Today, I am the Center with Pat and have no plans for anything exciting......BUT........
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| Me at the CEA Center!! |
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Boring......boring.....rest.....
After punishing my lumbar discs yesterday at the Etruscan Museum, I had to rest them today! I stayed in the apartment while Pat went to teach classes and do his preps! I blogged, I crocheted, I played my guitar, I studied the psalm for Sunday just in case I am asked to cantor again, I ate my lunch and watched a Brother Cadfael mystery on Netflix!!
Today, I am the Center with Pat and have no plans for anything exciting......BUT........
Today, I am the Center with Pat and have no plans for anything exciting......BUT........
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I was a ba-a-a-a-d girl! :-)
Yes friends, I broke the rules!
Yesterday, there was a bus strike in Italy (when we asked why, we were told, " because they want to show that they have power!") meh!?
So we went to the cab stop (you cannot just hail a cab in Rome - you have to go to a cab stop and take the first cab in line.....rules, doncha know!!) and got a cab to take us to the Etruscan Museum in Villa Giulia (Named after Julius III who was an insanely rich pope who bought the villa) The museum is housed in this villa and is a-maz-ing!!!! I am interested in the Etruscan culture because my mother's father is from Bolsena, the old Volsenii, an Etruscan town near Tarquinia, conquered and razed by the Romans. This branch of my family tree is very proud of their Etruscan heritage and therefore, so am I!! The museum has 3 floors filled with Etruscan history and artifacts.....and (here's the bad girl part!!!) no photos allowed!!
There were custodians on every floor, but I was able to get between cases and snap a few with my iphone cam!
Bad, bad Linda!
After torturing my lumbar discs in order to see all three floors, we went for a l-o-n-g walk to catch the tram to the Piazza del Popolo to eat lunch and catch a taxi home. Lunch was Ensalade Dolci, which was mixed greens with apple slices, orange sections and sweet corn, which went beautifully with our pesto and pinoli gnocci! YUM!!
Of course, Pat being Pat, we HAD to check out the Piazza del Popolo!So we took our lives in our hands and crossed two streets to the Piazza. Lovely Piazza with S. Maria del Popolo just on the left as you enter.
Today, I am resting my back!
ciao cari amici!
Yesterday, there was a bus strike in Italy (when we asked why, we were told, " because they want to show that they have power!") meh!?
So we went to the cab stop (you cannot just hail a cab in Rome - you have to go to a cab stop and take the first cab in line.....rules, doncha know!!) and got a cab to take us to the Etruscan Museum in Villa Giulia (Named after Julius III who was an insanely rich pope who bought the villa) The museum is housed in this villa and is a-maz-ing!!!! I am interested in the Etruscan culture because my mother's father is from Bolsena, the old Volsenii, an Etruscan town near Tarquinia, conquered and razed by the Romans. This branch of my family tree is very proud of their Etruscan heritage and therefore, so am I!! The museum has 3 floors filled with Etruscan history and artifacts.....and (here's the bad girl part!!!) no photos allowed!!
There were custodians on every floor, but I was able to get between cases and snap a few with my iphone cam!
Bad, bad Linda!
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| Add old map showing Lago di Bolsena in relation to Tarquinia, Orvieto and Rome |
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| Various pots, amphoras and urns found in burial sites |
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| Statues and busts (note the 2 faced guy and the children) found in burial sites |
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| This is the famous "Sarcofago degli Sposi" or Sarcaphagus of the Spouses - evidently death could not part them! :-) |
Of course, Pat being Pat, we HAD to check out the Piazza del Popolo!So we took our lives in our hands and crossed two streets to the Piazza. Lovely Piazza with S. Maria del Popolo just on the left as you enter.
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| It was not open, but this is the central door depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. |
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| A beautiful pomegranate tree on the way to the tram! |
ciao cari amici!
Monday, October 1, 2012
another pleasant valley Sunday.....in Rome
Yesterday, we hopped on our old friend, the #85 bus, and traveled to Caravita for Mass. I arrived early to rehearse with the choir (2 women besides myself and a guy!) and was asked to cantor the psalm. It was Psallite psalm and I quickly learned it with enough confidence to agree to do it - the hubris of me!!! :-) The presider was Fr. Keith Pecklers, a published and respected liturgist!
Anyway, the liturgy was lovely and I made no glaring errors in the proclamation of the psalm, so I could breathe again! After Mass, several people greeted me with compliments, including 3 men from Australia, who wanted to know more about the source of the psalm setting, so I told them, happy to spread the word about the Psallite program!
After Mass, we took another bus to the Colloseo, where we met Rob and set off in a taxi for Tre Fontana, (because it was pouring rain.....all day long....) the place of the martyrdom of St. Paul. It is a lovely rustic collection of 3 churches, one "Scala Ceoli", one, a Cistercian Abbey and one built over the spot of Paul's beheading. There is a bizarre legend attached to the story (from which the place gets it's name) of Paul's martyrdom. It is said that when his head was cut off, it bounced 3 times and from each place where it hit the ground, a fountain sprang up! There are 3 stations that look like this:
and beyond the grate, you can see and hear the water flowing!
Then, we had a wonderful lunch at a quaint little trattoria between the churches, where they served food native to the regions of Puglia!! Another major yum!!!
Then we attended one of the hours (Nones) at the Cistercian Abbey. The Abbey itself was amazing
but the liturgy was chanted in 2 different keys, one which the organist was playing and another about a 1/2 step lower -lol!!
We bid Rob good-bye and had a nice quiet evening at home, where we finally dried out!
Pat is at the Center teaching his class this morning, and I am here blogging and running (well.....maybe not running...... DOING) miscellaneous errands and chores!!
Anyway, the liturgy was lovely and I made no glaring errors in the proclamation of the psalm, so I could breathe again! After Mass, several people greeted me with compliments, including 3 men from Australia, who wanted to know more about the source of the psalm setting, so I told them, happy to spread the word about the Psallite program!
After Mass, we took another bus to the Colloseo, where we met Rob and set off in a taxi for Tre Fontana, (because it was pouring rain.....all day long....) the place of the martyrdom of St. Paul. It is a lovely rustic collection of 3 churches, one "Scala Ceoli", one, a Cistercian Abbey and one built over the spot of Paul's beheading. There is a bizarre legend attached to the story (from which the place gets it's name) of Paul's martyrdom. It is said that when his head was cut off, it bounced 3 times and from each place where it hit the ground, a fountain sprang up! There are 3 stations that look like this:
Then, we had a wonderful lunch at a quaint little trattoria between the churches, where they served food native to the regions of Puglia!! Another major yum!!!
Then we attended one of the hours (Nones) at the Cistercian Abbey. The Abbey itself was amazing
We bid Rob good-bye and had a nice quiet evening at home, where we finally dried out!
Pat is at the Center teaching his class this morning, and I am here blogging and running (well.....maybe not running...... DOING) miscellaneous errands and chores!!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Adventure of Another Kind!!
Today, Pat and Arthur were planning to attend a convocation on the writings of St. Augustine and I was going to stay here! Arthur called and said we should meet for lunch and that the convocation was near the Vatican and that maybe I could go to the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel while they attended the talks!
The lure of Michelangelo was way stronger than a restful afternoon at home, so I endured another "cheek-to-jowl-back shattering" bus ride to Vatican City! We had the BEST pizza at a little off-the-beaten-path-air-conditioned (the heat and humidity were both high) tavola calda and I set off to SHOP my way to the Vatican Museum......and I did! I found a wonderful iconography shop with a little library where I could sit and peruse books filled with icons and illuminations (and buy some gorgeous cards!) and a place with some gorgeous scarves.
So Arthur said I should just follow the Vatican walls to get to the museum. What he did not mention was that it was about a mile walk!!!! I kept turning corners thinking, "This is it!" , but it was just another length of wall!! After climbing (yes, it was uphill!!) and resting and climbing and resting, I finally reach the Museum at 4. I also find out that the museum closes at 5:30! So I must see what is most important to me i.e. The Sistine Chapel!!! So I begin following the signs which give a vague direction straight ahead. I muscled my way through throngs of tours (and must have said "scusi" a thousand times) only to find another arch or door and ANOTHER corridor! And so I must have walked another mile or so to reach the bottom of a flight of stairs (sigh) Up I go at a snails pace ('cause my back and leg are already shot to hell) with people whizzing by me!!
Finally, I arrive at the chapel. I enter with great anticipation and reverence,open my cane seat and sit......and sit......and sit..... up by the altar & the guards where no one is jostling me!
After sitting for while, I pack up my little cane and begin to travel down the length of this amazing work, looking at all the famous scenes and the not-so-famous ones (and rubbing my neck in between -lol!!) I am in total AWE......until a guard comes up to me and indicates that I am not to take pictures!!!!! NOw there are Japenese people running around with cameras and lenses bigger than my purse, and this guy doesn't want me to use my little iphone????? Doesn't make sense......until look to my left. In my zeal to photograph my girl, the Delphic Sybil, I completely missed the fact that the secret service had entered the back door of the chapel and behind them was president BILL CLINTON!!!!! Now I understood the "no photos" warning (but I took one anyway, which I will not post here for fear of gettinghauled in by the secret service!!) Then I walk another mile or so, buy some neat stuff at the store and exit - oy!
I am not moving anywhere - tonight I will cook for the boys HERE!!!!
This post looks weird because Ikept trying to edit my mistakes. So I have Christ the judge at the restaurant with us - don't get excited......He wasn't there -lol!!!
Ciao!!
The lure of Michelangelo was way stronger than a restful afternoon at home, so I endured another "cheek-to-jowl-back shattering" bus ride to Vatican City! We had the BEST pizza at a little off-the-beaten-path-air-conditioned (the heat and humidity were both high) tavola calda and I set off to SHOP my way to the Vatican Museum......and I did! I found a wonderful iconography shop with a little library where I could sit and peruse books filled with icons and illuminations (and buy some gorgeous cards!) and a place with some gorgeous scarves.
So Arthur said I should just follow the Vatican walls to get to the museum. What he did not mention was that it was about a mile walk!!!! I kept turning corners thinking, "This is it!" , but it was just another length of wall!! After climbing (yes, it was uphill!!) and resting and climbing and resting, I finally reach the Museum at 4. I also find out that the museum closes at 5:30! So I must see what is most important to me i.e. The Sistine Chapel!!! So I begin following the signs which give a vague direction straight ahead. I muscled my way through throngs of tours (and must have said "scusi" a thousand times) only to find another arch or door and ANOTHER corridor! And so I must have walked another mile or so to reach the bottom of a flight of stairs (sigh) Up I go at a snails pace ('cause my back and leg are already shot to hell) with people whizzing by me!!
Finally, I arrive at the chapel. I enter with great anticipation and reverence,open my cane seat and sit......and sit......and sit..... up by the altar & the guards where no one is jostling me!
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| CHRIST, THE JUDGE |
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| THE DAMNED |
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| ME, ABOUT TO CRY FROM PAIN AND PLEASURE "CHE GIOIA" |
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| PORTION OF THE CEILING AND THE LAST JUDGEMENT |
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| Arthur, Rob and Pat |
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| Arthur, Pat, Rob and Linda |
This post looks weird because Ikept trying to edit my mistakes. So I have Christ the judge at the restaurant with us - don't get excited......He wasn't there -lol!!!
Ciao!!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Market day!
After the day we had Wednesday, I was laying pretty low today. But I needed to go to the market (particularly for TP, bread and jelly, as our friend brought us a jar of peanut butter - evidently unattainable in Europe!) and the bank. It was hot and humid, but I went and got what was needed, came home, put everything away, read a book and took a nap (and it wasn't even Sunday!)
We met Arthur at the Colosseo, but we were running late.
So, Arthur, Pat and I (I am getting rather used to being escorted around the city by 2 or more handsome men!!) went back to our "hood" and had dinner here
ROFL!!! We have been gorging on pasta, pizza and all manner of Italian food for a month, so we thought we'd try it!
It was pretty amazing to see all these lovely Chinese waitresses speaking Italian and serving up Chinese food!!! So we had a chinese feast of chicken and almonds, s & s pork and shrimp fried rice, spring rolls and dumplings.......and red wine!!!!
Then we went home and "Skyped" Tyler for his birthday! I wanted so badly to give him (and all 4 of them) a big hug that my arms ached!!
ciao for now
We met Arthur at the Colosseo, but we were running late.
So, Arthur, Pat and I (I am getting rather used to being escorted around the city by 2 or more handsome men!!) went back to our "hood" and had dinner here
It was pretty amazing to see all these lovely Chinese waitresses speaking Italian and serving up Chinese food!!! So we had a chinese feast of chicken and almonds, s & s pork and shrimp fried rice, spring rolls and dumplings.......and red wine!!!!
ciao for now
Thursday, September 27, 2012
this you might believe!!!! con't.....
At the very end of the concert, before himself departed, he gave us all a Papal blessing for us and our families. So you, my family and friends (who are indeed my family) are blest by the Pope!!
So we get on the bus and travel to this fancy well known restaurant for what s billed as a 4 course dinner!
Here was the dinner: 1) antipasto
2)rigatoni pomodoro
3)fettuccini a la funghi porcini
4)roasted veal
5) roasted lamb with oven baked potatoes
6) ensalade misti
7) slice of chocolate rum cake
8) bowls of red, green and black grapes.
It took us 3 hours to eat this feast, as each course was served separately! The meal ended perfectly with a red rose and a diet coke (lol) and we didn't get back until 11:30
but the three of us went home feeling very lucky, very tired, very full and VERY blest!
ciao!!
So we get on the bus and travel to this fancy well known restaurant for what s billed as a 4 course dinner!
2)rigatoni pomodoro
3)fettuccini a la funghi porcini
4)roasted veal
5) roasted lamb with oven baked potatoes
6) ensalade misti
7) slice of chocolate rum cake
8) bowls of red, green and black grapes.
It took us 3 hours to eat this feast, as each course was served separately! The meal ended perfectly with a red rose and a diet coke (lol) and we didn't get back until 11:30
ciao!!
You're not going to believe this cont'd.....
We arrive at Castel Gandolfo and we have to HIKE........UPHILL....... from the parking lot!!
Ok, I am not in such a great frame of mind by the time we get to the top and my sciatic nerve is KILLING me, but it's beginning to look exciting. We approach the entry door complete with Swiss guards - got close up photos!
BUT.......
there is the lady with the list and a man beside her handing out tickets. And she was checking names VERY thoroughly!! So, I figure I'll spend the next hour and a half exploring the piazza's shops. Then....with 3 people ahead of us.....the Holy Spirit reached down from heaven and sent a man in a suit to tell the woman to hurry this along. She folded the list, with a gesture of disgust and the man with the tickets gave us all one and we ALL went in!!!! Another happy ending.!!!
As soon as we enter we see more Swiss guards and a row of white chairs behind a white throne on a red carpet. GUESS WHAT???? The opera was written in honor of Benedict XVI and he was going to attend (complete with a feed to St. Peter's Square!).
This is not the day I was expecting!!! :-)
So, the Holy Father and a bunch of cardinals enter to applause from the crowd. Cameras were flashing and the opera begins. I am attending an opera with the POPE!!! Madonna Mia!!!!
A word about the opera: the full title (for you German speakers out there) is "Oper 'Augustinus' - Ein klingendes mosaik" The music was written by a man named Wilfried Hiller and it was offered in honor of Benedict XVI from the diocese of Wurzburg (there should be two little dots over the 1st "u" in Wurzburg but I don't knw how to do that!)
It is written in German but, thankfully, there was a translation on the facing page......into Italian!! So I still don't know what went on except the main characters were Adeodatus (Augustin's son) Stella (by whom he had the son) and Monica (his mother) There was a large chorus and a smaller male group designated as "voices"
The music was quite modern and very percussion based (I thought of Tyler a lot, whose birthday is today and who is my percussionist!) The orchestra consisted of a flute, an alto flute, a violin, a zither, a harp, a celesta, tympanies of every size, tom toms, triangles, tambourines, orchestral bells, tubular bells, wood blocks and a variety of percussion "toys" AND water glasses (2 sets of different shapes) filled to varying levels to produce different pitches!!! They were absolutely fascinating to watch!!!
I am not sure whether Benedict enjoyed it or not as his applause was quite tepid -lol!! But he made a speech at the end (all in German and then, Italian), greeted the cast and the "higher ups" and departed.
The "ticket"
The program
The Swiss guard
The company, the orchestra and HIMSELF!!!!!
but wait......there's (yum) more......
Ok, I am not in such a great frame of mind by the time we get to the top and my sciatic nerve is KILLING me, but it's beginning to look exciting. We approach the entry door complete with Swiss guards - got close up photos!
BUT.......
there is the lady with the list and a man beside her handing out tickets. And she was checking names VERY thoroughly!! So, I figure I'll spend the next hour and a half exploring the piazza's shops. Then....with 3 people ahead of us.....the Holy Spirit reached down from heaven and sent a man in a suit to tell the woman to hurry this along. She folded the list, with a gesture of disgust and the man with the tickets gave us all one and we ALL went in!!!! Another happy ending.!!!
As soon as we enter we see more Swiss guards and a row of white chairs behind a white throne on a red carpet. GUESS WHAT???? The opera was written in honor of Benedict XVI and he was going to attend (complete with a feed to St. Peter's Square!).
This is not the day I was expecting!!! :-)
So, the Holy Father and a bunch of cardinals enter to applause from the crowd. Cameras were flashing and the opera begins. I am attending an opera with the POPE!!! Madonna Mia!!!!
A word about the opera: the full title (for you German speakers out there) is "Oper 'Augustinus' - Ein klingendes mosaik" The music was written by a man named Wilfried Hiller and it was offered in honor of Benedict XVI from the diocese of Wurzburg (there should be two little dots over the 1st "u" in Wurzburg but I don't knw how to do that!)
It is written in German but, thankfully, there was a translation on the facing page......into Italian!! So I still don't know what went on except the main characters were Adeodatus (Augustin's son) Stella (by whom he had the son) and Monica (his mother) There was a large chorus and a smaller male group designated as "voices"
The music was quite modern and very percussion based (I thought of Tyler a lot, whose birthday is today and who is my percussionist!) The orchestra consisted of a flute, an alto flute, a violin, a zither, a harp, a celesta, tympanies of every size, tom toms, triangles, tambourines, orchestral bells, tubular bells, wood blocks and a variety of percussion "toys" AND water glasses (2 sets of different shapes) filled to varying levels to produce different pitches!!! They were absolutely fascinating to watch!!!
I am not sure whether Benedict enjoyed it or not as his applause was quite tepid -lol!! But he made a speech at the end (all in German and then, Italian), greeted the cast and the "higher ups" and departed.
The "ticket"
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