The End Of The Paper Trail!

It's the end, and the beginning.  It's the end of the paper trail for us.  We've decided to get with the program and go digital for our newspaper reading.  This was a hard choice.  Two former trained journalists find it kind of hard to give up the "paper in your face!" I love the smell of the paper and the feel of flipping pages.  It's going to take time to get used to changing pages with clicks and flips of fingers on the keyboard.

It's the beginning of a new day with technology driving how we see the world.  A lot has happened in just our 50's.  Mitch is 59 today so who knows what 60 will look like in this modern world? We may just put on glasses and hear and see the paper in 4D!  Only time will tell.

I think much of the technology movement has been great.  Just today I read that FACEBOOK had enabled the Safety Check for the Mexican hurricane.  That is a wonderful use of technology.  What is a little discerning is that it's the age of "Twitter Fingers" and stiff necks from our new vantage point- looking down!

I'm as guilty as the next.  I've adopted the new age version of show and tell.  My drinks and food grace my FACEBOOK page, and probably give a heightened view of my actually very basic lifestyle. That's the thing with technology.  It really only tells part of the story.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it can also show a snapshot that isn't the entire story.  I know I have friends who live vicariously through my posts, and this is not good.  They need to make their own memories, and post them, or not!

For all who know me, I'm a talker. I know, what a shocker!  I miss the days of telephone chats.  I haven't converted to twitter and the 140 character assassination. I don't really use Instagram.  I do however use my iPhone as my personal computer. I just traveled to Italy and while we had an actual camera, I just used my phone and took around 400 glorious photos. I have an app that allows me to journal, although I seldom do.  "There's an app for that!" is not a strange comment any longer, it's the truth.  Some apps are even a great use of technology. For example, the iPhone has an app that let's you keep track of health matters.  Most don't know this, but you can hit the little heart icon and enter emergency information under Medical ID. This can then be accessed on the main screen even if it's locked. All one has to do is swipe the locked screen and they will see "emergency" at the bottom. Hit this and your information from Medical ID is shown. Anyone can now see your 'Allergies and Reactions', your spouse info, your blood type, and if you are an organ donor. Brilliant!

I guess there is no going back.  Technology is here and ever changing. We adapt. Of course, I'm taking my time with the paper.  I cancelled it earlier in the month, but the paper is still showing up on my driveway. So, of course, we are flipping through it and getting a good sniff.  Soon, I expect, the day will come when they will know what the left and right hands are doing and the physical paper will be gone.

It's the end, and the beginning........

Under the Tuscan sun........it sounds so romantic and wonderful.  And it was.  I was fortunate to be able to travel to Tuscany and Rome in September and spend 12 days with my husband's undivided attention, and we still love each other!  No T.V., no computer, just driving around making memories in a lovely country.  The only thing I would change, would be the time change, and the drag it puts on your body.  I've decided I'm getting too old for European trips. Yet, I love Europe.  Perhaps, if we had rented a Tuscan Villa and relaxed I may feel different. But, our trip was 9 days of non stop GO!

I had found a itinerary on the internet for how to see Tuscany in seven days. We pretty much followed it to a tee, with the exception of making the last day our first, and then rearranging another day due to rain. We then took the bullet train to Rome and spent two full days exploring the beautiful ruins.

Here is the Tuscany link: http://www.discovertuscany.com/itineraries-in-tuscany/one-week-in-tuscany.html

Before I start to elaborate on my wonderful trip, I need to set the scene. It all starts with a cheap platter that I bought at a store in San Jose, California.  It's titled, "Under the Tuscan Sun," and it became my inspiration piece.  That was followed by a kitchen remodel with an Italian feel, and then a floor mat that says, "Villa Toscana.  A new pair of shoes made in Tuscany, but purchased at Marshall's in San Jose, and I was fully immersed and ready to start my adventure. I had surrounded myself with the "Italian" feel, but now I was ready for the real deal.

Platter titled, "Under the Tuscan Sun"

Italian shoes direct from San Jose, Ca

Italian Kitchen

Ready for departure!

Tuscany did not disappoint!

We left on Saturday morning and finally arrived at our hotel in Florence around 6pm Sunday. We managed to stay up a few more hours, then plopped our weary bodies down for a Tuscan slumber.

DAY ONE took us to Cortona, which was about 1 hour 45 minutes away from our hotel.  We enjoyed just relaxing in the Piazza. When we went to find our car, we went the wrong way, which resulted in a nice stroll around Cortona, and my health app on my iPhone said we walked 9.24 miles!

Guitar serenade, Italian style

I want to rent the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun," and see if I can recognize sights I saw in Cortona.

We also went to Arezzo and the Piazza Grande. Arezzo is believed to have been one of the twelve most important Etruscan cities.

DAY TWO took us to downtown Florence to wonder at the sights of the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, David, and the art in the Academia and Uffizi Gallery. It doesn't matter if you look up to the ceilings, or down to the floor, everything is so beautiful. I couldn't believe the floors we were walking on. They were "Art" in my mind. I couldn't get into the Vasari Corridor, where my first cousin three times removed, Cecilia Beaux, has a self portrait. But, at least I now know where it is located.

Cecilia Beaux

You can't fully capture the splendor

Judas is bowing his head in shame

Two hunks

Seldom seen view

Ponte Vecchio Bridge and Vasari Corridor. The Vasari runs from the Uffizi across the Ponte Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti.

Before we returned to our hotel, we walked to the Piazza Michelangelo where you get a fantastic view of downtown Florence.  

My health app clocked us in at 7.4 miles.

Artsy photo of Chianti

A little rain couldn't dampen our mood!


 

DAY THREE took us to Greve in Chianti. It was raining, so we changed the suggested day itinerary and headed for a winery that our hotel recommended, Castello di Verrazzano. It turns out some of the stones from here made it to New York and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge linking Brooklyn and Staten Island. We didn't take the actual wine tour, but ended up eating lunch and tasting the four wines that the tour was having. So we got the explanation without having to do the whole tour. I mean, what's really important? I say getting right down to eating and drinking! 

Selfie with a gorgeous Tuscan landscape 

All homemade by "Mama"

After our wine tasting we headed to San Gimignano. We had to have the Gelato at Gelateria Dondoli. We found out later that it was rated #28 in Tuscany. We would find # 1 later in Pisa.

I chased this pigeon around because it was a different color than you normally see. I say it was Tuscan colored.

I liked the saying about fast food

Later the same shop was enhanced by a white Vespa.

DAY FOUR took us to Pisa and Lucca. I don't think we took enough photos of the leaning tower. Mitch had to capture it from every angle!

The tower isn't the only remarkable thing here

Mandatory selfie

We brought our "This is Sharks Territory" sign 

Rated # 1 Gelato in Tuscany

Peach Bellini

From Pisa we went to Lucca and enjoyed riding bikes around the walled city. We rode to a special tower that has trees growing at the top.

This old lady can still ride a bike

Torre Guinigi

Rainbow leading us back to Florence after a full day of fun

DAY FIVE took us to Siena and Monteriggioni. We first took a quick detour off the road to visit the Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar in Bargino. Most of this expansive facility is underground, concealed within a hill.  It was super cool. They have been in the business since 1385 and specialize in Chianti. They are known for ushering in the "Super Tuscan" revolution with their Tignanello.  We didn't taste any wine here, but spent a fair amount of time just taking in the grandeur.

Impressive building and views

Cool couch and wine display

I told Mitch he could have one glass!

One of many impressive art installations

From Antinori we continued on to Siena, which I have to say had my favorite Piazza,  Piazza Del Campo.  I could have laid there all day!

I saw people laying so I joined in.

Mandatory foot shot!

A photo doesn't do it justice!

I can't believe you get to walk all over this!

My favorite steps

Cracking Art installation called, "Rigeneramento" through October 31, 2015

After a lovely lunch in the Piazza, we continued on to Monteriggioni where I took my favorite photo of the trip.

Charming walled Medieval Castle

A perfect "Picture Window"

The only Red Poppy and Yellow Sunflower I saw

Inspiration photo I found before my trip. I put it on FACEBOOK and said to "color your life wherever you go."

It wasn't the right season for flowers, so I "Colored" the landscape. This is my favorite photo because I did what my inspiration photo suggested and "colored my life wherever I go." I bought the top in a cute shop in Sausalito and intended to take a photo in it when the moment was right.

DAY SIX took us to the wine regions of Montepulciano and Montalcino, and perhaps, my most favorite outing. I just loved driving through the Tuscan landscape. Of course, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the Brunello di Montalcino were also great.

We got directions from the hotel, but somehow we took a wrong turn and GPS directed us through narrow streets right in the middle of all the action. Funny, but scary moment. I knew we were in for some fun when we barely made it by a car and the man told us in broken English it would be best if the wife got out of the car! 

Rosemary and wine bottles growing from the wall

The lady asked if we wanted ham and cheese with our tasting, and this yumminess is what we got compliments of Cantina Gattavecchi

We had to order the real Bruschetta.

Pulled off the road to capture this beauty

Brunello tasting at Fattoria dei Barbi. It has produced Brunello since 1892 and was the first to export if to Europe, America and Asia.

I literally walked the sole right off my shoe!

DAY SEVEN took us back to downtown Florence. After dropping off our rental car, we took our only taxi ride of the entire trip from the Rental Car lot to downtown Florence. We were lucky that both the Hilton in Florence, and the Hilton in Rome had complimentary shuttles to the main centers of town. 

So colorful!

"I Eat Earth" an homage to Expo 2015. According to the artist, this piece is about more than physical hunger, it alludes to hunger for life, thought, freedom, experiences, and openness to others. 

Gallery Art Hotel

"Jeff Koons in Florence" juxtaposes contemporary art with timeless masterpieces.This piece is Pluto and Proserpina.

This turtle joined us at our lunch

We left our heart in Tuscany

Lots of pink shirts. I think this was a Breast Cancer Walk. We got to hear American songs being broadcast from the Piazza.

All bathrooms should have a personal sink!

Rome bound. On the bullet train.

DAY EIGHT was our first full day in Rome.  We took City Wonder tours, which I highly recommend.  Before the tour started, we had to get from the shuttle drop off to the Vatican. We decided to walk and thoroughly enjoyed it. By days end my iPhone app would say we walked 8.56 miles. While I enjoyed the Sistine Chapel, I wasn't allowed to photograph any of its glory. I have to say I was equally amazed by all the stuff in the Vatican Museums leading up to the Sistine Chapel.

First sighting of the Vatican

Just some ordinary bridge art

Splendor on the floors, walls and ceilings!

I love Peacocks

Cortille della Pigna at the Vatican Museum

"Sphere within a Sphere"
 by Italian sculptor, Arnaldo Pomodoro

I always said that Mitch reminded me of Roman and Greek Gods.

Resurrection of Jesus Tapestry at Vatican Museum. One of the best examples of moving perspective, and the best executed on a tapestry.

Unbelievable talent

The School of Athens by Raphael. Heraclitus, the "weeping philosopher" is personified by Michelangelo. He was added as a tribute after Raphael saw his work on the Sistine Chapel.

Holy Door

This will be opened for the Jubilee

Holy Selfie

Vatican City

Spanish Steps

Trevi Fountain under renovation

Pantheon

 DAY NINE took us to the Colossuem, the Forum and Palentine Hill.  It still seems unreal to me.

First sighting of the Colosseum

Beautiful ruins

Another Shark Attack

Arch of  Constantine, triumphal arch situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill.

They built using iron pins through the marble. They used the iron for weapons and the building began to collapse.

Arch of Titus is oldest at the Forum Romanum.

 You can see chain marks on the columns where they tried to bring them down.

Palentine Hill 

Cordonata (Michelangelo designed the wide-ramped stairs so horse riders could ascend the hill without dismounting) at the Campidoglio at Capitoline Hill. 

Last night in Rome. I didn't like the dessert on the menu so I asked for chocolate and this is what they brought. 

I still can't believe I saw everything that I did in Florence and Rome. Living my entire life in "young California", it is so hard to imagine things that date back to 70AD.  I will never forget the remarkable ruins, frescoes, mosaics, steps, stones, and even "New" art that we saw.

It truly was a dream trip and something I can now take off my bucket list.

Daily reminders of Tuscany and Rome adorn my kitchen

All we came home with was a 50 cent Euro and a lifetime of memories!

ARRIVEDERCI!