Pat

Retired. Have time for the things I love: travel, my cat, reading, good food, travel, genealogy, walking, and of course travel.

Verona Con Gabrielle

St. Gabriel, “Prego, no more churches.”

Beautiful warm weather and bright sunny skies greet our arrival in Verona. After tossing our bags into our room at Albora B&B, we walk to Piazza Bra and the Arena for lunch. We are recharged and ready to see the sights of this lively and beautiful city.

Our two days here are filled with churches like Anastasia, the Duomo, San Fermo, San Lorenzo, and San Zeno. All are unique, some more elaborate than others. I enjoyed the crypt area at San Zeno’s, home of Verona’s patron saint. It bothers me that some of the churches charge entrance fees; it is a way to maintain these grand edifices but churches should be open anytime to the public. As for Gabrielle, she is “churched-out.”

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By Pat, ago

Vicenza Con Gabrielle

 Welcome to Italia. “Transportation strike is to begin at 10am and last until 1pm.” In true Italian style, they strike but are polite enough to tell you ahead of time and limit the inconvenience. Unfortunately, noting the bulletin at 9:55am with a 10:50 train to catch is not how I want to begin my morning. We rush to the vaparetto stop and hope for the best. And indeed, we receive good fortune. We reach our train with time to spare and are whisked away to the small city of Vicenza just 45 minutes east of Venezia. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Venezia Con Gabrielle

Photo by Gabrielle "Through The Lens"

Photo by Gabrielle “Through The Lens Photography”

Our first class Fracciargento speeds us through tunnels and along smooth tracks to Venezia. Meanwhile, we endulge ourselves on exquisite pastries of cannoli and chocolate. My heavens, they are good.

Gabrielle is smitten with the canals and boats of Venezia. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Firenze Con Gabrielle

IMG_1568

Photo by Gabrielle, “Through The Lens Photography”

After breakfast, we rode the Circumvesuviana to Napoli and our high speed Fracciarossa to Firenze. Its new leather smell, speeds of 185 mph, and smooth ride are a testament to what the United States’ rail system SHOULD be. The fields are green, trees are beginning to bloom, and there is snow on the Apennines to the east of us.  (more…)

By Pat, ago

Roma Con Gabrielle

DSC08875What, me worry? Well, no matter how much I plan, comfort and confidence are relative. Anything can go wrong, or in 21st century speak, TSCHTF, so I do worry. It is always after-the-fact, when all goes well, mostly, that I heave a sigh of relief and know I waste time with worry. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Traveling With a Minor Exceptional 

18 March 2015

When I asked my 16-year-old niece if she had any concerns about traveling to Italy with me for three weeks, I typically got a ”no.” So far, few questions have issued forth. She seems to be taking this adventure in stride, as are her parents. I am not even sure they know where I am taking their daughter. Her family in Minnesota seems extraordinarily calm with few concerns. As for me, not so much. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Yangon, Myanmar. 2-5 February 2015

Celebrating 100th birthday of General Aung San

Celebrating 100th birthday of General Aung San

Yangon Airways: “We’ll get you where you are going,” eventually. Our short flight to Yangon has been extended by returning north to Mandalay, then “Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to Heho we go” to the southeast, before flying southwest to Yangon, Rangoon for those who remember this country as Burma. Like many cities, its colonial name was replaced with its traditional name.  (more…)

By Pat, ago