tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38699704179394161552024-03-12T22:36:44.908-07:00Southern CharmsSouthern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-73747249619096901462010-09-24T11:15:00.001-07:002010-09-24T11:15:21.401-07:00Moving on to August<p>In my effort to catch up photographically, I have arrived at the month of August.  Nevermind that it's basically October. </p> <p>Back in August, I took a trip to Charleston and went on a helicopter tour of the city with Katie.  It was so cool – I’ve never been in a helicopter before and it was an amazing way to see my favorite city!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqaRt9KJI/AAAAAAAABIg/GRM79OXet7w/s1600-h/sort%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 009" border="0" alt="sort 009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqa6EWaEI/AAAAAAAABIk/ojqVSE9tHwI/sort%20009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqbRcIZpI/AAAAAAAABIo/WDfBLgIWrc4/s1600-h/sort%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 011" border="0" alt="sort 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqbtJeyxI/AAAAAAAABIs/vF4wMSTOiwM/sort%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqcNLLNuI/AAAAAAAABIw/k7xodCw6Ooc/s1600-h/sort%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 012" border="0" alt="sort 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqcsqo0TI/AAAAAAAABI0/L-mQ-1qhA2M/sort%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqdER4GYI/AAAAAAAABI4/xv1og8ivdKg/s1600-h/sort%20014%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 014" border="0" alt="sort 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqdY1u6xI/AAAAAAAABI8/Au3LsEfcVng/sort%20014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqdySv_PI/AAAAAAAABJA/RAkQ2XTlmbU/s1600-h/sort%20020%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 020" border="0" alt="sort 020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqecrvCHI/AAAAAAAABJE/oMemwXQnOgs/sort%20020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Then, we went to a plantation in Monks Corner, the name escapes me at the moment, and we got to canoe on a swamp – very cool!  We saw a real life wild alligator (he was little!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqfA9J7xI/AAAAAAAABJI/ImeQGlj8W0Y/s1600-h/sort%20025%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 025" border="0" alt="sort 025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqfV0W1EI/AAAAAAAABJM/ygWyZCDW5lM/sort%20025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqgI1HMVI/AAAAAAAABJQ/NLCqgICObe0/s1600-h/sort%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 027" border="0" alt="sort 027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqgpFDcFI/AAAAAAAABJU/vAQgAwn3l0M/sort%20027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqhMy7sYI/AAAAAAAABJY/cc_jzIcTDIs/s1600-h/sort%20042%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 042" border="0" alt="sort 042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqiCNlFBI/AAAAAAAABJc/8aG1ZgS4N28/sort%20042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqiyu4BaI/AAAAAAAABJg/JCyJSROw_hg/s1600-h/sort%20048%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 048" border="0" alt="sort 048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqjYKa2dI/AAAAAAAABJk/FpGMbjwm1wI/sort%20048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Then, we hit up a super fancy fine-dining restaurant in downtown Charleston.  It was some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had and it was a beautiful evening in Charleston :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqj5DM-CI/AAAAAAAABJo/tmYx2-tKLXU/s1600-h/sort%20054%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 054" border="0" alt="sort 054" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqkcb4XKI/AAAAAAAABJs/9lVDQPn3HoI/sort%20054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqlI5aMfI/AAAAAAAABJw/FpV_HXBnhpk/s1600-h/sort%20055%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 055" border="0" alt="sort 055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzql0LE30I/AAAAAAAABJ0/BBq_x8P-AUo/sort%20055_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqmR4i8mI/AAAAAAAABJ4/xvWpIuaoR14/s1600-h/sort%20057%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 057" border="0" alt="sort 057" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqm09u5OI/AAAAAAAABJ8/o6Wm2Jp0Gqk/sort%20057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqnc9Ns3I/AAAAAAAABKA/1vhBKKrSkb4/s1600-h/sort%20058%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 058" border="0" alt="sort 058" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqnxmcAPI/AAAAAAAABKE/Zlovri6jQKo/sort%20058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqoBE87YI/AAAAAAAABKI/YZefsW4WBHQ/s1600-h/sort%20060%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 060" border="0" alt="sort 060" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqoqAKuUI/AAAAAAAABKM/GL75wgqvEYk/sort%20060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Also, in August I got to go to a Tom Petty concert with some friends :)  He’s my favorite!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqpQ6q-WI/AAAAAAAABKQ/XiJWPLq8kho/s1600-h/sort%20068%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="sort 068" border="0" alt="sort 068" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqpoxSFmI/AAAAAAAABKU/vIVPrvofzwk/sort%20068_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And then there was food!  In addition to what I ate in Charleston, I cooked Spicy Lemon Basil Shrimp Couscous.  I ate some amazing sushi and saki.  Yum!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqqfO_6JI/AAAAAAAABKY/P11PN0x8fIo/s1600-h/bari%20068%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 068" border="0" alt="bari 068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqqhh3A5I/AAAAAAAABKc/J1m4ITXkZ4s/bari%20068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqrOgJpYI/AAAAAAAABKg/h8iuJktvcPA/s1600-h/bari%20071%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 071" border="0" alt="bari 071" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqrkuWvCI/AAAAAAAABKk/ElC5fPWmKFg/bari%20071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqsoIXBZI/AAAAAAAABKo/zoVmdT0D-ls/s1600-h/bari%20072%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 072" border="0" alt="bari 072" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TJzqtagmsAI/AAAAAAAABKs/rXp2Lib0vqY/bari%20072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And that’s my August!  Stay tuned for September :)</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-8179483366802138342010-09-20T16:28:00.000-07:002010-09-20T16:44:05.130-07:00Back in the USAHere are some pictures from the month of July after I got back in the US!<br /><br /><br />Kat and Matt came down for 4th of July and rented a house on Tybee with their friends. Dad and I went to hang out! It was great fun and a beautiful home!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp98fN1OKzU2_kEgRN2RHSqRI4RSY-pxGZ1NVkORorM8JrN2DiMKMKhQvFlczX02jtNaTqAMTjnzX6sfAPP3_Pn7M8I82nSDWjRXYgq6LShahALLFsYCPuVLXShlNSISDenGaUHi3JYC41/s1600/38349_702367243548_29715275_39643548_7805415_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp98fN1OKzU2_kEgRN2RHSqRI4RSY-pxGZ1NVkORorM8JrN2DiMKMKhQvFlczX02jtNaTqAMTjnzX6sfAPP3_Pn7M8I82nSDWjRXYgq6LShahALLFsYCPuVLXShlNSISDenGaUHi3JYC41/s320/38349_702367243548_29715275_39643548_7805415_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519142675245620194" border="0" /></a><br />I was in line at Chic-Fil-A for breakfast one morning and was behind this car. The license plate reads "PD2ARGU." Bet it was an attorney!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUH9ioQcknR5HiojNit8u_FQeiNA0Xcv0EUb8RhWTFdxSoICFKCJSBNsTlNvQPB8EcHTJtoUuNGz7rbEzzcZhOB9cCXaNBneqErns-XouZLwzEdscn80Jp4ol0FXJ6CJQIv-0YIXCzZR1/s1600/bari+044.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUH9ioQcknR5HiojNit8u_FQeiNA0Xcv0EUb8RhWTFdxSoICFKCJSBNsTlNvQPB8EcHTJtoUuNGz7rbEzzcZhOB9cCXaNBneqErns-XouZLwzEdscn80Jp4ol0FXJ6CJQIv-0YIXCzZR1/s320/bari+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519142693095886498" border="0" /></a>Claire and Owie got a kitty named Alvin. I want a kitty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIAhWY5nPnN-ipWqSKt-NLM4R0QiGhzCQ-Qsp1hf2o66CdJqB89YTQVd3Nk10klNmmhu2T_kXxH4gfbxb6K2klXMKuy39RBSRSsyI-AtDVZlzcwgRhwTjEbVhDLQkvmhs5IgYPWWFrXfk/s1600/bari+054.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIAhWY5nPnN-ipWqSKt-NLM4R0QiGhzCQ-Qsp1hf2o66CdJqB89YTQVd3Nk10klNmmhu2T_kXxH4gfbxb6K2klXMKuy39RBSRSsyI-AtDVZlzcwgRhwTjEbVhDLQkvmhs5IgYPWWFrXfk/s320/bari+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519142678198470930" border="0" /></a>Got this flat tire merging onto 285 from I-20 driving to work one day. Changed it in about 15 minutes. I'm so good at changing tires!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnnTqoEV8tDWy9fPx5_ldPHV59YAWMmR6Bn3PaFyDpSQ4lCBg1Ci50INRkFlY0gV-Mz0U4bPYH_W7t5R8zq_0b9BnmmukDcYNS0dH0ppyW0MK5eIeeuUAYcSYTYjlMyy3dgUuspzS6M-Y/s1600/bari+043.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnnTqoEV8tDWy9fPx5_ldPHV59YAWMmR6Bn3PaFyDpSQ4lCBg1Ci50INRkFlY0gV-Mz0U4bPYH_W7t5R8zq_0b9BnmmukDcYNS0dH0ppyW0MK5eIeeuUAYcSYTYjlMyy3dgUuspzS6M-Y/s320/bari+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519142695536931362" border="0" /></a><br />I bought myself this dress as a reward for my 31 pound weight-loss! I wore it yesterday - it's so cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOc-YOmuCz_fEFlxGA10Jw4SzYcFHcBUV32k0X_okD9NVIbFQHgJZxOmrsZkzKVX5CS9eO6sEyPFQhyphenhyphenPP09aGOVcMYoUGRqDw-gg4Tc2US_tetVTmlwC087nCRUJ0WP1f_Bo1qlZxk_JR/s1600/bari+060.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOc-YOmuCz_fEFlxGA10Jw4SzYcFHcBUV32k0X_okD9NVIbFQHgJZxOmrsZkzKVX5CS9eO6sEyPFQhyphenhyphenPP09aGOVcMYoUGRqDw-gg4Tc2US_tetVTmlwC087nCRUJ0WP1f_Bo1qlZxk_JR/s320/bari+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519142685740627778" border="0" /></a>Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-52159630530747962452010-09-14T19:20:00.001-07:002010-09-14T19:28:40.130-07:00Some older pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9OMUJ6UCi2ir1wuP4qqnVK13yZf2tKjaWmN8gzoq0ADjmx90hYuZmu1Pbx3eUpbOWeLF8Fdk9vYZPRwAV1gkBDKZRutli2ysdzZMbKgM7xPfm_pXnZdY9SC2kJ-7BY2Hq7PpzzGJxpXL/s1600/bari+034.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I've finally uploaded some of my old pictures, starting way back in June, so I'm going to take a few posts over the next few weeks to update and post some of my favorites. I'm starting with my day in Switzerland (P.S. don't know why the text is underlined and for some reason, I can't make it go away!) I was in Switzerland the day they won their first World Cup game of the year against a team (I've already forgot who but I want to say either Spain or Germany) they weren't supposed to beat. They never crowd the street or go crazy, according to the guy who owned the hostel I stayed at, but this was such a big win, it was pandemonium! And my hostel was in the heart of it all - such an amazing location and a great time!!</span><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9OMUJ6UCi2ir1wuP4qqnVK13yZf2tKjaWmN8gzoq0ADjmx90hYuZmu1Pbx3eUpbOWeLF8Fdk9vYZPRwAV1gkBDKZRutli2ysdzZMbKgM7xPfm_pXnZdY9SC2kJ-7BY2Hq7PpzzGJxpXL/s320/bari+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516959968543856802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBsxRqzoUQH044kJywy0zDG6zxOQGqOYdypV3zRzl90OSgPPxHg7v20sRN8tUSVkcv0ip_M9sbNbYvqSVCvLKXqNQB5Yoe7V4QIoUgMy7ylUZo5GhoIqybKyJLW57FbbobjGDxbyRZu3p/s1600/bari+019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBsxRqzoUQH044kJywy0zDG6zxOQGqOYdypV3zRzl90OSgPPxHg7v20sRN8tUSVkcv0ip_M9sbNbYvqSVCvLKXqNQB5Yoe7V4QIoUgMy7ylUZo5GhoIqybKyJLW57FbbobjGDxbyRZu3p/s320/bari+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516959962679684802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQucqfq33SRPpjz0DouZXdYvWISArVdBn9HkBQwazIBW4JadnpGcJaXJmYBOTyxBDf-b4Teb0bNbhXmTXl_5B9TnyeMKXeVvD33tyGv9UVIsLG96v1F_LlhjB4dfVSsGd9cAJskJz9Pe6/s1600/bari+021.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQucqfq33SRPpjz0DouZXdYvWISArVdBn9HkBQwazIBW4JadnpGcJaXJmYBOTyxBDf-b4Teb0bNbhXmTXl_5B9TnyeMKXeVvD33tyGv9UVIsLG96v1F_LlhjB4dfVSsGd9cAJskJz9Pe6/s320/bari+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516959956537477842" border="0" /></a><br />While out exploring downtown Zurich, I found a super expensive, super fancy restaurant called, guess what, ORSINI!!! Here's proof!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKSTnKU_xz6OC6DKL3r3UQAAkKYBGpNoA-spqV2sr1pQz7KKr5Ib64t8ck9e_4BitppsanAI0vhkzOqDsxwyqbL1vEdJS_uRhtf4TsZ1Ytr5-cW8AhcLKIxlPs-tDYOFXVyT2yLx-dpjF/s1600/bari+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKSTnKU_xz6OC6DKL3r3UQAAkKYBGpNoA-spqV2sr1pQz7KKr5Ib64t8ck9e_4BitppsanAI0vhkzOqDsxwyqbL1vEdJS_uRhtf4TsZ1Ytr5-cW8AhcLKIxlPs-tDYOFXVyT2yLx-dpjF/s320/bari+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516959949537495762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQR0QaIuZaHMM-eH6j5ezDj9MFEcRp77M9NTeQrda8nREmPWWHvwTErwwOZeSERs68bVhXjYpQN-EtH1Xi5aT5OSLmFatpw-vxkxTpEaJ9SpihUUP9OO0kBWSu8vRyCVF4EP5Rrq92jc9/s1600/bari+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQR0QaIuZaHMM-eH6j5ezDj9MFEcRp77M9NTeQrda8nREmPWWHvwTErwwOZeSERs68bVhXjYpQN-EtH1Xi5aT5OSLmFatpw-vxkxTpEaJ9SpihUUP9OO0kBWSu8vRyCVF4EP5Rrq92jc9/s320/bari+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516959943399707154" border="0" /></a><br />That's it for now - most of my Zurich pictures are more of the same up top - lots of random crazy crowd pictures. Fun times!Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-23705470922115769972010-09-01T11:52:00.000-07:002010-09-01T12:06:50.937-07:00The AC gods giveth, and the AC gods taketh away!The AC broke. Again. This time after only three days, and two of those days I wasn't even home. So it's hot. Again. We're sleeping with the windows open. Again. And the landlord is dragging his feet to fix it. Again. I really wish I could understand how "first thing in the morning" means Friday afternoon around 4:30pm. Because that's what he said last week: "first thing in the morning." But it didn't get fixed last week until Friday afternoon. And he told us yesterday that they'd fix it that day. But then they didn't. So he said, "first thing in the morning." I'm going to egg the address we send our rent checks to. It's the only appropriate adult response.<br /><br />After spending the weekend with a bunch of sick loved-ones and not getting much sleep because of the oppressive heat all week, I'm afraid I'm fight sickness, too. I'm pumping Vitamin C, water, and trying to get a workout in each day. So far it seems to keep it from fully blooming into sick and keeps everything lurking ominously as I had into my vacation weekend.<br /><br />My weekends actually start Thursday night. Sure, I have law review stuff to do over weekends, but I don't have to actually get up and go places for work/class/etc. However, this week, I've come across a dilemma. Are you familiar with Groupon? If not, it's this awesome site that constantly has really cheap deals for the Atlanta area. For example, they may have where you can buy a $100 gift card to a fancy restaurant for only $20. Well, last week, they had a deal for half off Braves tickets for the Mets game tomorrow night. "No brainer," thinks I, sitting in my living room. So I purchased two and got excited for a fun little evening. However, silly me, didn't notice that this Thursday night is the FIRST EVER GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL GAME. Pretty much every single person I know is going to the State game. Not only do I not have someone to go with me to the Braves game, I'd much rather go hang out with all my friends at the historic first game. So if you know anyone willing to buy the tickets, let me know - I'm taking best offer and cutting my losses!<br /><br />I promise, at some point, I will upload the last of my Europe pictures and all the pictures from the good ole US of A since returning from Europe so that my posts get slightly more interesting. On a different note, I lead my first mediation yesterday and got a settlement! Go me!Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-16595117673428321072010-08-30T06:41:00.000-07:002010-08-30T07:06:58.911-07:00Not Ready for Another WeekWeekends are too short and I'm so not ready for this week! I spent most of last night getting myself organized just so that I know everything I need to do...<br /><br />I have a short little presentation due in Advanced Legal Research on the LexisOne website, but it shouldn't take me too long to throw it together. At the externship this week, we have to start mediating ourselves while the trained mediators observe. I'm a little nervous about it but not as much as I was a few weeks ago. Now that I'm there and see it, it's not so scary. I still don't like it that much, but at least it doesn't terrify me at night anymore.<br /><br />This past weekend, Mom came up and we spent the weekend at Davids. We did some shopping, hung out with baby Jude, ate a lot of Mexican food, and watched one really bad Keanu Reeves movie. Man, he is a terrible actor.<br /><br />Sunday, Schelly and I cleaned out the fridge at our house - which ranks up there as one of the most disgusting things ever. But it now looks like we as a house actually eat rather healthily. It's full of fresh fruits and veggies from the grocery store visit last night. We also played racquetball last night. We play best of three games, and for the second time, I beat him in two straight. We've played 6 times now, and I've won 4 times.<br /><br />Mondays are my longest day. Now that I've dropped Copyrights, I have a little break in the middle of the day to get some things done, so that's promising. I've got 23 things on my to-do list for today (two of them have multiple sub parts so it's more), and so far I've done 3 items and one sub-part. Let's hope I can get this done!!!! When will today be over??Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-76671259130042310102010-08-25T12:37:00.000-07:002010-08-25T13:03:09.251-07:00I Feel BadI feel so bad that I've neglected my poor little blog for so long! I kept saying that when I get my pictures uploaded, I would have a new post, but I don't know when that's going to happen - so you get a nice little text blog.<br /><br />So far this semester has been kicking my bootay! I'm crazy busy and it's only half way through the second week. I decided to drop one of my classes and opt for a 1-hour independent research to replace it. My indendent research is going to be what I'm writing my law review note on - The Tri-State Water Wars!!! Yay! I get 3 birds: to go back to my old love of water rights, potentially get published, and get to put law review on my resume all with one big, giant stone of a paper! (On a side note, my official Water Rights blog is back up and running to help my along my way.) My other classes include Wills Trusts and Estates, Advance Legal Research, and Corporations. I dropped Copyrights.<br /><br />In addition to my classes and independent study, I'm externing this semester at the Fulton County Superior Court. I'm now officially registered as a Mediator for the state of Georgia (so if anyone needs a mediator, let me know - I'm cheap!!!) My externship focuses exclusively on Landlord-Tenant mediation, so I'm learning a lot of property law really quickly in addition to the mediation process. I'm not in love with it, but it's great to get real world experience instead of sitting in the classroom the whole time. Plus, I'm making some great connections with attorneys up at the courthouse 10 hours each week.<br /><br />And in addition to the classes and externship, I have 4 on campus jobs this semester: library graduate research assistant, Prof. Lanier's graduate research assistant, Lexis Student Associate and Web Course Specialist, and Kaplan PMBR Student Rep. Trying to squeeze in all the necessary training and hours and etc. etc. has been super hectic (thus dropping Copyrights), but hopefully I can manage it all.<br /><br />After two months and my newly learned Landlord-Tenant Law, we've finally think we've scared our landlord into attempting to fix our AC. They sent a guy out for the third time yesterday and it just made it hotter. (It was about 85 degrees when we went to bed.) Afterward, we got an email from the landlord who said they were going to replace the unit with a bigger unit by the end of the week. So we had to send an email back saying NO - the AC guy said it was the ducts that were leaking under the house which is why about half the vents don't have any air coming in them at all. If you replace the unit with one bigger, it's just going to leak more air out through the ducts under the house and not get any air inside and we'll still be stuck with a huge electric bill. We'll see what they say to that. Don't worry, this is all documented if we have to do something drastic!!<br /><br />It's four, so I'm off to one of my other jobs - PMBR. Hope to post again soon!Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-77108364168751045932010-06-17T00:21:00.000-07:002010-06-17T00:23:03.910-07:00America for Me<p class="MsoNormal">"America for Me!"<br />By Henry Van Dyke<br />1852 -1833</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>[Read by Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) to the Republican Precinct Committeemen of Maricopa County upon his return from a trip abroad and given to me by Daniel J. Mazza.] </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">'Tis fine to see the Old World and travel up and down<br />Among the famous palaces and cities of renown,<br />To admire the crumbly castles and the statues and kings<br />But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things.<br /><br />So it's home again, and home again, America for me!<br />My heart is turning home again and there I long to be,<br />In the land of youth and freedom, beyond the ocean bars,<br />Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.<br /><br />Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air;<br />And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair;<br />And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome;<br />But when it comes to living, there is no place like home.<br /><br />I like the German fur-woods in green battalions drilled;<br />I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled;<br />But, oh, to take your hat, my dear, and ramble for a day<br />In the friendly western woodland, where Nature has her sway!<br /><br />I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack!<br />The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.<br />But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free--<br />We love our land for what she is and what she is to be.<br /><br />Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!<br />I want a ship that's westward bound to plow the rolling sea,<br />To the blessed land of Room Enough, beyond the ocean bars,<br />Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.</p>Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-87352521600641848542010-06-15T13:04:00.000-07:002010-06-15T13:05:52.506-07:00I'm AliveJust a quick post to let everyone know that after traveling all day, I'm safe in my apartment in Zurich. This "hostel" is actually really cool - it's apartment style so everyone has their own room and the three rooms share a kitchen and bathroom (with a really nice tub and shower.) The guy who owns it sat down with me for a good 30 minutes giving me recommendations of stuff to do if you only have one day in Zurich. I have the place to myself tonight (I'm going out to explore some World Cup viewing venues nearby) but tomorrow, the other two rooms will have guests.Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-83400039757298617322010-06-14T15:10:00.001-07:002010-06-14T15:10:38.696-07:00I Belong in Italy<p>I feel I have traveled enough to say something with some definitiveness.  If I were to write a travel book, it would be called “Go To The Place You’ve Never Heard Of.”  These places are INFINITELY better than the traditional places that are full of nothing but tourists.</p> <p>I promised Bonnie that I would title today’s post “Gradual Abandonment and William the Bad,” but that has such a negative connotation and I don’t want me and Italy to have any negative connotations!  She and I had a great day exploring this incredible city!</p> <p>Today has been an amazing BEAUTIFUL day – warm, sunny, great company, beautiful sights, and an undeniably laid pack, happy culture!  I woke up to this amazing view of the train station from my hotel room:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoHV2jRVI/AAAAAAAABDA/c6tKCVZWeBo/s1600-h/bari%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 001" border="0" alt="bari 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoH2cEFqI/AAAAAAAABDE/cNJigCijC78/bari%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Walking towards the Old Town of Bari from my hotel, Bonnie and I cut through the University of Bari and had some great converstation with some Art Students having their final “Gallery” for a grade.  We participated, but the architetecture and beauty of the locale alone made me feel ashamed of GSU:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoIpbUm_I/AAAAAAAABDI/fY9GMCwhqa0/s1600-h/bari%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 002" border="0" alt="bari 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoJP4hMdI/AAAAAAAABDM/aRo_4NV_uLQ/bari%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Here are some random sights from the beginning of the day, including this poor Smart Car that won’t be able to leave his parking spot because of how jam packed in they park over here.  This one was slightly ridiculous and provided us with endless enjoyment!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoJuMrvJI/AAAAAAAABDQ/ri9fYqeYq2o/s1600-h/boattour0412.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 041" border="0" alt="boat tour 041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoKEYXByI/AAAAAAAABDU/nvHdFRVsmjY/boattour041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoK0HLOkI/AAAAAAAABDY/MhBd8jq5yZ4/s1600-h/boattour0282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 028" border="0" alt="boat tour 028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoLUJCE6I/AAAAAAAABDc/uCaaWfWgGEw/boattour028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>The buildings and ruins and they way they work together as a functional city is just incredible.  It’s history.  It’s real life.  It’s where they work.  It’s where they live.  It’s where the very few of us tourists snap pictures.  And it’s exactly the way it was done 1000 years ago.  Amazing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoLydZU4I/AAAAAAAABDg/mGSsJYVQAKQ/s1600-h/boattour0042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 004" border="0" alt="boat tour 004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoMS1vtNI/AAAAAAAABDk/_BrOmoW3k9E/boattour004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This sign, though we don’t speak Italian, made us pretty sure that if we walked any further, we would get shot by a sniper:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoNLhpgoI/AAAAAAAABDo/LDrNsrcM5do/s1600-h/boattour0292.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 029" border="0" alt="boat tour 029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoNZXUhMI/AAAAAAAABDs/lQnbwp4QpbQ/boattour029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Sorry for this random string of pictures here at the beginning of the post, but this was a door open on a random street we were walking down and the inside of the house felt so old world that I had to capture the moment.  Then we found some of the original streets from the Old Town Bari.  Just to the right of the black post in the foreground, you can see an indent in the old street where the wagon wheels of the ancient Romans would go in order to make moving heavy materials easier.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoOXR0jZI/AAAAAAAABDw/pFVSfWWGyaE/s1600-h/boattour0082.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 008" border="0" alt="boat tour 008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoPHJel7I/AAAAAAAABD0/YqyYTc6I67U/boattour008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoPnIgmWI/AAAAAAAABD4/RifPMN69b70/s1600-h/boattour0362.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 036" border="0" alt="boat tour 036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoR3HcSaI/AAAAAAAABD8/0r0yKD88Grg/boattour036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The first real site we hit today was St. Nicholas’s Basilica. Looking at these first two pictures, you might think you’re in two different churches.  That’s the way it felt.  The ceiling was so ornate and beautiful, like the churches of Passau and Salzburg, but the walls were stark white stones, almost like ruins or gothic style.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaocJtKutI/AAAAAAAABEE/8yeb8OgL_sg/s1600-h/boattour0122.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 012" border="0" alt="boat tour 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaocjH-mpI/AAAAAAAABEI/m8zn1oUMna0/boattour012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaodYbTlMI/AAAAAAAABEM/1PCdATVXqIQ/s1600-h/boattour0192.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 019" border="0" alt="boat tour 019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaod4GX6fI/AAAAAAAABEQ/2lJSz1HM-OY/boattour019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>But look really closely at the picture above.  The top left corner of the pictures is that big round-ish ceiling painting.  Look just below the painting diagonally to the right.  See some really faded frescos/murals there on the white wall?  If not, I have some better pictures later.  This was one of my Top 4 favorite European Church moments.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoeQXW8MI/AAAAAAAABEU/dZ9MkximJVk/s1600-h/boattour0102.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 010" border="0" alt="boat tour 010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoewTIcwI/AAAAAAAABEY/fGoZybtsZ0o/boattour010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaofSOdA4I/AAAAAAAABEc/jksGeIQzdJY/s1600-h/boattour0132.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 013" border="0" alt="boat tour 013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaof9dRsSI/AAAAAAAABEg/NhJFGBCoxRE/boattour013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>See how it feels like two different churches?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaogn57ASI/AAAAAAAABEk/URKeokYBOOY/s1600-h/boattour0262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 026" border="0" alt="boat tour 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaog7EmVbI/AAAAAAAABEo/sJWrge_NDNI/boattour026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>This is the side alter, zoomed in to the Tabernacle then out to include the faded wall frescos.  Hopefully, this gives a clearer idea of how magnificent this church must have been in its heyday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaohtZNesI/AAAAAAAABEs/5r15rPzQfWs/s1600-h/boattour0142.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 014" border="0" alt="boat tour 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoiJ7xW1I/AAAAAAAABEw/HEKsd2fs2pk/boattour014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoi_QMrHI/AAAAAAAABE0/oBAkKGoNq2g/s1600-h/boattour0232.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 023" border="0" alt="boat tour 023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoja4A6ZI/AAAAAAAABE4/sTHPmuVp0xU/boattour023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaokIMzkGI/AAAAAAAABE8/0THY82qx_Js/s1600-h/boattour0202.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 020" border="0" alt="boat tour 020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaokv_f-4I/AAAAAAAABFA/VwhrrIaBNAI/boattour020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Below the Basilica was St. Nicholas’s actual Tomb.  This is where Bonnie and I began our religious debates.  I don’t know if you can really tell in the picture below, but there were basically two groups of people down in the Tomb: a group of women all wearing Mantillas and praying (one was sobbing in front of the tomb) and then a bunch of tourists being led by a guide, dressed casually and clearly clueless as to what’s going on around them.  We had a great conversation about the role of a church/pilgrimage location, and how, yes, on the one hand it deserves to be a sacred, spiritual place for those who have spiritually and mentally prepared themselves for the journey.  However, it’s also important for these locations to still remain opened to those “tourists” unprepared spiritually because it allows people to be exposed to the sacredness and possibly become inspired.  It was a great conversation that caused us both to get somewhat spiritual and humbled by the devotion of those around us.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaolMRk4HI/AAAAAAAABFE/bb-wxUbvsdk/s1600-h/boattour0312.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 031" border="0" alt="boat tour 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaolmXwI_I/AAAAAAAABFI/K9yEyjWoNt8/boattour031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaomIhE-ZI/AAAAAAAABFM/euuBXglXJqo/s1600-h/boattour0302.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 030" border="0" alt="boat tour 030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaomtd35AI/AAAAAAAABFQ/ICn3e8qWsSI/boattour030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Some close ups of the ceiling art.  My camera on my phone doesn’t zoom or have a flash, so I’m limited in my photographing skills.  We spent some time, mainly avoiding going back out in the heat, trying to figure out what was happening in the paintings.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaonU8ZNoI/AAAAAAAABFU/-EJ8KhSkjHM/s1600-h/boattour0322.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 032" border="0" alt="boat tour 032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaono0a4zI/AAAAAAAABFY/2Y9PuZg8pDI/boattour032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoopEBPFI/AAAAAAAABFc/R2F8ajToOwM/s1600-h/boattour0392.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 039" border="0" alt="boat tour 039" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaopIhpbfI/AAAAAAAABFg/7BhLfIOJWaA/boattour039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>   </p> <p>We next tried to go to the Church of St. Scholastica since she was St. Benedict (and St. Benedict was an Orsini, so isn’t she, too?)  However, it’s actually a Monastery – not a church – so we couldn’t exactly go into the Monk’s home, though we tried!</p> <p>According to the map, we had a nice 20 minute walk to the castle, during which we planned to find a place to grab a bite to eat.  However, we turned the corner, and then, boom, castle.  The town is surprisingly small!  So we grabbed the first seats we saw and let me tell you that prices here in a non-tourist town are sinfully cheaper than all the other places we’ve been.  A bottle of water would normally run around 5EURO everywhere else we’ve been.  We had 3 bottles of water, 2 glasses of wine, a 15” cheese pizza, and a mozzarella/tomato Panini, and our bill TOTAL was 17EURO.  INSANELY CHEAP!  You know, I used to think that there’s nothing like a cool beer to quench your thirst on a hot, summer day.  But now, I’m convinced.  The real summer beverage is a cool, crisp glass of Italian wine (especially if the view is a castle:)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoptgxQfI/AAAAAAAABFk/Jn1PguJYDNE/s1600-h/boattour0372.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 037" border="0" alt="boat tour 037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoqFdRicI/AAAAAAAABFo/yBthj63Wna0/boattour037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoqtBSXVI/AAAAAAAABFs/-1eurbJ1_38/s1600-h/boattour0012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 001" border="0" alt="boat tour 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaorK4XjjI/AAAAAAAABFw/iS6WEk6l73Q/boattour001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>After sharing our pizza and Panini, we stormed the castle.  Even the castle was a breath of fresh air.  Go back and look at the castles of Krumlov or Salzburg.  They were so painted up and fancy and Disney and charged around $10 to get into.  We paid 1EUR and got to enjoy this beautiful castle, almost to ourselves!  It reminded me so much of Chepstow/Tintern Abbey back in the UK, maybe because it was actually a Norman Castle!  The Normans, after breaking up the Roman Empire, apparently made it all the way down here and built up this castle on top of an old Byzantine castle.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaorvlP6UI/AAAAAAAABF0/vBuBjYLNAT8/s1600-h/boattour0092.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 009" border="0" alt="boat tour 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaosWeApaI/AAAAAAAABF4/QHvvvUE39S8/boattour009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>The castle yielded lots of fun for our imaginations, like Bonnie dancing with a statue.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaotQ-5z_I/AAAAAAAABF8/3-ivtphDn-U/s1600-h/boattour0112.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 011" border="0" alt="boat tour 011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaotxqqRuI/AAAAAAAABGA/_7_8Sg6ZFyE/boattour011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>   </p> <p>And all the signs gave us great phrases, like “William the Bad” and “Gradual abandonment.”</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaouuRcAoI/AAAAAAAABGE/33RrcZ7wRNw/s1600-h/boattour0222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 022" border="0" alt="boat tour 022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaou0VyzKI/AAAAAAAABGI/EXRA45Y6VH4/boattour022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>     </p> <p>The concept of “gradual abandonment” baffled us.  The sign basically said that after this one princess died, the castle fell into its current state via gradual abandonment.  Can you imagine letting the White House fall into the state of ruins like this?  It’s so crazy for our 21st Century American minds to understand!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaovudAkGI/AAAAAAAABGM/VSM9DF7rO4Q/s1600-h/boattour0272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 027" border="0" alt="boat tour 027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaov5inGFI/AAAAAAAABGQ/6dtef3W9CLA/boattour027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaowveVzdI/AAAAAAAABGU/MR6wHUh0GoY/s1600-h/boattour0182.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 018" border="0" alt="boat tour 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoxKuKlpI/AAAAAAAABGY/R7zUuvMCTcA/boattour018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Can you see the difference between the old Byzantine castle/style vs. the Norman castle/style built on top of it??  Pretty cool, huh?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaox8L9VBI/AAAAAAAABGc/vX7zfn8vdq0/s1600-h/boattour0352.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 035" border="0" alt="boat tour 035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoyHc4FEI/AAAAAAAABGg/TpMGG3uTUsg/boattour035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>   </p> <p>After the castle, we wanted to go to the movie theater near my hotel to see Robin Hood, but the next showing didn’t start until 6:45, and Italy (defending champs!) played in its first World Cup match at 8:30 and we definitely wanted to watch that over dinner and vino!</p> <p>Instead of a movie, we took a traditional Italian “siesta.”  AKA, everything closes from like 2-7pm, because it’s just too dang hot!  We met back up at 7, tried to eat dinner, but that can’t start until 8, so we just explored some more!  Joined now by Danny, we defamed public property and found this adorable round home foyer!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaoy8aAyaI/AAAAAAAABGk/tbb4x2R7J-o/s1600-h/bari%20008%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 008" border="0" alt="bari 008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBaozYu0XdI/AAAAAAAABGo/bRNIpwMao4U/bari%20008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBao0daiBLI/AAAAAAAABGs/6Z_N_AxJpiM/s1600-h/bari%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 004" border="0" alt="bari 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBao06MA3DI/AAAAAAAABGw/q_KGyWshexU/bari%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBao1oFvlJI/AAAAAAAABG0/RnwQ4GZvO1s/s1600-h/bari%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 006" border="0" alt="bari 006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBao2E74mQI/AAAAAAAABG4/aCwWnGBULNM/bari%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>   </p> <p>We finally found a place to eat that had a TV so we could watch the World Cup Match and wasn’t just pizza (we had put on dresses afterall, and needed a fancy dinner to match!) but they didn’t open until 8.  We made a reservation, and then, naturally, went and got gelato before dinner.  I think it’s a widely known fact that I am not a huge fan of ice cream/gilato.  I mean, when I eat it, I microwave it!  But we found the most amazing ice cream/gelato on the planet!!!!!  Bonnie got two scoops of “chocolate” which I sampled and it tasted like raw brownie mix.  So I got two scoops of my own.  No exaggeration, but Bonnie (an ice cream expert) had 8 scoops total for the night.  Every flavor we tried was amazing:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBao29TV3mI/AAAAAAAABG8/LkSCDM6lkIs/s1600-h/bari%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="bari 005" border="0" alt="bari 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBao3fnBpuI/AAAAAAAABHA/QUXvMFfi_HA/bari%20005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>  </p> <p>Dinner was actually very nerve racking.  Mafia looking guys kept moving the TV so we could barely see the match, Italy tied and everyone seemed DEVASTATED by this, and no one spoke English, so we were pretty sure that our food was going to come with fish heads and a variety of inedible things.  But Bonnie and I had a surprisingly delicious seafood risotto and Danny had a great little pasta thing.  The wine was gorgeous, Italy tied their match, and as far as we were concerned, the evening was PERFECT!</p> <p>I will swear by it forever, go to towns you’ve never heard of!  Ljubljiana and Bari have been my two favorite places I’ve visited –pretty much ever – and most people couldn’t tell you where they are!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-90890004868850028162010-06-14T01:27:00.001-07:002010-06-14T01:27:25.863-07:00Catching Up<p>I’m sitting in my hotel lobby (that’s a story to be told a little later) in Bari, Italy ready to catch up from the last couple days.  </p> <p>First, here is a picture of some beautiful ladies dressed up for the Farewell Croatia Super party we had Saturday night:</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXnvCZC5xI/AAAAAAAABCA/Rjpsh5keBAg/s1600-h/30686_818620376315_27410609_45299463_6901482_n%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="30686_818620376315_27410609_45299463_6901482_n" border="0" alt="30686_818620376315_27410609_45299463_6901482_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXnvmAmL8I/AAAAAAAABCE/jPIh_mCg5Go/30686_818620376315_27410609_45299463_6901482_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>After the super, we all walked down to Nichola’s bar to watch the USA-England World Cup Match.  It was great!  Half the bar were Americans and half the bar were English!  Lots of friendly banter went back and forth and at the end of the night, it was a tie – so we could all walk away friends.  All the Americans stood and sang the National Anthem loud and proud (none of the Brits did! – and never mind that we messed up some of the words.)  We chanted “USA! USA! USA!” as often as we could, and the whole night was filled with extreme Patriotism!  We all love traveling overseas, but there’s no place like home:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXnw3kSw_I/AAAAAAAABCI/TCDr_3Rsvlw/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 006" border="0" alt="boat tour 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXnxxX9YqI/AAAAAAAABCM/-NUron2Y-TM/boat%20tour%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXnylK9wLI/AAAAAAAABCQ/4JsXC0qzbAk/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 013" border="0" alt="boat tour 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXnzsHIvzI/AAAAAAAABCU/c-sx3SP_KZc/boat%20tour%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>I can honestly say that I only had one beer the entire length of the game.  It just happened to be this large mammoth that gave me calluses on my hands lifting!  And yes, that mug did go in my purse at the end of the night:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn0_W4OzI/AAAAAAAABCY/92W_bccR1Kg/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 009" border="0" alt="boat tour 009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn1wpAtaI/AAAAAAAABCc/lR1Q1qO8BIY/boat%20tour%20009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn224T2WI/AAAAAAAABCg/Qy1AlXHnOCo/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 007" border="0" alt="boat tour 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn3TYOSLI/AAAAAAAABCk/2QM4sE46GM8/boat%20tour%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Sunday was departure day :(  I had such a great time in Croatia!  But I was super excited to get back to Italy.  This is our ferry that we took (and I didn’t even feel sick one time!):</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn4J7C_NI/AAAAAAAABCo/O7VsFTa3zIU/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 005" border="0" alt="boat tour 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn4ixyfGI/AAAAAAAABCs/Gk_9aIAglhc/boat%20tour%20005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And a beautiful sunset 8 hours later when we finally arrived:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn5aKY57I/AAAAAAAABCw/KsfIjjyLngo/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 015" border="0" alt="boat tour 015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn5ywCUxI/AAAAAAAABC0/Q_IKywspvCY/boat%20tour%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>   </p> <p>Me on the boat:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn6ri2bjI/AAAAAAAABC4/o3aH41Ecgt0/s1600-h/boat%20tour%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="boat tour 012" border="0" alt="boat tour 012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBXn7AnuO7I/AAAAAAAABC8/BdUrRovCEnI/boat%20tour%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>  </p> <p>Then, the drama began.  I followed the instructions from my hostel EXACTLY and after an hour and a half of walking, searching for it (following the instruction EXACTLY), I still couldn’t find the place that was only supposed to be a 300 meter walk.  An hour and a half carrying my luggage around in the humidity!  I was supposed to meet the Mazza’s for dinner, I was dripping in sweat, had needed to use the restroom since I got off the boat, and was no where near finding the place than when I started despite asking for help a dozen times (no one here speaks English – which I actually love about it – it means the place isn’t crawling with tourists!), so I gave up and just got a room at the first place I could find that had vacancy (thank you, Uncle Chase Mastercard!)  </p> <p>Then, when I get in my room, after about 30 seconds, all of which I spent pulling my luggage in, all the lights go out – even the AC – and I’m thinking a fuse blew.  I feel around in the dark and can’t get anything turned on, so I decide to open the door so I could use the light from the hall, but the handle of the door fell off in my hand.  So I was trapped in my dark room after spending an hour and a half carrying my luggage around.  I was ready to shout obscenities at the top of my lungs!  But I found a slot to fit my room key into and when I put the key in, everything came back on!</p> <p>I made it to dinner with the Mazzas (Danny and Bonnie were on the study abroad as well and here with me, but in a different hotel.)  The local cuisine is amazing!  If I never eat another piece of pork nor another stewed vegetable for the rest of my life, I will be beyond OK with that.</p> <p>So a great meal with good friends and a nice long shower to watch the filth off me, and my spirits were amazingly lifted!  The bed here at the Grand Hotel Leon d’Oro is the softest I’ve had so far and it’s right across from the train station where I need to be in the morning.  Breakfast at the hotel was full of real, fresh fruit and delicious pastries – amazing by European standards!</p> <p>And now I’m sitting in the lobby interneting.  Bonnie is meeting me here (Danny is taking the day to do the final!) in about 10-15 minutes and we’re going to explore this old town full of ancient Roman walls and charming churches and beautiful people.  Italy plays it’s first World Cup Match tonight, so I’m sure that will be on my agenda as well.</p> <p>In the morning, I hop on a train in an effort to get to Zurich.  I’m pretty sure I have to go to Milan first, so I think the whole ride is going to take between 12-16 hours.  Boooooo!  But hopefully, I’ll see some cool countryside and be able to find my hostel in Zurich!  Then, Wednesday, I’ll explore Zurich on my own.  And then, Thursday, I’ll wake up, taxi to the airport, and fly HOME!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-8993569962980174102010-06-12T00:50:00.001-07:002010-06-12T00:50:00.748-07:00Last Friday in Europe<p>It was the last day of class (tomorrow we just have to go get our exams and read them over for typos), and today was the first day our hotel here in Croatia got internet in our classroom!  But at least they got it working one day, right?</p> <p>After that, I had another nice little Lanier get mad at me for no reason session.  I’ve become used to these.  It’s not a big deal when I can immediately go to the beach right after.  Which I did.  Then WORLD CUP! </p> <p>We watched the Mexico-South Africa game down at Nichola’s pub (remember Nichola – he rented us our boat last week) and had a great time watching a game END IN A TIE!  I think soccer/football would not be so frustrating for me if someone was guaranteed to win.  After the game, we had about an hour and a half to regroup, so we headed into the Old Town Dubrovnik (the walled city that I scaled on Monday) to watch the France-Uraguay game – WHICH ALSO ENDED IN A TIE!  I’ve told everyone that someone better when something today, or I quit!  USA plays England for the first time in the World Cup since the 1950s tonight at 8:30 our time, so I plan to be decked out in red, white, and blue, and being the obnoxious American chanting “USA” the whole time!  Gotta show that patriotism!!!!  Before that, we have this dinner/reception thing on the beach.  And before that, I plan on lying on the beach for a few hours.  Red rectangle has peeled randomly (never saw it blister, itch, or otherwise indicate that it would peel in any way, shape or form) but the rest of me is getting a nice slow, healthy tan!</p> <p>I have some iPhone pictures of us watching the games, but I left my cord in the room and it’s about a 15 minute walk from the lobby to my room, so I guess I’ll just post them all tomorrow.  Or the next day.  Depending on when I get some time to find internet in Bari.</p> <p>There are actually a couple of other people on my same ferry to Bari tomorrow, so we’re all sharing a cab down to the port.  Hopefully, they won’t witness me getting sick all over myself.  Again.  I have lots of dramamine for the ferry so hopefully the 8 hours will be delightful instead of miserable!  Then, I check into my hostel in Bari.  I checked and they supposedly have free WiFi, so I should still be able to post/respond to things from there!</p> <p>So, just because I feel like this post has been disorganized, I feel the need to recap (forgive the law student in me!):</p> <p>Yesterday:  Class, Lanier “meeting”, beach, World Cup Mlini, World Cup Old Town Dubrovnik</p> <p>Plans for Today:  Nap/pack, lie on the beach, Dinner/Reception thingy, USA World Cup Match</p> <p>Plans for Tomorrow: Taxi/ferry to Bari, check in at Bari, ?????</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-76435668075225812292010-06-10T23:46:00.001-07:002010-06-10T23:46:49.300-07:00On a Boat Out At Sea<p>After class today, we took a group boat tour (about half the class stayed behind to work on their various moot court/law review try-outs – HAHAHA!  Glad I’m not a 1L!)  These are some of the views.  Sorry the pictures from my phone aren’t as good as my camera was!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbWuOTbVI/AAAAAAAAA-k/yxnwTm5Ejy0/s1600-h/boattour0012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 001" border="0" alt="boat tour 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbXq4PbiI/AAAAAAAAA-o/m-y7RWnuYY8/boattour001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbYPv6JOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/x4mdZWiHhCk/s1600-h/boattour0032.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 003" border="0" alt="boat tour 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbYgeQd9I/AAAAAAAAA-w/nXLzjWFkzq8/boattour003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>(Above is a faraway picture of the private beach we found on Sunday.  My phone doesn’t zoom…) </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbZESEe0I/AAAAAAAAA-0/nDIOXWAyg0E/s1600-h/boattour0042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 004" border="0" alt="boat tour 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbZm6u-nI/AAAAAAAAA-4/Z35gkE4rSxM/boattour004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbaNIqGYI/AAAAAAAAA-8/81FngcsQmOc/s1600-h/boattour0052.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 005" border="0" alt="boat tour 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbatXlLwI/AAAAAAAAA_A/2eyPMg9YVCg/boattour005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbbAIRwpI/AAAAAAAAA_E/uH2K47iw0eM/s1600-h/boattour0062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 006" border="0" alt="boat tour 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbbvvpH6I/AAAAAAAAA_I/BLcEno3Djls/boattour006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is a big sailboat that I plan to own one day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbcPZAQuI/AAAAAAAAA_M/kEKNmrxk6RU/s1600-h/boattour0072.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 007" border="0" alt="boat tour 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbcvH8GsI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/OBy9ULoKJc4/boattour007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbdrG3hYI/AAAAAAAAA_U/2qYWeqnVPkg/s1600-h/boattour0082.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 008" border="0" alt="boat tour 008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHberqUkbI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/B8IRMW5dzR4/boattour008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is the island that we (not me) went cliff-diving off of!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbfMDg_8I/AAAAAAAAA_c/ifTFufY_JOw/s1600-h/boattour0092.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 009" border="0" alt="boat tour 009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbfrzSmVI/AAAAAAAAA_g/57HRXt1RhQg/boattour009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbgJEzqXI/AAAAAAAAA_k/EdZPbRimYt4/s1600-h/boattour0102.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 010" border="0" alt="boat tour 010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbgq3OUFI/AAAAAAAAA_o/TztL2Yx5oQ4/boattour010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The old city wall that I scaled on Monday!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbhLQ1dmI/AAAAAAAAA_s/bINVBqfkphs/s1600-h/boattour0112.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 011" border="0" alt="boat tour 011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbhimeCFI/AAAAAAAAA_w/pcqvPAMlTKM/boattour011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbiO4iQWI/AAAAAAAAA_0/W5sZbNOSCzw/s1600-h/boattour0122.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 012" border="0" alt="boat tour 012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbjLIYxII/AAAAAAAAA_4/7dMCPFiAm1E/boattour012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbjongmII/AAAAAAAAA_8/bH9F6jDjigY/s1600-h/boattour0132.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 013" border="0" alt="boat tour 013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbkJ3w7dI/AAAAAAAABAA/pgZCPUZZpDM/boattour013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>We stopped for a little bit at a beach.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbk8U6SCI/AAAAAAAABAE/a21z2hRAKk4/s1600-h/boattour0142.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 014" border="0" alt="boat tour 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHblApadXI/AAAAAAAABAI/Gcu8TMu5ZKU/boattour014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHblw4xQyI/AAAAAAAABAM/Fm85bBWLBPc/s1600-h/boattour0172.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 017" border="0" alt="boat tour 017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbmRKmCtI/AAAAAAAABAQ/OgI9tySvbhw/boattour017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbm6sbL2I/AAAAAAAABAU/qb7Tm0yBwpc/s1600-h/boattour0212.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 021" border="0" alt="boat tour 021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbnZvhskI/AAAAAAAABAY/fSzFtuJQwVg/boattour021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbn__gyLI/AAAAAAAABAc/Km9FCWRdQdg/s1600-h/boattour0022.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 002" border="0" alt="boat tour 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHboaIpciI/AAAAAAAABAg/1Mse3WBOlAI/boattour002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbpmtu0-I/AAAAAAAABAk/R2yiMtrB4_0/s1600-h/boattour0152.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 015" border="0" alt="boat tour 015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbqPWMTKI/AAAAAAAABAo/MxrmqjZMl74/boattour015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbqqZI2eI/AAAAAAAABAs/O1Sq9DO2wJs/s1600-h/boattour0162.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 016" border="0" alt="boat tour 016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbrLfxT7I/AAAAAAAABAw/rHLrkLPAaiw/boattour016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbrzex7EI/AAAAAAAABA0/x5AYlcbPT9s/s1600-h/boattour0182.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 018" border="0" alt="boat tour 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbsNNDWnI/AAAAAAAABA4/X4uhYSEdUU0/boattour018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbs5aFuAI/AAAAAAAABA8/bDzkt2hROog/s1600-h/boattour0192.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 019" border="0" alt="boat tour 019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbtS0USNI/AAAAAAAABBA/bcp6H5092oU/boattour019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbuKd6ZaI/AAAAAAAABBE/npHJwFQHjm0/s1600-h/boattour0202.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 020" border="0" alt="boat tour 020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbuvjwnQI/AAAAAAAABBI/vAecZjuA-DE/boattour020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbvBUuEEI/AAAAAAAABBM/COzs65fW_KY/s1600-h/boattour0222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 022" border="0" alt="boat tour 022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbvyCk_rI/AAAAAAAABBQ/uZAMGamN0MU/boattour022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbwZYWszI/AAAAAAAABBU/RbvX9yq9CnU/s1600-h/boattour0242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 024" border="0" alt="boat tour 024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbw7r7E3I/AAAAAAAABBY/VQumrl-k8h4/boattour024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbxnEwpTI/AAAAAAAABBc/8eQ7r8i0hv8/s1600-h/boattour0252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 025" border="0" alt="boat tour 025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbyObza0I/AAAAAAAABBg/y8N7dGmTj8k/boattour025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbzAx6iAI/AAAAAAAABBk/2psC-RuWqhY/s1600-h/boattour0262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 026" border="0" alt="boat tour 026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHbzu71WfI/AAAAAAAABBo/8xxVQxhF0Sk/boattour026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHb0ST5qAI/AAAAAAAABBs/EKUF-0FryNU/s1600-h/boattour0272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 027" border="0" alt="boat tour 027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHb09ZQhMI/AAAAAAAABB0/WjUFq2kHVBk/boattour027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHb1n6SkxI/AAAAAAAABB4/KvLmSDQECNw/s1600-h/boattour0282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="boat tour 028" border="0" alt="boat tour 028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TBHb2IBB5QI/AAAAAAAABB8/oodhxLzdYnA/boattour028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I have found that mood greatly depends on whether or not I’m on a boat.  I was infinitely delighted all day – such great views, great company, cool drinks – amazing!</p> <p>That silly little man in the bottom photo tried to ruin my day, but a good book and an amazing sunset view from my balcony improved things again, so no worries!  </p> <p>This time next week, I will be full of Mexican food, sleeping in my own bed with my precious puppy and my blankie, and missing the ocean-front real-estate!  Can’t wait to see you all!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-48409052546636500902010-06-09T05:15:00.001-07:002010-06-09T05:15:44.511-07:00Not much to blog about<p>Yesterday was an uneventful day so there’s not too much to blog about.  I balanced my checkbook, took a nap, cleaned/organized all the stuff I have to bring back to the States, swam/worked-out in the pool, hung out in the lobby, and then played some cards.  The only place that has internet is the lobby of the hotel, so pretty much any time of the day, I can go there and have a group of people to hang out with.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FlPyGQTI/AAAAAAAAA9I/C_O5eV1TIG8/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20030%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 030" border="0" alt="iphone europe 030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-Fl9Wy2bI/AAAAAAAAA9M/HED74Ird3UY/iphone%20europe%20030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FmS2FC6I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/az7hU-5aM6M/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 017" border="0" alt="iphone europe 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-Fm4Uoo1I/AAAAAAAAA9U/e0rp7cFRbjs/iphone%20europe%20017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FndKeeeI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/KX3NN42bDN8/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 027" border="0" alt="iphone europe 027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FoNyxGgI/AAAAAAAAA9c/Yqq4RYOu5yc/iphone%20europe%20027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And that’s it.  So to make up for the lack of interesting stuff from yesterday, here are some random pictures from the long drive through Croatia (and the various stops) that we did last Saturday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FpME7fcI/AAAAAAAAA9g/KD0Q0xMPPVw/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20025%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 025" border="0" alt="iphone europe 025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FpqdvGPI/AAAAAAAAA9k/jFvyQowmtrA/iphone%20europe%20025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FqStWbsI/AAAAAAAAA9o/_joH5ljfjLc/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 012" border="0" alt="iphone europe 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-Fq2BgaoI/AAAAAAAAA9s/XydLljZkFMU/iphone%20europe%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-Fr3OOCYI/AAAAAAAAA9w/2vwhlOxa-SA/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 005" border="0" alt="iphone europe 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-FskBQzDI/AAAAAAAAA90/MYUDVIM_Vkg/iphone%20europe%20005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F0d3kSiI/AAAAAAAAA98/LSFwAC9p5JM/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 021" border="0" alt="iphone europe 021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F1K5pcDI/AAAAAAAAA-A/vpWFCrnINIE/iphone%20europe%20021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>(This is the dog show – I can’t remember if I talked about that before or not, but we stopped at a rest stop and found a “puppy” dog show!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F3gQse3I/AAAAAAAAA-E/rZ8LX2x4adw/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 009" border="0" alt="iphone europe 009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F4Cvu7BI/AAAAAAAAA-I/xwYkgxRh5IA/iphone%20europe%20009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F4YosJQI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Wa_3amf2lQQ/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 011" border="0" alt="iphone europe 011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F5Ro3TZI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/S-jNfL1rpAA/iphone%20europe%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F5zVBBAI/AAAAAAAAA-U/DhaNnSwS9VE/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 015" border="0" alt="iphone europe 015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F6j5ziCI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/P9EbBilf1YM/iphone%20europe%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F7a7yhWI/AAAAAAAAA-c/hHOfP3vdHuI/s1600-h/iphone%20europe%20018%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="iphone europe 018" border="0" alt="iphone europe 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA-F7_1bttI/AAAAAAAAA-g/sDp9XAuRuoU/iphone%20europe%20018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>That’s all I got.  Not completely sure what today will hold.  I plan to lie out on the beach for a little, maybe repeat my pool work-out, but beyond that…. who knows??!?!?!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-33699535552716273042010-06-08T05:00:00.001-07:002010-06-08T05:00:01.071-07:00Dubrovnik Day Two<p> My camera finally bit the dust.  I can get the pictures from yesterday off of it, but water got in the lens so I can’t take any new pictures.  I had planned to get a new camera when I returned to the States, anyways, so it’s not that big of a deal, except I may not get to take any more pictures.  I’m going to try and dry it out and see if that helps.</p> <p>One thing I love about Dubrovnik: kitties everywhere!  Schelly, if you are reading this, can I bring one home and call him Gary?  These two little kittens hang out right at the main exit we go in and out of 43759 times a day – so they get lots of attention.  Yesterday, after class, the little guys were tuckered out: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wKGsGlOI/AAAAAAAAA30/pAMBnlbUECs/s1600-h/dubrovnik0212.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 021" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wKqBrmAI/AAAAAAAAA34/H0FyvOFo6bY/dubrovnik021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wLHoVQ7I/AAAAAAAAA38/ce6nUeBqxyE/s1600-h/dubrovnik0222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 022" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wLRW69jI/AAAAAAAAA4A/eYnmup0Y1OA/dubrovnik022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <p>We started with class yesterday morning.  Prof. Lee is probably my favorite professor we’ve had to this point as far as lecture content and presentation goes.  He’s fun and engaging and is super sympathetic to the fact that just over his shoulder is the Adriatic Sea with it’s gorgeous blue water, gorgeous blue sky, and lush greenery.</p> <p>After class and lunch at the hotel, we took a boat taxi to Dubrovnik where we went on a group guided tour of the old city of Dubrovnik.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wLysi60I/AAAAAAAAA4E/L2HpE5Phrio/s1600-h/dubrovnik0242.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 024" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wMPTTALI/AAAAAAAAA4I/LVkP7KPgUTc/dubrovnik024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wMqxc4GI/AAAAAAAAA4M/FT_-Hipb1zo/s1600-h/dubrovnik0262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 026" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wNGlJajI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/Fu02H4d-Ji4/dubrovnik026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wNp5c1YI/AAAAAAAAA4U/a5vVyB80NTc/s1600-h/dubrovnik0232.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 023" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wOHorMwI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/W6Y1w_mUjtg/dubrovnik023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wOmmmQ0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/sO5o0bS2rU8/s1600-h/dubrovnik0282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 028" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wO90vJnI/AAAAAAAAA4g/gpTcPkE7HLk/dubrovnik028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>I was posing for a picture on the taxi when I got splashed and screamed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wPTbLnPI/AAAAAAAAA4k/sDtOOgrtxnk/s1600-h/dubrovnik0292.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 029" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wPvi611I/AAAAAAAAA4o/W5EpMk8bSFU/dubrovnik029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>But I pulled myself together quickly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wQOQzLUI/AAAAAAAAA4s/z7JHhhQnSBs/s1600-h/dubrovnik0302.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 030" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wQaWo_lI/AAAAAAAAA4w/gLi_Yg781Pw/dubrovnik030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Along the way on the water taxi, we got to see these bombed out and abandoned former resort hotels.  During the war in the early 90’s, many of the resort hotels were bombarded and no one was rebuilt them.  I don’t know if this is out of respect for anyone who may have lost their lives in the war or if it’s a financial thing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wQ-ViZ9I/AAAAAAAAA40/b6FVUGnlOpA/s1600-h/dubrovnik0322.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 032" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wRZPWI9I/AAAAAAAAA44/ByVLRgLTzP0/dubrovnik032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wR2ewQiI/AAAAAAAAA48/4GIRSYMI_qU/s1600-h/dubrovnik0312.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 031" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wSOaaB1I/AAAAAAAAA5A/WNnItwRVGSw/dubrovnik031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The Old City of Dubrovnik is a fortified, walled city.  It was destroyed mostly in a major earthquake (they are on a fault line here that has major earthquakes regularly) in 1667.  The only time it has ever been under fire was in the early 1990s during the “homeland war.”  A few of the buildings survived the earthquake, including this one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wSuEDShI/AAAAAAAAA5E/HRuzdDCsjag/s1600-h/28982_626209768775_33400045_35919765_4633114_n%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="28982_626209768775_33400045_35919765_4633114_n" border="0" alt="28982_626209768775_33400045_35919765_4633114_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wTN0bg1I/AAAAAAAAA5I/2-O_5VJwqfw/28982_626209768775_33400045_35919765_4633114_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wTWM_mtI/AAAAAAAAA5M/qpwMRm0cmYE/s1600-h/dubrovnik0422.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 042" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wTzdZwAI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/WdlbFXZxzJw/dubrovnik042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>St. Blaize (yes, the patron saint of throat ailments) is the patron saint of Croatia.  He’s the statue in that picture above.  He’s everywhere, always holding the model of the town in his hand.  And this is inside the church of St. Blaize.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wUTsSsbI/AAAAAAAAA5U/VmclamZasKE/s1600-h/dubrovnik0702.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 070" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 070" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wUiWxtmI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/w_PpNqGlcD4/dubrovnik070_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wVOLjACI/AAAAAAAAA5c/oZi7jSaRDDw/s1600-h/dubrovnik0712.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 071" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 071" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wVvt3nvI/AAAAAAAAA5g/9zqoX4CqTic/dubrovnik071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This is a little chapel at the end of the main road where I climbed my way to the top of the city wall.  The steps were steep but the view of the city and the main city road were spectacular.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wV1dIt7I/AAAAAAAAA5k/MZa69IOK99w/s1600-h/dubrovnik0462.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 046" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wWTUr47I/AAAAAAAAA5o/4QtuanCa1tg/dubrovnik046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wW_zkf4I/AAAAAAAAA5s/AIUDc4Od5A0/s1600-h/dubrovnik0692.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 069" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 069" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wXYFFePI/AAAAAAAAA5w/-MR6bPW4QEg/dubrovnik069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wXnU3z4I/AAAAAAAAA50/v_ISbWWl1Uc/s1600-h/dubrovnik0482.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 048" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wYEtMLzI/AAAAAAAAA54/68Yh9jqmoyw/dubrovnik048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>The Old City (as seen from the wall):</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wYTH9paI/AAAAAAAAA58/z2oh49joZDY/s1600-h/dubrovnik0492.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 049" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 049" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wY6YimaI/AAAAAAAAA6A/tYVhs7RNVhs/dubrovnik049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The New City (as seen from the wall):</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wZUEcTHI/AAAAAAAAA6E/0pwg9kFyv00/s1600-h/dubrovnik0512.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 051" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 051" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wZgzwn6I/AAAAAAAAA6I/d2LZoei5KAk/dubrovnik051_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>These are some ruins in one corner of the city near the wall.  I don’t know if they are remnants from the earthquake or from the war.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4waNhWD6I/AAAAAAAAA6M/WCl9MLwGGv8/s1600-h/dubrovnik0522.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 052" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wa9_pxtI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/GoR7DGRFATw/dubrovnik052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wbRF8e-I/AAAAAAAAA6U/3TqIPD5OdCc/s1600-h/dubrovnik0532.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 053" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 053" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wb1YVM-I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/PdoLe-FWuqw/dubrovnik053_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is the coolest cat ever.  There was a whole in the wall with a view looking out into the Adriatic.  This cat was just laying there staring out the whole at the view!  He didn’t get up when I came near him and didn’t stop enjoying the view when I petted him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wccgAsbI/AAAAAAAAA6c/u60qvbMHLMQ/s1600-h/dubrovnik0562.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 056" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 056" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wcvzm_PI/AAAAAAAAA6g/-zcG-bnUhzE/dubrovnik056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is me on the Eastern end of the wall.  Or Western.  I get my directions confused.  Anyway, it’s overlooking the Adriatic.  I also took a video with commentary, but I stopped quickly because some people were coming and I felt silly talking to my camera:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wdKSB2cI/AAAAAAAAA6k/0u4L4SExiKE/s1600-h/dubrovnik0572.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 057" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 057" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wdVgN-yI/AAAAAAAAA6o/0t8SBWEzxEg/dubrovnik057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:a4f04e18-f8db-41ab-ba54-d3f7414fe337" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="08e26609-0cf0-48ff-800c-f54c1557282c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL_aQ3EKpbI&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wd7xvThI/AAAAAAAAA6s/2Q2eBbcNiUk/video73ca3546a1e2%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('08e26609-0cf0-48ff-800c-f54c1557282c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/aL_aQ3EKpbI&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/aL_aQ3EKpbI&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>This is the view from the wall, facing Mlini, where our retirement home/hotel is located.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4weUsd3gI/AAAAAAAAA6w/oFx0uHlZQdc/s1600-h/dubrovnik0592.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 059" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 059" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wetI0LhI/AAAAAAAAA60/8z-AQCRs7uo/dubrovnik059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> And some more anonymous ruins.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wfNX87qI/AAAAAAAAA64/VCIGzpjP18I/s1600-h/dubrovnik0622.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 062" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wfvjChFI/AAAAAAAAA68/3B4OtYrIfj0/dubrovnik062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <p>One thing to notice about the city shots is the tile roofs.  You can tell what buildings got bombed out/destroyed because they have the bright new tile, compared to the old-timey original tile.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wgSTkvtI/AAAAAAAAA7A/I42rciPuKYI/s1600-h/dubrovnik0642.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 064" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 064" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wg8tvZOI/AAAAAAAAA7I/gYerc8qwZQk/dubrovnik064_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4whZImQoI/AAAAAAAAA7M/kzON6TazEnM/s1600-h/dubrovnik0652.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 065" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 065" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4whxvneTI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/-GfVPhD_PHI/dubrovnik065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wiYttyTI/AAAAAAAAA7U/OVKZl8IMy6g/s1600-h/dubrovnik0662.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 066" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 066" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wiuLeOpI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/OR0_v979e4o/dubrovnik066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This is the harbor we boated in to.  I feel like my grammatical construction is really poor at the moment.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wjCYFqHI/AAAAAAAAA7c/hoL1qZpO02c/s1600-h/dubrovnik0632.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 063" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wjrEFTSI/AAAAAAAAA7g/XWx_eFDNBAI/dubrovnik063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>   </p> <p>While walking back to the harbor for the return ride home, I ran into Russell and Eastern-European Joel sporting a man purse and an angry face.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wjxcbNRI/AAAAAAAAA7k/vWM7GUYWYgg/s1600-h/dubrovnik0742.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 074" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 074" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wkgtDdOI/AAAAAAAAA7o/C0fI3vs4DGw/dubrovnik074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wlKKKMUI/AAAAAAAAA7s/QFlDB3ohfr8/s1600-h/dubrovnik0752.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 075" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 075" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wlkM-dBI/AAAAAAAAA7w/psC7M4m5o1Q/dubrovnik075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>We had to wait for the boat.  We didn’t mind.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wl2CEDtI/AAAAAAAAA70/e3fBwww3QBE/s1600-h/dubrovnik0782.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 078" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 078" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wma43v_I/AAAAAAAAA74/F2zImboc4hI/dubrovnik078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>When we got back to Mlini, we had an impromptu beach party.  The water is very very cold here, but after a long sweaty day of walking, I actually enjoyed it.  We stayed there on the beach talking and hanging out until well into the night:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wm4zODhI/AAAAAAAAA78/OYMATpp_0_E/s1600-h/dubrovnik0802.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 080" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 080" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wnfbyHPI/AAAAAAAAA8A/2fcJKU1hgXY/dubrovnik080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wnvtqa8I/AAAAAAAAA8E/MqBak0elg1Y/s1600-h/dubrovnik0832.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 083" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 083" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4woGYEVCI/AAAAAAAAA8I/kKFSXJ1jsfE/dubrovnik083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>  </p> <p>(sunset)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wob-HVPI/AAAAAAAAA8M/-RPPFK1mXYQ/s1600-h/dubrovnik0862.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 086" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4woxYzQWI/AAAAAAAAA8U/gSbH4hDDGQM/dubrovnik086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>(Chris got a faux-hock)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wpQ2a1qI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/SiLOMl_Qd70/s1600-h/dubrovnik0842.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 084" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 084" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wpo0LsgI/AAAAAAAAA8c/i5BHo8kW4Sw/dubrovnik084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>(me, Bonnie, and Alex)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wqIdCHzI/AAAAAAAAA8g/28-Xw6OuXCY/s1600-h/dubrovnik0932.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 093" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wqehNB7I/AAAAAAAAA8k/RGwmAGoabZA/dubrovnik093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>(the couples)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wrfiNy7I/AAAAAAAAA8o/FabM7w8fteM/s1600-h/dubrovnik0942.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 094" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 094" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wr-fu7jI/AAAAAAAAA8s/sg5WBJLdoOM/dubrovnik094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>(angry Italian faces)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wsddV60I/AAAAAAAAA8w/nTKCTOtjKqg/s1600-h/dubrovnik0982.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 098" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 098" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wspZuhBI/AAAAAAAAA80/fCuVEoLh_PA/dubrovnik098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>(dance action)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wtJ29DtI/AAAAAAAAA84/Ktqc8A9E4OQ/s1600-h/dubrovnik1052.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 105" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wtWx6idI/AAAAAAAAA88/opzk_hnIpII/dubrovnik105_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>(impromptu yoga class)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wuf6Pv6I/AAAAAAAAA9A/J2d1-VT4EXw/s1600-h/dubrovnik1332.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="dubrovnik 133" border="0" alt="dubrovnik 133" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4wvcOYsPI/AAAAAAAAA9E/LfUHF0wf1OU/dubrovnik133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>(lounging and chatting)</p> <p>I’m in the hotel lobby today, paying bills, emailing, blogging, etc.  After that, I’m going to my room to clean – I haven’t unpacked anything so it’s been kinda hectic in the mornings getting dressed.  Then, since the red rectangle cannot be in the sun today, I think I’m going to the salt water indoor pool.  I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned the saltiness of the salt water pool yet, but it’s ridiculously high.  It makes the eyes burn!  I’m either going to nap at some point, or just go to bed at like 9 – I’m pretty tired today.</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-84718422391236320952010-06-08T02:37:00.001-07:002010-06-08T02:37:39.695-07:00I’m on a Boat<p>Hopefully, you will get two posts today.  I ran out of time and didn’t finish this post, so you should get it.  Then, I’ll post about yesterday.  The big X-factor, however, is the internet.  The wireless at the hotel, which is only available in the lobby and the bar, has been out all morning.  I will pitch a fit until they fix it.</p> <p>The drive to Croatia took awhile, but not as long as I thought.  We randomly found a dog show at a rest stop, discovered a mini-grand-canyon, and got to play on a pretty awesome play ground.  Prof. Washington’s son provided us with Ice Age III for entertainment for awhile (Prof. Lee’s two children also came along – the young blood has really livened us up and given us a fresh perspective on our travels!)</p> <p>Not many people get to say that they’ve been to Bosnia.  But here’s proof that I have:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OepBQOkI/AAAAAAAAA2E/gfNq8YEf9RA/s1600-h/slovenia0012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 001" border="0" alt="slovenia 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Oex6tWII/AAAAAAAAA2I/vGX6azdGqrg/slovenia001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Oi3sahUI/AAAAAAAAA2M/UaeIJsDj8cc/s1600-h/slovenia0022.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 002" border="0" alt="slovenia 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OkJHR2VI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/xeLq_6KP4jo/slovenia002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Apparently, after the war in the 90’s, it was a really big deal to Bosnia to have a coastline, and Croatia graciously donated the above 10km of coast.  And we go to drive through it and stop at a rest stop.</p> <p>You might be thinking, “That coastline is too beautiful to just give to Bosnia.”  And you’re right – it was beautiful – but I don’t think Croatia misses it much; for this is the view from my hotel room in Mlini, Croatia (a suburb of Dubrovnik):</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Ondej6eI/AAAAAAAAA2U/UzS4Yvnu_4E/s1600-h/slovenia0042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 004" border="0" alt="slovenia 004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4On4rBD2I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/vZsFwbp9ZPU/slovenia004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>We got in and decided to sample the local fare.  It was delicious, but I’m not used to heads still being attached to everything.  I got over it and enjoyed fresh seafood.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OqeCiD7I/AAAAAAAAA2c/WmJwAaRutaA/s1600-h/slovenia0052.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 005" border="0" alt="slovenia 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Oq7tMxHI/AAAAAAAAA2g/4SML6i7h2tU/slovenia005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OsYqczDI/AAAAAAAAA2k/qCI0NsfJ7h4/s1600-h/slovenia0062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 006" border="0" alt="slovenia 006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Osw2ZeeI/AAAAAAAAA2o/nGtroaHYWVM/slovenia006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And then had this waiting for me when I got back to the room again.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Otz465II/AAAAAAAAA2s/uTU5o2Wj5yY/s1600-h/slovenia0192.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 019" border="0" alt="slovenia 019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OuI3tkwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/DdJkAS1BrxA/slovenia019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>I should take a moment to whine about my room that I’m sharing with Ryan Harbin.  She’s a 1L from GSU.  The room is tiny and dank smelling.  The beds are slightly softer than the one in Linz, but not by much.  And the shower leaks excessively.  We constantly have about an inch of water in our bathroom floor.  It gets real gross real quick.  But there is a great view.</p> <p>On Sunday, we rented a boat.  This was my favorite choice made for the entire trip.  Five of us chipped in to rent a boat about the same size as Dad’s (laid out differently but size wise, comparable) with a 5 horse power engine.  With the five of us, it came out to only around $20 a person to have the boat from 10am to 7pm.  The guy who rents them was this cool beach town guy.  He was a Croat marine who did all his training in the US then started a family and decided to retire to the beach to rent boats and run a sports/coffee bar.  He took us in his car to a grocery store so that we could buy supplies like sunscreen, ice, and beer at the local prices instead of going broke in the tourists spots on the same items.</p> <p>We first went out to some of the islands right off the Mlini coast.  There was some cliff diving, some wine, and then the anchor got stuck.  Alex had to swim over to the scuba divers stopped near us to convince one of them to come back with her to get the anchor unwedged from two or three rocks.  It took about an hour, hour and a half.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OvJXX8XI/AAAAAAAAA20/xUTwgJSUBwc/s1600-h/slovenia0152.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 015" border="0" alt="slovenia 015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4Ov9VhXQI/AAAAAAAAA24/kxqxVxPBsoc/slovenia015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OzHygn8I/AAAAAAAAA28/vh6ZQXDKTO0/s1600-h/slovenia0162.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 016" border="0" alt="slovenia 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4OzuEp5_I/AAAAAAAAA3A/Cebppg_l7Rg/slovenia016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Next we putted over to what we think was “<strong><font size="7">Split</font></strong>” to grab some lunch and restock on supplies.  Then, we putted around the corner looking for a beach to camp out on.  We thought we were going so slow – the old couple hiking on shore were going faster than we were – and lamented not having a stronger motor.  Then, Captain Chris noticed a rope still in the water.  And on the other end of that rope was our anchor.  So we forgot to bring it up when we left Split.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O1wAf4GI/AAAAAAAAA3E/2isMtP1Eisk/s1600-h/slovenia0072.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 007" border="0" alt="slovenia 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O2akZf4I/AAAAAAAAA3I/itb33VAk99I/slovenia007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O2z46oeI/AAAAAAAAA3M/OlMc3LvC1_c/s1600-h/slovenia0092.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 009" border="0" alt="slovenia 009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O3p68ThI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/1BIov61kYQU/slovenia009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>No matter where we were, no matter what time of day, everywhere we looked, there were amazing views.  We finally found this great little alcove private beach.  Only about 20-25 people would fit on it comfortably, but we had it all to ourselves!  The beaches are rocks, not sand, so we quickly engaged in rock-skipping contests (which I lost miserably) and trying to hit various targets with rocks (which I held mine own in).  We stayed there until 6:30 when we had to return the boat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O5dVX8zI/AAAAAAAAA3U/tNVPHkjICzI/s1600-h/slovenia0082.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 008" border="0" alt="slovenia 008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O5rLmEUI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/w7BZUOZMo0M/slovenia008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O7RIl1PI/AAAAAAAAA3c/Bnwwl1nC_6s/s1600-h/slovenia0102.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 010" border="0" alt="slovenia 010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O7pqHpEI/AAAAAAAAA3g/rAUgfDfpxRc/slovenia010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O9rZjsPI/AAAAAAAAA3k/YhJ_wDUMxU4/s1600-h/slovenia0132.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 013" border="0" alt="slovenia 013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4O-xboeTI/AAAAAAAAA3o/GJsJFHYPeZ4/slovenia013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>One final note, Croatia has been awarded for having the clearest/cleanest water in Europe.  Even in a fuzzy photograph, you can make out rocks at the bottom of the water at least 16 feet deep:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4PAUhoyyI/AAAAAAAAA3s/9P0obT6zGuE/s1600-h/slovenia0182.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="slovenia 018" border="0" alt="slovenia 018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TA4PBGSAXsI/AAAAAAAAA3w/D6bu_-FSf_Y/slovenia018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We could see our anchor stuck and the rocks it was wedged between.  You can see the fish swimming beneath you.  It’s absolutely amazing.</p> <p>After dinner, I went to bed early not wanting to go to class the next day!  How can we take notes when the above scenes surround us at all times!?  My sunscreen skills for that many hours in the sun were pretty awesome.  Between my hat, sun glasses, and SPF 50 on my face, I still look paler than pale from the neck up.  The rest of me is getting nice and tan, with the exception of this one rectangular area on my mid-back that I guess I just missed.  It’s only on my right half of my back, so I guess I did the left and forgot the right.  Regardless, I earned the nickname - “Red Rectangle.”</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-82461171111702711932010-06-06T11:21:00.000-07:002010-06-06T11:25:47.077-07:00A Quick UpdateI've been on a boat all day in Dubrovnik-ish. There are pictures, but we don't get internet in our rooms so this is all I get. We rented a boat this morning and spent 10am to 7pm on the boat. Apparently, my sunscreen skills were awesome with the exception of this giant rectangle at the bottom of my back. I've been called "red rectangle" all day.<br /><br />Then, there was dinner, and as sad as it sounds, I'm beyond ready for bed. That may happen very soon, even though it's like 8:30.Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-75338781961924669712010-06-04T15:27:00.001-07:002010-06-04T15:27:01.007-07:00Biggest Surprise Thus Far<p>So, Linz had its moments, but I did not feel the least bit sad departing today.  Neither did Spargle (the German word for asparagus?), Jeanine’s toy dog that goes with us everywhere.  This is him at that local place where I had the sausage wrapped with cheese and bacon and deep fried:</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9lPKlIrI/AAAAAAAAA1A/2J1tLDFhFvU/s1600-h/slovenia%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 001" border="0" alt="slovenia 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9lmdpj8I/AAAAAAAAA1E/qTAc6Udqnsc/slovenia%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Literally, when we got to the hotel in Slovenia 6 hours after departing our Austrian Port o’ Call, all of us were screaming up and down the halls with joy.  These rooms are AMAZING and after the military style cots (my hip remains bruised) and dorm-like living, we all really needed some luxury.  Here’s a few from my balcony and a quick tour through my room:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b2eacfa5-7779-40d7-b84c-d6d32fedc619" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="4d871af1-3850-4588-abd4-cca2292c7534" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGz4t3-NqSE&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9l317eQI/AAAAAAAAA1I/I2oBiic10tU/video3a5f149e6ea4%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('4d871af1-3850-4588-abd4-cca2292c7534'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fGz4t3-NqSE&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fGz4t3-NqSE&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I wish I had done some voice commentary, but I was too excited to think about it!  </p> <p>We got here around 1:30, and I didn’t do a single thing until, oh, 4:30.  I plopped my rear end on the super comfy yellow sofa and watched that flat screen TV, reading the hotel dossier, dreaming of the long bath I would eventually take.  I really didn’t even think I would go into the city.  I watched a little CNN and BBC news until all the oil spill coverage and that awful shooting spree in the UK made it to depressing, then I switched over to a little MTV and some of the French Open, all in German.  Jeannine and Krissy came by after spending the entire afternoon in the hotel spa (after hearing how amazing it was, I regret not going!), and my belly prompted me to go with them to the town center for dinner.</p> <p>But, we wandered and shopped and explored first.  I found this church of St. Nicholas (Krissy’s son’s name) with statutes of St. Bonaventure (don’t know if I’ve ever seen him referenced outside of Savannah) and St. Thomas Aquinas (one of the men responsible for me being Catholic – love love love his philosophical teachings!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9mUFaz7I/AAAAAAAAA1M/D5k5OtUslPE/s1600-h/slovenia%20016%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 016" border="0" alt="slovenia 016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9nETFlBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/CH9NwmNmoqE/slovenia%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9nRO5x-I/AAAAAAAAA1U/kLFKEXCsRV8/s1600-h/slovenia%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 017" border="0" alt="slovenia 017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9n0BfKtI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/GNhCDwA-cPQ/slovenia%20017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9oibYC3I/AAAAAAAAA1c/fu1O8AC-lDY/s1600-h/slovenia%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 019" border="0" alt="slovenia 019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9pIRRELI/AAAAAAAAA1g/7sH_9W2pZtk/slovenia%20019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>A service was going on, so I couldn’t really explore the church, but it was gorgeous.  Some sort of political debate was going on the square beside it – after some prodding we discovered – you’ll never guess – that Slovenia and Croatia (where we go tomorrow) are having a border dispute and there’s a referendum put to the people to decide if the dispute can go to arbitration (the subject matter we’ve been studying exclusively since we got here.)  And the guy we got this information from was an Austrian.  So very full circle kind of moment.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9pWgai-I/AAAAAAAAA1k/E2xzS5o-hL8/s1600-h/slovenia%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 021" border="0" alt="slovenia 021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9p3EX3HI/AAAAAAAAA1o/OaYTS5rF8I8/slovenia%20021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9qVx2-pI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Ya4r9d_Cnh4/s1600-h/slovenia%20023%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 023" border="0" alt="slovenia 023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9rMZmqhI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Iwza40-Tzvo/slovenia%20023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>It’s hard to describe why I love Ljubljana so much.  It’s the capital city and very tourist friendly, but it’s a small town (230,000 people only) and it’s not GEARED towards tourists.  There aren’t cheesy souvenir stores and overpriced menus on every corner.  It actually feels like people live here instead of show put on for out-of-towners.  Everyone was super friendly, helpful, and jovial.  Music was everywhere and the sun was actually shining.  Magical.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9ra5ma6I/AAAAAAAAA10/-Qf5QKHPIeQ/s1600-h/slovenia%20024%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 024" border="0" alt="slovenia 024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9r0ibjJI/AAAAAAAAA14/NE_byBAkvd4/slovenia%20024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>When we finally got around to dinner, we found this back alley place called Allegria.  I voted to go there because there’s a Cirque du Soleil show called Allegria (I’ve seen it twice….)  We actually got food that wasn’t deep fried or covered in bread.  It was the first place in Europe that I have found that had TOFU on the menu, so naturally, that’s what I’ve ordered.  Vegetables never tasted so good.  I’m pretty sure my body is going to go into shock.</p> <p>Then, we explored the city at night [a well-lit town on the water at night is one of my favorite things!], got a few drinks and some ice cream, danced to some of the live music, and fell in love with a city we’d never heard of before.  We want to petition Lanier to let us stay another day!  We even found Free Willy (sorta):</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9sZJTD_I/AAAAAAAAA18/aZNjvodEdRQ/s1600-h/slovenia%20028%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="slovenia 028" border="0" alt="slovenia 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAl9s3KMwdI/AAAAAAAAA2A/mF5Z3qWbCwA/slovenia%20028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Then, I came home, resisted the urge to go out partying with another group, leaving as we were walking up, and fulfilled that dream of an hour-long bath.  It was worth it and I don’t regret the decision one bit!</p> <p>I do dread tomorrow, for many reasons, not least of which is leaving this town way before I should.  Mostly, though, I dread the 14 hour bus ride.  I’ve been told that a great autobahn (interstate) is being built all the way down to Croatia, but, unfortunately, it’s not quite down.  Thus, at some point on the trip, the interstate stops and our bus will maneuver through winding, hilly roads, some of them dirt.  I have a bottle of Dramamine.  I may take the whole thing.</p> <p>Just to let everyone know a couple of things: 1) I’m pretty sure I’ll have a roommate in Dubrovnik for the first time.  I don’t know if that will affect my blogging routine or not, but I thought I would let everyone know.  2) We don’t think we’re going to have internet access in our rooms.  Apparently, there is free internet in the hotel common rooms, the lobby, coffee bar, etc, but not in our rooms themselves.  This may or may not affect my posting as well.  I’ll see what I can do!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-38336207799115031412010-06-04T05:25:00.000-07:002010-06-04T05:26:47.378-07:00SLOVENIAIS AWESOME! This hotel is AMAZING! It has a living room, flatscreen TV with at least 3 stations in English, a huge bathtub, and TWO bathrooms! There is a casino in the lobby, but I may not leave my room. It's nicer than my house!Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-73635151280369462672010-06-02T11:41:00.001-07:002010-06-02T11:41:51.533-07:00I Needed Today<p>As frustrating as certain moments from today were, I needed it!  We had lectures until, oh, one or so, a quick 10 minute meeting with Lanier - and then FREE!  I went to lunch up at the University cafeteria, and even though it is miserably cold and rainy – it was nice to get out somewhere new.  I was going to buy Mom a University of Johannes Kepler t-shirt and dad a sweatshirt – but their bookstore is not exactly what you think.  They didn’t have anything :( </p> <p>Tomorrow is some sort of religious holiday so EVERYTHING will be closed (this is probably the third time this has happened since we’ve been here), so I had to go to town to pick up all my last-minute things: more toothpaste, more chap stick, toenail polish to prep for the beach this weekend.</p> <p>I got back to my room and had literally 17 emails from 17 different people all wanting different things.  This GRA things gets OLD but with the tuition hike next year, I’ll be glad I did it!  It’s not hard stuff, it’s just one of those things that gets annoying.  It’s like – I really want to take a shower right now – but I can’t – you can in 45 minutes, but not now.  I can’t explain it, but it definitely gets old.</p> <p>As a result, I was like 15 minutes late meeting my friends to go to dinner, but they were running behind as well so it works.  We walked (in the cold, miserable weather) to a little locally owned beer-garden place for dinner.  I was very frightened because even with the English translation, I had NO IDEA what ANY of the food on the menu was.  It made me very nervous – but actually, the meal was delicious.  Mine was basically a sausage wrapped in cheese and bacon and then deep fried.  I think.  So super healthy and good!  But it was good conversation, good food, and decent beer.  No complaints from me!  I took one or two pictures at the restaurant, but nothing worth uploading or posting.  Tomorrow, we're going to a concentration camp only about 5 miles from the city.  We have lectures all morning first.  I have to laundry and pack, as well, because the day after – WE FINALLY LEAVE FOR THE BEACH!!!!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-82410263471879031962010-06-01T12:22:00.001-07:002010-06-01T12:22:29.243-07:00An Unexciting Day<p>Today we sat in lectures for over five hours with a grand total of three five-minute breaks.  So that was exhausting.  I also had a list of GRA stuff to take care of and a mandatory reception given by the University of Johannes Kepler.</p> <p>After managing time for snickers bar and a shower, I’m just now sitting down to sift through about 150 pages of reading to do for tomorrow’s 5-hour lecture.  This thing is completely exhausting.  After a hellacious spring semester and this non-stop program, I’m going to need some serious R&R when I get home!!!  Be prepared to pamper me!</p> <p>Today was also the first day I didn’t take a single picture.  Sorry, but I don’t think pictures from lectures or me collecting money from people or making room assignment lists or reading law review articles about multi-party arbitration would be interesting.  And that’s all I’ve done all day.</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-77372425586872387862010-05-31T14:44:00.001-07:002010-05-31T14:44:05.988-07:00Utterly Exhausted<p>It’s such a whirlwind schedule that I’m starting to really struggle with taking it all in.  It’s hard to really, truly comprehend every where I’ve been, everything I’ve seen, done, and experience, and everyone I’ve met.</p> <p>Today was the Czech Republic.  Instead of the usual spiel, I’ll summarize and just post pictures.  Castles (with bears), gardens, towers, views/mountains, shops, bad Central European food, cheap currency (more coins that I can’t convert back to usable money because no one wants it), mead, churches (though no pictures because I walked in on a rosary prayer group), rafters, and etc.</p> <p>Love you all and miss you.  I am starting to get ready to come home!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtMRLGeFI/AAAAAAAAAxs/Bz_OLPoQJwg/s1600-h/Venice%20076%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 076" border="0" alt="Venice 076" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtMyMd5qI/AAAAAAAAAxw/u7RvvUPzwSo/Venice%20076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtNdzFZkI/AAAAAAAAAx0/gVmwUAG1Kug/s1600-h/Venice%20077%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 077" border="0" alt="Venice 077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtNzctDjI/AAAAAAAAAx4/WzFtIkc1vsE/Venice%20077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtOUpDaYI/AAAAAAAAAx8/CAwyAAvQ0Vg/s1600-h/Venice%20078%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 078" border="0" alt="Venice 078" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtOgX0mzI/AAAAAAAAAyA/o0KjCBuy78c/Venice%20078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtPJ0Ma6I/AAAAAAAAAyE/A9KI8PF4kZ0/s1600-h/Venice%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 002" border="0" alt="Venice 002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtPnsPQWI/AAAAAAAAAyI/yc8GWg62h2A/Venice%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtQJYkBeI/AAAAAAAAAyM/4cocRyT_rWo/s1600-h/Venice%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 003" border="0" alt="Venice 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtQbyDmyI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/Q5miCOEGbB4/Venice%20003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtQyrS30I/AAAAAAAAAyU/Edw1tyGyfIo/s1600-h/Venice%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 004" border="0" alt="Venice 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtRTWgmCI/AAAAAAAAAyY/NYFZ1mjt1Mc/Venice%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtR51xzFI/AAAAAAAAAyc/oyrS2u61Aqo/s1600-h/Venice%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 006" border="0" alt="Venice 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtSAn8_CI/AAAAAAAAAyg/xcwU6-PaxlQ/Venice%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtSvfJfxI/AAAAAAAAAyk/sw2WnEtQZjI/s1600-h/Venice%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 011" border="0" alt="Venice 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtTIvkdOI/AAAAAAAAAyo/M94aeGM-ZTY/Venice%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtTpSrs3I/AAAAAAAAAys/8fUJ0zRCuhc/s1600-h/Venice%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 013" border="0" alt="Venice 013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtTzSd--I/AAAAAAAAAyw/2j7xVvJJRes/Venice%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtUU6ydtI/AAAAAAAAAy0/62kbgLgOGbw/s1600-h/Venice%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 015" border="0" alt="Venice 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtU6pkM0I/AAAAAAAAAy4/EKTzmlIske0/Venice%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtVbs3apI/AAAAAAAAAy8/ScBXHGgYuM0/s1600-h/Venice%20016%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 016" border="0" alt="Venice 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtVjzHDgI/AAAAAAAAAzA/00cLxoxoBxQ/Venice%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtWMzLE5I/AAAAAAAAAzE/xuFaHNONjnE/s1600-h/Venice%20018%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 018" border="0" alt="Venice 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtWXiQY2I/AAAAAAAAAzI/Z54eKMYW1Go/Venice%20018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtW8fTfNI/AAAAAAAAAzM/I7M9QDoDejw/s1600-h/Venice%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 022" border="0" alt="Venice 022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtXMCHQ6I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/dhXrdB7PZ1Y/Venice%20022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtXplJipI/AAAAAAAAAzU/rnMyqEu_aDE/s1600-h/Venice%20023%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 023" border="0" alt="Venice 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtYACxDXI/AAAAAAAAAzY/FAdq2Yi0soE/Venice%20023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtYolENcI/AAAAAAAAAzc/WVd8zRrV9XI/s1600-h/Venice%20029%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 029" border="0" alt="Venice 029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtZNG_--I/AAAAAAAAAzg/ZKcYnVEe_3I/Venice%20029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtZlvVnlI/AAAAAAAAAzk/erYLsFRue38/s1600-h/Venice%20031%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 031" border="0" alt="Venice 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtaNlQuYI/AAAAAAAAAzo/RKN602wDucQ/Venice%20031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtatBwUlI/AAAAAAAAAzs/qvmALqpnbC8/s1600-h/Venice%20034%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 034" border="0" alt="Venice 034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQta5sozLI/AAAAAAAAAzw/r9r3MdEs_Ps/Venice%20034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtbQE4WoI/AAAAAAAAAz0/QLVO27tGmX8/s1600-h/Venice%20036%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 036" border="0" alt="Venice 036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtb0zbcrI/AAAAAAAAAz4/n-1IAtqneME/Venice%20036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtcUtquwI/AAAAAAAAAz8/rL1GGZLgsnE/s1600-h/Venice%20041%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 041" border="0" alt="Venice 041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtc7shhoI/AAAAAAAAA0A/IUHFn0AJ1xc/Venice%20041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtdaCAYkI/AAAAAAAAA0E/-kT7h_AuMl0/s1600-h/Venice%20052%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 052" border="0" alt="Venice 052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtd_cPReI/AAAAAAAAA0I/y788d_FVwVk/Venice%20052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQteQK2l6I/AAAAAAAAA0M/_6g25BbZtPY/s1600-h/Venice%20053%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 053" border="0" alt="Venice 053" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtevqfxKI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/zRKN2onvA9w/Venice%20053_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtfAI8tRI/AAAAAAAAA0U/_C9d32B2XDY/s1600-h/Venice%20055%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 055" border="0" alt="Venice 055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtfkDGoOI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/797hYJJjyYs/Venice%20055_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtgIuo__I/AAAAAAAAA0c/LOCrsowB4t0/s1600-h/Venice%20057%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 057" border="0" alt="Venice 057" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtgcXo8hI/AAAAAAAAA0g/vJfYyylK7Jo/Venice%20057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtgxmkhAI/AAAAAAAAA0k/AiOyJuQHWmA/s1600-h/Venice%20060%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 060" border="0" alt="Venice 060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQthWKyagI/AAAAAAAAA0o/TLzPmncHQ58/Venice%20060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQth0yfQcI/AAAAAAAAA0s/AEzEi9NGqGU/s1600-h/Venice%20062%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 062" border="0" alt="Venice 062" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtidzGpoI/AAAAAAAAA00/eLIpJtVzZd8/Venice%20062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtm_GPtUI/AAAAAAAAA04/jp_s1ayv0YU/s1600-h/Venice%20075%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 075" border="0" alt="Venice 075" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAQtpM-99SI/AAAAAAAAA08/CD7mKvSulNw/Venice%20075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-49294001334386036982010-05-30T16:41:00.001-07:002010-05-30T16:41:12.189-07:00He Plays the Violin!<p>Reason #1 Why I Love Venice and Didn’t Want to Leave:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:e78d96bf-763e-47f5-861b-0b1c0b5d92b3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="2d7eb5ff-1bd3-4df4-9c0a-da8d23bbca1a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMXSR4JDCHw&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2oq6dcVI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PSD-aPNQ8cQ/video19c880036d32%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('2d7eb5ff-1bd3-4df4-9c0a-da8d23bbca1a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/wMXSR4JDCHw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/wMXSR4JDCHw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>With a little help from google, I’ve discovered that his name is Joseph Miotti and I could have watched him play violin the entire weekend in Venice and done nothing else and would have been perfectly happy in heaven!  I may want to marry him….</p> <p>Okay, now that that’s out of the way.  Venice!  </p> <p>Of all the methods of travel available out there, bus rides are probably my least favorite.  However, the view riding through the Alps made it kinda worth the 8 hours in the bus:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2pGAyolI/AAAAAAAAAqo/9Bi8NgN62IU/s1600-h/Venice%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 010" border="0" alt="Venice 010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2pnw_5_I/AAAAAAAAAqs/B4doF0LttkA/Venice%20010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2qBBFDOI/AAAAAAAAAqw/2tuwKfEQxZ4/s1600-h/Venice%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 005" border="0" alt="Venice 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2ql4KZ-I/AAAAAAAAAq0/GwRRG8vdKWo/Venice%20005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2ra5cm4I/AAAAAAAAAq4/XIGUNMTTXvI/s1600-h/Venice%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 006" border="0" alt="Venice 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2rl0vGnI/AAAAAAAAAq8/Xrnh4f5M0hQ/Venice%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2sFW3ICI/AAAAAAAAArA/50PWFBA8G1Y/s1600-h/Venice%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 007" border="0" alt="Venice 007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2s0sxptI/AAAAAAAAArE/Ao5j-BAlsb0/Venice%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And from the rest stop:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d51d49d7-3dfe-49de-b04a-7a1a2a3c1ebe" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="f3dbff0d-799a-45cd-ad28-f7fe386f328c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiaoffyGiQ4&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2tmpsHbI/AAAAAAAAArI/y9Fo9cfwjjU/video20e8177c6a26%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('f3dbff0d-799a-45cd-ad28-f7fe386f328c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/JiaoffyGiQ4&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/JiaoffyGiQ4&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The views one we got into Italy were vineyard after vineyard and equally pleasing to me, if not more so:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2t7BUDrI/AAAAAAAAArM/JQMrVy13T4Q/s1600-h/Venice%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 012" border="0" alt="Venice 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2udkfhQI/AAAAAAAAArQ/9MmvwJpOzf8/Venice%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>After 8 hours in the bus, we had to sit through two hours of lectures, slightly brutal, but then we got to get lost in a city designed to make you get lost!  LOVE!  We took a water-bus (the Venician Subway:)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2u58gCbI/AAAAAAAAArU/797sf7tC_qA/s1600-h/Venice%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 017" border="0" alt="Venice 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2vQKfYJI/AAAAAAAAArY/tVqxT3FTsX0/Venice%20017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2v3wXUbI/AAAAAAAAArc/Nfn6lH6jUQs/s1600-h/Venice%20014%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 014" border="0" alt="Venice 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2wXG0UtI/AAAAAAAAArg/D4HCsYB3Rg0/Venice%20014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2w9abMWI/AAAAAAAAArk/SDatjAgKVl4/s1600-h/Venice%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 015" border="0" alt="Venice 015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2xXDyLMI/AAAAAAAAAro/ufaAxBHaio8/Venice%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>We were done with our lectures at 5, we didn’t find our hotel or get into our room until 9:30.  But once we did, we got to meet Aldo, who didn’t speak a word of English, and some guys from NYC checking out (heading to Austria for the weekend as fate would have it).  All six of us, seven counting Aldo, hung out in the lobby for a good while having a blast and the boys lamented leaving as we were arriving!  But the room was ADORABLE!  I love little old-timey B&Bs:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2x6l0ePI/AAAAAAAAArs/KfhBNJB_3Uo/s1600-h/Venice%20082%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 082" border="0" alt="Venice 082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2yTK6iTI/AAAAAAAAArw/QkmaAVReLwA/Venice%20082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2y3r_UuI/AAAAAAAAAr0/7LsgmBI_sIo/s1600-h/Venice%20037%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 037" border="0" alt="Venice 037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2zU5a8EI/AAAAAAAAAr4/goC6jUkB-KA/Venice%20037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2z_XKZaI/AAAAAAAAAr8/Vy9KztcHsng/s1600-h/Venice%20038%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 038" border="0" alt="Venice 038" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL20XaId5I/AAAAAAAAAsA/h4CJjB2uRa4/Venice%20038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Having not eaten since the rest stop, we walked the three blocks from our hotel to the Rialto bridge (we were THAT close) and had a fancy dinner RIGHT ON THE WATER:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL207zOSKI/AAAAAAAAAsE/mmJsNdY1BmU/s1600-h/Venice%20024%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 024" border="0" alt="Venice 024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL21WZFhUI/AAAAAAAAAsI/lXMyE9uI7GM/Venice%20024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL21wpIRsI/AAAAAAAAAsM/2T8rwEAXj6c/s1600-h/Venice%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 019" border="0" alt="Venice 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL22V-yVNI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/XvkCXM-kqr4/Venice%20019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL22_4QSbI/AAAAAAAAAsU/y1GpCbvogZQ/s1600-h/Venice%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 021" border="0" alt="Venice 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL23F9zqRI/AAAAAAAAAsY/cHa0BpK1wFY/Venice%20021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL23-kcm-I/AAAAAAAAAsc/TIyoEg8BtEM/s1600-h/Venice%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 022" border="0" alt="Venice 022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL24BINyeI/AAAAAAAAAsg/DqQhdbynciM/Venice%20022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>We then explored the city by night (water at night is my absolute favorite – I can’t help that I’m a night owl!!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL24oO4koI/AAAAAAAAAsk/CDe-6yDwCmA/s1600-h/Venice%20034%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 034" border="0" alt="Venice 034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL25Cqor5I/AAAAAAAAAso/b7Vcs_V0iG8/Venice%20034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL250t3tLI/AAAAAAAAAss/wj-LUJBgvCg/s1600-h/Venice%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 027" border="0" alt="Venice 027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL26WdTG0I/AAAAAAAAAsw/Ejiw0Ati9ts/Venice%20027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Saturday was for exploring.  Even though only a 500 m walk from our hotel, it took me about an hour to find the Basilica of Saints John (Giovanni) and Paul (Paolo).  I went here first because this is where an Orsini ancestor, Nicolo Orsini, has a tomb.  I looked him up on Wikipedia and it seems that the only thing he ever did was lose battles, but the church/monument were pretty awesome.  I love every church I go in more and more!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL266anrmI/AAAAAAAAAs0/_x9r2KcgTog/s1600-h/Venice%20060%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; 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border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 046" border="0" alt="Venice 046" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2_PFhrcI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/lVuOthyQgS0/Venice%20046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL2_suB3NI/AAAAAAAAAtU/CufE-1yOVj0/s1600-h/Venice%20048%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 048" border="0" alt="Venice 048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3AIuVgeI/AAAAAAAAAtY/GDFTU4ON6Xg/Venice%20048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3AiUi6lI/AAAAAAAAAtc/2Dj6AGAsy2Q/s1600-h/Venice%20050%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 050" border="0" alt="Venice 050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3BH0QKAI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Kgg4DzNmt5Y/Venice%20050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3BtdJKwI/AAAAAAAAAtk/3QhcnuF9t4k/s1600-h/Venice%20054%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; 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margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b93ec9b7-5f42-441e-9c26-686bbe937d89" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="861b3af6-9326-42d1-ab41-08e5162a7e15" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWiYCPpH3Fk&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3E2B4q7I/AAAAAAAAAt8/46gRwGwkdTs/videof6124a17156a%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('861b3af6-9326-42d1-ab41-08e5162a7e15'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/WWiYCPpH3Fk&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/WWiYCPpH3Fk&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3FSRxYNI/AAAAAAAAAuA/DmWy95_XrtM/s1600-h/Nicolo_Orsini_Tomb_%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Nicolo_Orsini_Tomb_" border="0" alt="Nicolo_Orsini_Tomb_" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3FgNp_NI/AAAAAAAAAuE/PBYsO1yNMmg/Nicolo_Orsini_Tomb__thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8466b4be-f4d3-41bb-a220-469324d09e7a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="f81b4eed-67d4-4702-86ed-e204f68f1fb1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_4rENJW0_Y&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3GBSrzrI/AAAAAAAAAuI/HCVJPQE-3Dw/video9ee93930b19a%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('f81b4eed-67d4-4702-86ed-e204f68f1fb1'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/p_4rENJW0_Y&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/p_4rENJW0_Y&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I spent the rest of the day randomly exploring, attempting shoe shopping (but they don’t make those Italian leathers – or any European shoe for that matter – in my size – trust me, I tried for 2.5 hours!), sipping wine, and enjoying the amazing day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3He22dII/AAAAAAAAAuM/4mFs2vaWXUs/s1600-h/Venice%20041%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 041" border="0" alt="Venice 041" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3HvrGjDI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/RgIpO5fXyuE/Venice%20041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3IP9f3hI/AAAAAAAAAuU/nATk1DVKz0Y/s1600-h/Venice%20039%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 039" border="0" alt="Venice 039" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3IlPMlmI/AAAAAAAAAuY/ecC2lSCTSUc/Venice%20039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3JQ0RaTI/AAAAAAAAAuc/9W0HR1Fsi2Q/s1600-h/Venice%20097%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 097" border="0" alt="Venice 097" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3KERDf6I/AAAAAAAAAuk/jXHCxG5fmm4/Venice%20097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Kj-dGNI/AAAAAAAAAuo/A4adn3Cafd8/s1600-h/Venice%20062%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 062" border="0" alt="Venice 062" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3LNlNCWI/AAAAAAAAAus/zEMTfhb_Zrs/Venice%20062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3LkBWU6I/AAAAAAAAAuw/I-heXjYC_g8/s1600-h/Venice%20063%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 063" border="0" alt="Venice 063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3MEkXu5I/AAAAAAAAAu0/SSvuWMKUkHk/Venice%20063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3MsjbRzI/AAAAAAAAAu4/Fqnv6_JUVao/s1600-h/Venice%20066%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 066" border="0" alt="Venice 066" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3NAjpOyI/AAAAAAAAAu8/cxPhQ0HHIvI/Venice%20066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Nga-4iI/AAAAAAAAAvA/VlrJk7Fwrcw/s1600-h/Venice%20067%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 067" border="0" alt="Venice 067" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3OOXQrOI/AAAAAAAAAvE/0kyLr0-iTxk/Venice%20067_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3OrWyp2I/AAAAAAAAAvI/1GMnXfgZcfI/s1600-h/Venice%20068%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 068" border="0" alt="Venice 068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3PS1ilfI/AAAAAAAAAvM/QJhXG0DKGs0/Venice%20068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3PzKCXrI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/_yrOracIguA/s1600-h/Venice%20072%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 072" border="0" alt="Venice 072" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Qhkat8I/AAAAAAAAAvU/niu82dGcZaw/Venice%20072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3RGYP1cI/AAAAAAAAAvY/7lyiuKVVAKw/s1600-h/Venice%20073%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 073" border="0" alt="Venice 073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Rsv2tUI/AAAAAAAAAvg/pbn8y2PqhH4/Venice%20073_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3SDflO6I/AAAAAAAAAvk/7Aty_nIatPs/s1600-h/Venice%20075%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 075" border="0" alt="Venice 075" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Si__EaI/AAAAAAAAAvo/Tq0LE8Hn9zk/Venice%20075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3TbCZT9I/AAAAAAAAAvs/4uqWYVXtv1Q/s1600-h/Venice%20077%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 077" border="0" alt="Venice 077" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3T6mhGgI/AAAAAAAAAvw/MJdYN5QLikI/Venice%20077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Udqw6nI/AAAAAAAAAv0/abiXF5uKcUo/s1600-h/Venice%20080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 080" border="0" alt="Venice 080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3VG0V8wI/AAAAAAAAAv4/KkJLfrfc5Mk/Venice%20080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3VmL_QXI/AAAAAAAAAv8/S2Ks0PvEZHs/s1600-h/Venice%20084%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 084" border="0" alt="Venice 084" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3WgCYbZI/AAAAAAAAAwA/Km25Zc8P5Kc/Venice%20084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3XTnHH3I/AAAAAAAAAwE/CrQpoynErW0/s1600-h/Venice%20085%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 085" border="0" alt="Venice 085" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3X9d-nbI/AAAAAAAAAwI/KgPx46mjPPM/Venice%20085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3YQkeQYI/AAAAAAAAAwM/jHSDou8Tifg/s1600-h/Venice%20087%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 087" border="0" alt="Venice 087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Y9TuOAI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/VgVO5a_tLLc/Venice%20087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3ZYY5QFI/AAAAAAAAAwU/U_bLs8VW7XE/s1600-h/Venice%20089%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 089" border="0" alt="Venice 089" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3Z-qrpJI/AAAAAAAAAwY/1x-Vuar5D8E/Venice%20089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3abfC-BI/AAAAAAAAAwc/XV_6D6bp1xY/s1600-h/Venice%20090%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 090" border="0" alt="Venice 090" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3a_MWF7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/LfS8xbia2Ak/Venice%20090_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3bYu5h7I/AAAAAAAAAwk/EXB7q5ZwR5w/s1600-h/Venice%20093%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 093" border="0" alt="Venice 093" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3cbKyTBI/AAAAAAAAAwo/0948fu_rgJg/Venice%20093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3dCrFWUI/AAAAAAAAAws/eP4PCJ2AbhY/s1600-h/Venice%20094%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 094" border="0" alt="Venice 094" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3djxD7yI/AAAAAAAAAww/NO5tQba8hoQ/Venice%20094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3eFI6_dI/AAAAAAAAAw0/ZUEC6fwVlII/s1600-h/Venice%20096%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 096" border="0" alt="Venice 096" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3ebDueTI/AAAAAAAAAw4/R6O6oVNfn98/Venice%20096_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>All the buildings in the city are very close together and the streets can be very narrow, if you couldn’t tell.  This allowed me to befriend the neighboring chef across and down one from our hotel room.  He even threw me up a peach and I played some Dean Martin for him to cook to!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3fDi4FbI/AAAAAAAAAw8/y2Uu1DYlWfU/s1600-h/Venice%20083%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 083" border="0" alt="Venice 083" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3fyIG8XI/AAAAAAAAAxA/qp0F-vkAzzg/Venice%20083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Saturday night, while sipping drinks waiting for my future husband to start playing the violin, we got a great recommendation for dinner.  We had to go down this tiny alley, through a front restaurant for tourists, to a back room full of old Italians.  It had to be mafia.  The wine list had bottles for thousands of euros.  And NO ONE was speaking English except for us.  We kept getting stares, and I’m pretty sure it’s because they thought we were FBI.  I was too scared to take any pictures, but it was a great meal – I had some sort of lobster pasta.  I think other people took pictures, which I will steal as soon as I can.</p> <p>Sunday was more exploring, but mostly for churches.  There’s a church on every corner, so it was just a matter of timing, walking up to one around the time mass starts.  In my search, I found a church that had the remains of St. Lucy and St. Jerome.  It was really cool/moving to see the remains and people’s prayers and petitions and candles, etc.  Sorry for the lack of pictures, most of the churches I went into today didn’t allow pictures to be taken.  I also had to change shirts because even modest tank-tops like mine are not allowed.  Shoulders must be covered!  (I really like this level of respect and it redeemed the whole laser show incident from Vienna!)  It actually took about two hours for the timing to work, but I ended up going to mass at a church near the train station that was connected to the Carmelite Convent, so works for me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3gZoTACI/AAAAAAAAAxE/-i14eeHCACM/s1600-h/Venice%20105%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 105" border="0" alt="Venice 105" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3gxBa-II/AAAAAAAAAxI/OKCczbIfJrI/Venice%20105_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3hDLMBLI/AAAAAAAAAxM/K8Pcu9GCn5c/s1600-h/Venice%20099%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 099" border="0" alt="Venice 099" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3h9wxuoI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ealzZhey02M/Venice%20099_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3ipLNTHI/AAAAAAAAAxU/kSQ7_yGBIiw/s1600-h/Venice%20101%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 101" border="0" alt="Venice 101" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3jPlnAFI/AAAAAAAAAxY/-jGE6-land4/Venice%20101_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3jzN8mnI/AAAAAAAAAxc/oxyhCYyXlwo/s1600-h/Venice%20103%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 103" border="0" alt="Venice 103" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3ka9_zII/AAAAAAAAAxg/QoEyh6o8NRI/Venice%20103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Then I had a slice of Italian pizza with just enough time to hop on the train and catch a bus.  I didn’t want to leave :(</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3k8C_z8I/AAAAAAAAAxk/QfvKnnblERo/s1600-h/Venice%20107%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Venice 107" border="0" alt="Venice 107" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TAL3lWdCZyI/AAAAAAAAAxo/a8mnrouXZIo/Venice%20107_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Tomorrow, we have a law librarian lecture on arbitration materials and then we go to a castle town in the Czech Republic.  Tuesday and Wednesday we stay in Linz with various activities arranged.  Thursday we have lectures and a visit to a concentration camp.  Friday, we say good-bye to Linz and spend the night in the capital city of Slovenia.  Saturday, after 14 hours in the bus, we say hello to Dubrovnik and the Adriatic beaches!!!!!!  After a week there, I get to go back to Italy.  Can’t wait!!</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-43046245466656949252010-05-30T15:03:00.001-07:002010-05-30T15:08:25.573-07:00Vienna Recap<p>As promised, tonight shall be blog heavy.  First, I must recap Vienna.  Then, I move on to my favorite place I’ve gone on this trip thus far: Venice!  Before I get started, I just wanted to put out a gentle suggestion that a picture or two of my Max wouldn’t hurt my feelings.</p> <p>Let me start by saying that Vienna has probably been my least favorite trip thus far, and I totally admit that this is probably mostly my fault.  First, it was raining and cold, and I was miserable in shorts and flip flops.  Second, all my clocks are still on USA time, so when I sprinted across town to the bus stop at what I thought was barely in time turned out to be two hours early.  So I had like an hour and a half wasted and I was too cold and miserable to leave again only to come back to the stop, so I just kinda sat there by myself, sipping an over-priced beer.</p> <p>I had such high hopes at the start of the trip.  We stopped here at the summer Hapsburg palace (built as a response to my favorite palace – Versailles) for coffee and restroom break.  I decided that when we were done with lectures, I just wanted to spend the rest of the day here.  (We didn’t get to go inside or explore when we stopped, so I wanted to come back and tour.)</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgX2tD7ZI/AAAAAAAAAnw/NW_hbKZFigk/s1600-h/Vienna%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 002" border="0" alt="Vienna 002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgYUbX_cI/AAAAAAAAAn0/-dqYW1ZZK0g/Vienna%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>However, by the time the lectures were done, I asked the professors how to get back to the summer palace via subways/bus, but they said I wouldn’t have time to go and get back before the bus left.  So I didn’t get to go inside.</p> <p>The coolest part of Vienna is that it was my favorite venue and content/presentation of the lectures we’ve had thus far.  We started here, at the Austrian Supreme Court, like THE Supreme Court.  I haven’t even ever gotten to go inside the US Supreme Court, but we got a private tour with a really cool Austrian Supreme Court Justice (his focus is on civil cases and mediation, thus the connection to ADR.)   He was such a cool guy and I really enjoyed his lecture, not to mention the BEAUTIFUL courthouse.  He comes here to Linz on Wednesday (I think) to lecture again – really excited about it!</p> <p>The main hall of the Supreme Court:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgY8FccbI/AAAAAAAAAn4/QbtAfUDGZNY/s1600-h/Vienna%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 010" border="0" alt="Vienna 010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgZUEZZ3I/AAAAAAAAAn8/FzzPr4TQffA/Vienna%20010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgZ5jvjXI/AAAAAAAAAoA/vfNQpOXpUeQ/s1600-h/Vienna%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 011" border="0" alt="Vienna 011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgafRnoNI/AAAAAAAAAoE/HN3gW3e1dVU/Vienna%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALga_EpQ2I/AAAAAAAAAoI/W_1MStYQ_Gw/s1600-h/Vienna%20014%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 014" border="0" alt="Vienna 014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgbLmAF5I/AAAAAAAAAoM/DmwerrwFi6Q/Vienna%20014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgbgeJOCI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/7HAHqPQdaUM/s1600-h/Vienna%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 015" border="0" alt="Vienna 015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgcCmwhKI/AAAAAAAAAoY/CLNOppFCjHQ/Vienna%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The rooftop balcony with Justice Neumayr!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgctxAddI/AAAAAAAAAoc/r-PGyImWPJ4/s1600-h/Vienna%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 022" border="0" alt="Vienna 022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgc8ZPM6I/AAAAAAAAAog/GztL_qAsuhY/Vienna%20022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgdsYZegI/AAAAAAAAAok/gdCqQCY6UH0/s1600-h/Vienna%20023%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 023" border="0" alt="Vienna 023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgeI8I4wI/AAAAAAAAAoo/DCtlsNwfa3A/Vienna%20023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Group shot with the Justice:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgemlCejI/AAAAAAAAAos/GZJdHagY65w/s1600-h/Vienna%20028%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 028" border="0" alt="Vienna 028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgeyCGYfI/AAAAAAAAAow/9k_mqjpg7kk/Vienna%20028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The front of the Supreme Court:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgfV-d4yI/AAAAAAAAAo0/IB-PCymBPqk/s1600-h/Vienna%20031%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 031" border="0" alt="Vienna 031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgf5-iymI/AAAAAAAAAo4/tYyLw8Oi0-g/Vienna%20031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>After that lecture, we went to VIAC (The Vienna International Arbitration Center) for another lecture, which content-wise was also really interesting.  Far more interesting was this AMAZING spread of food and deserts for us (yes that’s cavier!) along with the color full of beer (and water I think – but no one noticed the water.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgga_pEWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/qKaqOlKc2zU/s1600-h/Vienna%20034%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 034" border="0" alt="Vienna 034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgg8tOSRI/AAAAAAAAApA/tlOBc3K6qw0/Vienna%20034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALghS8s5lI/AAAAAAAAApE/aiR86Zcr5iY/s1600-h/Vienna%20035%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 035" border="0" alt="Vienna 035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgh1S4mKI/AAAAAAAAApI/-dYeQ2iAcco/Vienna%20035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgiSABqiI/AAAAAAAAApM/o2n9MelYOIc/s1600-h/Vienna%20036%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 036" border="0" alt="Vienna 036" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgiz-2xlI/AAAAAAAAApQ/Ppa6tkRKKnM/Vienna%20036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgjKbjvyI/AAAAAAAAApU/a948Nlnn_Nw/s1600-h/Vienna%20037%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 037" border="0" alt="Vienna 037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgjoan6GI/AAAAAAAAApY/GewoIMl4Y8Y/Vienna%20037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgkH4ODGI/AAAAAAAAApc/2bH-62_hvn8/s1600-h/Vienna%20038%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 038" border="0" alt="Vienna 038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgkvy0EDI/AAAAAAAAApg/Pvg_DfaZMCQ/Vienna%20038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The rest of the day (two hours or so) was supposed to be free time.  I already explained my horrible time-telling, poor-choice-of-attire story, so I won’t repeat myself.  I’ll just give you some of my favorite pictures:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALglesZHTI/AAAAAAAAApk/5wu99RWhYPs/s1600-h/Vienna%20040%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 040" border="0" alt="Vienna 040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALglkLOLvI/AAAAAAAAApo/-n9poEiHAk4/Vienna%20040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>KATIE AND VAL LOVE!!  Go FRIDAYS!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgmD53JqI/AAAAAAAAAps/kMQJfBM2PLI/s1600-h/Vienna%20047%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 047" border="0" alt="Vienna 047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgnC8DrCI/AAAAAAAAApw/Zr8QomTVVvY/Vienna%20047_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Some pretty flowers in one of the gardens of something.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgocO98bI/AAAAAAAAAp0/2TDjPNxFAIQ/s1600-h/Vienna%20049%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 049" border="0" alt="Vienna 049" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgo_3Sj3I/AAAAAAAAAp4/fLU0miXqVu8/Vienna%20049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>These horses are like Forrest and Bubba, “I'm gonna lean up against you, you just lean right back against me. This way, we don't have to sleep with our heads in the mud. You know why we a good partnership, Forrest? 'Cause we be watchin' out for one another. Like brothers and stuff.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgpAMp3PI/AAAAAAAAAp8/g7zpK_0kciU/s1600-h/Vienna%20053%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 053" border="0" alt="Vienna 053" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgp2fDf_I/AAAAAAAAAqA/VqV1WpYX6Lo/Vienna%20053_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Don’t know what this is but I liked my picture.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgqXljcdI/AAAAAAAAAqE/uINBdIg0kJY/s1600-h/Vienna%20055%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 055" border="0" alt="Vienna 055" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgrJwLZ7I/AAAAAAAAAqI/cE7kvuWFn-s/Vienna%20055_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Professor Lanier showing us something. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgrkFdirI/AAAAAAAAAqM/E4LHgxPjI-k/s1600-h/Vienna%20060%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 060" border="0" alt="Vienna 060" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgsOOwk2I/AAAAAAAAAqQ/a0-E6UXbMrE/Vienna%20060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>How did these get here?  They are everywhere every time I turn around!  I swear I only go inside because it’s raining.  It just rains a lot here.  Actually, the only thing I bought in Vienna was a book.  I’ve been looking for it ever since I got here, so when I saw a bunch of book stores on the main shopping strip in the city, I thought I might have some luck.  I went in 5 different stores in Vienna before I found it (thus making me think I was about to miss the bus home) but success.  The book is called “The Piano Teacher” and it’s by the author of “Women as Lovers,” one of the books on my “favorite books” shelf.  Elfriede Jelinek is the author and she’s an Austrian who grew up in Vienna, so how cool is it that I found the book in English in her own home town??  She has SEVERE agoraphobia and like never leaves her house.  She accepted the nobel prize for literature via a video message and she’s too scared to even get on a plane.  I LOVED “Women as Lovers” so I’m excited to read another book from her! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgsXTwMrI/AAAAAAAAAqU/UA44jpEwX1c/s1600-h/Vienna%20061%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Vienna 061" border="0" alt="Vienna 061" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALgs6OItfI/AAAAAAAAAqY/Qj1CrmHcBAM/Vienna%20061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>One of the biggest disappoints in Vienna for me was St. Stephen’s Dome (church).  It was the first time I went in a church and wanted to start turning tables over yelling “Money-changer!” like Jesus did at the Temple.  It was bad.  Everyone was talking real loud and there was no respect whatsoever.  And, there was a laser-show.  Yup, you read correctly, laser-show.  I have video:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:c5e10583-4a1f-4e37-b6ee-69d0cea0d709" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="587f3fa6-44f4-4615-bd11-da7867270a75" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8z-UAdz8Hg&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALh1sAw3PI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Tq_v0m7FJ7Y/video38d047ab4e31%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('587f3fa6-44f4-4615-bd11-da7867270a75'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/x8z-UAdz8Hg&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/x8z-UAdz8Hg&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b7783ecc-b7d4-40d0-930c-2660cd6a58f9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="b5d0c83c-dce9-4f7e-b087-6b411f228e1e" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Q1Bhxp2QI&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/TALh2MfpagI/AAAAAAAAAqg/R1GcIIC06DM/videofd98f97388ba%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b5d0c83c-dce9-4f7e-b087-6b411f228e1e'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/L-Q1Bhxp2QI&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/L-Q1Bhxp2QI&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I actually said a prayer when I left asking God for forgiveness for not defending the sacredness of his holy Church.  I was embarrassed by the fiasco.</p> <p>And that was my day in Vienna.</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-48191363363428863112010-05-27T13:48:00.000-07:002010-05-27T13:49:39.392-07:00Quick updateToo tired to do a full post on the rainy day in Vienna. Headed to Venice for the weekend in the morning, so no posts until Sunday night. But Sunday night will be a long one! At least I hope....Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869970417939416155.post-23534122291363345282010-05-26T13:19:00.001-07:002010-05-26T13:19:23.640-07:00The Hills Are Alive…. And Killing My Legs and Feet!<p> </p> <p>So tired!  And I get to do it all over again tomorrow :)  </p> <p>When we first got to Salzburg, Dean Roth had sent someone to tour us around a bit while she was held up in a meeting.  We got to see the Prince’s summer house garden, which homed a statue wearing a sock and a cute little shopping street where all the signs are old-fashioned:</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BXXt2jiI/AAAAAAAAAiw/N8F6eBPpK-U/s1600-h/Tuesday%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 003" border="0" alt="Tuesday 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BX2640-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/0aNZ1JAJix4/Tuesday%20003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BZEebyMI/AAAAAAAAAi4/yjS6GIkXg3A/s1600-h/Tuesday%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 006" border="0" alt="Tuesday 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BZ9StRQI/AAAAAAAAAi8/JNqqAeFop_0/Tuesday%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BaVAj1-I/AAAAAAAAAjA/hFCBXTa6QMo/s1600-h/Tuesday%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 007" border="0" alt="Tuesday 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Ba9gvKdI/AAAAAAAAAjE/P6PahHxFbEY/Tuesday%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>The oldest shop on this little street was opened in 1636, and this was also the street that Mozart was born on and where he entertained nobles as a child.  I didn’t fork over the 7euro to go through the residence, though:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BbUn4IrI/AAAAAAAAAjI/hwFuIYVagFk/s1600-h/Tuesday%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 009" border="0" alt="Tuesday 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Bb9HnDjI/AAAAAAAAAjM/469p6sK5Fy8/Tuesday%20009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BcrR4kuI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/XGh4ok0R_c0/s1600-h/Tuesday%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 010" border="0" alt="Tuesday 010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BdKXCQTI/AAAAAAAAAjU/zrMxHNPSHXc/Tuesday%20010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Perhaps the most exciting thing in Salzburg for me was the birthplace not of Mozart but of Mozartkugel, my FAVORITE candy/chocolate.  Rest assured I spent a fair amount of time here sampling the real stuff/annoying the lady to no end:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BehCCWnI/AAAAAAAAAjY/dEUdAsoDdQI/s1600-h/Tuesday%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 013" border="0" alt="Tuesday 013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BfDPEGQI/AAAAAAAAAjc/BCWlNPsBgGI/Tuesday%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Then we had our lecture at the University of Salzburg law school.  I didn’t realize until well after our lecture and subsequent tour just how cool of a place it was to have a lecture in.  The Archbishops were the princes of Salzburg and this building complex was their palace, in effect.  Imagine a square with only three sides.  The top and the bottom sides are the law school while the left side is the public museum you have to pay money to go through.  We got a cool secret tour:</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Bf15LBtI/AAAAAAAAAjg/bFIU1r0tOYs/s1600-h/Tuesday%20016%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 016" border="0" alt="Tuesday 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BgUgD_HI/AAAAAAAAAjk/nHE75nXV7BE/Tuesday%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Note the brick wall in this picture.  It’s important later:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BgwHgb3I/AAAAAAAAAjo/odGTgEAtwf4/s1600-h/Tuesday%20018%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 018" border="0" alt="Tuesday 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BhgNxVTI/AAAAAAAAAjs/0b9qDrt3fHs/Tuesday%20018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BiE0ZjBI/AAAAAAAAAjw/QJ3BVuuWMMk/s1600-h/Tuesday%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 019" border="0" alt="Tuesday 019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BihZv3lI/AAAAAAAAAj0/LVUc2zpJvtA/Tuesday%20019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Bi-LDfGI/AAAAAAAAAj4/WaWWwF3JQSk/s1600-h/Tuesday%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 021" border="0" alt="Tuesday 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BjhvyUZI/AAAAAAAAAj8/RdfeF271FlI/Tuesday%20021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BkTElCMI/AAAAAAAAAkA/HS9ecW-4DtE/s1600-h/Tuesday%20020%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 020" border="0" alt="Tuesday 020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BlfhPjtI/AAAAAAAAAkE/fTjB0tIfOBg/Tuesday%20020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BmX9lkfI/AAAAAAAAAkI/P5-PmZXaxBI/s1600-h/Tuesday%20024%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 024" border="0" alt="Tuesday 024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BnpagnKI/AAAAAAAAAkM/LcJLBV5Rd4E/Tuesday%20024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BoVUrMqI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/FzannvkTSIw/s1600-h/Tuesday%20025%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 025" border="0" alt="Tuesday 025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BpLxnWmI/AAAAAAAAAkU/eoy_CE-q2CY/Tuesday%20025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>After the tour, I joined the boys for lunch from the street vendors.  This is what I ate (bleh):</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Bpz0t8sI/AAAAAAAAAkY/6NT1k-mTog4/s1600-h/Tuesday%20028%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 028" border="0" alt="Tuesday 028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Bq9vlaSI/AAAAAAAAAkc/N7UcsWPby1E/Tuesday%20028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Feeling the urge to explore, I went off on my own, and after harassing the Mozartkugel lady, I next ended up here, the oldest bookstore in Austria.  Although I couldn’t find an English version of any Jelinek books (I’ve been hunting since I got here!), I did find the Austrian Harry Potters!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2Br_0euGI/AAAAAAAAAkg/S4rQJ0qSbZk/s1600-h/Tuesday%20029%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 029" border="0" alt="Tuesday 029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BsV4V9CI/AAAAAAAAAkk/jg06-py0W_Q/Tuesday%20029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BtuqMckI/AAAAAAAAAko/7xFDjpS0qq4/s1600-h/Tuesday%20030%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 030" border="0" alt="Tuesday 030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BuuC4sFI/AAAAAAAAAks/pI1J6UYg8QE/Tuesday%20030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Since churches really seem to be my thing, I next ventured over to the Dome of Salzburg:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BvKHqu5I/AAAAAAAAAkw/o6yxe_G2q24/s1600-h/Tuesday%20033%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 033" border="0" alt="Tuesday 033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BvlyeIjI/AAAAAAAAAk0/YP6eZrVSFsA/Tuesday%20033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BwDOQyKI/AAAAAAAAAk4/HfjiZ8Fq1Co/s1600-h/Tuesday%20036%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 036" border="0" alt="Tuesday 036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BwiWft_I/AAAAAAAAAk8/5m86xSnSCQM/Tuesday%20036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4f5be218-d9b3-4d6d-80b6-8c57a2f99986" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="8e22c25e-4804-458a-9a2f-df0d21dd8bf8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtItu-Em-Mw&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BxLzND0I/AAAAAAAAAlA/HcykPsnOe2M/videodf08123bc776%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('8e22c25e-4804-458a-9a2f-df0d21dd8bf8'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/qtItu-Em-Mw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/qtItu-Em-Mw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p>Sorry if you don’t like the videos.  My camera just struggles with pictures inside dark churches.</p> <p>My next stop was to climb the gigantor of a mountain, on top of which sat the Salzburg castle/fortress thing.  But first, I watched a chess match.  When I came down from the mountain several hours later, the guy moving the black pieces in this picture was still playing, so my bet is that he never gets beat.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2ByfXzQYI/AAAAAAAAAlE/99ADoqfaUqQ/s1600-h/Tuesday%20045%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 045" border="0" alt="Tuesday 045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2BzQFVfWI/AAAAAAAAAlI/9_rVssb1mMA/Tuesday%20045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is me at the foot of the mountain ready to climb.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B0s14kvI/AAAAAAAAAlM/23k9-AblAds/s1600-h/Tuesday%20046%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 046" border="0" alt="Tuesday 046" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B1AgII8I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/RCTQqaOD71M/Tuesday%20046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This is me halfway up the mountain ready to give up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B2CO85mI/AAAAAAAAAlU/7HQM-eTiVeQ/s1600-h/Tuesday%20050%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 050" border="0" alt="Tuesday 050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B3TVSgnI/AAAAAAAAAlY/qs94K-JC4dU/Tuesday%20050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>And this is the totally worth it view from the top of Salzburg and the Alps!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:bb064f3c-b2b7-4e51-bfbe-e7a2e5761d3b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="d379c782-0933-4b50-8b2a-4eb7d7a94189" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-7iSnKQ1BM&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B3q0u8kI/AAAAAAAAAlc/9m1vtcBTilI/video725c4b0fa47b%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('d379c782-0933-4b50-8b2a-4eb7d7a94189'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/e-7iSnKQ1BM&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/e-7iSnKQ1BM&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B4snvEUI/AAAAAAAAAlg/2mT30VIGvIA/s1600-h/Tuesday%20056%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 056" border="0" alt="Tuesday 056" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B5k27rUI/AAAAAAAAAlk/HSMp-MBPMg0/Tuesday%20056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>The Castle/Fortress was okay.  The views were worth it, but had it not been for that, I would have been sad I hiked all that way for just the castle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B6Ighm1I/AAAAAAAAAlo/JKI7TS1TeKo/s1600-h/Tuesday%20057%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 057" border="0" alt="Tuesday 057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B6xT6jLI/AAAAAAAAAls/D3bnqWMZu6k/Tuesday%20057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>This is me at the top and then the Prince’s Chapel, private “thrown room,” and main chambers.  Keep in mind, the princes were all Archbishops appointed by the Pope.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B7Zh4lrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/bqb9i6yQVTQ/s1600-h/Tuesday%20058%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 058" border="0" alt="Tuesday 058" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B8fM0ADI/AAAAAAAAAl0/qSD4FSKQIy4/Tuesday%20058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B9am1MWI/AAAAAAAAAl4/5_pAf8ic_V8/s1600-h/Tuesday%20062%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 062" border="0" alt="Tuesday 062" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B-N3oHbI/AAAAAAAAAl8/L1xitE8LuSY/Tuesday%20062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B-vWXu2I/AAAAAAAAAmA/8LW28b_NWL0/s1600-h/Tuesday%20065%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 065" border="0" alt="Tuesday 065" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2B_Gm4cyI/AAAAAAAAAmE/a0zY-KfaE9Q/Tuesday%20065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CAMUTknI/AAAAAAAAAmI/21qPfPYqHj8/s1600-h/Tuesday%20068%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 068" border="0" alt="Tuesday 068" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CA3RolpI/AAAAAAAAAmM/F4r8L7nGvR4/Tuesday%20068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CBcsMH_I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/-n9jreuoI28/s1600-h/Tuesday%20071%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 071" border="0" alt="Tuesday 071" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CB-NYh0I/AAAAAAAAAmU/LEGvOaqFiw8/Tuesday%20071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Starting the climb down.  At least it wasn’t raining.  Then, I would have forked over the 11euro to ride the train up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CCWG0iHI/AAAAAAAAAmY/Xo5Qi5GfrZ0/s1600-h/Tuesday%20074%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 074" border="0" alt="Tuesday 074" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CDCdCxaI/AAAAAAAAAmc/a8f_BTAw6A0/Tuesday%20074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CDmuasgI/AAAAAAAAAmg/x_9VixSBbIA/s1600-h/Tuesday%20077%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 077" border="0" alt="Tuesday 077" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CEKiJ7oI/AAAAAAAAAmk/aBiLqu650qg/Tuesday%20077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Remember that brick wall I told you to remember from inside the law school?  Well, the other side of that wall is this church:</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CFaAfHyI/AAAAAAAAAmo/0NDIN_oJBOE/s1600-h/Tuesday%20054%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 054" border="0" alt="Tuesday 054" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CFwoEsHI/AAAAAAAAAms/zG3yHMTw2rg/Tuesday%20054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CGgkcnYI/AAAAAAAAAmw/l4vEPCUsiiE/s1600-h/Tuesday%20080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 080" border="0" alt="Tuesday 080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CHzCHO8I/AAAAAAAAAm0/estzmI_rVTI/Tuesday%20080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CI1TCwdI/AAAAAAAAAm4/81mfcDKBhtI/s1600-h/Tuesday%20082%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 082" border="0" alt="Tuesday 082" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CJbFlapI/AAAAAAAAAm8/JGJmpsawvGU/Tuesday%20082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CKUwbrjI/AAAAAAAAAnA/wzwUWtFsMq8/s1600-h/Tuesday%20085%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 085" border="0" alt="Tuesday 085" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CK1kmojI/AAAAAAAAAnE/y2n2ZvxV6ow/Tuesday%20085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>I might be making this up because my German is not so good (meaning I don’t speak any German), but I think this was the church where Silent Night was written??</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CLq039UI/AAAAAAAAAnI/G9lnZ3dc-18/s1600-h/Tuesday%20089%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 089" border="0" alt="Tuesday 089" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CMcLqgDI/AAAAAAAAAnM/MFv8RZxeRJ4/Tuesday%20089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>What’s that doing there??  I swear I only went in because it started to rain a little….</p> <p>While doing a little shopping, I saw this bar and decided that was the place I needed to eat dinner.  Sketchy is one of my favorite adjectives and I love dive bars.  However, this bar was far from sketch.  It was actually the hotel bar for like a super expensive hotel and no one was in there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CNNx7MQI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/QLUjKr4OGuk/s1600-h/Tuesday%20091%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 091" border="0" alt="Tuesday 091" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CN9pFrlI/AAAAAAAAAnU/KlGFYY9_mX4/Tuesday%20091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>So I went here instead and enjoyed my first meal in Austria!  Yes, I enjoyed my meal!  I hung out with some local Salzburgians, had a delicious ham and cheese wrap, and got to sit down and relax before the bus ride home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2COWZtiaI/AAAAAAAAAnY/E3r6BL1RMqM/s1600-h/Tuesday%20093%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 093" border="0" alt="Tuesday 093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CPuRlFOI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Gqd0HsCJ5a0/Tuesday%20093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>When I got home, this was the state of my bed.  I think the maid might have gone hunting for valuables?  Or just was too lazy to actually make my bed for the first time in two weeks.  Either way….</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CQm0ZilI/AAAAAAAAAng/40JGLTrh4Zg/s1600-h/Tuesday%20095%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Tuesday 095" border="0" alt="Tuesday 095" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ye9UPgT595g/S_2CSAiz0ZI/AAAAAAAAAnk/twbGq4OhVHI/Tuesday%20095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Now I’m showered, blogged, and ready to do it again tomorrow.  Sorta.</p> Southern Charmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01018423871477481280noreply@blogger.com0