tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53700575051160101852024-03-13T06:20:34.406-07:00The Hooks' Adventures!The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-11429629058287190022011-05-08T18:08:00.000-07:002011-05-08T18:08:48.414-07:00And We're Back in Atlanta!It's now Sunday, May 8, and we're officially back (meaning, we've unpacked). As a final story, I have to relate some of our adventures on the trip.<br />
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Because it was significantly cheaper, we flew back via London. Our first flight took off about 20 minutes late (we had an hour and a half layover), but we were told that everything would be just fine. Off the plane, we went through immigration and another security screening (with lines both times, of course). And with 15 minutes before our flight boarding closed, I checked the gates board. And, yes, we had to change concourses. Our new concourse had a recommended time of 15 minutes travel time to get there. <br />
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So we set off (bear in mind that each person's backpack weighed 25-30 pounds) and got to the train. Off the train, up the elevator (nearly getting off one floor too early), and a rush to...the line to board. Phew.<br />
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We had a nice, uneventful flight across the Atlantic. About a quarter of the passengers were Indian; I asked the stewardess whether this was a connecting flight for them from India, and she said yes -- these poor guys had been traveling a lot more hours than we had -- no wonder they were sacked out! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LriE38fWHkQ/Tcc-GzK2yxI/AAAAAAAAIhw/IF2NgFcr-WQ/s1600/100_2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LriE38fWHkQ/Tcc-GzK2yxI/AAAAAAAAIhw/IF2NgFcr-WQ/s320/100_2180.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of my favorite passengers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fK9mkO1XyeA/Tcc-ITWetgI/AAAAAAAAIh0/6kkLYaevhv0/s1600/100_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fK9mkO1XyeA/Tcc-ITWetgI/AAAAAAAAIh0/6kkLYaevhv0/s320/100_2181.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James with his pouch from British Airways</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Later on in the flight, she came and spoke with me: the kids had been so wonderful, she would like to extend them an invitation to visit with the pilots in the cockpit. Would that be okay with me? Well -- of course it would! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cockpit with our pilot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy the pilot wannabe</td></tr>
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After a quick visit with the pilots, we went to immigration. I'd filled out my forms very carefully, since we'd been warned that any mistakes would require the entire form to be discarded and rewritten. And I loathe forms. Anything to declare? Nope. Bringing in soil? Nope. Seeds? Nope. Fruits/veg or other fresh produce? No -- of course not! I know that this isn't allowed...<br />
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As we were standing in line, Jeremy showed the signs of needing sustenance, so I said, "Would you rather have a cracker or an orange? Who's carrying the oranges? ...oh...my...gosh. <i>Oranges.</i>" I told the kids that I didn't want to bring up the oranges with the immigration officer, but that we would stop by the USDA booth (I couldn't face filling in the form again). Everyone understood, agreed, and that was settled.<br />
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A few minutes later, James tapped me on the arm, and said in his piping little-boy voice,"Mummy, will they make us get rid of our <i>lemons</i>?" Right. Next. To. The. Immigration. Officer. (Bear in mind that it was 2 in the morning on our body clocks). "Shhhhhhh!" I'm sure people thought we were smuggling something in. <br />
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Our turn. Gulp. The officer smiled at me, had each kid identify him/herself as she called out the name. Phew. We're clear. But no: "Ma'am, do you have any fresh fruits or vegetables with you?" (She was just going down the checklist). "Well, actually -- I was a dodo and brought in these oranges. I know it was completely stupid, but I was thinking snacks for the kids...so sorry." I was poised for the frown and the inevitable command to redo the paperwork. <br />
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Fortune smiled. Or at least, the immigration officer did. She just noted "Oranges" on my form, put a big "A" on the top, and told me to go through the USDA station. <br />
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I explained to the kids what was happening on our way to get the luggage from the conveyor belt. James said loudly, "Can't we just throw them in a trash can?" (Innocent question, but I felt like a criminal, so I shushed him and explained why one can't just throw them away.)<br />
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And secretly, I was a bit pleased that we'd be going through the USDA line, because it's often a shorter line than the "nothing to declare" line. We collected the luggage, and -- foiled! The gods of customs have changed the process and <i>everyone</i> has to go through the line. Which wrapped around the entire luggage return area. Tick. Tick. Tick. I could sense the remaining minutes of kids' good humor lapsing. We got channeled into the USDA line. Tick. Tick. Tick. At the head of the line, Ashley asked out loud, "Can't we just throw them in a trash can?" I nearly jumped out of my skin. Looking furtively around and shushing her vigorously, I whispered fiercely that one can <i>not</i> just throw them into the municipal system.<br />
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The USDA agents were in truth very nice and explained (again, since I'd just told them) why we have to get rid of them. They x-rayed all our bags. And then we were standing next to another traveler -- who was on the receiving end of the Spanish Inquisition. He appeared to have been trying to smuggle in something other than oranges for personal snacks, although I wasn't listening too closely. I was trying to figure out if they were going to get mad about the nuts that I'd forgotten to mention...<br />
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And -- hurray! I showed them my passport, and they made a note of it (I'm probably somewhere in the rolls of notorious citrus smugglers). We're free!<br />
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Two and a half hours after the flight landed, we hugged Michael at the top of the receiving stairs. <br />
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Now we're home. Well, at one of our homes. We all feel very torn, because now we have <i>two </i>homes. So it's bittersweet -- we're happy to be here, but we miss all of our friends and our lovely town. <br />
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We can't wait to get back together with all of you in the upcoming weeks. And thank you for following our Italy adventure!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
AlexandraThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-39666609159544586122011-05-08T16:00:00.000-07:002011-05-08T16:00:38.317-07:00Move over Pompeii...<div class="MsoNormal">Today was our last full day in Italy. It’s so hard to say goodbye to this funny country! On our way from Santa Agata to the Fiumicino (airport) hotel, we stopped in Herculaneum. I think it’s Italy’s best-kept secret. Wow.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The way the volcano erupted had a different effect on Herculaneum than on Pompeii. While Herculaneum is smaller than Pompeii, it had many organic elements preserved, including ropes, doors, and many other items. This meant that second (and even third!) floors were still intact, which gave a much better sense of what the town was immediately before the eruption. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The frescoes were also generally more intact, although truly not a large portion of them remained relative to what was missing. On the other hand, there were some amazing mosaic floors, walls, and shrines.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_Bz7GfzGQc/TcaxPEeqf9I/AAAAAAAAIb0/xKeXmV2Qxy4/s1600/100_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_Bz7GfzGQc/TcaxPEeqf9I/AAAAAAAAIb0/xKeXmV2Qxy4/s320/100_2103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview of Herculaneum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cityscape</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCTu_VDFQDk/TcaxUyTKPaI/AAAAAAAAIcA/AIRbs2AYa4c/s1600/100_2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCTu_VDFQDk/TcaxUyTKPaI/AAAAAAAAIcA/AIRbs2AYa4c/s320/100_2106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7f4R1t3PWzA/TcaxXiZHO2I/AAAAAAAAIcE/HLj4oFiKUBI/s1600/100_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7f4R1t3PWzA/TcaxXiZHO2I/AAAAAAAAIcE/HLj4oFiKUBI/s320/100_2107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresco -- about 2000 years old...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1xQfwcXkaY/TcaxfYPaVyI/AAAAAAAAIcY/_4E7FyHaP9w/s1600/100_2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1xQfwcXkaY/TcaxfYPaVyI/AAAAAAAAIcY/_4E7FyHaP9w/s320/100_2111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this marble floor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKyBElqff7Y/TcaxlmPFOAI/AAAAAAAAIco/9413AsQ61uM/s1600/100_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKyBElqff7Y/TcaxlmPFOAI/AAAAAAAAIco/9413AsQ61uM/s320/100_2114.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of mosaic work on shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shrine in another house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a987CfpwHt4/Tcaxr0zrV-I/AAAAAAAAIc0/JvcjrXVuyxY/s1600/100_2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a987CfpwHt4/Tcaxr0zrV-I/AAAAAAAAIc0/JvcjrXVuyxY/s320/100_2116.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troughs? Perhaps to wash clothes?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6MD7c1yiug/Tcaxuac8buI/AAAAAAAAIc4/ClFnBSR0EqY/s1600/100_2117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6MD7c1yiug/Tcaxuac8buI/AAAAAAAAIc4/ClFnBSR0EqY/s320/100_2117.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the perspective on these paintings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piH-v4WBEN8/TcaxzQX1VsI/AAAAAAAAIc8/ndt4wZI43NQ/s1600/100_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piH-v4WBEN8/TcaxzQX1VsI/AAAAAAAAIc8/ndt4wZI43NQ/s320/100_2119.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a bakery, we think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0g_itN1EJ84/Tcax167e7NI/AAAAAAAAIdA/JbHoP2WUGvg/s1600/100_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0g_itN1EJ84/Tcax167e7NI/AAAAAAAAIdA/JbHoP2WUGvg/s320/100_2120.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the colors here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-klxilUwZEhI/Tcax4E2hmRI/AAAAAAAAIdI/pTMhaK8ROFo/s1600/100_2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-klxilUwZEhI/Tcax4E2hmRI/AAAAAAAAIdI/pTMhaK8ROFo/s320/100_2121.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup to see the realism</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-lX2SuJmrk/Tcax6mG90mI/AAAAAAAAIdM/mec2kdkkr_c/s1600/100_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-lX2SuJmrk/Tcax6mG90mI/AAAAAAAAIdM/mec2kdkkr_c/s320/100_2122.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another closeup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcddLGwbpvc/Tcax-QOhbzI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/dbdM61xkuK8/s1600/100_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcddLGwbpvc/Tcax-QOhbzI/AAAAAAAAIdQ/dbdM61xkuK8/s320/100_2123.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy, to show scale for the fresco with closeup above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCDnycVSvUY/TcayBovKGRI/AAAAAAAAIdU/Zwzs7KmJzD8/s1600/100_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCDnycVSvUY/TcayBovKGRI/AAAAAAAAIdU/Zwzs7KmJzD8/s320/100_2124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wine or olive oil shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aS6fRcD2kto/TcayEpSs_KI/AAAAAAAAIdc/FxWrbGaYmmU/s1600/100_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aS6fRcD2kto/TcayEpSs_KI/AAAAAAAAIdc/FxWrbGaYmmU/s320/100_2125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bas-relieve in the forum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyQBl1ZxZLY/TcayG2cxwKI/AAAAAAAAIdg/iMlmCnNymrQ/s1600/100_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WyQBl1ZxZLY/TcayG2cxwKI/AAAAAAAAIdg/iMlmCnNymrQ/s320/100_2126.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the forum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQx7Q6LtMyU/TcayI3T7-_I/AAAAAAAAIdk/ko5lf44D8Is/s1600/100_2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQx7Q6LtMyU/TcayI3T7-_I/AAAAAAAAIdk/ko5lf44D8Is/s320/100_2127.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wood is original</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4-0cEzAkt0/TcayOOfuYlI/AAAAAAAAIdw/HOxyzs0lvIY/s1600/100_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4-0cEzAkt0/TcayOOfuYlI/AAAAAAAAIdw/HOxyzs0lvIY/s320/100_2129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsccDp7kZVc/TcayQkEVW8I/AAAAAAAAId0/gSBpByYjcsY/s1600/100_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KsccDp7kZVc/TcayQkEVW8I/AAAAAAAAId0/gSBpByYjcsY/s320/100_2130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A door jamb. See how it's worn at the hinge to show rotation?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ9XPC4pWOo/TcayUtvljXI/AAAAAAAAId4/8XSnS_vSRvM/s1600/100_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ9XPC4pWOo/TcayUtvljXI/AAAAAAAAId4/8XSnS_vSRvM/s320/100_2131.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fountain in the forum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVVapSJUDvs/TcayZmVLb9I/AAAAAAAAIeA/s_QA-VGnqqU/s1600/100_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVVapSJUDvs/TcayZmVLb9I/AAAAAAAAIeA/s_QA-VGnqqU/s320/100_2132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast-food joint? Olive oil vendor? Check out the rounded corners on the counter.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlQCYenuo9s/TcaycViU6FI/AAAAAAAAIeE/coQKSN0-sLI/s1600/100_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hlQCYenuo9s/TcaycViU6FI/AAAAAAAAIeE/coQKSN0-sLI/s320/100_2133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streetscape near the forum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLdqUA7rFX4/TcayjJA8jcI/AAAAAAAAIeM/QLJn94ZZXuQ/s1600/100_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLdqUA7rFX4/TcayjJA8jcI/AAAAAAAAIeM/QLJn94ZZXuQ/s320/100_2135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic floors. The stones are about 1/4" square.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPrtIzCXBdg/Tcayk4YnAiI/AAAAAAAAIeU/FMCydnAY0SE/s1600/100_2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPrtIzCXBdg/Tcayk4YnAiI/AAAAAAAAIeU/FMCydnAY0SE/s320/100_2136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ceiling -- WOOD (!) that was plastered and frescoed.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzrSj_F8Ykc/TcaynCyiYSI/AAAAAAAAIeY/fgIrXdkC_9A/s1600/100_2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzrSj_F8Ykc/TcaynCyiYSI/AAAAAAAAIeY/fgIrXdkC_9A/s320/100_2137.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at how high the sidewalk is relative to the road.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlbj6R9T4v0/TcaypZFEaoI/AAAAAAAAIec/x298419Yd2Q/s1600/100_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlbj6R9T4v0/TcaypZFEaoI/AAAAAAAAIec/x298419Yd2Q/s320/100_2138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a house. Look at how big it was!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSvIv8_W5R4/Tcayq0cikGI/AAAAAAAAIeg/gts6L3NjF7E/s1600/100_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSvIv8_W5R4/Tcayq0cikGI/AAAAAAAAIeg/gts6L3NjF7E/s320/100_2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the opening in the atrium (it would not have had glass on top) leading to the impluvium.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lruKOCYf6BA/TcayrpcwZcI/AAAAAAAAIek/FDT2qdN0zLs/s1600/100_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lruKOCYf6BA/TcayrpcwZcI/AAAAAAAAIek/FDT2qdN0zLs/s320/100_2140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fragments of a bed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVvy5M0gcXE/TcaytVwqhII/AAAAAAAAIeo/1XfD6nf3rBg/s1600/100_2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVvy5M0gcXE/TcaytVwqhII/AAAAAAAAIeo/1XfD6nf3rBg/s320/100_2141.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doors to the house (now protected in a case)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtl6suB3RKM/TcayvyeOSgI/AAAAAAAAIe0/woKiaA0WlTw/s1600/100_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtl6suB3RKM/TcayvyeOSgI/AAAAAAAAIe0/woKiaA0WlTw/s320/100_2142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had some beautiful furniture -- all carved by hand...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Utd_eN5nY/Tcayy7b0rnI/AAAAAAAAIe4/hpT8s2X_CFc/s1600/100_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Utd_eN5nY/Tcayy7b0rnI/AAAAAAAAIe4/hpT8s2X_CFc/s320/100_2143.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi-story house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyuwzeqqO8M/Tcay1Bz8X7I/AAAAAAAAIe8/sEQHrJaMa4M/s1600/100_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyuwzeqqO8M/Tcay1Bz8X7I/AAAAAAAAIe8/sEQHrJaMa4M/s320/100_2144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rope excavated at the site.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHE1oBj1z5A/Tcay4HWU-KI/AAAAAAAAIfA/ORNiW1tuVJQ/s1600/100_2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DHE1oBj1z5A/Tcay4HWU-KI/AAAAAAAAIfA/ORNiW1tuVJQ/s320/100_2145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were security conscious, even then!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzDvTfodI80/Tcay5snrABI/AAAAAAAAIfE/WGKVSvL7lTk/s1600/100_2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QdpSF_yAIs/Tcay7uVsE6I/AAAAAAAAIfM/_5mojPdAiEY/s1600/100_2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QdpSF_yAIs/Tcay7uVsE6I/AAAAAAAAIfM/_5mojPdAiEY/s320/100_2147.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another mega-mansion</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6YaCKedjiE/Tcay-SleJiI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/A_pDtVreakE/s1600/100_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6YaCKedjiE/Tcay-SleJiI/AAAAAAAAIfQ/A_pDtVreakE/s320/100_2148.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the atrium (same house as above)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDIMhef-7B4/TcazAO-_ztI/AAAAAAAAIfU/62U704UUiHo/s1600/100_2149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDIMhef-7B4/TcazAO-_ztI/AAAAAAAAIfU/62U704UUiHo/s320/100_2149.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry foyer to the house shown above</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YggxWv3ukzo/TcazCpa8hNI/AAAAAAAAIfY/dFgXySbI3ts/s1600/100_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YggxWv3ukzo/TcazCpa8hNI/AAAAAAAAIfY/dFgXySbI3ts/s320/100_2150.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine shop (?) Look at the storage!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CrPxRMxITjg/TcazHQkjVOI/AAAAAAAAIfg/m2bGPLY7uC8/s1600/100_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CrPxRMxITjg/TcazHQkjVOI/AAAAAAAAIfg/m2bGPLY7uC8/s320/100_2151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mosaic; we were completely struck with the bright colors.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6xLE7jZWvA/TcazLZp1WLI/AAAAAAAAIfk/gBdH5Ajed1o/s1600/100_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6xLE7jZWvA/TcazLZp1WLI/AAAAAAAAIfk/gBdH5Ajed1o/s320/100_2152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another side of the room with mosaics</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7F9FNVh1X4/TcazPex-IYI/AAAAAAAAIfo/I1fQCUs1bCo/s1600/100_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7F9FNVh1X4/TcazPex-IYI/AAAAAAAAIfo/I1fQCUs1bCo/s320/100_2153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of the gorgeous work</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhX53wJ5cs8/TcazVgBgkXI/AAAAAAAAIfw/L7RsPIIXv7I/s1600/100_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhX53wJ5cs8/TcazVgBgkXI/AAAAAAAAIfw/L7RsPIIXv7I/s320/100_2154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the use of scallop shells around the border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-mg_FYiHxQ/Tcazb1F2j4I/AAAAAAAAIf4/C3dPSel1Rmw/s1600/100_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-mg_FYiHxQ/Tcazb1F2j4I/AAAAAAAAIf4/C3dPSel1Rmw/s320/100_2156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry way of two-story house. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_9IsJuSWMg/TcazeWM6rHI/AAAAAAAAIgA/3QGnzJKo46o/s1600/100_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_9IsJuSWMg/TcazeWM6rHI/AAAAAAAAIgA/3QGnzJKo46o/s320/100_2157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavement in same house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mf1qfwxWoxA/TcazhjCGCII/AAAAAAAAIgE/2QbT7xi8248/s1600/100_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mf1qfwxWoxA/TcazhjCGCII/AAAAAAAAIgE/2QbT7xi8248/s320/100_2158.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairway leading to upper floor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhfZrWHK-GU/Tcazk9wPB1I/AAAAAAAAIgI/1tWVT9rzGK8/s1600/100_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhfZrWHK-GU/Tcazk9wPB1I/AAAAAAAAIgI/1tWVT9rzGK8/s320/100_2159.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot of upper floor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hinYclLaK4/TcazmYoaqJI/AAAAAAAAIgM/jZORSicqYn4/s1600/100_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hinYclLaK4/TcazmYoaqJI/AAAAAAAAIgM/jZORSicqYn4/s320/100_2160.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence and Jeremy looking thoughtful.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smQ4zibuWPA/Tcazo13QyyI/AAAAAAAAIgQ/eanFf76IPMM/s1600/100_2161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smQ4zibuWPA/Tcazo13QyyI/AAAAAAAAIgQ/eanFf76IPMM/s320/100_2161.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the outer courtyard of the women's baths</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5UzwtuqWBI/Tcazq4jr17I/AAAAAAAAIgY/0TAwCLXO_3Y/s1600/100_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5UzwtuqWBI/Tcazq4jr17I/AAAAAAAAIgY/0TAwCLXO_3Y/s320/100_2162.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The locker room in the women's baths</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTVNZP-8fWY/Tcazr7FXORI/AAAAAAAAIgc/4doefxqJVyI/s1600/100_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTVNZP-8fWY/Tcazr7FXORI/AAAAAAAAIgc/4doefxqJVyI/s320/100_2163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tepidarium of the baths</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qR3nK184GkI/Tcazuv-RIOI/AAAAAAAAIgg/PlHlErGI_eM/s1600/100_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qR3nK184GkI/Tcazuv-RIOI/AAAAAAAAIgg/PlHlErGI_eM/s320/100_2164.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the ceiling shaping that channels condensation back into the walls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arxRGf6Kzxg/TcazxvS6CfI/AAAAAAAAIgk/KQbkoLMYbgY/s1600/100_2165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arxRGf6Kzxg/TcazxvS6CfI/AAAAAAAAIgk/KQbkoLMYbgY/s320/100_2165.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streetscape</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qobipbsgdX4/Tcaz3Ml5MtI/AAAAAAAAIgw/k1uud6JDXHw/s1600/100_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qobipbsgdX4/Tcaz3Ml5MtI/AAAAAAAAIgw/k1uud6JDXHw/s320/100_2167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The atrium of a house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZnVgYnBnwE/Tcaz5WjBfQI/AAAAAAAAIg0/JyIPZ9QmVS0/s1600/100_2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZnVgYnBnwE/Tcaz5WjBfQI/AAAAAAAAIg0/JyIPZ9QmVS0/s320/100_2168.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The columns were concrete-covered brick. Look at the interesting shaping.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YU7-uSqqDfU/Tcaz8yvNqFI/AAAAAAAAIg4/ads2siyuokE/s1600/100_2169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YU7-uSqqDfU/Tcaz8yvNqFI/AAAAAAAAIg4/ads2siyuokE/s320/100_2169.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard of a beach house. The view through the pergola would have been of the ocean.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzMcWsCYQss/Tcaz_aF6irI/AAAAAAAAIhA/8wixTGzjQ4c/s1600/100_2170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzMcWsCYQss/Tcaz_aF6irI/AAAAAAAAIhA/8wixTGzjQ4c/s320/100_2170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the same house. The room was HUGE.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gm-V3UuS0Sk/Tca0CFUau4I/AAAAAAAAIhE/rsaP75QTJUo/s1600/100_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gm-V3UuS0Sk/Tca0CFUau4I/AAAAAAAAIhE/rsaP75QTJUo/s320/100_2171.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house was called "La Casa dei Cervi" (the house of the deer). A pair of these statues explains the name. Look at the delicacy of the carving! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K58LevZnT1U/Tca0GzkFx2I/AAAAAAAAIhI/rK5XJyHmlz8/s1600/100_2172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K58LevZnT1U/Tca0GzkFx2I/AAAAAAAAIhI/rK5XJyHmlz8/s320/100_2172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A table in La Casa dei Cervi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYlSAfPATi4/Tca0JwK7GMI/AAAAAAAAIhM/V5L9FwfSZaA/s1600/100_2173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYlSAfPATi4/Tca0JwK7GMI/AAAAAAAAIhM/V5L9FwfSZaA/s320/100_2173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavement in La Casa dei Cervi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10YCVGyESfw/Tca0M9Bj9jI/AAAAAAAAIhY/j5f_bVezEvg/s1600/100_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10YCVGyESfw/Tca0M9Bj9jI/AAAAAAAAIhY/j5f_bVezEvg/s320/100_2176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The realism was extraordinary.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GGQFaBDXhY/Tca0PTeZbxI/AAAAAAAAIhc/z0pAkc8RmQE/s1600/100_2177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GGQFaBDXhY/Tca0PTeZbxI/AAAAAAAAIhc/z0pAkc8RmQE/s320/100_2177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fresco (it's framed for protection)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Seeing this town helped me appreciate Italian architecture in general. When you go into a town, you’ll typically be faced with a lot of walls and little to no apparent garden space. However, behind the blank walls are gorgeous courtyards with lush plants and flowers. This started with the Romans. Their houses opened into a courtyard with an impluvium (a square receptacle for rainwater). The house used the rainwater for cooking, drinking, and domestic purposes. There was sometimes a well directly next to the impluvium that led into the cistern. Since this water was important for the family, it had to be in a secure area, rather than being part of a “front garden.” Hence, much of the beauty of the house is concealed within, behind these doors.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You still see that today. The palazzi, many of which have been converted to apartments and smaller houses, typically have relatively plain doors. But when you enter (or peek through, if you’re lucky enough to see one opened!), there’s a lovely courtyard, often with stairs leading to the upper stories. While these would not generally be Roman structures, many of the same requirements (read: need for water) drove the construction of these houses hundreds of years ago.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After Herculaneum, we had lunch across the street. Someone from the restaurant had handed us a flier as we entered the site, and they advertised, "Open, even at lunchtime!". We found that hilarious. Silly us; aren't restaurants <i>usually</i> open at lunchtime? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then, we drove to the airport hotel. Since I was worried that my bags were over the weight limit, I wanted to purchase a tote bag or another suitcase. I was told to go down the road to the supermarket. When we arrived, the “supermarket” turned out to be a slightly larger version of an alimentari. And no suitcases. But upon inquiry, he suggested I find a place down the road called La Metta.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I went down a side alley, as indicated, and found a fairly seamy part of the tiny town. Junked cars on both sides of the roads, a mechanic’s shop, but not much else. However, I asked a lady who looked kind for La Metta; she had no idea, but she walked with me to the mechanics’ and asked them. They said, “Right there” and pointed to an open doorway with some junk piled around it. Huh?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It turns out that I had found my first ever Italian thrift shop! So for seven euros, he fitted me out nicely with a suitcase with wheels (and intact zippers). Ta-da! AND I know what a thrift shop in Italy looks like. In case you’re wondering, it was a pretty scary place and I wouldn’t expect to buy much there. But a suitcase certainly came in handy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TPgKb8-5u6M/Tca0XGiPSHI/AAAAAAAAIho/ZpesMF24XGk/s1600/100_2179.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TPgKb8-5u6M/Tca0XGiPSHI/AAAAAAAAIho/ZpesMF24XGk/s320/100_2179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really neat flower near the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmVCg7dh9p8/Tca0TwBh50I/AAAAAAAAIhg/Pz3yvdUdxy4/s1600/100_2178.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmVCg7dh9p8/Tca0TwBh50I/AAAAAAAAIhg/Pz3yvdUdxy4/s320/100_2178.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the bush looked like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had a lovely dinner overlooking the ocean, and got nicely lost on the way back to the hotel. We finally asked this sweet guy who told us that he was going near it and to follow him. After some erratic driving, he opened the car door (holding it with one hand and gesturing with the other; if you’re counting, you might wonder how many hands were on the steering wheel – we didn’t really want to know at that point) and indicated that we were to go straight even though he was turning right. We knew exactly where we were, and got back to the hotel in great shape. Now it’s time for bed. Up tomorrow for breakfast, and then we leave for the airport.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I probably won’t post this until I get home, because the hotel’s internet access went down. But I wanted to write it all while it was still fresh!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Love,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Alexandra </div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-86433027825294191862011-05-05T13:33:00.000-07:002011-05-05T13:33:20.918-07:00Caprice?Today we took a tour boat to Capri. There are two main towns on the island: Capri and Anacapri. First we went to Capri and wandered around the town a bit. Eleanor, Jeremy, and I went on a longer walk while the rest of the crew had a coffee with a gorgeous view!<br />
<br />
Since Ashley's reporting most of the day, I'll let my pictures provide my narrative.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps4ZdgX-hZk/TcL43_DNwVI/AAAAAAAAIYI/bIZsVxwqg7g/s1600/100_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps4ZdgX-hZk/TcL43_DNwVI/AAAAAAAAIYI/bIZsVxwqg7g/s320/100_2029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad with the HUGE van & 5 kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9kHq8LDs64/TcL5JCRlBpI/AAAAAAAAIYM/BkiV-x2iXIQ/s1600/100_2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q9kHq8LDs64/TcL5JCRlBpI/AAAAAAAAIYM/BkiV-x2iXIQ/s320/100_2030.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shore near the dock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_mx_5giz1g/TcL5aqn2RjI/AAAAAAAAIYQ/5E7_mQ70tY0/s1600/100_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_mx_5giz1g/TcL5aqn2RjI/AAAAAAAAIYQ/5E7_mQ70tY0/s320/100_2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water was incredibly clear!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1Um6IsDSP8/TcL5zQFb0hI/AAAAAAAAIYU/6kjt5kwxlLw/s1600/100_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1Um6IsDSP8/TcL5zQFb0hI/AAAAAAAAIYU/6kjt5kwxlLw/s320/100_2032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZvfcWGF3yI/TcL6MRj3rAI/AAAAAAAAIYc/yfwqzK_a52o/s1600/100_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZvfcWGF3yI/TcL6MRj3rAI/AAAAAAAAIYc/yfwqzK_a52o/s320/100_2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1ABy7IqR5A/TcL6oAVjZWI/AAAAAAAAIYg/8vTaGbwgK9M/s1600/100_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E1ABy7IqR5A/TcL6oAVjZWI/AAAAAAAAIYg/8vTaGbwgK9M/s320/100_2036.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs are hundreds of feet high.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImvzVp09NIU/TcL7DVnozLI/AAAAAAAAIYk/rCAc-fEP_XM/s1600/100_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImvzVp09NIU/TcL7DVnozLI/AAAAAAAAIYk/rCAc-fEP_XM/s320/100_2037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJYbITORMRQ/TcL7l6QIoJI/AAAAAAAAIYs/oqRVulelJi0/s1600/100_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJYbITORMRQ/TcL7l6QIoJI/AAAAAAAAIYs/oqRVulelJi0/s320/100_2038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4q_nP4v-xk/TcL8Cgvi12I/AAAAAAAAIYw/ms0Rbbss2kk/s1600/100_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4q_nP4v-xk/TcL8Cgvi12I/AAAAAAAAIYw/ms0Rbbss2kk/s320/100_2040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vje9kcmfJZw/TcL8T6xRewI/AAAAAAAAIY0/7X7YwkTcgNk/s1600/100_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vje9kcmfJZw/TcL8T6xRewI/AAAAAAAAIY0/7X7YwkTcgNk/s320/100_2042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXTHbRN5l4/TcL8thAKFAI/AAAAAAAAIY8/r99P-Mcogt4/s1600/100_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXTHbRN5l4/TcL8thAKFAI/AAAAAAAAIY8/r99P-Mcogt4/s320/100_2043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqmPe8ePm5g/TcL9i9gjGyI/AAAAAAAAIZE/moTSbpittxo/s1600/100_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqmPe8ePm5g/TcL9i9gjGyI/AAAAAAAAIZE/moTSbpittxo/s320/100_2046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niZE49bfsXk/TcL9vxIg5XI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/qqT8gyt_9hY/s1600/100_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niZE49bfsXk/TcL9vxIg5XI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/qqT8gyt_9hY/s320/100_2047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSa-h7C-w0k/TcL-BQ4O-vI/AAAAAAAAIZU/apMplUxLPUk/s1600/100_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSa-h7C-w0k/TcL-BQ4O-vI/AAAAAAAAIZU/apMplUxLPUk/s320/100_2048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-30XTCMh3y-E/TcL-V3yyt0I/AAAAAAAAIZY/DEmLBKa-E7I/s1600/100_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-30XTCMh3y-E/TcL-V3yyt0I/AAAAAAAAIZY/DEmLBKa-E7I/s320/100_2055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought the roofline on this one was rather odd</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g4DDqX5ARKg/TcL-uHSOojI/AAAAAAAAIZc/oQATG7sJCjc/s1600/100_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g4DDqX5ARKg/TcL-uHSOojI/AAAAAAAAIZc/oQATG7sJCjc/s320/100_2056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0C06VRQHfec/TcL-97xBZ7I/AAAAAAAAIZk/GCBovVmvrVM/s1600/100_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0C06VRQHfec/TcL-97xBZ7I/AAAAAAAAIZk/GCBovVmvrVM/s320/100_2057.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did NOT photoshop the colors on this!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what kind of tree this is, but I thought the trunk was neat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMbS1EjqW3A/TcL_wEA7J3I/AAAAAAAAIZw/kSXUg_roe7M/s1600/100_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMbS1EjqW3A/TcL_wEA7J3I/AAAAAAAAIZw/kSXUg_roe7M/s320/100_2061.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little shrine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main harbor in Capri</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the chairlift to the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of grapevines!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anacapri from the chairlift</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ruin</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Vc1yTFJZM/TcMFJDYRR6I/AAAAAAAAIbE/1fywvvTuvuo/s1600/100_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Vc1yTFJZM/TcMFJDYRR6I/AAAAAAAAIbE/1fywvvTuvuo/s320/100_2085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wiGYZ20tX8/TcMGTOel3jI/AAAAAAAAIbU/xZykVafx7os/s1600/100_2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8wiGYZ20tX8/TcMGTOel3jI/AAAAAAAAIbU/xZykVafx7os/s320/100_2088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seagulls were so far down they looked like specks</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVaOHc7M_8s/TcMGjflxnWI/AAAAAAAAIbY/L_LKDXT0IAQ/s1600/100_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WVaOHc7M_8s/TcMGjflxnWI/AAAAAAAAIbY/L_LKDXT0IAQ/s320/100_2092.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXuPepCWkVo/TcMG35GHinI/AAAAAAAAIbc/b72SXsXIn-I/s1600/100_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXuPepCWkVo/TcMG35GHinI/AAAAAAAAIbc/b72SXsXIn-I/s320/100_2094.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkMRfu4MtNo/TcMHEDGbu8I/AAAAAAAAIbo/5MSVgmwEg5Y/s1600/100_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkMRfu4MtNo/TcMHEDGbu8I/AAAAAAAAIbo/5MSVgmwEg5Y/s320/100_2096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi-N3z3PVHo/TcMHOb-_aXI/AAAAAAAAIbs/AeoSXzFej_I/s1600/100_2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi-N3z3PVHo/TcMHOb-_aXI/AAAAAAAAIbs/AeoSXzFej_I/s320/100_2100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBPaP28r4YY/TcMHg88c5sI/AAAAAAAAIbw/1ZMULEjsAbU/s1600/100_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBPaP28r4YY/TcMHg88c5sI/AAAAAAAAIbw/1ZMULEjsAbU/s320/100_2101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-26417760077722715362011-05-05T12:46:00.000-07:002011-05-05T12:46:04.576-07:00A Wavy Day!This morning we left at 8:00 and drove about an hour to the ferry. We decided to ferry on a boat Capri for the day. When we got to the ferry, we got tickets and looked down into the blue ocean. There were about ten jellyfish in the water. I'm glad I wasn't swimming then!<br />
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We walked across the ramp and sat in the semi-crowded boat. Soon the boat started to move. The tour leader talked to the group in Italian, English, and German. We went past many caves and boats and over lots of big waves.<br />
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At our first stop we got off of the boat onto the rocks. The water was still blue and gorgeous as it splashed against the rocks! In a clump, we followed the tour guide into a small piazza. He told us some of the history of the area before we clambered onto the small bus.<br />
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We arrived in Capri and got off. As everyone on our bus was waiting for the other bus, we went to a bar so that we could have a pit stop and that Vovo and Grandfather could have some coffee. In addition, we had some gelato.<br />
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Licking our gelato, we found the group on the sidewalk, walking towards a spot in the shade. The tour guy talked more about the history in three languages. After that, we all broke up and went with our own families. In fact, Vovo, Grandfather, James, Florence, and I went in one group and the others in the family went in the other group.<br />
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We first stopped in the perfume shop because Vovo wanted to know what they smelled like. There were many lemon perfumes (big surprise!). After that, we went over to a very nice hotel and Vovo had some more coffee and Grandfather had white wine.<br />
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We found a table with a beautiful view. The water was clear and seemed almost fake from the rich color. <br />
The coffee and wine arrived, including some other snacks that we didn't know came with it. There were cookies and chips. And of course, a wonderful view! It was paradise!<br />
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We met up with the group and went to another part of Capri. We did basically the same thing, but this time we had lunch and then went around by ourselves. We got back on the boat and saw a few more things in the sea. We went through the "Arco d'amore" (the arch of love). Our tour guy said that people went through this arch in couples, usually. When we went through the arch, our tour guy said, " Bacio" and everyone who had a husband or wife kissed.<br />
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Next, we saw a cave that had a stalagmite in the shape of Mary. Most people took pictures and the boat did a 360-degree turn so that everyone could see Mary.<br />
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Eleanor and I had a great time playing with a baby in front of us. He had an adorable smile and I love kids! I would touch my ear and then the baby would follow me and give a big smile. I did several things like shaking and nodding my head and the little boy could shake his head, but not nod. He moved his whole body and tried really heard, but still couldn't do it.<br />
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He also played with his toy car and made car noises. At one point, the boy's toy's steering wheel came off and it was lost. Before anyone knew what had happened, he covered his mouth and gave a shocked look because the steering wheel had magically disappeared. I must say that Eleanor and I had a wonderful time playing withe the baby.<br />
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He reminded me of William. Titia,say hello to him for me, please!<br />
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Love,<br />
Ashley The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-32973571598104918862011-05-04T13:39:00.000-07:002011-05-04T13:41:33.868-07:00I thought we were in Italy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34ts8W9KIy0/TcGWanDBZ3I/AAAAAAAAISQ/Gp898oVW_xk/s1600/100_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEMHeK5Wjt4/TcGmT7NBGXI/AAAAAAAAIWY/6uhJXd20gFo/s1600/100_2004.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEMHeK5Wjt4/TcGmT7NBGXI/AAAAAAAAIWY/6uhJXd20gFo/s200/100_2004.JPG" width="200" /></a>...but today we took a trip to ancient Greece. Or rather, an ancient Greek settlement. The town is called "Paestum", and was settled around 700 B.C. It has some of the most complete temples from the time that are still visible today -- including in Greece itself. Apparently, knowledge of it was lost, and then some invading Allied forces rediscovered it during the landing at Sorrento. Can you imagine coming across these as you're in the middle of a war?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_TNfWHbXyM/TcGqkR8kPRI/AAAAAAAAIXY/fQ4HbAmM6Js/s1600/100_2020.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_TNfWHbXyM/TcGqkR8kPRI/AAAAAAAAIXY/fQ4HbAmM6Js/s200/100_2020.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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But I'm getting ahead of myself here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ-3UvN5XYo/TcGXav-KjLI/AAAAAAAAISc/EKXS2jMKm9c/s1600/100_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ-3UvN5XYo/TcGXav-KjLI/AAAAAAAAISc/EKXS2jMKm9c/s320/100_1883.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a bit humid in there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This morning, we drove along the Sorrento coast to Amalfi. On the way, we stopped by the Emerald Grotto. It is a large, one-chamber cave with stalagtites and -mites and other formations. It has a special feature: one section of the cave allows light in through the sea floor, and it glows turquoise. It's extremely pretty. The guide takes you on a short tour (it's large for a one-chamber cave, but not really huge) by flat-bottomed boat; you never get out of sight of the dock. The whole time, the guide was babbling in spaghetti English; the point at which we cracked up was when he used the paddle to move the water in such a way to display a ceramic baby Jesus. He proclaimed, "Looky, eetsa mee-ra-cul-ah!" proudly as the baby Jesus was revealed, thus providing our newest family saying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14aawRecNdk/TcGWukAp5II/AAAAAAAAISU/pvNcw37_AHQ/s1600/100_1881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14aawRecNdk/TcGWukAp5II/AAAAAAAAISU/pvNcw37_AHQ/s320/100_1881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What doesn't show is the large amount of bright turquoise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We also bought a "cedro" which is a large lemony-looking fruit. I couldn't resist. The man on the side of the road selling them told me that they were sweet like an orange. He weighed them using a handheld brass balance, much as his ancestors must have done!<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh-ks99V7pM/TcGXAS4WVeI/AAAAAAAAISY/CcdydErOrzA/s1600/100_1882.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh-ks99V7pM/TcGXAS4WVeI/AAAAAAAAISY/CcdydErOrzA/s200/100_1882.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34ts8W9KIy0/TcGWanDBZ3I/AAAAAAAAISQ/Gp898oVW_xk/s1600/100_1879.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34ts8W9KIy0/TcGWanDBZ3I/AAAAAAAAISQ/Gp898oVW_xk/s320/100_1879.JPG" width="320" /></a>The trip along the coast road was absolutely lovely, if hair-raising for our poor driver. We had an apparently suicidal bike rider (yes, BIKE, not motorcycle) passing a car on the outside of a blind curve going in the opposite direction from us. If my dad hadn't been quick on the brakes, we would have been learning first hand how quickly the ambulance arrives in Italy. The view, however, was gorgeous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocGV0CKYAjY/TcGXwziFqQI/AAAAAAAAISo/qfTYlt2SKAA/s1600/100_1884.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocGV0CKYAjY/TcGXwziFqQI/AAAAAAAAISo/qfTYlt2SKAA/s320/100_1884.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only one of 1000s of views...</td></tr>
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When we arrived in Amalfi (having averaged about 12 miles an hour), we went to the big surface parking lot just off the coast road. It was crammed to the gills -- we have no idea what happens during peak tourist season, nor are we anxious to find out. As the van was drawing its skirts close together to pass a car going in the opposite direction, the other car (with HUGE loudspeakers mounted to the top) started blaring opera at us. We looked at each other and just started cracking up...<i>only</i> in Italy. It turned out later to be part of an election campaign.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHW3udS2E7c/TcGf7qvNz-I/AAAAAAAAIUw/LWuM8nMpGHw/s1600/100_1952.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHW3udS2E7c/TcGf7qvNz-I/AAAAAAAAIUw/LWuM8nMpGHw/s320/100_1952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found the car again later, so I caught a picture of it.</td></tr>
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Having found <i>niente</i> in the way of parking, we continued up the coast road. Fortune smiled, and a subterranean parking lot appeared in front of us. Hurray! We parked the car, and were able to go to the cathedral -- St. Andrew's. It has a gorgeous crypt with all kinds of inlaid stone throughout, and paintings on the ceiling. There were also some fragments of mosaics from somewhere around (Italy is so rich in culture that the inhabitants occasionally forget to document this stuff for those of us who haven't grown up with it).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaA9uQudscw/TcGYEx0bOHI/AAAAAAAAISs/iXBV3IEUG40/s1600/100_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaA9uQudscw/TcGYEx0bOHI/AAAAAAAAISs/iXBV3IEUG40/s320/100_1885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Andrew's facade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The campanile</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doors, which are incredibly old (sorry, don't have a date for you)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbpLCGqI6fg/TcGZAdwTo4I/AAAAAAAAIS8/CbuNVWkQaPI/s1600/100_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbpLCGqI6fg/TcGZAdwTo4I/AAAAAAAAIS8/CbuNVWkQaPI/s320/100_1888.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the Moorish influence here?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvvWE6vzIKE/TcGZqkDIrbI/AAAAAAAAITE/NCwrdQzcMKM/s1600/100_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvvWE6vzIKE/TcGZqkDIrbI/AAAAAAAAITE/NCwrdQzcMKM/s320/100_1890.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the mosaic work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rRsvAggYPs/TcGaFULIW_I/AAAAAAAAITI/5lSd4kwIuNw/s1600/100_1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rRsvAggYPs/TcGaFULIW_I/AAAAAAAAITI/5lSd4kwIuNw/s320/100_1891.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A detail of the mosaic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta__r1iZ6pI/TcGaXGrnNMI/AAAAAAAAITQ/ijk9o6qxDxg/s1600/100_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ta__r1iZ6pI/TcGaXGrnNMI/AAAAAAAAITQ/ijk9o6qxDxg/s320/100_1892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of the border</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMX2Nh_ZxKg/TcGax2EtFmI/AAAAAAAAITU/tiip18rT88U/s1600/100_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMX2Nh_ZxKg/TcGax2EtFmI/AAAAAAAAITU/tiip18rT88U/s320/100_1893.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another type -- floor, I believe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQ66QlnFSKo/TcGbDUywA3I/AAAAAAAAITY/NHjFxW8kiug/s1600/100_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQ66QlnFSKo/TcGbDUywA3I/AAAAAAAAITY/NHjFxW8kiug/s320/100_1896.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the campanile from the cloister</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UpffFPdbak/TcGbUA5Ch2I/AAAAAAAAITc/JvkLFod3hF8/s1600/100_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UpffFPdbak/TcGbUA5Ch2I/AAAAAAAAITc/JvkLFod3hF8/s320/100_1897.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresco in the cloister</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2ta19a5XG4/TcGbmnPmp3I/AAAAAAAAITk/Tr0hUq28ewc/s1600/100_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2ta19a5XG4/TcGbmnPmp3I/AAAAAAAAITk/Tr0hUq28ewc/s320/100_1898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the way the halos are 3-dimensional!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub5dUZBihVQ/TcGb696hyVI/AAAAAAAAITo/DS05D6TFZoM/s1600/100_1899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub5dUZBihVQ/TcGb696hyVI/AAAAAAAAITo/DS05D6TFZoM/s320/100_1899.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monstrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6jky7f77jU/TcGcNPdEPVI/AAAAAAAAITs/0c6GY7I4mvo/s1600/100_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6jky7f77jU/TcGcNPdEPVI/AAAAAAAAITs/0c6GY7I4mvo/s320/100_1929.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasures, continued</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4cZcfxT0eM/TcGceEHveLI/AAAAAAAAITw/NFRQrEcV5fU/s1600/100_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4cZcfxT0eM/TcGceEHveLI/AAAAAAAAITw/NFRQrEcV5fU/s320/100_1930.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yet more...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WR9TjIjYazw/TcGcsjrwVPI/AAAAAAAAIT0/9zr-_yn93l4/s1600/100_1933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WR9TjIjYazw/TcGcsjrwVPI/AAAAAAAAIT0/9zr-_yn93l4/s320/100_1933.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's from the 15th century</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38wDPcaD3Q4/TcGc9H13WCI/AAAAAAAAIT8/MAaeZrEcTgo/s1600/100_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38wDPcaD3Q4/TcGc9H13WCI/AAAAAAAAIT8/MAaeZrEcTgo/s320/100_1938.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A palanquin from China! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoA6Ct9p7Js/TcGdNIH3P_I/AAAAAAAAIUA/IPQwMgEyoVM/s1600/100_1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoA6Ct9p7Js/TcGdNIH3P_I/AAAAAAAAIUA/IPQwMgEyoVM/s320/100_1940.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the stone lacework!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNOxFRsEAMk/TcGeEp3ehKI/AAAAAAAAIUM/wsWm7aHjl1c/s1600/100_1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNOxFRsEAMk/TcGeEp3ehKI/AAAAAAAAIUM/wsWm7aHjl1c/s320/100_1945.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stonework in the crypt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HF-0YeeDeds/TcGemEa7rRI/AAAAAAAAIUY/10imdfvHEZk/s1600/100_1946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HF-0YeeDeds/TcGemEa7rRI/AAAAAAAAIUY/10imdfvHEZk/s320/100_1946.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overall view of the stonework</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm5EKWnMUs8/TcGfDET-i4I/AAAAAAAAIUc/AT6m5xyjj1k/s1600/100_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm5EKWnMUs8/TcGfDET-i4I/AAAAAAAAIUc/AT6m5xyjj1k/s320/100_1948.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of an altar in a side-chapel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qbAgp0Rl3w/TcGfVqTBp3I/AAAAAAAAIUg/PR-7zmVL1mk/s1600/100_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qbAgp0Rl3w/TcGfVqTBp3I/AAAAAAAAIUg/PR-7zmVL1mk/s320/100_1949.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the crypt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Buo-z0oJTAY/TcGfrqcol0I/AAAAAAAAIUs/Ix6beNbOlCc/s1600/100_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Buo-z0oJTAY/TcGfrqcol0I/AAAAAAAAIUs/Ix6beNbOlCc/s320/100_1950.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We cracked up when we saw the straps holding the column together (?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had lunch together in the square, after which we tunneled back through to the parking lot. Yes, I nearly forgot to mention it -- because it's a cliff city, there are many pedestrian tunnels that create a maze in the cliffs behind the city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KXTl1WrmAVg/TcGgN0T_nPI/AAAAAAAAIU0/x2J59IUnOEI/s1600/100_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KXTl1WrmAVg/TcGgN0T_nPI/AAAAAAAAIU0/x2J59IUnOEI/s320/100_1953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At lunch. Yes, the weather was perfect.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkN8t7Fe-HM/TcGgcc0PwOI/AAAAAAAAIU4/NHd-VawJKMc/s1600/100_1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkN8t7Fe-HM/TcGgcc0PwOI/AAAAAAAAIU4/NHd-VawJKMc/s320/100_1956.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In part of the maze.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rs1HDws584k/TcGhHQRFlAI/AAAAAAAAIVM/6E8xAgYAXbc/s1600/100_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rs1HDws584k/TcGhHQRFlAI/AAAAAAAAIVM/6E8xAgYAXbc/s320/100_1970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryRn0kDOaZE/TcGhXfXnoFI/AAAAAAAAIVQ/QzqjzWq3G4o/s1600/100_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryRn0kDOaZE/TcGhXfXnoFI/AAAAAAAAIVQ/QzqjzWq3G4o/s320/100_1972.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7N8BUC7GoWU/TcGhiJxu4kI/AAAAAAAAIVU/xT4DTNp5JMA/s1600/100_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7N8BUC7GoWU/TcGhiJxu4kI/AAAAAAAAIVU/xT4DTNp5JMA/s320/100_1985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>By and by, we made it to Paestum. This was such a different experience from Pompeii, because it was further in ruins (more like Carsulae, near Todi -- but mostly Greek), but nonetheless had some enormous structures. They were incredible, and the pictures don't do them justice. The columns were something like 10 feet in diameter, and about 60 feet tall, I'm guessing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IP8tFIdaE8w/TcGiB0RLhYI/AAAAAAAAIVY/5WgTlFCXcvc/s1600/100_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IP8tFIdaE8w/TcGiB0RLhYI/AAAAAAAAIVY/5WgTlFCXcvc/s320/100_1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_g6LdkqmMwU/TcGidCf7lUI/AAAAAAAAIVk/OOvonYP_Zm4/s1600/100_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_g6LdkqmMwU/TcGidCf7lUI/AAAAAAAAIVk/OOvonYP_Zm4/s320/100_1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjH-1K54Nng/TcGi3hcxZ0I/AAAAAAAAIVo/DTBRTP9xoyo/s1600/100_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjH-1K54Nng/TcGi3hcxZ0I/AAAAAAAAIVo/DTBRTP9xoyo/s320/100_1988.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2rjlh6Ka3P4/TcGjVucY0bI/AAAAAAAAIVs/k1Z5nGXq_Qw/s1600/100_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2rjlh6Ka3P4/TcGjVucY0bI/AAAAAAAAIVs/k1Z5nGXq_Qw/s320/100_1989.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxf0YVvKeKo/TcGjtbONUJI/AAAAAAAAIV4/J_QMbr469d0/s1600/100_1990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxf0YVvKeKo/TcGjtbONUJI/AAAAAAAAIV4/J_QMbr469d0/s320/100_1990.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of an amphitheatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmJgA-58Oxo/TcGkFg6cUVI/AAAAAAAAIV8/j5aEBIbncpc/s1600/100_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmJgA-58Oxo/TcGkFg6cUVI/AAAAAAAAIV8/j5aEBIbncpc/s320/100_1995.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These columns were about 12 feet in diameter, I think. They were huge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NuObG5m8Oo/TcGkgH1UV2I/AAAAAAAAIWA/dlqP5uWhFaQ/s1600/100_1997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NuObG5m8Oo/TcGkgH1UV2I/AAAAAAAAIWA/dlqP5uWhFaQ/s320/100_1997.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James looking for lizards out of the corner of his eye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p431dalgtMI/TcGkvjE-DaI/AAAAAAAAIWI/dXRaZLaI47w/s1600/100_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p431dalgtMI/TcGkvjE-DaI/AAAAAAAAIWI/dXRaZLaI47w/s320/100_1998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KieWqIk9UKU/TcGlbzUU4jI/AAAAAAAAIWM/QOmybG752iU/s1600/100_2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_vCNJtJSqg/TcGl7Me2xLI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/odaiwb0Nvd8/s1600/100_2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_vCNJtJSqg/TcGl7Me2xLI/AAAAAAAAIWQ/odaiwb0Nvd8/s320/100_2003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEMHeK5Wjt4/TcGmT7NBGXI/AAAAAAAAIWY/6uhJXd20gFo/s1600/100_2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDi9lt2jFuU/TcGm2wypE5I/AAAAAAAAIWc/rFQt00YAZiQ/s1600/100_2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDi9lt2jFuU/TcGm2wypE5I/AAAAAAAAIWc/rFQt00YAZiQ/s320/100_2005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsP63FUnWYY/TcGnQD8VRJI/AAAAAAAAIWg/peG46eYtHg0/s1600/100_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsP63FUnWYY/TcGnQD8VRJI/AAAAAAAAIWg/peG46eYtHg0/s320/100_2008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, yes, there were lizards...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASQ61fZZKbw/TcGnzy3pV5I/AAAAAAAAIWs/72oMLNAg1HI/s1600/100_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASQ61fZZKbw/TcGnzy3pV5I/AAAAAAAAIWs/72oMLNAg1HI/s320/100_2011.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...lots of lizards...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI57lVeBCB8/TcGneXGwaXI/AAAAAAAAIWo/PVkR1NWB4bk/s1600/100_2010.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI57lVeBCB8/TcGneXGwaXI/AAAAAAAAIWo/PVkR1NWB4bk/s320/100_2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And boys to look for them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqoFXwP_7RM/TcGoQv1oaOI/AAAAAAAAIWw/ZmKHkf-50QY/s1600/100_2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqoFXwP_7RM/TcGoQv1oaOI/AAAAAAAAIWw/ZmKHkf-50QY/s320/100_2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arlxDaq-5U4/TcGojL0jBgI/AAAAAAAAIW0/5aXiZmNuVws/s1600/100_2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arlxDaq-5U4/TcGojL0jBgI/AAAAAAAAIW0/5aXiZmNuVws/s320/100_2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brick column that was mortared on the outside to appear solid. Check out the shape of the bricks! This was in the Roman section</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ov7kP5KarI/TcGo-SlgBUI/AAAAAAAAIXA/Pt32oEbgbK0/s1600/100_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ov7kP5KarI/TcGo-SlgBUI/AAAAAAAAIXA/Pt32oEbgbK0/s320/100_2015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82sa7dGtSu0/TcGpMc78EJI/AAAAAAAAIXE/mkDMdXEmdWk/s1600/100_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82sa7dGtSu0/TcGpMc78EJI/AAAAAAAAIXE/mkDMdXEmdWk/s320/100_2017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlXnElGfa1M/TcGpf13NxbI/AAAAAAAAIXI/G4we9zEIRVg/s1600/100_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlXnElGfa1M/TcGpf13NxbI/AAAAAAAAIXI/G4we9zEIRVg/s320/100_2018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17jsKrDSZkw/TcGqB4CMbQI/AAAAAAAAIXM/PctxRaqkEtg/s1600/100_2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17jsKrDSZkw/TcGqB4CMbQI/AAAAAAAAIXM/PctxRaqkEtg/s320/100_2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_TNfWHbXyM/TcGqkR8kPRI/AAAAAAAAIXY/fQ4HbAmM6Js/s1600/100_2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRsSQqRy8Xs/TcGq5imaLtI/AAAAAAAAIXc/tT_xLNrS46A/s1600/100_2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bRsSQqRy8Xs/TcGq5imaLtI/AAAAAAAAIXc/tT_xLNrS46A/s320/100_2022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJz7eesYi10/TcGrT9e2QrI/AAAAAAAAIXg/ihFsQyEyIPM/s1600/100_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJz7eesYi10/TcGrT9e2QrI/AAAAAAAAIXg/ihFsQyEyIPM/s320/100_2023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
After wandering around the ruins for a while, we went into the museum.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXQPV8GlSkE/TcGrjuDFhII/AAAAAAAAIXo/t0LkvN7FZ20/s1600/100_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXQPV8GlSkE/TcGrjuDFhII/AAAAAAAAIXo/t0LkvN7FZ20/s320/100_2025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was on the lid of a tomb that was lined with frescoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FbEeQW8rHc/TcGr2tvmkKI/AAAAAAAAIXs/YptL05E4DJo/s1600/100_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6FbEeQW8rHc/TcGr2tvmkKI/AAAAAAAAIXs/YptL05E4DJo/s320/100_2027.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the horse! Isn't it sweet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnyS4dqeBW8/TcGsNVqR7PI/AAAAAAAAIXw/Loe9smBK16M/s1600/100_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OnyS4dqeBW8/TcGsNVqR7PI/AAAAAAAAIXw/Loe9smBK16M/s320/100_2028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how a frescoed tomb would appear in situ.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then back to the house, via the autostrada. It took much less time to get back!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra<br />
<br />
p.s. Here are some bonus pictures of the "cedro" which turned out to be a citron. Jeremy liked it a lot, and it was wasted on the rest of us. I'm candying some of it for fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QiFf0IK2Pk/TcG4FaHF7FI/AAAAAAAAIX0/jNuvRm7MBBc/s1600/100_4096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QiFf0IK2Pk/TcG4FaHF7FI/AAAAAAAAIX0/jNuvRm7MBBc/s320/100_4096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farmer actually had one as big as James's head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWNjsTohW24/TcG4ZIgri6I/AAAAAAAAIX4/c7pb2KdYu80/s1600/100_4097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWNjsTohW24/TcG4ZIgri6I/AAAAAAAAIX4/c7pb2KdYu80/s320/100_4097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flesh is sour, but the pith is sweet (ish)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yydSNaFzIzg/TcG4uyDKtJI/AAAAAAAAIYE/92mKhp6R8Fs/s1600/100_4098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yydSNaFzIzg/TcG4uyDKtJI/AAAAAAAAIYE/92mKhp6R8Fs/s320/100_4098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compared to a rather large lemon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-8591096194738323012011-05-03T10:48:00.000-07:002011-05-03T13:17:39.507-07:00Stretching Our LegsThis afternoon we took a walk down to the sea. We had been told that it was 600 steps down. They lied.<br />
<br />
But let me tell you about it. We went down to the end of the road, and couldn't quite tell where we were supposed to go. So we asked a passing motorcyclist, and he pointed out the way, warning us that it was a hard walk.<br />
<br />
Winding down by houses, we found ourselves on what looked like a woodland path. A slippery woodland path: it was mossy concrete. It was a lovely little walk, though -- very peaceful and pleasant. Then we came out of the wooded area and emerged into a field with a path through it. A rocky field. Slipping and sliding down, we came out at a road. With a glazed tile marker. Huh.<br />
<br />
It was rather a crossroads, but we decided on the most likely direction. It turned into a nice, level, gravel path. It was absolutely lovely. Looking to our left, there was a gorge that ended in a creek. And then? We found the STEPS!<br />
<br />
The steps were actually mortared in most places! And they were marked every 50 starting at 600 (70 steps below where the steps actually start -- I kid you not). Most of the way down, we saw a chapel; on a nearby promontory was a crucifix.<br />
<br />
The ocean was a tropical blue. And when we got to the bottom we saw caves and cute little houses mounted into the rock.<br />
<br />
After our trek back, we were unanimous: we wanted WATER!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cruFteJfEdo/TcAkaF_2p6I/AAAAAAAAINQ/aiXvjOcOXdY/s1600/100_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cruFteJfEdo/TcAkaF_2p6I/AAAAAAAAINQ/aiXvjOcOXdY/s320/100_1794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YleAkYY_5tI/TcA-2rqkY4I/AAAAAAAAISE/AqOJo6XI9UI/s1600/100_4087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YleAkYY_5tI/TcA-2rqkY4I/AAAAAAAAISE/AqOJo6XI9UI/s320/100_4087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NGzxwSpzGQ/TcA_N5eqHNI/AAAAAAAAISI/tfCAlXOtyCI/s1600/100_4088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_NGzxwSpzGQ/TcA_N5eqHNI/AAAAAAAAISI/tfCAlXOtyCI/s320/100_4088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-24130537077382758292011-05-03T03:28:00.000-07:002011-05-03T03:28:55.664-07:00Dogs in PompeiiPompeii is an old city that was destroyed by a volcano. Before the eruption it was busy and full of people and dogs. People don't live in Pompeii any more but dogs do.<br />
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The first dog I met was sleeping and was big and brown and had a collar. If I owned him I would call him John and he had pointy ears.<br />
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The second dog was smaller and brown and white. It was doing a dog cartwheel, which means to roll. I would call him Fred.<br />
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The third dog was smaller than the others. He was in the fields of beans. He was barking at me.<br />
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The dogs in Pompeii were adorable.<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
JamesThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-29657421722388443362011-05-02T14:49:00.000-07:002011-05-03T02:39:13.549-07:00The Restaurant in Santa AgataLast night we had arrived in Santa Agata, the little town outside of Sorrento. We went to dinner at a local restaurant (oh -- I mean <i>the</i> local restaurant), and it was so different from Umbria and yet still so distinctively Italian! <br />
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We walked into the bar area where they were smoking and watching soccer. My mom asked if they were a restaurant, and if they were open. Yes, on both counts! The waiter (with a curly mop of hair and luxuriant dark eyebrows) showed us to a table and gave us menus.<br />
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Have I told you yet that we were the only ones there? And that he turned the lights on in the kitchen as we were sitting down?<br />
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The menu was very different from our typical Umbrian or Tuscan menu -- mostly fish and seafood, and very little meat. Makes sense! This is a coastal area.<br />
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As we were deciding, the waiter came up and said he'd bring us some antipasti -- "Great!" we said, having no clue what we would get. Well, he brought out the tastiest things EVER. Some marinated anchovies (I have to confess that I was a wimp so I can't give a first-hand account on those, but they got rave reviews from my parents), some battered (in a really yummy muffin-textured batter, but with lots of parsley) shrimp, some fried dough balls that had ricotta in them, and -- the most <i>amazing</i> thing ever -- what he called "calamarini". They were the tiniest little squid -- about an inch in length -- that had the slightest suggestion of batter with a little salt and pepper, and had then been deep-fried. They arrived in little cones made out of thin wood and came with tiny plastic forks. Another bit of yumminess -- bruschetta with tomatoes on top. Mmmm.<br />
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My parents asked whether the fish was fresh. To prove it, he brought out a platter of dead seafood for them to inspect. It arrived back on the table shortly thereafter, having been applied to a grill. <br />
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While we were eating, he started inspecting his hair in the mirror located in the restaurant (about 20 feet from the table), pulling down sideburns, fluffing the top of the head, etc. Quite hilarious.<br />
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When we had finished our meal, he turned the light back off in the kitchen, and brought out a leftover piece of cake (about 1/4 of the cake) wrapped in a brown paper bag. He said it was a speciality of the area for Easter. We thanked him, and off we went back to the house.<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra<br />
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p.s. The cake turned out to be like colomba, but it had a boiled egg in it -- still in its shell!The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-56788598976717263542011-05-02T14:11:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:11:00.113-07:00A day in Pompeii This morning, we had a winding drive back down the mountain and Ashley remembered how carsick she gets -- poor thing! But after a while we hit the autostrada (not literally, although in Italy, one never knows!), and it got better.<br />
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<br />
We went to Pompeii for the day. When we got there, the line for tickets caused my parents much dismay. My mother cleverly arranged a tour for not much more than the cost to enter solo, and off we went -- avoiding the wait! Our guide, Luca, was very informative. It certainly helped that his English was very good (given that this was an English language tour...). We saw many interesting things, although we didn't cover more than about half of the area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_JGVZkfpys/Tb8EvnbELrI/AAAAAAAAILc/ApWHn-7A1h8/s1600/100_1739.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_JGVZkfpys/Tb8EvnbELrI/AAAAAAAAILc/ApWHn-7A1h8/s320/100_1739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad, the intrepid explorer, looking cute.<br />
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</tbody></table>Pompeii was a town with a population the size of Todi's (about 17,000) and it was a seaport. But the eruption laid down so much matter that it is now about 1 1/2 kilometers inland. Wow. You can still see the docking stations for boats at the edge of town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4Xa1N5YCL8/Tb8cxkXNWpI/AAAAAAAAINI/lp1Zw1nU5Ck/s1600/100_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4Xa1N5YCL8/Tb8cxkXNWpI/AAAAAAAAINI/lp1Zw1nU5Ck/s320/100_1788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little projections with holes are docking points for the boats -- tie your ropes up there. Current ground level in Pompeii is about 20 feet above that, I'm guessing.</td></tr>
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Pompeii actually is sited on a hill that was the result of a previous eruption, and has little to no soil -- it's all on rock. That being the case, the inhabitants had a major problem: drainage. They did run plumbing under the sidewalks in some locations to take care of the icky stuff, and many houses had cesspits that they emptied periodically to (you guessed it) fertilize their crops. But during the rainy season (winter), the roads often became rivers. For this reason, they had large stepping stones across the streets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6MVt8NoHJ0/Tb8A9nmfA8I/AAAAAAAAIKc/UXA4HW7itk0/s1600/100_1728.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6MVt8NoHJ0/Tb8A9nmfA8I/AAAAAAAAIKc/UXA4HW7itk0/s320/100_1728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many sets of stepping stones across the street. Some were much higher.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aLCT9i-KPzA/Tb7-N0FB8XI/AAAAAAAAIKA/m8RfAfh0jFs/s1600/100_1722.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aLCT9i-KPzA/Tb7-N0FB8XI/AAAAAAAAIKA/m8RfAfh0jFs/s320/100_1722.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor's in a rut right now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePxwuYL2ig8/Tb74PWlxbpI/AAAAAAAAIIo/zXmQnmVGJ9o/s1600/100_1709.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePxwuYL2ig8/Tb74PWlxbpI/AAAAAAAAIIo/zXmQnmVGJ9o/s320/100_1709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a 1-to-2 pipe join. They put cement and terra cotta over the join because if there was a leak, the terra cotta would darken -- providing a visual cue to repair the joint!<br />
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<br />
The entire town was frescoed, so what we see today is something the guide calls "a lady without her clothes." However, we did see portions of frescoes here and there. They were used as signage. Although everyone spoke Latin, it was highly dialectical. This was problematic for trade, so they used what amounted to a visual menu: you want fish? Point to the picture. You get the idea. The red was made with a mixture of animals' blood and cinnabar. The blue was from ground shells.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVKGULk_dkw/Tb77rJU6asI/AAAAAAAAIJU/biV990-KHEw/s1600/100_1717.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVKGULk_dkw/Tb77rJU6asI/AAAAAAAAIJU/biV990-KHEw/s320/100_1717.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An option on the menu of a local brothel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCvAN9vtoTs/Tb77Zeg0AFI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/yTYDmCx4vfQ/s1600/100_1716.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCvAN9vtoTs/Tb77Zeg0AFI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/yTYDmCx4vfQ/s320/100_1716.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another option.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7TFgtTFoRgs/Tb768D66EII/AAAAAAAAIJE/HUAaXlZw--Q/s1600/100_1714.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7TFgtTFoRgs/Tb768D66EII/AAAAAAAAIJE/HUAaXlZw--Q/s320/100_1714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another menu item...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKyiBD4awZA/Tb77EGJyAnI/AAAAAAAAIJM/T84zSDnAJsU/s1600/100_1715.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKyiBD4awZA/Tb77EGJyAnI/AAAAAAAAIJM/T84zSDnAJsU/s320/100_1715.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just for completeness, this is a cubicle in the brothel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vF2w4-mpt0k/Tb76fYkkHeI/AAAAAAAAIJA/dZUUtqmjcIg/s1600/100_1713.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vF2w4-mpt0k/Tb76fYkkHeI/AAAAAAAAIJA/dZUUtqmjcIg/s320/100_1713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gee willikers, how many options ARE there?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0QWX8MCQA8/Tb78zZ3NWGI/AAAAAAAAIJs/TI5ABd6c3Kg/s1600/100_1719.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0QWX8MCQA8/Tb78zZ3NWGI/AAAAAAAAIJs/TI5ABd6c3Kg/s640/100_1719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because a snake sheds its skin, it symbolizes new life -- hence its use in medical iconography. This was on the outside of a pharmacy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.<br />
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An important aspect of Roman life is the concept of public bathing. There were not typically baths in people's houses; instead, the Romans went to the public baths daily. There were four public baths in Pompeii, including one right near the docks. Do you think the smelly sailors were ready to get clean after months on a tiny boat? I can practically smell them from here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbjKxXggRJM/Tb7204Yy00I/AAAAAAAAIIM/FiiHush5REA/s1600/100_1704.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbjKxXggRJM/Tb7204Yy00I/AAAAAAAAIIM/FiiHush5REA/s320/100_1704.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam was piped through the walls (I think this is correct), warming them in the caldarium. The ceiling was intentionally shaped to bring the condensate back through these hollow walls. The caldarium was essentially a steamroom with a hot tub. You could lean against the walls & chat or you could have a nice hot soak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sk3tmNXwzA8/Tb72mBVKa_I/AAAAAAAAIIE/KhW4PNHjU_o/s1600/100_1703.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sk3tmNXwzA8/Tb72mBVKa_I/AAAAAAAAIIE/KhW4PNHjU_o/s320/100_1703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a water fountain in the baths for rehydration. Then you go back & sweat some more!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObqmFzQGOtI/Tb712BRBUNI/AAAAAAAAIH8/OpjimDdxF94/s1600/100_1701.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObqmFzQGOtI/Tb712BRBUNI/AAAAAAAAIH8/OpjimDdxF94/s320/100_1701.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a frieze in the tepidarium of the main public baths.<br />
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</tbody></table>As well as a lack of bathrooms in the private houses, it was atypical to have a kitchen. As a result, they had a large number of fast-food joints. Think McDonald's in 79 AD. And bakeries...but they had unleavened bread that was pretty thick & chewy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAK6uxmnp-E/Tb75__oMd2I/AAAAAAAAII8/IWnflUaQoOc/s1600/100_1712.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAK6uxmnp-E/Tb75__oMd2I/AAAAAAAAII8/IWnflUaQoOc/s320/100_1712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local "joint" for fast food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vlOm6UX9oE/Tb75Yvewe6I/AAAAAAAAIIw/oy1rbjNkxNI/s1600/100_1711.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vlOm6UX9oE/Tb75Yvewe6I/AAAAAAAAIIw/oy1rbjNkxNI/s320/100_1711.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bakery oven.<br />
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</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7bKRIcMYWM/Tb73m8sEgjI/AAAAAAAAIIY/gXedzn4uolk/s1600/100_1707.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7bKRIcMYWM/Tb73m8sEgjI/AAAAAAAAIIY/gXedzn4uolk/s320/100_1707.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the few home kitchens. <br />
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</tbody></table>Of course, entertainment was an important part of daily life, too. They had two theatres and one amphitheatre. The difference between the two is that an amphitheatre is in the round (think stadium). We did not see the amphitheatre, but we did see the other two.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WpnK50IsPM/Tb79PpmKPlI/AAAAAAAAIJw/8E9IuO-F_H8/s1600/100_1720.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WpnK50IsPM/Tb79PpmKPlI/AAAAAAAAIJw/8E9IuO-F_H8/s320/100_1720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the larger theatre. There was a wooden stage. The center is the orchestra pit, and the lower seats are for important people. This theatre has been restored and is in use today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpjY8NNiUDs/Tb792RWfgII/AAAAAAAAIJ0/19wcXZkvAX8/s1600/100_1721.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpjY8NNiUDs/Tb792RWfgII/AAAAAAAAIJ0/19wcXZkvAX8/s320/100_1721.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lower section was marked by the eagle's claw (showing power) while the upper section (barely visible behind the claw) shows a muscleman -- doing the "heavy lifting" -- denoting the section for the working classes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There were many beautiful villas, but also a fair number of working houses. The shops would have had timbered stories above the lower stone walls. They were used to house the family. Alternatively, the rooms above were let out to sailors. If the sailors "forgot" to pay their rent, then the wooden ladders to the upper floors were removed and the tenants held hostage. Kind of like the opposite of an eviction.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrKZVIpERbk/Tb8EVMSw0dI/AAAAAAAAILY/Ab2m9imDtFw/s1600/100_1738.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrKZVIpERbk/Tb8EVMSw0dI/AAAAAAAAILY/Ab2m9imDtFw/s320/100_1738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frescoes in the atrium of a villa. The hole in the ceiling channeled rainwater to a basin in the floor and thence to a cistern for later use. There were eels put in the cisterns, because they kept the water fresh somehow? I'm not really clear on this part of it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wm9-Q6TGzz8/Tb8EE--jOAI/AAAAAAAAILU/FBQKfCkhQtA/s1600/100_1737.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wm9-Q6TGzz8/Tb8EE--jOAI/AAAAAAAAILU/FBQKfCkhQtA/s320/100_1737.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More frescoes in a villa.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_E_qJEquFs/Tb78YY1cCBI/AAAAAAAAIJY/xGR93SxQeEU/s1600/100_1718.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_E_qJEquFs/Tb78YY1cCBI/AAAAAAAAIJY/xGR93SxQeEU/s320/100_1718.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phallic symbols showed luck & fertility and were used on wealthy people's houses.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFcvcmqMLRI/Tb739dV18AI/AAAAAAAAIIc/I7lzqEIIybo/s1600/100_1708.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFcvcmqMLRI/Tb739dV18AI/AAAAAAAAIIc/I7lzqEIIybo/s320/100_1708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mosaic floor in a wealthy person's villa. The pieces are about 5 mm on a side.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We saw several of the bodies that had been found there. The way this worked was as follows: the person died as a result of asphyxiation from being buried in ash. Then the body decomposed. However, because of its own peculiar properties, the ash hardened into a quasi-cementitious material. This left a hole in the ash that was the shape of the body. When archaeologists were excavating, they probed the area carefully. If they found hollows, they pumped liquid plaster into the hollows and let it cure. Once cured, they removed the ash cast. In most cases, they found nothing interesting: a clump of grass, etc. But they also found a number of bodies, including that of a dog, and (curiously) a door that did not ignite during the initial pyroclastic flow. The body casts were really quite poignant: some were huddled in a prayer-like position; others appeared to be trying to crawl or shelter. The dog was trying desperately to get out of its collar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuRJ_vteowg/Tb71klb51dI/AAAAAAAAIH4/OSg3YL6FuCs/s1600/100_1700.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuRJ_vteowg/Tb71klb51dI/AAAAAAAAIH4/OSg3YL6FuCs/s320/100_1700.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of Apollo's temple, which was left. Pompeii was a Greek city before being taken by the Romans.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
After our tour, we had a lunch break in a lovely park-like area next to the main theatre. Then we headed to La Villa dei Misteri. It's a place whose frescoes are shown in all the art history books in the world, I'd bet. While much of the building was damaged, there are nonetheless some fabulous areas. Part of the reason is that the frescoes were covered with ash (not lava), and the polished surface of the fresco meant that the ash didn't actually stick all that well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1p85Wq_QKQU/Tb8I1BqjAoI/AAAAAAAAIMU/4cXojQDQVfY/s1600/100_1748.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1p85Wq_QKQU/Tb8I1BqjAoI/AAAAAAAAIMU/4cXojQDQVfY/s320/100_1748.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tower plus the defensive wall.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6QVj4Euv0E/Tb8HAzdLc6I/AAAAAAAAIL8/6THaH_tOUSU/s1600/100_1745.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6QVj4Euv0E/Tb8HAzdLc6I/AAAAAAAAIL8/6THaH_tOUSU/s320/100_1745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Pompeii over one of the walls. And this is just a fraction of it.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXksJLWmmw8/Tb8Gd5NOQMI/AAAAAAAAIL4/6SIDDkH6ly0/s1600/100_1744.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXksJLWmmw8/Tb8Gd5NOQMI/AAAAAAAAIL4/6SIDDkH6ly0/s320/100_1744.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of Pompeii over the defensive wall.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BozKgdTbSf8/Tb7vqGBdSTI/AAAAAAAAIHM/kPNv-R3Kr4I/s1600/100_1766.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BozKgdTbSf8/Tb7vqGBdSTI/AAAAAAAAIHM/kPNv-R3Kr4I/s320/100_1766.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the mosaic floors in the Villa Dei Misteri<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-kJfIYcGpI/Tb7thIpsk8I/AAAAAAAAIGk/C9KPAmmhEYM/s1600/100_1783.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-kJfIYcGpI/Tb7thIpsk8I/AAAAAAAAIGk/C9KPAmmhEYM/s320/100_1783.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti in the Villa Dei Misteri (it was covered in plexiglas, so I think it dates to the time period...)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDdsBE6jYAk/Tb7tywdXSXI/AAAAAAAAIGo/DHvErA3XB2g/s1600/100_1780.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDdsBE6jYAk/Tb7tywdXSXI/AAAAAAAAIGo/DHvErA3XB2g/s320/100_1780.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frescoes in the Villa Dei Misteri.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i8tX5VWS10/Tb7uEOqJncI/AAAAAAAAIGs/--E_3ZNPWkA/s1600/100_1772.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i8tX5VWS10/Tb7uEOqJncI/AAAAAAAAIGs/--E_3ZNPWkA/s320/100_1772.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresco showing the command of perspective in the Villa Dei Misteri. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvS4lUsRFVk/Tb7udp927MI/AAAAAAAAIG4/7cA33Wt7SVE/s1600/100_1769.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvS4lUsRFVk/Tb7udp927MI/AAAAAAAAIG4/7cA33Wt7SVE/s320/100_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor in the Villa Dei Misteri<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iurXhgLDy4w/Tb7uXT_xtTI/AAAAAAAAIG0/Kcv4hOFL5Zc/s1600/100_1770.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iurXhgLDy4w/Tb7uXT_xtTI/AAAAAAAAIG0/Kcv4hOFL5Zc/s320/100_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This jar (in the ground for cooling purposes) was about 4' across.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHfDf1eNyqU/Tb7vCZIRjII/AAAAAAAAIHA/8g1aYs0ULq0/s1600/100_1767.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHfDf1eNyqU/Tb7vCZIRjII/AAAAAAAAIHA/8g1aYs0ULq0/s320/100_1767.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard in the Villa Dei Misteri<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sFvhl8DYNY/Tb7usikeEcI/AAAAAAAAIG8/CwadiC_EBGY/s1600/100_1768.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sFvhl8DYNY/Tb7usikeEcI/AAAAAAAAIG8/CwadiC_EBGY/s320/100_1768.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another floor in the Villa Dei Misteri<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov1uy4bYz4c/Tb7wVjbZNcI/AAAAAAAAIHU/15PMYeVbMwY/s1600/100_1764.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov1uy4bYz4c/Tb7wVjbZNcI/AAAAAAAAIHU/15PMYeVbMwY/s320/100_1764.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was an earthquake in 62 AD. When they rebuilt, they used this technique to help during future seismic disturbances.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-THq9WBsozCo/Tb7wEXoiDbI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/6valoGmfoBc/s1600/100_1765.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-THq9WBsozCo/Tb7wEXoiDbI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/6valoGmfoBc/s320/100_1765.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then the columns were plastered.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody> </table> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avHlDzMs4m8/Tb7tPO_xVfI/AAAAAAAAIGg/WrpwGc65Kdg/s1600/100_1786.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avHlDzMs4m8/Tb7tPO_xVfI/AAAAAAAAIGg/WrpwGc65Kdg/s320/100_1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tomb in Pompeii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On the way back to the house, we decided that we would like grilled chicken and salad at home. My dad had seen a place in the village that advertised grilled chicken, so that made everything easy. After a stop in the neighboring town (the one that actually has shops), we stopped at the chicken place. We were reminded very quickly of where we are: the man only does chickens on Saturday and Sunday. However, my mother went to the restaurant where we ate last night, and asked him to grill the sausages she'd bought from the chicken man. Since it was raining, I made the additional suggestion of getting him to deliver it -- bingo! As I write this, Ashley's potatoes are sizzling in the pan, and the sausages just arrived. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2w6GbjeEJw/Tb7rrko5e2I/AAAAAAAAIGI/AhKEV5PWx0U/s1600/100_1791.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2w6GbjeEJw/Tb7rrko5e2I/AAAAAAAAIGI/AhKEV5PWx0U/s320/100_1791.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, this is a smoked mozzarella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwnxqH1kqY0/Tb7r7I4IJ-I/AAAAAAAAIGM/7owHmfIAEwQ/s1600/100_1790.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwnxqH1kqY0/Tb7r7I4IJ-I/AAAAAAAAIGM/7owHmfIAEwQ/s320/100_1790.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A town? A state of mind? Who knows?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Love,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8U9Oi5kh30/Tb7rCkAhWAI/AAAAAAAAIF8/pTTatn6mA_I/s1600/100_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDL9qQh_J0s/Tb7raPjFPcI/AAAAAAAAIGE/bD1yTw69Yyk/s1600/100_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBRx4mWGoH8/Tb7vYh0rnKI/AAAAAAAAIHE/1qM248VIKwc/s1600/100_1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Alexandra<br />
<br />
p.s. I posted some pretty pictures below of flowers and landscapes, but no captions. Sorry about the lousy formatting, but I'm tired of fighting with graphics at the moment...<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGUkLYKZmVI/Tb7s9OL8zyI/AAAAAAAAIGc/YDfxlE5p-bw/s1600/100_1787.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EGUkLYKZmVI/Tb7s9OL8zyI/AAAAAAAAIGc/YDfxlE5p-bw/s320/100_1787.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdSpSRdosh4/Tb7sGcfk6JI/AAAAAAAAIGQ/hM_4lh2-SXg/s1600/100_1789.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wdSpSRdosh4/Tb7sGcfk6JI/AAAAAAAAIGQ/hM_4lh2-SXg/s320/100_1789.JPG" width="240" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FUi5DIRoQE/Tb8MO1xiorI/AAAAAAAAIM4/dgocHYnu3uc/s1600/100_1754.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FUi5DIRoQE/Tb8MO1xiorI/AAAAAAAAIM4/dgocHYnu3uc/s320/100_1754.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyenejftLdk/Tb8LEs_HzJI/AAAAAAAAIMs/kgxMYlTR9qI/s1600/100_1752.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyenejftLdk/Tb8LEs_HzJI/AAAAAAAAIMs/kgxMYlTR9qI/s320/100_1752.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4LHRQWchR4/Tb8NH9QdjPI/AAAAAAAAINA/ofpgpmy_xOc/s1600/100_1756.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4LHRQWchR4/Tb8NH9QdjPI/AAAAAAAAINA/ofpgpmy_xOc/s320/100_1756.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUunACK4ZQs/Tb8GMiVm10I/AAAAAAAAIL0/HrFtEdG9DFY/s1600/100_1743.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUunACK4ZQs/Tb8GMiVm10I/AAAAAAAAIL0/HrFtEdG9DFY/s320/100_1743.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fP1Lh7BdcpA/Tb8LvSn-2AI/AAAAAAAAIMw/KGuCL_yGyfE/s1600/100_1753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fP1Lh7BdcpA/Tb8LvSn-2AI/AAAAAAAAIMw/KGuCL_yGyfE/s320/100_1753.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8ZiWwTI-4U/Tb8D4sfyM9I/AAAAAAAAILM/QH3L-O0YAzI/s1600/100_1736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8ZiWwTI-4U/Tb8D4sfyM9I/AAAAAAAAILM/QH3L-O0YAzI/s320/100_1736.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-29805983702354188572011-05-01T09:35:00.000-07:002011-05-01T12:28:45.305-07:00Coasting back to the US...We left this morning with many tears. It made it so much harder that everyone was so kind! Everyone, that is, except for Tatiana. She complained about the fact that I hadn't done the laundry. "The laundry" being the towels that we used this morning to shower and the sheets in which we slept. How I was to have completed that -- given that a load takes 2 hours and we DON'T have a dryer (!) -- is beyond me.<br />
<br />
But back to the nice people. We had a few relaxing moments with Ilian and Elizabet on their upper terrace. They are so sweet! On the way over, I came across a band (cute uniforms, again!) getting ready to start a march.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Platylt1nLI/Tb2F8GhFRoI/AAAAAAAAIE0/EiCLbNu1FBA/s1600/100_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Platylt1nLI/Tb2F8GhFRoI/AAAAAAAAIE0/EiCLbNu1FBA/s320/100_1654.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Band in cute uniforms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7oSYXM5jAo/Tb2GYKBDnMI/AAAAAAAAIE4/IyQBXRlZ5sk/s1600/100_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7oSYXM5jAo/Tb2GYKBDnMI/AAAAAAAAIE4/IyQBXRlZ5sk/s320/100_1655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ilian and my dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRjx8avxDF4/Tb2G2RHlrmI/AAAAAAAAIFE/FCk-b4ACZw8/s1600/100_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRjx8avxDF4/Tb2G2RHlrmI/AAAAAAAAIFE/FCk-b4ACZw8/s320/100_1656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ3HqmrgFhc/Tb2HOBozajI/AAAAAAAAIFI/_LBheR8cX1Y/s1600/100_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ3HqmrgFhc/Tb2HOBozajI/AAAAAAAAIFI/_LBheR8cX1Y/s320/100_1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother & Eleanor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebmsXsJiFAc/Tb2HwyJ303I/AAAAAAAAIFM/2mibgLnNg7w/s1600/100_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebmsXsJiFAc/Tb2HwyJ303I/AAAAAAAAIFM/2mibgLnNg7w/s320/100_1658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Ilian & Elizabet's terrace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0NiXVVkQxs/Tb2IzlBUIEI/AAAAAAAAIFc/Wm1Wv5n6LmY/s1600/100_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0NiXVVkQxs/Tb2IzlBUIEI/AAAAAAAAIFc/Wm1Wv5n6LmY/s320/100_1661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad view, huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then we went to Mass at the Duomo for the last rites (well, in that church, anyway). Maria was her darling self in the choir loft, and we were <i>awful</i> because our regular choir director wasn't there and hadn't left the music for the substitute organist to sight read. So we sang any hymn whose music he could find, despite the fact that <i>none </i>of us knew the songs. Oh, and half the choir was missing, including Will, our baritone. In a way it was better: if we'd sung our usual hymns in the gorgeous way we generally manage, I would have completely fallen apart. As it was, I was undone during the sign of peace.<br />
<br />
Goodbye to Benedetta and Magherita in the Piazza. All these tourists were wandering around, no doubt wondering why the family was all crying.<br />
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And then goodbye to Massimo. And Cristina. And Tiziana. Can you believe it? They'd made a tart especially for us. And they gave a discount on the pizza besides. They were so incredibly kind. We miss them terribly, and they're only a few hours from us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PURA20SkqOM/Tb2zyMI4OWI/AAAAAAAAIF4/OdUS12aLPhE/s1600/100_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PURA20SkqOM/Tb2zyMI4OWI/AAAAAAAAIF4/OdUS12aLPhE/s320/100_1685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massimo's tart -- it's "amarena": a type of sour cherry</td></tr>
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Now we're in a little town called Torca on the coast near Sorrento, in this beautiful house that my parents rented. It has a really bright, Portuguese-type tiles on the floor, bright white walls, and blue accents. It's very tropical and pretty. We'll be staying here on the coast for about a week: Friday we return to Rome (near the airport), and we'll leave the next morning for Atlanta.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBj7nCp9Acg/Tb2JptwSfuI/AAAAAAAAIFk/hCDK_zWArgw/s1600/100_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBj7nCp9Acg/Tb2JptwSfuI/AAAAAAAAIFk/hCDK_zWArgw/s320/100_1663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor tiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TYwKryQxV0/Tb2J6SpffuI/AAAAAAAAIFw/WYIsevFZEX0/s1600/100_1664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TYwKryQxV0/Tb2J6SpffuI/AAAAAAAAIFw/WYIsevFZEX0/s320/100_1664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the house in Torca</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r35ufWB9Ses/Tb2KOQDi9MI/AAAAAAAAIF0/4zpquH4GZ8k/s1600/100_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r35ufWB9Ses/Tb2KOQDi9MI/AAAAAAAAIF0/4zpquH4GZ8k/s320/100_1668.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the house in Torca</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Love,<br />
<br />
AlexandraThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-27115902379425572372011-04-30T14:07:00.000-07:002011-04-30T14:07:34.876-07:00Our last day in TodiI'm hardly able to believe that I'm writing this so soon, but we just finished our last day here. I finally purchased a painting that I admired on the way up and down the hill every day for three months. The painter is Albanian, as it happens. As we were chatting, he mentioned his collaborations with Daniele, the intarsia artist. It turns out that they're pretty good friends -- convenient, since their shops are 20 m apart. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQuFh6-baTQ/Tbx4FdvTXBI/AAAAAAAAIEk/00G9wziy144/s1600/100_1603.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQuFh6-baTQ/Tbx4FdvTXBI/AAAAAAAAIEk/00G9wziy144/s320/100_1603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor, Simonetta, Ugo, my dad<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNaQ1IF2lOg/Tbx2fTgXwnI/AAAAAAAAIEE/96HImxPYlfw/s1600/100_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNaQ1IF2lOg/Tbx2fTgXwnI/AAAAAAAAIEE/96HImxPYlfw/s320/100_1598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signor Ivano, the banker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our violinmaker was called out of town, but we met his daughter and granddaughter -- and they promised to say goodbye for us. I couldn't hold the tears back when we came across our Cinzia's dad. He was just so so sweet and warm. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okaQkMD1V-g/Tbx20R7Q5vI/AAAAAAAAIEI/Ju7670hsqDg/s1600/100_1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okaQkMD1V-g/Tbx20R7Q5vI/AAAAAAAAIEI/Ju7670hsqDg/s320/100_1607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angelo in his alimentari</td></tr>
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In the afternoon, we had a recital for the kids. The usual combination of music interspersed with poorly tuned violins and piano mishaps. But Jeremy did well, particularly considering that it's his first recital! Eleanor also sang, both in a solo and as part of her women's quintet. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-US8FhexdkB4/Tbx3PkbNFQI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/qcwtCfZDnOU/s1600/100_1635.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-US8FhexdkB4/Tbx3PkbNFQI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/qcwtCfZDnOU/s320/100_1635.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor in her choir<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1P-ovEJwrb0/Tbx3f0mlZ9I/AAAAAAAAIEY/ddW2m_H31Yo/s1600/100_1636.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1P-ovEJwrb0/Tbx3f0mlZ9I/AAAAAAAAIEY/ddW2m_H31Yo/s320/100_1636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alessandra of La Scuola di Musica<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyPUBEBAmOc/Tbx3t6Ty9OI/AAAAAAAAIEc/jKqmGcNa3EA/s1600/100_1625.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyPUBEBAmOc/Tbx3t6Ty9OI/AAAAAAAAIEc/jKqmGcNa3EA/s320/100_1625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlo, the choir director and manager of the Scuola<br />
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</tbody></table>Elizabet called and wanted to wish us "buon viaggio", so we'll see her in the morning before Mass. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JfTZUkLAL0/Tbx38t4t7BI/AAAAAAAAIEg/Ed6gGENVUnQ/s1600/100_1644.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JfTZUkLAL0/Tbx38t4t7BI/AAAAAAAAIEg/Ed6gGENVUnQ/s320/100_1644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Todi from the distance (a humid day!)<br />
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</tbody></table>A farewell to Vinca, and various other neighbors. And then on to our restaurant with Simone (our favorite waiter). Way too much food, of course, but it was hard to choose! We went ahead to Piannegianni for a last gelato while my parents finished their wine. And then when my dad went in to get coffee, we ended up having <i>another</i> last gelato! And this time, they were overfilled.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jhzr5fzgSE/Tbx3CWELQSI/AAAAAAAAIEM/NfC00xINvm8/s1600/100_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jhzr5fzgSE/Tbx3CWELQSI/AAAAAAAAIEM/NfC00xINvm8/s320/100_1649.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simone, our waiter at Cavour</td></tr>
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A quiet, meditative walk through the town, talking about our time here. Our summing up came to the conclusion that, while it is true that you can have community anywhere, Todi is has its own very special aspects that have appealed to us. These include the high concentration of artists and artisans, the international component, the strong sense of community that permeates the town, incredible views, the charm of the unexpected twists and turns that the roads take, the depth of history, the small size (and concomitant accessibility to everything), the safety (see "strong sense of community"), excellent theatre and other performances, and a relatively low cost of living. While individually, each of these could be found in various locales throughout the world, it is rare to find all of them together. <br />
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Staying for three months, we have had the opportunity to experience daily life. This includes ups and downs, as you have anywhere: kids who misbehave, laundry that needs to be washed, dirty dishes, and schoolwork. These are pretty much the same as anywhere else, of course. However, not spending multiple hours a day in the car has freed up my time (and patience), which increases my strength for the rougher times. Let's face it: five kids in a moldy house don't sound like a formula for a great time. But, at the end of our stay here, we are unanimous about how wonderful this experience has been.<br />
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That said -- don't give up on the blog! We still have a week in Italy. Tomorrow, we're off to Sorrento!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hc0Z6rsBB2M/Tbx4PcH6RhI/AAAAAAAAIEo/311Pg1ZBF24/s1600/100_1594.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hc0Z6rsBB2M/Tbx4PcH6RhI/AAAAAAAAIEo/311Pg1ZBF24/s320/100_1594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from our window<br />
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</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qclw8X6UxG4/Tbx4smf4VVI/AAAAAAAAIEw/ZcGa-SOz7uo/s1600/100_1595.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qclw8X6UxG4/Tbx4smf4VVI/AAAAAAAAIEw/ZcGa-SOz7uo/s320/100_1595.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, another view from the same window!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-40794827025971177782011-04-30T04:50:00.000-07:002011-04-30T04:50:48.377-07:00Corpus MuseumThe day we left Holland, Nina and Wisse took a break on school and pretended to be homeschooled so they could stay with us until we had to leave to the airport.<br />
We had three choices that day. We could go to the Corpus Museum, the Nemo Museum, or the Rijksmuseum. We were also going to go to Anne Frank's house if the tickets weren't sold out, so we could only choose one museum. We had a family meeting and chose the Corpus museum. <br />
We got up late that morning and ate breakfast together. We usually didn't eat breakfast together because Nina and Wisse had to go to school before we ate breakfast.<br />
Anyway, we were dropped off at the Corpus museum and when we got into the building, it was not crowded .<br />
We got audios to listen to and then we went up the stairs. We first walked into a room and the audios started. It talked about how great the body is and about the cells and sperm.<br />
We walked into the next room and there was a loud noise and I jumped while a green long and pointy thing shot out of the fake skin on the wall. It started to bleed and then the audio started again. It was only talking about germs and vitamin K that closes up cuts and the white blood cells that fight germs.<br />
The next room was a small platform with seats. An assistant handed us 3D glasses and we sat down to watch the first show. It was about how the sperm get to the eggs and how it was a race.<br />
When the show was over, the platform rose to the next level. We got off and walked into a room where there was a soft, rubbery floor to give a similar texture of the tongue. The audios told us about taste buds.<br />
The next room was about the senses and then the brain. It told us about the the two different sides of the brain.<br />
<br />
After that part, we followed a red line to different rooms that had games and puzzles of different sorts.<br />
It was a fun experience and I wouldn't say no to coming back! <br />
Love,<br />
AshleyThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-75046113776456178422011-04-30T04:24:00.001-07:002011-04-30T04:24:57.115-07:00A Crazy Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">This morning we woke up late. It was about 9:00 when we got out of bed and ate breakfast. James, Jeremy, Florence, and I took luggage down to the bottom of the stairs and put it into Vovo and Grandfather’s large van. </div><div class="MsoNormal">After that, James, Vovo, and Grandfather drove off to Orvieto for the day and that is where they are now. They will be back at about three o’clock. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The house is now sad and almost empty because we have been working on cleaning and packing the last few things that we haven’t already packed. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Mummy, Eleanor, and Florence went out to get Mummy’s painting that she fell in love with and they will also be back shortly. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Jeremy and I are just relaxing. Jeremy is working on the computer and his cross stitch and I am also working on my knitting as well as the computer. It has been a while since I have picked up my knitting because of how busy we have been with our packing. </div><div class="MsoNormal">We will be eating dinner at Cavour where we have been many times. We will say some more goodbyes to the waitresses and waiters who are now our friends and head back to the house for a last night. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow we will go to church in the morning and the girls will be singing in the choir. We know most of the people in the choir and it will be sad to say goodbye to them too. I wish today would last for more than 24 hours! I have really enjoyed being here in Todi. <span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope everyone is doing well and I can’t wait to see you!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Love,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ashley </div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-38276354884778920722011-04-29T14:21:00.000-07:002011-04-29T14:21:52.925-07:00Goodbye, Leonardo......and Orietta...and Cinzia...and the merceria ladies....<br />
<br />
Today we were overwhelmed with gifts from Orietta; Ashley posted on that so I won't duplicate. But I was overcome by her generosity. Later we had Leonardo stop by so we could give him his little present (a copy of the Chronicles of Narnia). He had tears in his eyes as he read our inscriptions. The story is that Narni is a town in the area, and during one of our road trips, Leonardo mentioned that this town is the provenance of Narnia's name. Apparently C.S. Lewis really liked the name during one of his trips to Italy, and appropriated it for his mythical land. I asked Leonardo if he'd ever read the books, and he said no. Since he's a practicing Catholic, I explained some of the symbolism and the portrayal of heaven and hell in <u>The Last Battle</u>. Anyway, I thought he'd enjoy the books, so we got the compendium. I hope he likes them!<br />
<br />
Benedetta came by for a drink. She's always so sweet, and a real breath of fresh air. She's been a treasure.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, my parents want to go to Orvieto. James is going with them, and the rest of us will be eking out every last drop of being here in our sweet town. I'm going to go to purchase a painting that I've looked at every time I have gone up and down the hill. There's an exhibition in town, too, so I'll take a look. <br />
<br />
It will also be a musical day. Eleanor has her last piano lesson with Francesco, and then we have a recital in the afternoon. Eleanor will be singing and Jeremy will be playing a duet with his teacher. We'll also go by the violin maker in the morning in the hopes of catching him at his work.<br />
<br />
Then dinner at Cavour to say goodbye to Fr Jimguin, and the last full day will be over.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
AlexandraThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-48142111747530999902011-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:002011-04-29T09:00:21.635-07:00A Day of Goodbyes.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> This morning we went out to meet Vovo and Grandfather at the glass elevator and we also went to fetch Simonetta and Ugo (Grandfather’s friends) at the parking lot. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The friends live in Italy, and we gave them a tour around Todi as well as Vovo and Grandfather.<span> </span>We went over to San Fortunato first and looked around. Then, we walked around to one of the sides of the church and walked down all the steps on the way to the Coop. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Near the Coop there are two churches. There was the church with two green doors and we peeked inside. It was dark and plain inside, but I was glad I finally got to see inside. Next, we went over to the other church that we had seen before and refreshed our memory on what it looked like. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We slowly ventured down to the Coop, stopping by the bank. Vovo, Grandfather, Simonetta, and Ugo all stopped for coffee while Mummy and the kids went to Angelo's fruit shop to say goodbye to Angelo and to go to the Coop. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had lunch at Massimo's, and Simonetta agreed that it was the best pizza in Italy. Then we went to see some views.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the way back, we dropped off Simonetta and Ugo and said another goodbye. They were very sweet and I really enjoyed being with them. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, all the kids and the grandparents went to Orietta's to say a very sad goodbye and for Mummy to collect her mug that she asked her to make. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we got there, Orietta had presents for all of us. We opened them one by one and found the most gorgeous necklaces and mugs that I have ever seen! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We gave hugs and many kisses to Orietta and took an few pictures. I bought some necklaces and everyone almost burst out crying. Even Orietta had tears in her eyes. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She is one out of the many of my best friends in Todi. I don't see how our family will be able to part. </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03RE2XwgKn8/TbrbKLI5BdI/AAAAAAAAIDM/wlXL7Ui5C50/s1600/100_3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-03RE2XwgKn8/TbrbKLI5BdI/AAAAAAAAIDM/wlXL7Ui5C50/s320/100_3937.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummy's new necklace with swirls and circles. Can you imagine making something like that by yourself? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4BPKYu1mhQA/TbreT8KPDlI/AAAAAAAAIDw/zkQdeZw7uGc/s1600/100_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4BPKYu1mhQA/TbreT8KPDlI/AAAAAAAAIDw/zkQdeZw7uGc/s320/100_3940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor's amazing butterfly </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J97tkj94BIo/TbrbczvCKcI/AAAAAAAAIDQ/xFxTOL6AiFw/s1600/100_3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J97tkj94BIo/TbrbczvCKcI/AAAAAAAAIDQ/xFxTOL6AiFw/s320/100_3939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the back... </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC2cMBzAIYY/Tbrcd1hsKbI/AAAAAAAAIDY/0E39Tk-E5rE/s1600/100_3942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC2cMBzAIYY/Tbrcd1hsKbI/AAAAAAAAIDY/0E39Tk-E5rE/s320/100_3942.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My necklace with pretty purple wings and background. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TZMelbmD7I/Tbrcxk6zclI/AAAAAAAAIDg/I1fTVBAH7qM/s1600/100_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TZMelbmD7I/Tbrcxk6zclI/AAAAAAAAIDg/I1fTVBAH7qM/s320/100_3946.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The A mug elaborately decorated in blue. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsPsHFXVKhY/Tbrc_V2TgcI/AAAAAAAAIDk/5eAYBjKAmgE/s1600/100_3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsPsHFXVKhY/Tbrc_V2TgcI/AAAAAAAAIDk/5eAYBjKAmgE/s320/100_3947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummy had tears in her eyes when she received this. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCdrVGCXF3k/TbrdN9THVgI/AAAAAAAAIDo/TdJJdM1O6Cs/s1600/100_3949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCdrVGCXF3k/TbrdN9THVgI/AAAAAAAAIDo/TdJJdM1O6Cs/s320/100_3949.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James was shy, but gave Orietta a small hug and a big smile when he got this. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6ptP_pULSA/TbrddeCxnEI/AAAAAAAAIDs/_pLWnbOCfvs/s1600/100_3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6ptP_pULSA/TbrddeCxnEI/AAAAAAAAIDs/_pLWnbOCfvs/s320/100_3950.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is the back. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I can't believe how lucky we have been to come to this wonderful town with so many wonderful people and I can't think of how much better my Italian is. I love Todi! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Ashley </span></div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-85418841204064608452011-04-28T13:58:00.000-07:002011-04-28T13:58:45.540-07:00BittersweetThings are tough right now because our time in Todi has (I know you haven't figured this out by now) drawing to a close. It's wonderful to see my parents, but we all feel pulled in different directions. They want to see certain things, but the kids want to SHOW them everything that's special to them. We certainly have a full schedule for the next few days!<br />
<br />
Today, we dragged my poor parents to see Massimo (and have lunch, yum!), to the pasticceria lady's (whose name I still don't know), to the square, then to the post office (for the view), down to Daniele's, the Coop (via the bank, which was chiusa), and back for gelato with Giuseppe. We said our final goodbyes to Giuseppe and Fiorella (the gelateria lady), which was really hard. Then we walked (the long way, it turns out) to the parcheggio so my tired-out parents could go to the hotel and catch a nap. On the way, we took a quick peek into Sta. Maria della Consolazione.<br />
<br />
Later, we went to dinner at "John's place." It has another name, but I've never heard anyone refer to it by that name -- and I don't know what it is, myself. Benedetta called for me to make the reservation (she had his number in speed dial). When she said we were the Americans who lived up the road from him, he said something to the effect of, "Oh, finally-- I'll get to see them in the restaurant!" After dinner (which was delicious), John came to speak with us. He's a Scot ex-pat who's been here for five years. He laughed about having seen us go by so many times, and seeing the boys run up & down the street.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, we'll be going to the bank (to close my account), Angelo's (to take a picture and pick up some fruit), the butcher (for tomorrow night's dinner), Orietta's (to pick up my mug), Cinzia's (for some ingredients), the tabachi (for a journal for my mother), and I'm sure a few other spots along the way for sightseeing. At some point, my dad's business friend Simonetta is coming to see us. She's been trying hard to get down here the entire time (and she was so supportive during the episode of "la muffa"!), and will finally be able to take some time to see us. And Benedetta's coming for drinks. Eleanor's cooking her signature beef dish...mmm....<br />
<br />
Saturday, we're going to find out if our favorite waiter will be serving at lunchtime. If so, we'll go there for lunch. My parents found what looks like an adorable spot near their B&B, so they want to go to dinner there. Once again, all these hard choices! The kids (and I!) HAVE to say goodbye to Simone! But that doesn't mean we aren't interested in new experiences, either. Then Jeremy & Eleanor are performing in a concert (which will probably be more like a recital -- I hope it's not too deadly), and then dinner! At that point, we'll have Leonardo pick us up and take us back home. <br />
<br />
And Sunday? Meeting La Cleaning Lady for the last time to settle up accounts, and then Mass, a quick to-go bite, and then we're off...<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
AlexandraThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-74156816744289329412011-04-28T10:31:00.000-07:002011-04-28T10:31:34.587-07:00The End Results<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: justify;"> </td><td style="text-align: justify;">We worked on cleaning up the odds and ends this morning. After a couple of hours, we were done and Mummy went to the school supply shop. Mummy says I would really love the shop because I love any school supplies.<br />
Anyway, Vovo and Grandfather arrived at about 1:30 and we went out for pizza at Massimo's. For once, he helped serve the pizza and Vovo and Grandfather could see and meet him.<br />
Vovo and Grandfather went around the town with us and we stopped at the gelateria to have gelato with Giuseppe. We said goodbye to Giuseppe and Mummy had tears in her eyes. I was sad too!<br />
We went into the Duomo on the way back to the parking lot. Now Vovo and Grandfather are at their hotel in another town and we are in our house relaxing.<br />
Tonight, we will be going out to dinner at a new restaurant right at the bottom of the stairs that lead to our house. I can't wait to see what this new place will be like. It is usually very crowded and we had to reserve a place in the restaurant.<br />
Love,<br />
Ashley<br />
<br />
Here are some pics: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmilExl3GEY/TbmZllD3CGI/AAAAAAAAIBc/39YbwgY8lgw/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmilExl3GEY/TbmZllD3CGI/AAAAAAAAIBc/39YbwgY8lgw/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A window view </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MloQMs720Xo/TbmZ7d6z23I/AAAAAAAAIBg/zjqqN72j8pE/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MloQMs720Xo/TbmZ7d6z23I/AAAAAAAAIBg/zjqqN72j8pE/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vinca's garden </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sEMVnKsUoo/TbmaPdl-qzI/AAAAAAAAIBo/Bs2JESBA7ec/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+032.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sEMVnKsUoo/TbmaPdl-qzI/AAAAAAAAIBo/Bs2JESBA7ec/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EX3WQOd12yU/Tbmaa6AO_pI/AAAAAAAAIBs/eN650Cmbm3M/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EX3WQOd12yU/Tbmaa6AO_pI/AAAAAAAAIBs/eN650Cmbm3M/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy lookiing down at his rope invention </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kjhm2gfI4ms/TbmaspFwD-I/AAAAAAAAIBw/YrgZc-GryRs/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kjhm2gfI4ms/TbmaspFwD-I/AAAAAAAAIBw/YrgZc-GryRs/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And pulling it up. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkM-oLG62Jc/Tbmbeh9NTRI/AAAAAAAAICA/UiD762jItYA/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkM-oLG62Jc/Tbmbeh9NTRI/AAAAAAAAICA/UiD762jItYA/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James and Eleanor studying some Italian books Mummy got today </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2XHFFIJugw/Tbmb3elgNDI/AAAAAAAAICE/e8Z2CJ-WaDM/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2XHFFIJugw/Tbmb3elgNDI/AAAAAAAAICE/e8Z2CJ-WaDM/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aCqdFYlXlvI/TbmcM-ctEOI/AAAAAAAAICI/DN52THAXLSs/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aCqdFYlXlvI/TbmcM-ctEOI/AAAAAAAAICI/DN52THAXLSs/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVo1rJRlJ4w/TbmcmMDzRFI/AAAAAAAAICQ/_lUkI-2cX7U/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVo1rJRlJ4w/TbmcmMDzRFI/AAAAAAAAICQ/_lUkI-2cX7U/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they sweet? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVwcjFa1YBY/TbmdRraBvHI/AAAAAAAAICY/-Q6GIasQ6to/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVwcjFa1YBY/TbmdRraBvHI/AAAAAAAAICY/-Q6GIasQ6to/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the rose bushes in our garden </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAC18vHs_IE/Tbmc9o-yKrI/AAAAAAAAICU/0I8_E_umygg/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAC18vHs_IE/Tbmc9o-yKrI/AAAAAAAAICU/0I8_E_umygg/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of our garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMNNJW1lrvg/Tbma_dNhLWI/AAAAAAAAIB0/mATqYl0mngg/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMNNJW1lrvg/Tbma_dNhLWI/AAAAAAAAIB0/mATqYl0mngg/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clean laundry </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3qSkgAn7SM/TbmTbiirc7I/AAAAAAAAIAU/T9tHPDuVY0M/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clean living room. We had to do a serious vacuuming and dusting. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUIwpmS6JL8/TbmXgKTQU1I/AAAAAAAAIBY/1QHvEhGbBO0/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUIwpmS6JL8/TbmXgKTQU1I/AAAAAAAAIBY/1QHvEhGbBO0/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're leaving TOO soon! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYHAbZdnt5U/TbmTtjGe7DI/AAAAAAAAIAY/UYcKqlJSqcw/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYHAbZdnt5U/TbmTtjGe7DI/AAAAAAAAIAY/UYcKqlJSqcw/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWDDByuBxh8/TbmUH2PIpRI/AAAAAAAAIAc/cXLS_bw0siE/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWDDByuBxh8/TbmUH2PIpRI/AAAAAAAAIAc/cXLS_bw0siE/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bleached the counters and now they are white! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvaGk3y3AEU/TbmUiSysb3I/AAAAAAAAIAg/Bwj0oMq8Ngw/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvaGk3y3AEU/TbmUiSysb3I/AAAAAAAAIAg/Bwj0oMq8Ngw/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we came the sinks were BROWN and now, they are squeaky clean! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGxQ1N4BKXc/TbmU50GwnnI/AAAAAAAAIAo/ann7YcgeLLM/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGxQ1N4BKXc/TbmU50GwnnI/AAAAAAAAIAo/ann7YcgeLLM/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence arranged the fruit in a cute way. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPrzPtT_Sl4/TbmVzGsGCpI/AAAAAAAAIAs/pHBgWyEh3oQ/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPrzPtT_Sl4/TbmVzGsGCpI/AAAAAAAAIAs/pHBgWyEh3oQ/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iECTxVHL-bI/TbmWPTR3CqI/AAAAAAAAIAw/O-gzNTJix0w/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iECTxVHL-bI/TbmWPTR3CqI/AAAAAAAAIAw/O-gzNTJix0w/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy has hit his head many times on the ceiling. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6l9eCyQrJ0/TbmWpKdfFfI/AAAAAAAAIBE/FjFAn6grL_o/s1600/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6l9eCyQrJ0/TbmWpKdfFfI/AAAAAAAAIBE/FjFAn6grL_o/s320/Ashley%2527s+pics+of+last+day+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The single room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-88313461199495232892011-04-27T14:21:00.000-07:002011-04-27T14:21:24.263-07:00More photos of TodiIt's so hard to think that we'll be leaving soon. We had to go to the grocery store to purchase a few items. On the way down the hill, Leonardo stopped (in the middle of the main road) to say hello to us. We saw him a few minutes later in a parking lot and asked what he'd been up to. Just getting a cup of coffee. He asked about our plans, and we explained...he then offered to "accompany" us (and specified that there would be no charge)! How sweet he is. One of the many things we'll miss -- there are so many sweet people here.<br />
<br />
We also saw a little scooter loaded down with about 36 one-liter bottles of water. It was so silly that we had to take a quick picture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaDQLkyCO-A/TbiAyv0iD1I/AAAAAAAAH-0/NytC4SM42Hs/s1600/More+pictures+419.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaDQLkyCO-A/TbiAyv0iD1I/AAAAAAAAH-0/NytC4SM42Hs/s320/More+pictures+419.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the scooter. It had a double load of water in the front.<br />
</td></tr>
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The road we took back home looks like a busy, winding road on the map of Todi. It's called "Via della Serpentina" -- and is actually a woodland path. However, there are what appear to be road signs at the bottom of it. Do they really expect people to drive up it? From our experience here, anything's possible.<br />
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The biodegradable bags they use here are not tremendously strong, and they minimize their use. However, the kids forgot their backpacks today, and we had to use a few. Well, we had a blowout, so Ashley decided to put the milk in her pockets...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_0t8z98t-4/TbiIEVzmrEI/AAAAAAAAIAI/1vv1mdcHE2I/s1600/More+pictures+430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_0t8z98t-4/TbiIEVzmrEI/AAAAAAAAIAI/1vv1mdcHE2I/s320/More+pictures+430.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley the silly milkmaid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had a wonderful dinner with Benedetta, and had the opportunity to meet her sister (who is also extremely sweet). Benedetta treated us to some scrumptious Roman artichokes, an amazing stew, and delicious mashed potatoes. Plus strawberries in her wonderful way. <br />
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Jeremy, meanwhile, went out to a dinner for the altar servers. He said he had a pretty good time, even though he didn't understand a lot of what was being said. But he understood some of it! Hurray! <br />
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And now? Bed.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VGJ7zk_qLI/Tbh9ynBXJQI/AAAAAAAAH98/znpCa4HriXs/s1600/More+pictures+407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VGJ7zk_qLI/Tbh9ynBXJQI/AAAAAAAAH98/znpCa4HriXs/s320/More+pictures+407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UF6hiP5Kzpw/Tbh-uJA3INI/AAAAAAAAH-M/qd14Y9GqFXY/s1600/More+pictures+411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UF6hiP5Kzpw/Tbh-uJA3INI/AAAAAAAAH-M/qd14Y9GqFXY/s320/More+pictures+411.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The glimpses are just magical to me</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev80A1gkREs/Tbh--Buy0FI/AAAAAAAAH-U/JleV29aZQ6U/s1600/More+pictures+412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev80A1gkREs/Tbh--Buy0FI/AAAAAAAAH-U/JleV29aZQ6U/s320/More+pictures+412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2I4QoOpW4s/TbiAadGDGFI/AAAAAAAAH-w/WfeHZ-jC3KQ/s1600/More+pictures+418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2I4QoOpW4s/TbiAadGDGFI/AAAAAAAAH-w/WfeHZ-jC3KQ/s320/More+pictures+418.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A common pose for Jeremy -- he's always taking photos!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wEUa0jlh_rY/TbiBHtb2lTI/AAAAAAAAH_A/FxrDcjHXzbw/s1600/More+pictures+420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wEUa0jlh_rY/TbiBHtb2lTI/AAAAAAAAH_A/FxrDcjHXzbw/s320/More+pictures+420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The poppies are blooming!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2If3LdrpvcU/TbiBmQBEeSI/AAAAAAAAH_E/FRL2-d5BM80/s1600/More+pictures+422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2If3LdrpvcU/TbiBmQBEeSI/AAAAAAAAH_E/FRL2-d5BM80/s320/More+pictures+422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The medieval wall</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--QC4GmPW-wQ/TbiCIO5b2bI/AAAAAAAAH_I/hPdgVvoRWQA/s1600/More+pictures+423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--QC4GmPW-wQ/TbiCIO5b2bI/AAAAAAAAH_I/hPdgVvoRWQA/s320/More+pictures+423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUkavB19h3w/TbiCu5GQhJI/AAAAAAAAH_U/PJQ9wnAIPDQ/s1600/More+pictures+427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUkavB19h3w/TbiCu5GQhJI/AAAAAAAAH_U/PJQ9wnAIPDQ/s320/More+pictures+427.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sta. Maria della Consolazione</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1eLn2hsb04/TbiDAexGgfI/AAAAAAAAH_Y/AXQUbaSeeGw/s1600/More+pictures+428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1eLn2hsb04/TbiDAexGgfI/AAAAAAAAH_Y/AXQUbaSeeGw/s320/More+pictures+428.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via della Serpentina</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtdAkq1oPFk/TbiDQ0msTdI/AAAAAAAAH_c/MJx5Tb1wtbA/s1600/More+pictures+431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtdAkq1oPFk/TbiDQ0msTdI/AAAAAAAAH_c/MJx5Tb1wtbA/s320/More+pictures+431.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YRBe_bh1Xs/TbiDru8aEkI/AAAAAAAAH_k/YsCje-ojnyM/s1600/More+pictures+433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YRBe_bh1Xs/TbiDru8aEkI/AAAAAAAAH_k/YsCje-ojnyM/s320/More+pictures+433.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doubles back on itself. And is steep in places.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLPRR58UvM0/TbiEITFiSbI/AAAAAAAAH_o/qHPTKutiO6Y/s1600/More+pictures+435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TLPRR58UvM0/TbiEITFiSbI/AAAAAAAAH_o/qHPTKutiO6Y/s320/More+pictures+435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XexS_k43pto/TbiEhQBRPFI/AAAAAAAAH_s/-Ie9PWLLIaY/s1600/More+pictures+437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XexS_k43pto/TbiEhQBRPFI/AAAAAAAAH_s/-Ie9PWLLIaY/s320/More+pictures+437.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also have lilacs in bloom...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdwE6IgcGDA/TbiFKEfhpFI/AAAAAAAAH_4/DJym0uXa0c4/s1600/More+pictures+438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdwE6IgcGDA/TbiFKEfhpFI/AAAAAAAAH_4/DJym0uXa0c4/s320/More+pictures+438.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAGarZdR3Q0/TbiFduJdj-I/AAAAAAAAH_8/NQmBRmuU9hk/s1600/More+pictures+439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAGarZdR3Q0/TbiFduJdj-I/AAAAAAAAH_8/NQmBRmuU9hk/s320/More+pictures+439.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'll miss the steps!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cE95yOfyXY/TbiFx85NwtI/AAAAAAAAIAA/943ONVC87GU/s1600/More+pictures+440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cE95yOfyXY/TbiFx85NwtI/AAAAAAAAIAA/943ONVC87GU/s320/More+pictures+440.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They go up and up and up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-85172762517144502632011-04-27T01:27:00.000-07:002011-04-27T01:27:47.339-07:00Packing again?<div class="MsoNormal"> Today will be a long working day because we are cleaning and packing to go to Pompeii. We are also packing up for leaving from Todi. </div><div class="MsoNormal">This morning we have been putting all the clothes we do not need for the last week in the suitcases and sorting out all of our schoolwork that we will need for Pompeii. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Later we will take the printer to the charity center and do a thorough clean in the bedrooms, living room, bathrooms, and kitchen. I cannot wait until we are done with all of our hard work! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Vovo and Grandfather, the house will be clean and almost empty by the time you come tomorrow. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Love,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ashley </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqGUQzGdgk4/TbfOxCzi5sI/AAAAAAAAH9s/IpfHJ43jDAA/s320/100_1493.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence has been kindly working on the pantry. She has sorted almost everything between what we want to keep, what Benedetta will get, and what the trash can hold. Thank you Florence! Florence was grossed out by the paper on the shelves and she will be re-covering it today. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1ccPU4jKjU/TbfN-m94fJI/AAAAAAAAH9c/drDRp56IcoE/s1600/100_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1ccPU4jKjU/TbfN-m94fJI/AAAAAAAAH9c/drDRp56IcoE/s320/100_1488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a pile of some of the laundry. We have lots to do today!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uqqCY4gHkc/TbfNQoCesPI/AAAAAAAAH9M/GiOxkBEQ-uc/s320/100_1483.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing? Yep, these are some of the things that will go into the suitcases. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFrb05F_4eU/TbfOZpRwtrI/AAAAAAAAH9k/B7JAgZBucnY/s1600/100_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFrb05F_4eU/TbfOZpRwtrI/AAAAAAAAH9k/B7JAgZBucnY/s320/100_1490.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is some of the food that Florence pulled out of the pantry and put onto the table. </td></tr>
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</div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-84878286074613704872011-04-26T12:52:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:52:48.293-07:00Some more images of our darling town...We have loved seeing spring emerge. I have a few more shots to share...<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Alexandra<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFosmmxgyIM/TbcdxcHfgQI/AAAAAAAAH8A/D4ZmEe_zWI0/s1600/100_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFosmmxgyIM/TbcdxcHfgQI/AAAAAAAAH8A/D4ZmEe_zWI0/s320/100_1477.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight's sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0N0YyRmJmU/TbceAXjaDSI/AAAAAAAAH8I/oM2QtxzJFvc/s1600/100_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0N0YyRmJmU/TbceAXjaDSI/AAAAAAAAH8I/oM2QtxzJFvc/s320/100_1459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bucket trucks are so cute here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcmTtxIXGR0/TbceOTlVxbI/AAAAAAAAH8M/k98UU1eXMKI/s1600/100_1458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jcmTtxIXGR0/TbceOTlVxbI/AAAAAAAAH8M/k98UU1eXMKI/s320/100_1458.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shrine near our house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jK6kwOsPMn4/TbceiOS4kEI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/0XRhuco2S9o/s1600/100_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jK6kwOsPMn4/TbceiOS4kEI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/0XRhuco2S9o/s320/100_1086.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't care if it's invasive; wisteria is pretty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yH2kheIzvnU/Tbce4jHyX6I/AAAAAAAAH8U/AHxWk1DRfvg/s1600/100_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yH2kheIzvnU/Tbce4jHyX6I/AAAAAAAAH8U/AHxWk1DRfvg/s320/100_1367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure of this tree...it's not a redbud I don't think...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8mFccLiiz8/TbcfJCTRDZI/AAAAAAAAH8c/rEhk93_R4io/s1600/100_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8mFccLiiz8/TbcfJCTRDZI/AAAAAAAAH8c/rEhk93_R4io/s320/100_1368.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "soft" view of Montesanto (a humid day)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-na5N90sHlf4/TbcfdGeEaZI/AAAAAAAAH8g/STUfg_4Pwvs/s1600/100_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-na5N90sHlf4/TbcfdGeEaZI/AAAAAAAAH8g/STUfg_4Pwvs/s320/100_1369.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9E7tGZ2Ov4/Tbcft1JTnVI/AAAAAAAAH8k/TzKTMYTnmTE/s1600/100_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9E7tGZ2Ov4/Tbcft1JTnVI/AAAAAAAAH8k/TzKTMYTnmTE/s320/100_1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montesanto, again</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBZ3Vq3QCv8/TbcgHIdRfnI/AAAAAAAAH8o/bNR78MLSV00/s1600/100_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBZ3Vq3QCv8/TbcgHIdRfnI/AAAAAAAAH8o/bNR78MLSV00/s320/100_1373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizards are starting to emerge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FUoLPrSEwE/Tbcgch3pNrI/AAAAAAAAH8w/YZ30q7MU2JY/s1600/100_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FUoLPrSEwE/Tbcgch3pNrI/AAAAAAAAH8w/YZ30q7MU2JY/s320/100_1374.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBpaeCv9ML8/TbcgjS1Ax2I/AAAAAAAAH80/IVMTt3qx0Q4/s1600/100_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBpaeCv9ML8/TbcgjS1Ax2I/AAAAAAAAH80/IVMTt3qx0Q4/s320/100_1375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A soft view -- it was a very misty day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fK_8jzZAkU/Tbcg4-DopwI/AAAAAAAAH84/CSrPlr45sXA/s1600/100_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fK_8jzZAkU/Tbcg4-DopwI/AAAAAAAAH84/CSrPlr45sXA/s320/100_1377.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything's in bloom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCdUfhG_uro/TbchLWAvnFI/AAAAAAAAH88/hFJNd0j7tKw/s1600/100_1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCdUfhG_uro/TbchLWAvnFI/AAAAAAAAH88/hFJNd0j7tKw/s320/100_1378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AoutxPaf44/TbchV04AMgI/AAAAAAAAH9E/9cV4ZoSQqn0/s1600/100_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AoutxPaf44/TbchV04AMgI/AAAAAAAAH9E/9cV4ZoSQqn0/s320/100_1379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2tbM79cGKBA/Tbchs3rneNI/AAAAAAAAH9I/W5JH0I4-OQ0/s1600/100_1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2tbM79cGKBA/Tbchs3rneNI/AAAAAAAAH9I/W5JH0I4-OQ0/s320/100_1371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If life hands you a lemon...(or two)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-75534575727789579632011-04-26T12:30:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:30:39.013-07:00Cisterne RomaneWe finally had the opportunity to see the Roman cisterns under Todi today. They've been closed the entire time we've been here for "technical reasons." Michael hypothesizes that they were retrieving the body.<br />
<br />
They turned out to be these enormous caverns, twelve altogether, that were used to store rainwater, help prevent flooding (according to the brochure; I'm rather unclear on how the top of a hill floods, but anyway...), and generally make life good for the Romans. These particular cisterns have a twin complex on the opposite side of the piazza.<br />
<br />
It's actually rather an interesting story. The other cisterns, which are not open for public viewing, have been known since 1262. The ones we saw today were only discovered in 1996 during renovations to the tobacconist's above. One of the tobacconists we frequent on a regular basis, as a matter of fact.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ14ANNAL1U/TbccYzwVbMI/AAAAAAAAH7w/STgHNNMqUjE/s1600/100_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ14ANNAL1U/TbccYzwVbMI/AAAAAAAAH7w/STgHNNMqUjE/s320/100_1448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This equalizing port is big enough to walk through</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQY2y1r8uJI/Tbccnf9n7SI/AAAAAAAAH70/vbwcN--_FTo/s1600/100_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQY2y1r8uJI/Tbccnf9n7SI/AAAAAAAAH70/vbwcN--_FTo/s320/100_1450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm-Xzka20rY/Tbcc0jNQ18I/AAAAAAAAH74/FWnt6iTgnKE/s1600/100_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nm-Xzka20rY/Tbcc0jNQ18I/AAAAAAAAH74/FWnt6iTgnKE/s320/100_1456.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the next few of 12 chambers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPcNk6rZeoA/TbcdDwNQyPI/AAAAAAAAH78/oqbWG2n_WJM/s1600/100_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPcNk6rZeoA/TbcdDwNQyPI/AAAAAAAAH78/oqbWG2n_WJM/s320/100_1452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These rooms are HUGE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Love,<br />
<br />
AlexandraThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-34261822065896290872011-04-26T12:19:00.001-07:002011-04-26T12:19:42.177-07:00A Beautiful Day!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Today was a very nice and quiet day. We did our schoolwork early and went out to enjoy Todi. Later, Benadetta, Margarita, Mummy and the other 5 Hooks went to get gelato. Then Eleanor, Florence, and I went over the Orietta’s shop. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Orietta was working on fixing a mug and painting two lamps for some woman who lives in Rome. Her assistant was also there and she was helping with putting some pictures on the computer. The pictures were of some of the things Orietta had painted. We watched the assistant put them into a folder and then Orietta started to paint the lamp stands. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">It was very interesting to see how she mixed the paint into the perfect colors and spin the wheel to paint. Florence left after about an hour. Eleanor and I stayed for about another hour before we left. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">We came back to the house and the boys and Mummy were happily playing Ticket to Ride on the table. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">I have started cut the potatoes and put them into the pan to fry. Mummy is making truffle pasta and Eleanor is cutting the tomatoes. Dinner sounds great and I cannot wait! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Love,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Ashley </span></div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-8963204201066067042011-04-25T03:40:00.000-07:002011-04-25T03:40:51.450-07:00The Last Sad Week<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">This week is our last week in Todi and the time has gone so surprisingly quickly!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I can’t believe that it was only three months ago that I was frightened to come to a new part of the world. I remember how nervous I was when I knew I had to speak a different language that I didn’t really understand. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now I have learned so much in so little time and I wish we could extend the trip to a longer amount of time. There are so many people I hate to say goodbye to and this week I have to do it. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We are going out today to see what we have seen before, but to take MANY pictures to remember. Some of people I hope to remember are the butchers, Massimo, Cinzia, Daniele, Benedetta, Margarita, Madalena, Cinzia’s father, the disapproving neighbor (who is not really disapproving), Vinca( the downstairs neighbor), Orietta (our friend who does the most beautiful painting), our church choir friends, and so many others! Sorry, that’s a mouth full of people! <span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I also can’t wait to get back to Atlanta and see all of you as well as seeing what our Daddy has done to the bathroom. Thank you, Daddy! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>I don’t think I need to do any other explanations for how many wonderful experiences and how much I fun I have had in Todi! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Love, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ashley </span></span></div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-12088677622010117812011-04-23T11:52:00.001-07:002011-04-23T11:52:25.076-07:00The Netherlands<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Hi! Today has been bleak so I haven’t done much laundry. It has been an “I don’t want to go anywhere or do anything” kind of day. But I have napped, and read, and enjoyed a lazy day. The Netherlands were great. We saw Madurodam (the mini village), Keukenhof, and the Rijksmuseum! <span> </span>Mummy was so excited about the flowers! We loved wandering among the tulips. We went on TWO boat rides, saw lots of churches, and <i>Nightwatch</i>. It was HUGE!!!!!<span> </span>I would LOVE to go again! We didn’t get to see nearly enough.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Love,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Florence</div>The Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5370057505116010185.post-83249781784750161982011-04-23T02:46:00.000-07:002011-04-23T02:46:06.817-07:00The Netherlands vs. ItalyDuring our visit to Holland, one of the best parts was comparing the country to Italy, trying to spot differences and similarities. <br />
The architecture, for one, was very different from what we find in Italy. Here in Italy, stone is the primary building material. Originally the exterior walls were stuccoed and painted; though a few families continue to keep the tradition, most of the edifices are bare stone, with perhaps an old entryway or window filled in with brick. The roofs are kept simple: a slope on either side in typical gingerbread-house fashion. They are covered in clay tiles in every shade ranging from light brown to muddy red to dusky orange.<br />
In the streets of Haarlem, Amsterdam, Leiden, and Den Haag, we were surrounded by brick buildings (understanding each brick was 1 1/2" x 6") with the shutters and doors cheerily painted with glossy finish. Above each house rose several turrets, covered with glazed ceramic or slate tile-- or thatch for those who can afford it. The buildings themselves are much further apart than in Italy, where there is literally no green space between buildings because everything is built into everything else. In Holland there were rows of attached houses, then a gap, followed by more edifices.<br />
Another thing we saw that we don't really have in Italy are suburbs. The cities in Holland are much younger than those in Italy (Den Haag was founded in the 13th century AD, while Todi-- well, there's some dispute. It appears to have been first settled between the 7th century and the 15th century BC), so they don't have the Italian mindset of "City. Country. Nothing in between." There are modern parts of town and older parts. In some places, everything is squished together just like in Italy, whereas in other places everyone has a garden, which is rare in Italy.<br />
The Dutch are upright law-abiders. If a rule is written, it must be followed (see "Openluchtmuseum" for an example, namely the train conductor). As our friend Leonardo puts it, in the Netherlands there are few laws but everyone respects them. In Italy there are many laws, so no one pays attention to them.<br />
However, both countries have a lessened dependence on cars. In the Netherlands, the substitutes are bicycles and trams; in Italy they are feet and buses. There are also trains that run regularly between cities for those Dutch or Italian citizens who need to travel a longer distance.<br />
This was a very interesting experience, and I believe that we can safely conclude that there is a good deal of variety in Europe!<br />
<br />
EleanorThe Hook Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00726941364426911341noreply@blogger.com0