> <p>We did not sleep though alarms today…Up, showered, packed and to the front desk by 9. We decided to forgo the dismal breakfast (even if it means starting our day sans coffee of any type) We stored our backpacks…(OH…if you come to Venice…really try to make it a backpack trip…the cobblestones and bridges make rolling luggage a nightmare to maneuver with)…and headed out.</p> <p>We passed the light fixture of yesterday…thought we followed the signs correctly…ended up here:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fVzYDYTFE0s/UWYLaVp-jAI/AAAAAAAAD78/P_WjcEgmd7U/s1600-h/IMG_88963.jpg"><img title="IMG_8896" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8896" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lVhJejG6cRU/UWYLa9gKSfI/AAAAAAAAD8E/1hve5o1DyeU/IMG_8896_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> YOU thought it was going to be light fixture again didn’t you? NO…this time it was some random church…under renovation. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PzTqA0tKpcA/UWYLbX8mX6I/AAAAAAAAD8M/2r8M_7qf4Lk/s1600-h/IMG_88973.jpg"><img title="IMG_8897" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8897" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t_t44NOMYLQ/UWYLbzo8QKI/AAAAAAAAD8U/qO_uRbTLJpE/IMG_8897_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EMYXwdmLs9E/UWYLcjlhUDI/AAAAAAAAD8c/Dj4jy-30L4c/s1600-h/IMG_89003.jpg"><img title="IMG_8900" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8900" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r6_RbQZwnUI/UWYLdOTIQzI/AAAAAAAAD8k/mpVAyXGhzzE/IMG_8900_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a>Don’t know what either of these things are…but I especially like the building here..</p> <p>Let’s just say THESE guys are a lot easier to photograph when they are in a window!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vLDMnKeqXJ4/UWYQmYL6TGI/AAAAAAAAEFM/hy73dS7zIk4/s1600-h/IMG_8899%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8899" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8899" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mN5zssRc6KU/UWYQnPq5cCI/AAAAAAAAEFU/z5M_S-fiJPI/IMG_8899_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> anyway…</p> <p>The squares and streets were drying out nicely. People were out walking dogs. Life was coming back. </p> <p>We arrive at St Marco and the Basilica to HORDES of people! So much for getting there early (Hey, Rick Steves….9:45 is too late to “beat the crowds” The good news is that much of the raised walkways were taken down….but there were hundreds of people already in line. </p> <p>We really went back and forth about what to do. Should we wait? The scheduled opening was half an hour away. How fast would the line go? We figured we would wait and see how it went. Just being able to get IN The Square was SO much better than yesterday!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y0XnQ61g3tg/UWYLd8e6s6I/AAAAAAAAD8s/EGhazXgixQw/s1600-h/IMG_89063.jpg"><img title="IMG_8906" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8906" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QfIruNk-GPs/UWYLeXsuUtI/AAAAAAAAD80/rm85fGBn8iA/IMG_8906_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iVBf8SOy7Jw/UWYLfCN2UmI/AAAAAAAAD88/VEKWou0IJJ4/s1600-h/IMG_89103.jpg"><img title="IMG_8910" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8910" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EiYosiBmvZo/UWYLfinZEXI/AAAAAAAAD9E/Mj8H6teLYhM/IMG_8910_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oVOxwk3Opqo/UWYLgaT--VI/AAAAAAAAD9M/-9bk_Ywz84M/s1600-h/IMG_89093.jpg"><img title="IMG_8909" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8909" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4VX3JuySjwU/UWYLg4X6XDI/AAAAAAAAD9U/vWcGcgGMWRc/IMG_8909_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0EkuF3b2l9c/UWYLh9xQKaI/AAAAAAAAD9c/--la1Z_eMWM/s1600-h/IMG_89083.jpg"><img title="IMG_8908" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8908" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-twvbXfiBw0I/UWYLiX-tEkI/AAAAAAAAD9k/Mzr6liaTocE/IMG_8908_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Take a close look at these pictures. The Waiters are wearing their “waders” to get their areas ready for breakfast and lunch:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KaEmzI9sFsA/UWYLjaKdMOI/AAAAAAAAD9s/z-jZs1XstuM/s1600-h/IMG_89136.jpg"><img title="IMG_8913" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8913" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v-S32LggJK8/UWYLj81JDVI/AAAAAAAAD90/5XRC7JJp6lI/IMG_8913_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="189"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y960bx98CzQ/UWYLkuHTQzI/AAAAAAAAD98/af8Uu1wcGFc/s1600-h/IMG_89123.jpg"><img title="IMG_8912" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8912" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zkhhj2gGcLU/UWYLlLH7-6I/AAAAAAAAD-E/V9Q8xsl9kIw/IMG_8912_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="156" height="244"></a> You can see there is still a lot of standing water. </p> <p>Much of the scaffolding was still up</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bAWl5X_U470/UWYLmNOrmOI/AAAAAAAAD-M/bF4rnxK6aeE/s1600-h/IMG_20033.jpg"><img title="IMG_2003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S4Ok0Me0mlo/UWYLmr_fjHI/AAAAAAAAD-U/wPuz8WlkW4Q/IMG_2003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Very quickly the line started to move. Yes, tour groups got to into a “special door” but Rick Steves DOES give this tip…and it’s a good one….take your back pack to the entrance for “storing” luggage…hand it over…and voila …you are IN…no lines….no big wait…no booing from anyone who thinks you are “cutting” (which you are…but WHATEVER!!) </p> <p>The door is behind the two lions and by the well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tNn_uKZkRpg/UWYLntxHkjI/AAAAAAAAD-c/c9pL5ZiPTJs/s1600-h/IMG_20013.jpg"><img title="IMG_2001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jyqukt0E-Us/UWYLoIsktEI/AAAAAAAAD-k/EBFWxaD_8q8/IMG_2001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>There is no entrance fee to the church…you pay small fees for different parts…all of which were worth the price of admission. </p> <p>The Church itself was having some flooding issues:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N8yDcoeGjZM/UWYLo_T6T8I/AAAAAAAAD-s/upva9RPIyZI/s1600-h/IMG_89223.jpg"><img title="IMG_8922" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8922" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r3m0C9tUpEY/UWYLpXsvHmI/AAAAAAAAD-0/0NEMOcWqVSE/IMG_8922_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> We were still on the platforms just going in!</p> <p>First was the Pala D’Oro, For 2 euro you walk through and around a super cool alter…but the showpiece is the jewel encrusted altarpiece. It was completed in 1342. I don’t know how big it officially is, but I could have spent forever looking at it. the signs, as we entered the church said “No Photos” and I obeyed…for a few minutes anyway</p> <p>We paid to see the “Treasures” of St Marco (3 euro) which were off the hook crazy cool. Chalices..bones (yes, you are reading that right)…booty (their word) brought back from wars…all amazing, simple, complex…all history. What impressed me was the size of the candlesticks…and I wonder at how big the candles must have been…but then thinking about it…the churches were mammoth and with no electricity, they HAD to be huge right?</p> <p>We moved through the Church again, still obeying the “no photo” rule…until we got to the St. Marco museum upstairs. There is a 5 euro charge for this. This is where I finally broke down and broke the rules. I made sure my flash was off (by taking a flash picture you age pictures by at least 7 years), so I figure the same must be true with mosaics, etc, but with my flash off…would God really mind? I hope not!</p> <p>Downstairs the audio guide said the Treasury was the real “treasure” of the Church…but I think the museum upstairs is. It has many items encased: Altar Boy robes, tapestries, mosaics, candle sticks, alter books, the outside view from the roof, “The Horses” all there to just impress.</p> <p>The climb to the museum, while not long, is a bit treacherous b/c the stairs are steep and deep. I really wish this part of St Marco had an audio guide…I would have been up there forever if there had been!</p> <p>One really cool part of being up here is the cut out model of The Church itself. The detail of this is down to the tiny mosaic drawings to replicate the real thing. From up here you also get an amazing view of the entire church itself…this is where the real itch to take pictures started.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kPAwyWnfWD4/UWYLqtJG8CI/AAAAAAAAD-8/jKD4-6fB0uw/s1600-h/IMG_89253.jpg"><img title="IMG_8925" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8925" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hmb6Vw5j_eE/UWYLrGR3JlI/AAAAAAAAD_E/pr3LaKmfkcQ/IMG_8925_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="193"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M2J0JbD8iEA/UWYLsIEGp0I/AAAAAAAAD_M/nQfEsMrfcmM/s1600-h/IMG_89233.jpg"><img title="IMG_8923" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QWT4nSp-h9U/UWYLslKYUcI/AAAAAAAAD_U/xM2UpoPRwRo/IMG_8923_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a></p> <p>These two are straight out from the balcony and show some neat wall work.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qPA_9vaCEtg/UWYLtA-ASTI/AAAAAAAAD_c/C4jmimecn3E/s1600-h/IMG_89243.jpg"><img title="IMG_8924" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8924" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ISwhLKMIhE4/UWYLttQKF-I/AAAAAAAAD_k/qsPfgK3YNgc/IMG_8924_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> This is one of the cool windows that you can see from the square.</p> <p>THEN…the two quick inside pics I took…The Horses. They are from the 2nd or 3rd century, but were brought to Venice as “war booty” in about 1200AD. Now they are inside the church…brought in and restored in 1977. The ones out there now are fakes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T_brzuQXk5s/UWYLuXKa1cI/AAAAAAAAD_s/kxT4B9HNoKY/s1600-h/IMG_89263.jpg"><img title="IMG_8926" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8926" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0AQEiO2vDZ0/UWYLuqy_VnI/AAAAAAAAD_0/tPpEOUk0Ahs/IMG_8926_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tGt49MMLqXI/UWYLvlL1evI/AAAAAAAAD_8/967NFKIzwzA/s1600-h/IMG_89273.jpg"><img title="IMG_8927" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8927" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CBqxAe3hfG4/UWYLwEH7ThI/AAAAAAAAEAE/C0Em1uI_4i0/IMG_8927_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> </p> <p>Both of these I took so quickly w/o aiming…though there was plenty of security up there stopping NO ONE from taking pics…but I think both of these are almost like post cards. These are stunning.</p> <p>THEN…we got to move out to the roof where the square (still wet and under water) opened before us.</p> <p>There were also some stunning views of the waterways and bell tower.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DpFfBn5ll70/UWYLxYBAlXI/AAAAAAAAEAM/d5dy2pBcwGE/s1600-h/IMG_89363.jpg"><img title="IMG_8936" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8936" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6N1KbOtHs6Y/UWYLxtpuDpI/AAAAAAAAEAU/Qb_fM1oasxk/IMG_8936_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cShizPODu64/UWYLyVKLvSI/AAAAAAAAEAc/TqcX5MJ2or0/s1600-h/IMG_89353.jpg"><img title="IMG_8935" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8935" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VxDvdk6QDMA/UWYLywPAEDI/AAAAAAAAEAk/GBSBqHhaVEE/IMG_8935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HLuuDqVbrv0/UWYLzjy6MGI/AAAAAAAAEAs/34sKiA4wvyI/s1600-h/IMG_89333.jpg"><img title="IMG_8933" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8933" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E-mNjrpmIxw/UWYL0Kj2OiI/AAAAAAAAEA0/lmuFhMDi5FM/IMG_8933_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="137"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zLYhkeKx_bk/UWYL1VFNg3I/AAAAAAAAEA8/6dJVOi397tE/s1600-h/IMG_89323.jpg"><img title="IMG_8932" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8932" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g8xtKp5Futw/UWYL12r-FWI/AAAAAAAAEBE/XbUWnppFiKw/IMG_8932_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> Here are people waiting to enter the Clocktower..We passed on it this time</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7ohXXnWz6pY/UWYL2QHWo1I/AAAAAAAAEBM/9OY6vzCjxRI/s1600-h/IMG_89303.jpg"><img title="IMG_8930" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8930" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9McYfKYyvGA/UWYL24EplqI/AAAAAAAAEBU/d701w2VsQ74/IMG_8930_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> Kari and I at the top</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3ag5Ymv61RI/UWYL3whjScI/AAAAAAAAEBc/gy47TACQHfY/s1600-h/IMG_89283.jpg"><img title="IMG_8928" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8928" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uVToiY3_Zkc/UWYL4Ze2CsI/AAAAAAAAEBk/XkziOtY7i-I/IMG_8928_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244"></a>Kids playing in the water</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YthenGLKo3I/UWYL46-gfLI/AAAAAAAAEBs/W_R8CUUNOjo/s1600-h/IMG_89383.jpg"><img title="IMG_8938" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8938" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bhlYNApfgl0/UWYL5XyQkuI/AAAAAAAAEB0/ByEVvgEjQB4/IMG_8938_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hl2DYgX7GjU/UWYL6NW7TGI/AAAAAAAAEB8/8sFpfkZXaHk/s1600-h/IMG_89373.jpg"><img title="IMG_8937" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8937" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KOEaY9haSAs/UWYL6edKZiI/AAAAAAAAECE/bESnYcDHThk/IMG_8937_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> I love the curves of these cities! </p> <p>We made our way downstairs and all too soon we had to “find” our way back to our hotel, pick up our backpacks and walk to the train.</p> <p>Here are some of those sights:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nd6fbwayTrc/UWYL7Gh8FjI/AAAAAAAAECM/V5coxJT_QYE/s1600-h/IMG_89683.jpg"><img title="IMG_8968" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8968" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PT9yAxBuv-o/UWYL7g84SNI/AAAAAAAAECU/MW-p9nOHM4U/IMG_8968_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="128" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-90c5MSvxqUU/UWYL8kOiU4I/AAAAAAAAECc/7ngwhYsE6Ac/s1600-h/IMG_89673.jpg"><img title="IMG_8967" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8967" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-scrqVKBGIcQ/UWYL9AI6D2I/AAAAAAAAECk/C950HEr6lCo/IMG_8967_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ngJ9F9Hk1wk/UWYL-BwvGTI/AAAAAAAAECs/6UxGnGzIM2w/s1600-h/IMG_20943.jpg"><img title="IMG_2094" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2094" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mO7DPGvhKow/UWYL-ofYp4I/AAAAAAAAEC0/EyJ5oC4F2qU/IMG_2094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>Check out the cheeky gondolier posing for the picture! (that’s Kari’s picture!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n_nsdwBMrhk/UWYL_tAro5I/AAAAAAAAEC8/QGy9TlcxN30/s1600-h/IMG_89663.jpg"><img title="IMG_8966" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8966" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8gY3py6lFio/UWYMAPeSNEI/AAAAAAAAEDE/zOVTmjoEF6w/IMG_8966_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GXCB58Z_ko0/UWYMBIvAa9I/AAAAAAAAEDM/z2DuTxr5AVw/s1600-h/IMG_89603.jpg"><img title="IMG_8960" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8960" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K31TTJYCig4/UWYMBvx0dYI/AAAAAAAAEDU/AHo88BErLn4/IMG_8960_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TD5QekRpOl8/UWYMCSXgWTI/AAAAAAAAEDc/vPqVs4aMtho/s1600-h/IMG_89583.jpg"><img title="IMG_8958" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8958" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wjf5eEbkgus/UWYMCuFAu7I/AAAAAAAAEDk/9FC-6cKJSHA/IMG_8958_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6ll49SkkmwI/UWYMDnanawI/AAAAAAAAEDs/xhiuv9GQ-IY/s1600-h/IMG_89573.jpg"><img title="IMG_8957" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8957" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ueHJbLcXWqE/UWYMEGycPBI/AAAAAAAAED0/eEd6MEcciRA/IMG_8957_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> We knew we were heading in the right direction when we found….YES!!! The light fixture. We did a last minute check of internet…made out way to the train station, and were back in Florence by 5. I am so thankful we stayed the extra day and were rewarded with the beautiful blue skies.</p> <p>Here we are on the train!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2SQGFnN4z8c/UWYMFKTjFOI/AAAAAAAAED8/y_G2ZQcH5m0/s1600-h/IMG_89733.jpg"><img title="IMG_8973" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8973" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e6whSARp9Nc/UWYMFTaNwdI/AAAAAAAAEEE/b4Osz-yhyas/IMG_8973_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OzsdqSGmPFw/UWYMGLAc2NI/AAAAAAAAEEM/GoYndRnoae8/s1600-h/IMG_89723.jpg"><img title="IMG_8972" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8972" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mlusACEGpBc/UWYMG1PnSyI/AAAAAAAAEEY/3Gd8JSXCsAA/IMG_8972_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>Here are our last views of Venice</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1HrLsPO_-yY/UWYMHU04uwI/AAAAAAAAEEg/TB9vsD0mP1g/s1600-h/IMG_89713.jpg"><img title="IMG_8971" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8971" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tuyszAh-RS8/UWYMH-yQTwI/AAAAAAAAEEo/S-Bgr3d8BJM/IMG_8971_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="154"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q5nevuP8pI0/UWYMId8y-aI/AAAAAAAAEEw/iCYMk32Rg14/s1600-h/IMG_89703.jpg"><img title="IMG_8970" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8970" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ID7DC09FfjE/UWYMIsDBvQI/AAAAAAAAEE4/1tdEOnZNKN8/IMG_8970_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="90"></a></p> <p>I am still a little sad I did not get to sit in St Marco at night and see the city under lights…this is the 2nd time I did not do this…but it signals to me that I am not finished here and I will be back!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-82013671889424596042013-04-05T08:44:00.000+08:002013-04-11T08:46:46.716+08:00Venice–Truly A City Under Water!<p>Friday dawned. Our plan WAS to be at St Marco by 9:45…but Kari was sleeping pretty soundly, the hotel was relatively quiet, so I didn’t push. I opened the window to see that it was raining, so that did not instill an urge to rush out the door either. I really thought we would be the last ones to breakfast. NOPE! It seemed all of us slept in, and I bet the rain had something to do with that, We did meet a family from Bellingham….it IS a small world. </p> <p>Breakfast was petty mediocre (weak cappuccinos) …so we figured we would get meat and bread and cheese and have a picnic at The Square…we had done that years ago and loved it.</p> <p>Well, the weather had different plans for us. </p> <p>I had packed an umbrella (thankfully)…but I had not used it (not so swell) as it proved problematic from the get go.</p> <p>My Helly had a hood, so Kari had the umbrella.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rutomb6vC4Y/UWYHiY_v0ZI/AAAAAAAAD2k/SCSQ_xc_oKM/s1600-h/IMG_88583.jpg"><img title="IMG_8858" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8858" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1oJgf1zFtrc/UWYHipvXBMI/AAAAAAAAD2s/DbJbM6MeZqA/IMG_8858_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p>First, Kari has come to the conclusion and I agree…that someone…every night… moves the signs that direct you to The Rialto and St Marco. We thought we were following…but we pretty much managed to be lost most of the time. The only redeeming feature was that everyone else seemed lost too…and invariably you would see fellow tourists go down streets…peak around a corner, only to turn back again.</p> <p>We knew we were walking in circles when we kept coming back to THIS light fixture:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BPwhOBnlHS0/UWYHjsGFUzI/AAAAAAAAD20/m6nseCV88dc/s1600-h/IMG_88623.jpg"><img title="IMG_8862" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8862" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8qFg6tdAyRU/UWYHj5tDBxI/AAAAAAAAD28/T-8c1Kc-BwE/IMG_8862_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XHLJQcdWWrU/UWYHkuNKP4I/AAAAAAAAD3E/MBL74Si9xEU/s1600-h/IMG_88633.jpg"><img title="IMG_8863" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8863" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YQrLmIzzG_I/UWYHlDs1MhI/AAAAAAAAD3M/iBj4sI-yHPo/IMG_8863_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> </p> <p>I like the dragon…and the umbrellas were pretty perfect for the day. </p> <p>We made our way to our destination (an hour and a half later than expected) only to find the entire square under water…and lines and lines of visitors up on platforms to keep them out of the water. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Np9iwj459w/UWYHlmKaa0I/AAAAAAAAD3U/bQkmn5AyUcs/s1600-h/IMG_19393.jpg"><img title="IMG_1939" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1939" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nsCyxb1HFA0/UWYHmFxVVeI/AAAAAAAAD3c/7E88iqfKltk/IMG_1939_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> This is taken down the alley that goes into The Square<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-udUMnnMp4m4/UWYHnB8MfsI/AAAAAAAAD3k/hP6KK_Xd9T8/s1600-h/IMG_19333.jpg"><img title="IMG_1933" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1933" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JL0q-Q-XdIk/UWYHnb8qMYI/AAAAAAAAD3s/Hf-0gXKHekg/IMG_1933_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> And this is down some random alley!</p> <p>Shop keepers were sweeping out their stores. It was raining. It was windy. It was pretty chilly (not cold). Our plan for touring and a picnic were trashed. </p> <p>We stopped for coffee to regroup</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9KycL2qTC9c/UWYHoLL2g7I/AAAAAAAAD30/ORe-ODnvhkQ/s1600-h/IMG_19403.jpg"><img title="IMG_1940" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1940" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9A5elHh09x8/UWYHoiFJOZI/AAAAAAAAD38/2V2VbhGkvfg/IMG_1940_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We went into what we thought was a church because, well, it was dry and warm. It is now used for music, but you could still make offerings and pray.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nGCXk1NxIQY/UWYHpV0-jYI/AAAAAAAAD4E/b66m4b8RoFk/s1600-h/IMG_88803.jpg"><img title="IMG_8880" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8880" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-va5eE249HTM/UWYHp9IJqjI/AAAAAAAAD4M/3v_qMvm0uGE/IMG_8880_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> If you look REALLY close, you will see the candles are electric! You just grab one from underneath, and “plug” it into one of the sockets. Pretty? Yes. But I kind of like the traditional candles. BUT, I guess these are safer. </p> <p>We walked along…found a casualty of the day:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yjs-UczBZ_I/UWYHq3Dh_dI/AAAAAAAAD4U/Ro1D5o08rEs/s1600-h/IMG_88813.jpg"><img title="IMG_8881" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8881" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YyA5KMjEqC4/UWYHrlG1IXI/AAAAAAAAD4c/KiyyHsHL8pU/IMG_8881_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> </p> <p>As we walked and tried to find The Rialto Bridge (DARN those moving signs), we came across the vegetable market and the Fish market. It was beautiful! Kari, not being a fish eater, ran before she was scarred by the smells, but I hung around. The veggies were just gorgeous. The strawberries were just huge! I have always liked “hanging” things! Check out the squid and the fish in the bottom two pictures!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QqeC--9z8mI/UWYHsQaPlrI/AAAAAAAAD4k/kHNJV8Hx-LU/s1600-h/IMG_88844.jpg"><img title="IMG_8884" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8884" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SXeLjTQZLQs/UWYHsm_xCFI/AAAAAAAAD4s/b7Ae8EjQ2cE/IMG_8884_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="162"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zIVy55KqqfM/UWYHulPA0-I/AAAAAAAAD40/YBOmNDEY6fg/s1600-h/IMG_88873.jpg"><img title="IMG_8887" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8887" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sW26jjbPIgE/UWYHvII8QCI/AAAAAAAAD48/tnMYWnEss3Q/IMG_8887_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QXqVd9wBrsc/UWYHv7ppFWI/AAAAAAAAD5E/s7l4ZsKFy0U/s1600-h/IMG_88863.jpg"><img title="IMG_8886" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8886" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DPxauzHr0GU/UWYHwcsCMKI/AAAAAAAAD5M/VcHx2xHNI4c/IMG_8886_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We finally found The Rialto Bridge. Kari consented to take my Terrible Towel picture because she could do so from far away and pretend she did not know me.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MCYed_1V2SM/UWYHxpaPA0I/AAAAAAAAD5U/dvZh5SneDaY/s1600-h/IMG_19507.jpg"><img title="IMG_1950" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1950" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qI4lga1CPtA/UWYHx75DHwI/AAAAAAAAD5c/seec4rc7tQc/IMG_1950_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="179"></a></p> <p>Even with the rain, the views here were great. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qy8c1S14w-c/UWYHyxyuXSI/AAAAAAAAD5k/yDQ8zEvmbXU/s1600-h/IMG_88783.jpg"><img title="IMG_8878" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8878" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fEdnDE4f2hQ/UWYHzKCZYDI/AAAAAAAAD5s/MLaiMbnN9M0/IMG_8878_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="146"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3k4rFokbXmQ/UWYH0SuRoQI/AAAAAAAAD50/v6hB-SNepwg/s1600-h/IMG_88773.jpg"><img title="IMG_8877" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8877" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1uYq_Tn2eYU/UWYH0jQRI0I/AAAAAAAAD58/YYk_ytjLj5w/IMG_8877_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SPR2rx8t25c/UWYH1v7agAI/AAAAAAAAD6E/dUKbkQlmsOo/s1600-h/IMG_88763.jpg"><img title="IMG_8876" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8876" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rrfwo5WYB5A/UWYH2PbjR6I/AAAAAAAAD6M/xFVoKImoxnU/IMG_8876_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d3oS4yv1muw/UWYH3EzZB6I/AAAAAAAAD6U/m64BXLN5rNo/s1600-h/IMG_88743.jpg"><img title="IMG_8874" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8874" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0D6F5_V04Rc/UWYH3plFBOI/AAAAAAAAD6c/zX5zHN24-Zk/IMG_8874_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="235"></a></p> <p>We got a couple pictures together and Kari took some of other people. It just seems so natural to me to ask people if they want photos together…but some seem REALLY surprised you would offer! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L5k3FqxBxKY/UWYH4N17ITI/AAAAAAAAD6k/1fga66E9J7U/s1600-h/IMG_19653.jpg"><img title="IMG_1965" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1965" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-svPSxXMzceU/UWYH4n0GiEI/AAAAAAAAD6s/xWjVUE_YVGg/IMG_1965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="198"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zWLM4FfznSc/UWYH5SQsgSI/AAAAAAAAD60/ZdSrtdm_WY0/s1600-h/IMG_19563.jpg"><img title="IMG_1956" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1956" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qOz0Gg1XVdg/UWYH53_VcLI/AAAAAAAAD68/l5INoOm10sw/IMG_1956_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vGDfbXSjQdY/UWYH6k7zS4I/AAAAAAAAD7E/ZGnKeZFejMA/s1600-h/IMG_19533.jpg"><img title="IMG_1953" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1953" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jEnvm2OXAVQ/UWYH6zEogBI/AAAAAAAAD7M/hj6JK31FE9I/IMG_1953_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>After this we walked some more…and stumbled upon a Chinese Restaurant. Kari has been pretty limited in her opportunity for Chinese food, and with our picnic plans scratched, we went in. The restaurant was beautiful and the food not too bad. Quite honestly, I have not seen “sweet and sour pork” on a menu in Hong Kong, so I knew this place was a blend of traditional and “tourist”</p> <p>The tea and soup hit the spot…as did the dumplings. We lingered here because it was warm. </p> <p>We were going to make our way to Academia (we figured EVERYONE would be looking for indoor activities)…but we found ourselves back here:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t95N65R64Es/UWYH78c5c3I/AAAAAAAAD7U/CTWxS0i4Jb4/s1600-h/IMG_88627.jpg"><img title="IMG_8862" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8862" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-voXgbjgd2Nc/UWYH8Kdgo6I/AAAAAAAAD7c/bFBtbjRrDis/IMG_8862_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> So we made our way to our room for dry socks, a nap, and a new plan for the evening. Kari ended up snoozing pretty hard, I caught up on mail, my IPod games, and generally had a quiet afternoon. It was fine.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kfxoGBFF_JY/UWYH9AaysyI/AAAAAAAAD7k/3yOt0li2kmM/s1600-h/IMG_88923.jpg"><img title="IMG_8892" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8892" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CbzS9dpYGZw/UWYH9SFMu6I/AAAAAAAAD7s/za8nMHqIg4M/IMG_8892_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> This made me smile on the way back…a splash of color on a pretty dreary day.</p> <p>We went out for a cocktail before dinner, then dinner was back to the same place as the night before…this time for Pizza as that seemed to be what all the locals were having. </p> <p>We planned again, to get to St Marco early (this time we committed to it) and prayed for dryer night…which would lead to a dryer Square!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-31254326244133581472013-04-04T21:10:00.000+08:002013-04-11T16:10:34.535+08:00Venice– Travel Day<p>Kari only has one class on Thursdays…so we planned our exit from Florence. She had not planned to go up to Venice at all this trip, so that seemed like a logical place to go. It is just two hours by train (not a cheap ticket…but fast, convenient, and no strip searches.</p> <p>We did not rush, nor did we pre buy the tickets We had seen that the trains ran on the hour and seats were plentiful.</p> <p>Florence that day was slightly overcast…but dry. Rumor had it Venice would NOT be that way. </p> <p>We got there easily and I had asked our hotel for directions once we got off of the train…which we followed and were perfect. It was very overcast but no rain, so we were pretty happy. We checked in, dropped our bags and went to explore. We knew we would not go over to St Marco today…we had a plan for the morning.</p> <p>Our room was fine…double bed and single. Traditional green shutters would shade us from the morning light. Here was our “view” </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hvMzt75r0Po/UWZv1mw10CI/AAAAAAAAEFg/KqSXW4Ycy6U/s1600-h/IMG_88373.jpg"><img title="IMG_8837" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8837" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-juAg6JDD2sI/UWZv2Fp-0TI/AAAAAAAAEFo/n0g2x1O-dDE/IMG_8837_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D68pYahfdtI/UWZv2hsnIeI/AAAAAAAAEFw/sw_-W4pLiDY/s1600-h/IMG_88363.jpg"><img title="IMG_8836" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8836" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3GRj2dyDI2M/UWZv25gnbLI/AAAAAAAAEF4/pYl1QqbLrho/IMG_8836_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> The entire trip I would be taking pictures down alley ways. I really think they hold the most interesting stories.</p> <p>We took a walk along the main…road??…towards the lands edge. Sometimes overcast skies lead to better pictures…sometimes not.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RuLcWq9-5o0/UWZv39ytCAI/AAAAAAAAEGA/eLrSmuOTLy8/s1600-h/IMG_88483.jpg"><img title="IMG_8848" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8848" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DJEHBjdVrRY/UWZv4WlAq7I/AAAAAAAAEGI/cdiwNMSGRZo/IMG_8848_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n3aVqsfgUuA/UWZv4xXJGMI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/YSGGuxfL4Iw/s1600-h/IMG_88473.jpg"><img title="IMG_8847" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8847" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H47guWXxxEY/UWZv5KCAbRI/AAAAAAAAEGY/QZROnfPK0DE/IMG_8847_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HcxPakfg1_E/UWZv6sCokUI/AAAAAAAAEGg/llpIvFAy9IM/s1600-h/IMG_88453.jpg"><img title="IMG_8845" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8845" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nuiX5akeQNQ/UWZv7L0RCLI/AAAAAAAAEGo/ZCq6NobgNVk/IMG_8845_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Or9Zve8U07U/UWZv7u2eKkI/AAAAAAAAEGw/iQGNMyZ3PRs/s1600-h/IMG_88443.jpg"><img title="IMG_8844" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8844" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WVRudmLLGoA/UWZv8WrDfiI/AAAAAAAAEG4/7xMHENm3TXA/IMG_8844_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TiHTwLu12cE/UWZv9FyzpNI/AAAAAAAAEHA/8irwrjTI-k4/s1600-h/IMG_88393.jpg"><img title="IMG_8839" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8839" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e3RpnrSVyoA/UWZv9genjSI/AAAAAAAAEHI/fFOiBUR9tXE/IMG_8839_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> This street itself, which I think would have been bustling if the weather had been nicer…was pretty quiet…but it made for an easy walk. No one was lining up for Gondola rides. </p> <p>We went back to our room, and outside I heard children playing. I leaned out the window to see a little boy and girl sharing a bike w/training wheels. While one rode…the other chased. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-70_Suawh2Zg/UWZv-Dt6afI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/I7OyXTt19ZM/s1600-h/IMG_88523.jpg"><img title="IMG_8852" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8852" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ntHVJ-RbcKE/UWZv-dH_7fI/AAAAAAAAEHY/T4sSFRjuAJM/IMG_8852_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> See? All the good stuff IS down the alleys! She was super cute. I wish the picture was clearer..but I kind of like it…the blur shows their speed! </p> <p>After dinner at the restaurant recommended by the hotel, we went to bed…kind of tired…and we had a plan for St Marco…the rain over night brought THAT plan to a screeching halt!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1614471899060915715.post-39849150335994620302013-04-03T13:32:00.000+08:002013-04-06T13:32:45.515+08:00Uffizi and David…BEAUTIFUL!<p> </p> <p>Florence is not known to be the most “kid friendly” city in Italy. In fact…with the “hey look …RUINS” or “Hey look…ART” lines our family adopted YEARS ago..let’s just say it has not changed.</p> <p>However…it is a MUST to hit these “big” sights while here.</p> <p>Today was that day. </p> <p>I waited for Kari at “her” coffee spot…I think it will take more than 3 days to make it “our” spot. This little girl had been videoed for quite awhile by her parents. Obviously, she was used to checking the results…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-atNbycFEaXY/UV-zLijUQBI/AAAAAAAAD1M/ZJK2C4IvTaQ/s1600-h/IMG_88153.jpg"><img title="IMG_8815" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8815" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7ATclpba9bY/UV-zMXIEB8I/AAAAAAAAD1U/zMnzxrrGvac/IMG_8815_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> I thought this was fabulous.</p> <p>Sadly, I did NOT get pics of the family that travels with their cat …who not only has a box…but a leash…and liked to spend time on it’s owner’s shoulder …I can’t get my cats to the vet w/o drama…and this one was an international traveller! Obviously, I did not train mine correctly.</p> <p>We had our cappuccinos, then it was off to the Uffizi. If you don’t want to pay through the nose for your coffee here, you must stand and drink it…to sit takes the price and triples it.</p> <p>THIS is where Kari’s Firenz card came in handy. I had secured my reservation yesterday by making my way, first, to the tourist information desk (designated by the “I” on the map) then to the “official” reservation desk for “David” (but they handle Uffizi too!) Kari’s card guarantees her immediate access to the museum. I could have been designated to the “reservation” line which was ominous.</p> <p>Kari asked a really nice man how to use her card…AND…since her mom had a reservation….could we go in together…3 minutes later we were in…surpassing the awful line. GO Firenz Card! </p> <p>The Uffizi has not really changed from what I remember from 13 years ago.</p> <p>It is a “Hey look Sculpture” kind of place…and it did not fail us there.</p> <p>It did have some pretty stunning views out the windows (the only pics you are supposed to take…NO pics of the ART!! </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UCGuvj7WSsQ/UV-zNp5DDcI/AAAAAAAAD1c/heptuNpmSIw/s1600-h/IMG_88233.jpg"><img title="IMG_8823" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8823" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6pBmcec57l0/UV-zOdOjhMI/AAAAAAAAD1k/VsSLKDiIIMw/IMG_8823_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E0jr2P87WvI/UV-zPpEgohI/AAAAAAAAD1s/FXGqptneHgc/s1600-h/IMG_88223.jpg"><img title="IMG_8822" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8822" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cKlPhNGtxaA/UV-zQcNRLPI/AAAAAAAAD10/kWQzODZk4nM/IMG_8822_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VPAF75IJ9wQ/UV-zSGsk5WI/AAAAAAAAD18/zNa9_SMcU58/s1600-h/IMG_88183.jpg"><img title="IMG_8818" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8818" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u015cvM_F3o/UV-zSwQueBI/AAAAAAAAD2E/4TQiqDDfGX0/IMG_8818_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KlbUt2L7hSE/UV-zUfPk_EI/AAAAAAAAD2M/YjYbTueeAKQ/s1600-h/IMG_88163.jpg"><img title="IMG_8816" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_8816" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F7-D9w8KQnA/UV-zVLciPHI/AAAAAAAAD2U/mFbtfpX9gZc/IMG_8816_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a> While we were taking these…the clock struck 12…so I was pretty happy NOT to be in any of the towers for THAT show!</p> <p>We had terrific pizza right off the Ponte Vecchio. We both managed to NOT eat it all..though it was tempting.</p> <p>Later we had our “David” appointment. We used the same card, and same tactic to avoid a huge line (I don’t think I heard booing…wouldn’t care if I did). This never ceases to amaze. This time we saw the history of music with lots of Stradivarius violins on display…but the huge draw was of course David</p> <p>The anatomy was beautiful and detailed…and Kari shared some of her knowledge it me about the scale of his hands and feet. David is a quick look…I’m not sure how anyone spends more than 30 minutes there. I felt we did it justice.</p> <p>Kari went for a run. I went back to my room for a nap, picture uploading. We were meeting later for her event. It was a Middle Eastern Film festival. We only had to stay for the first two short films…I would have liked to stay for the main film, but we planned badly and were STARVING.</p> <p>Another day was wrapped up. Tomorrow we are off to Venice!</p> Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11723895335341610397noreply@blogger.com0