Published!!

My new book "The Lens on Italy" has been published. You can get more info and preview it here: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/714764

Rome and the Vatican; Observations on Italy

Us at the Spanish Steps (where the tourists hang out):

Roman Ruins:





We left Italian soil and entered another country, The Vatican City (or Holy See):

St. Peter's is MASSIVE, but it seems smaller when you are there:

Meanwhile, back in Italy. More Rome:


The Trevi Fountain, remember to throw your coin from your right hand over your left shoulder to assure your return to Rome:

Inside the Pantheon (Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs):

Me and the Pantheon:

The Colosseum:



Rome was a blur, but it is extremely tourist friendly. I still like Florence better and one day hope to return for longer... Perhaps after I become a world famous graphic designer. And now for more observations on Italy:

Buying stuff (or "Perhaps you have a Euro"):

While buying stuff in Italy, do not be surprised if the cashier asks you of you have 1, 2, or more Euro coins or change to make counting change easier for them. Exact change is preferred. If you don't have it, apologize profusely. As Americans, we usually try to rid ourselves of as much change as we can so we have only the largest bills and as few of them on us as possible. In Italy, it works in reverse and breaks down if you have a new bunch of cash from the American Express office or ATM where they like to hand out fifties. Buying a €1.50 water with a €50 bill will not make anyone happy. To all the Italian cashiers out there, please accept my apology on behalf of the smart American tourists as well as myself. American tourists... well. Go easy on the cashiers, it's their country, after all. Relax.

The WC (I'm not going there, so keep reading):

There are a variety of toilets in Italy. In America, they can be classified in a couple ways. Automatic, or with a lever. In Italy forget what the States have and just wing it.

1: Do I have to pay? Many toilets you must pay to use. Keep a variety of change on you so streamline this process.

2: Does it look like a toilet? Some are little more than a hole in the floor with foot pads. RUN AWAY!!

3: How do I flush? Some have a button like lever (which you can press the other end to stop the flush). Some have a little unmarked thing hanging from the tank you push up or down. Some have a regular button. Some have a large flush button and a small flush button/lever. Some new ones are automatic. It's a good idea to flush first just to make sure you know how.

4: Paper? Keep some in your day pack.

5: Seat? Keep covers with you also.

6: Soap, towels? Keep Purell with you as well.

7: How do I use the sink? This is also complicated. Some are somewhat normal, some have foot petals.

Conclusion:

All in all it was an amazing trip which I would repeat if I ever can. I want to thank the people of the city of Florence (Firenze) for welcoming me and making me feel so at home. One day I hope to visit your beautiful city once again and stay longer. To my roomies and everyone who went I am fortunate to have met you and hope to see you again soon. Thanks to Dave and Nadia of Artis, thank you so much for all your hard work putting all this together. It really was the time of my life and I hope to go on more of your tours in the future.

Brian

Shameless promotion:
PS I am still going to put together a book, so be patient. I'll post when it is done. If you would like me to send you info, click the Email me link in the right bar on this page. Thanks!!

Cinque Terre (da beach), Shopping, etc...

One of our few days of real vacation was at Cinque Terre where we spend the day at the beach. I stayed in the water for a while, then explored the town we were near, Monteroso al Mare.

The private beach (where we weren't):


The public beach (where we were):


People in my group:


At least one of you is curious about the shopping options.

The theme song for this section is Fashionista by Jimmy James. It goes something like this:

Who are you wearing?

Sean John, Kelvin Klein, Donna Karan’s fashion line, Valentino, YSL, Ferré, Camal, and Channel, Halston, Gucci, Fiorucci, Don’t forget my Pucci, Fendi, and Armani, God I miss Gianni. Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Mr. Ford I can’t afford, D&G and BCBG.

Looking good is never easy.

Here are a few stores. I typed the names for ones that are too hard to read. I only went to two of these stores and spent money in one... guess which ones are which:


Dolce & Gabbana:



Emporio Armani:


Swatch:


Fendi (which is next to Louis Vuitton):



Gucci:


Hugo Boss:


Does anyone wear Nautica any more?


There were about 3 different Guess stores. Guess, Guess Kids, and Guess by... um somebody (I forgot who). There are also tons of European brands and at least one large department store (called Coin).

If you guessed I went in Puma and Swatch, give yourself a gold star for the day. If you guessed I spent money at Puma, give your self an extra gold star. 3 gold stars if you guessed i bought a pair of shoes, a pair of flip-flops (for the beach), and a souvenir Puma Firenze t-shirt (but who would guess that). If you guessed they were on sale and I paid €90 for the whole lot, I guess you get 5 gold stars and I need to call the cops because you are stalking me.

Buying fakes is HIGHLY illegal and they will fine you dearly (€10,000+). "But I'm a (stupid) American tourist," will not get you off the hook:


This is one of the various markets selling tourist items and leather goods. Florence is known for its leather. It's scratch resistant, water proof, and as soft as a feather.


Just for fun, I made the postcard pic into a bad post card:


We leave for Rome dark and early Monday morning and I probably won't be able to post again until I get home, so please check again Friday for another update.

Oh, and I'll post eventually when my book is ready, so check occasionally for that, too.

Siena, San Gimigano, and more Florence

Some of these are more avante garde than my usual faire.

Siena:

This is the bell tower that I almost climbed to the top. I got to the second level of the top arch (the big one at the top) and decided that the brick floors held up by ancient 2x4's and the stairs with little between me and the several hundred foot drop were telling me to get back to the solid ground.


Here is a pic I took before climbing down. The Siena Duomo dome is covered for restoration.


San Gimigano, the Medieval Manhattan:

The Palazzo Vecchio from the Uffizi terrace:

Critique pics

Here are a sampling of the pics I submitted today for critique:

Sunset on the Arno:


The (Fake) David at night:


His accompanying TV Evangelist to maintain my PG rating, Benny Hinn (not one of my images and not for critique):

Source: bbc.co.uk

The Palazzo Vecchio at night:


The Duomo Bell tower and a nice pic for a post card (just add a horrible font):


The Lantern on top of the Duomo dome:


Also, as I have told several of you, I will be putting together a book of my pics from this trip to offer for sale thru blurb.com. I have a feeling it will be about $75 plus shipping (I only see a really small percentage of that if any at all). I'll post more info about that later.

Today, we visited the Uffizi Gallery which is a block away from my apartment. Unfortunately, they need to work on how they present some of their pieces. Botticelli's two masterpieces The Birth of Venus and the Primavera were sadly under lit and looked rather... well, blah. Both use gold leaf in various parts (Venus's hair particularly) and it should sparkle. But they are working on it. They are doing massive construction. One thing you can't avoid are the massive crowds. Even with its faults, this is not a museum you want to miss.