Sorrento Smiles

Next we were off to Sorrento, Italy.  The only word I can say to describe our drive to this seaside city is GORGEOUS!  And I mean really, really breathtakingly gorgeous!  It's a curvey road along the coast and all of it is beautiful!  Our pictures do NOT make it look half as enchanting.  It was certainly worth the trip!!!  I hope our family can remember how beautiful the views were that day - to last a lifetime.  The city of Sorrento is famous for their inlaid wood.  We got to see a demonstration on how it is made - loads of work and artistry . . . we only came away with a small chess set - otherwise, we'd have to sell ourselves to pay for more.  :o)  They are also well known for their cameos.  Beautiful, once again.  We spent quite some time looking for the perfect one . . . but never quite found it - maybe we'll have to go back again!  :o)  Oh, one last note . . . the song on the slideshow is "Come Back to Sorrento" . . .  so there you have it.

ENJOY!!!

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Photographs of Pompeii

One of my favorite places I visited over 20 years ago was Pompeii.  I was so excited to get to go back there with the family.  Mt. Vesuvius erupted many, many years ago - leaving behind a really cool place to visit.  Although this tragic event ended the lives of 20,000 Pompeian residents, the ash that buried the town served as a sort of mummification for the entire city.  The eruption of 79 AD which buried the town in ash actually captured a moment in time.  Under the ash everything remained as it was at the time of the eruption.  Artwork was preserved.  Buildings were preserved. Several important clues were left behind.  These clues give us a little glimpse into the past.  These clues are the silver lining that can be seen when you visit the ruins at Pompeii.  We all enjoyed our visit to the ancient city. 
 
ENJOY!!!

 

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Visions of the Vatican

Make your own slideshow Well, here we are visiting Vatican City.  It is the world’s smallest country and serves as the spiritual center for millions of practicing Roman Catholics worldwide. It is usually referred to as a City State and often called “The Holy See”. Swiss Guards guard the Vatican City which is home to about 800 residents. None of them are permanent. The population of this tiny area, which surrounds St. Peter’s Basilica or church, is made up of priests, nuns, guards, high-ranking dignitaries and, of course, the Pope.   It was definitely worh our visit!    ENJOY!!!

Restless in Rome

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Well, thought I'd show some more of the sights of Rome.  We loved being there!  Everything had so much history - but as you can see . . . I already can't remember it all!!!  There was something significant, I think,  that happened in those 2 pictures, but for the life of me . . . I can't recall.  (Okay, neither can anyone else in the family so???)  Besides all the history and really facinating buildings we saw - we really enjoyed the sun!  Every day was hot . . . some warmer than others, and every single day was sunny!  (I know, I seem to go on and on about that, don't I?)  Anyway . . . we certainly enjoyed Rome!

ENJOY!!!

 

Day of the Animals???

Well, a little break from the Italy trip . . . yesterday was the Day of the Animals.  (???)  I think I heard on the radio that someone, somewhere in Europe - actually - started this day in the 1930s.  I didn't take the time to research it or even really find out what it was all about - but I did take the new puppy . . . well, not so new puppy to get a blessing at the chapel.  (I know this makes all my catholic friends very happy!)  There were lots of friends for Scarlett to meet there!  She really enjoyed herself.  (And unlike her sister, Antenna - she didn't bark at any of them!)  I do believe that's Scarlett's already blessed and we're blessed by her as well; well . . . most of the time, anyway.  Acutally, maybe it should have been an exorcism - since she has already chewed up several, and I mean several pairs of our shoes!!  I know you ask . . . "Why not put them away?" - if you saw the size of our closets - you would NOT ask that question!!!  So . . . 

ENJOY!!!

                Scarlett wonders where all the animals came from - she'd love to play with all of them!!!

This is Father Rodriquez giving Scarlett an official blessing - her friend, Sierra is behind her being held by the girl in the HS spirit day pajamas.  (Sierra is kind of  a "relative" - well, the same breed- to Chuy and Oliver - Antenna's best friends!)

                            Some soldiers brought their work companions.  :o)  A very nice touch.

 Scarlett and her best friend, Ginger - who lives across the street - a husky/lab mix.  In fact, Antenna knew Ginger when Ginger was just a brand new puppy in Pennsylvania. 

Scarlett - don't you wonder what's going on in that tiny, little brain of hers?!