Europe - Day 17

Up for breakfast today and we piled in the coach to head for Switzerland. The views were fabulous!

We have rotated, clockwise, two seats each day and now are at the complete back of the coach. Well, the back row is 5 seats across and no one sits in them. So, Cole “called” those seats and he laid down and slept as we drove. We stopped for a bathroom break and then continued on. We watched a documentary about Ferrari while we drove. He was a driven man.

We stopped for lunch at a rest stop that had a big, buffet lunch. The salad bar looked great, so that's what Reagan and I had plus a pretzel. Cole and Steve had schnitzel. Silly Reagan and Cole had to play on the little playground outside the rest stop.

Then, we were back on the road and we, eventually, saw Lake Lucerne - beautiful!!!! IT is a huge lake that touches four Swiss states. It is in the shape of a cross and has beautiful scenery all around it. We drove to a dock and boarded a boat.

We went on the top level so that we could see all around. We were probably on the boat cruise 90 minutes to 120 minutes. It was beautiful! The captain would point out castles and landmarks and buildings along the lake.

There was a HUGE, Swiss flag hanging in the mountains - it reminded me of the one hanging in the canyon by our house. There were hotels and a big Christ statue next to the water. They said that Christ was blessing the fisherman on the lake. Then, we pulled into another dock - the end of our boat trip and right in the town of Lucerne.

After that, we boarded the coach and made another stop to see a carving out of natural limestone. Apparently, the Swiss Guard (who were really the first, hired mercenaries), were guarding the King of France. He had been summoned to France to be tried, but the French soldiers couldn't ever get him because the Swiss Guard were such great protectors. Eventually, he did go to France with like 726 of his Swiss Guard and they were attacked by thousands of French soldiers. He was caught and then taken prisoner and all of his Swiss Guard were killed. He was eventually convicted of whatever crime and was beheaded. The lion in this carving is supposed to represent the Swiss. The lion has a sad look on his face and his paw is on a shield with the French flag on it. So that, even in defeat, the lion is protecting them French. Above the carving are the words saying something to the effect of "to the braves and courage of the Swiss." It was a bit haunting.

Then, we headed to the hotel.We had an our or so until it was time to meet for dinner.

We walked to this traditional, Swiss restaurant. Our group had a huge, long table that the 40 of us sat down to dinner at. There were other groups there as well. The menu was set and there was veal that was being served. I SO didn't want veal. Especially after the very rare cooked meat that was served at our last few dinners. Across the table from us were Sue and Paras. They don't eat beef and they had a label on their placement that said "Chicken". One of the nice waiters came by and I asked if I could get one of those original or if it was too late. He said he would check, but that it may be too late. Later, he came by and gave a "chicken" label for my placemat. I thanked him profusely. Then, when they brought dinner around, they gave chicken, but seemed to be short one plate and Paras didn't have a plate. I told him I wasn't going to touch the plate because if they couldn't find another one, I had taken his. He encouraged me to just eat and it would work out. I refused. Eventually, the wait staff was talking back and forth and the one waiter brought out a plate for Paras. He winked at me and I put my hands together and bowed as if to prayerfully thank him. So, I was able to have the chicken - yay!

The meal was one thing here, but the entertainment was something else. They had traditional, Swiss musicians. one was playing a bass (strings, not guitar), one was on the tuba and one was on an accordion. They played songs that we didn't know as well as songs we did know (where everyone sang along) and they played traditional, Swiss songs.

Then, they brought out the big, horn things. They called up several people to play them. One from our group went up and she at least made some noise - some people couldn't get it to make any noise at all. Patrick had previously asked Cole if he would like to do that, but they didn't ask Cole. Steve encouraged him to get up and join the line of people waiting to do it. He did, but they told him they already had too many people and they sent him back to our table.

Next, one guy played this weird instrument. It looked like a farm tool to me - long and flat and steel, but then, he brought out a bow and he seemed to play it very well. They also brought out another instrument kind of like the accordion but it had 165 strings. They played some songs on that as well.

They had a lady yodel and sing and they had others come up to sing. The one from our group did great! They also had people come up and dance a local, folk dance. Then, they gave them big beers and asked them to chug them. The one from our group declined and just took a sip instead. On other guy (who was from another group and said he was from Utah) refused as well. Funny.

Then, they had people in a cow costume come and walk around the restaurant. it would bite at people's heads or lick at their ears and then it made its way back into the kitchen ..... ok. They also had a guy with a handmade broom over his shoulder. He had a stick in the other hand and he did a dance that was like hitting the stick on the broomstick and then hitting the front handle of the broomstick and then the back part. Interesting.

Finally, they had flag throwing. I guess the Swiss flag is the only on win the world that is square. So, the guy had a flag on a pole and he would throw around the pole and throw it up in the air and twist it and then catch it, etc.

By the time the entertainment was over, Cole was asleep on Steve's lap and I was trying to decide if I knew my way back to the hotel. Then, I looked up and there was Patrick - yay!!! So, we followed him back to the hotel.

We has used a wooden bridge when going to the restaurant. I guess it was destroyed in the war, but then rebuilt. It was beautiful at night - lights on it and flowers glowing in the light. So pretty!

We returned to the hotel and hit the sack. We are glad to be in one place for two nights.

Our hotel room was very big and roomy and they had ICE!!!!

Europe - Day 16

^{We got up and had breakfast again – same hotel – same breakfast. We are still in Rome. we packed up and hit the coach and left for Florence. It was a sort of long ride. We played Pavarotti while we drove. He was born in Florence I think. We finally arrived after lunch and we walked with Patrick into one of the squares. I guess they charge coaches to enter the city – he had to go and pay 290 Euros and then the coaches aren’t allowed in the city, so, we had to walk several blocks to get to this square. The main part of the square is a church. The church of the Holy Cross I believe. Michelangelo is buried there (after his remains were stolen by Florentines and smuggled back to Florence (from Rome) and they had a funeral and entombed him before the Pope knew he was missing. Da Vince is also entombed there as is Machiavelli. There are several others, but I wasn’t familiar with their names – I’ll have to go look them up.}

^{We didn’t go in the church, but walked by it. Then, we went to a leather maker factory. I guess Florence is known for its leather goods and its gold. So, Patrick took us to a leather place. He cautioned us that if we buy somewhere else, we should make sure it is authentic leather and not vinyl. The guy talked with us about how they make the leather, how they put on the gold and what to look for to try to ensure it is true leather and a good quality of leather. Then, of course, they gave us a discount card if we wanted to buy something. Steve offered to let me get a leather coat or bag, but I’m good. I have many bags and I’m not needing a jacket, so, we continued looking around. I did suggest Steve get a good quality belt. We’ve bought several for him that were supposed to be great, but they fold and have creases in them and just fall apart. He found some that he liked and got one in each of 4 or 5 colors. Yay I’ll be so glad when we don’t have to think about his belts – they are just there, the right color, the right fit and good to go. He did have them punch an extra hole in each of them in case he loses weight – which he will probably do after this trip (we have eaten SO much! but it has been great!).}

^{Happy with our purchase, we then had free time for lunch. We wanted to see the inside of that chapel though – so, we headed over there, bought our tickets and headed in.}

^{It was beautiful inside – so ornate. There were many tombs with candles in front of some and altars in front of others. Interesting. We took pictures and looked at the paintings and sculptures there.}

^{They had a big cross sculpture with Jesus hanging on it. He was skinny and small. I don’t picture Him that way for some reason. I picture him like a regular man. Maybe that’s because that’s how He looks in the movies that our church has made. Maybe because I view Him as strong and bold and capable of so much suffering. I don’t know why really, but I don’t picture Him as skinny and sickly (even while suffering or dying). So, the cross sculpture didn’t resonate with me very much. Oh well – it’s still beautiful and I love that people are stopping to worship and think of Him.}

^{After that, we didn’t really have time for a sit down lunch. There must be something that connects this town to Pinocchio because there were all sorts of Pinocchio figurines, pictures, carvings and statues. We had to stop and take a look at Reagan and Cole with their faces through the wood carvings - funny.}

We walked through the narrow streets and we went to one place that Patrick had suggested, but they had only heavy meals – like lasagna, and we wanted something fast and not so heavy. We asked for a reference to a pizza place. They sent us around the corner. There was no pizza place where they sent us, but we walked a bit further and found one. The sign said “Pizza and drink 5Euro”. We went in and looked – the pizza looked great. We ordered and asked if we should sit wherever. The lady said yes to sit wherever. Then, she said the 5 Euros was for “take away”. If we wanted to eat in the restaurant, it was 6 Euro. Funny how that price changed. Oh well – we will gladly pay another Euro each to sit in the air conditioning and eat. We ordered our sodas and she asked if we wanted ice. Oh my goodness – YES!!!!! She laughed and said “Americans SWIM in ice.”  I never thought that, but it is true. I miss my ice. Like last night, I was so glad to have ice!!!! It turned out to be 2 slices of pizza and a drink. It was great!

^{We then went to meet our group and we had a local specialist who told us about Florence and walked us around. Apparently, even though Florence is a small city, they decided (several hundred years ago) to build the biggest church ever. They used different metals to make the colors on the church – they had green and pink and ….. ???? I can’t remember. Anyway, this church was HUGE!!!! I guess that – even now – it is the 3rd biggest or 4th biggest church in Europe. St. Peter’s basilica and a couple of others are bigger, but it is crazy big. They have a tower that is not connected and a baptistry that is not connected. They have 70 churches in Florence.} 

^{Next, we went to see the Ponte Vecchio bridge. It is the only covered bridge in Florence and was designed by Michelangelo. She showed us other cathedrals and statues and landmarks, but we were so hot and sweaty. We were actually glad when the tour was over and we walked back out of the city to meet the coach. We were so glad to get back on the air conditioned coach. Then, we went to the hotel and had about an hour until it was time to leave to go to Tuscany.}

^{The hour went WAY too fast and then we were off to Tuscany.}

^{We went to a vineyard estate that used to belong to Machiavelli. Apparently, he was exiled to his home for 2 years and had to be out of the Italian political scene. I guess it was very hard for him but it resulted in him writing the book The Prince. Now, the estate is owned by someone else, but part of it is still a museum to him – they have the original cellar with wine containers (the big, wooden round things) and they have original furniture and they have markings in the home with his family crest.}

<sup>After the host told us about the house and estate, we went on the veranda to eat al fresco. I guess this is also a place to holiday where you can stay in the cottages on the property and swim and go around the area. We ate so much food. Just like last night, we had bruschetta and fruit and prosciutto. Then, we had ravioli, then we had another type of pasta, then they brought out a serious rack of beef. They actually had Reagan and Cole take pictures with a knife like they were carving the beef. 




They had 4 types of wine on the table and our tablemates couldn’t believe that we didn’t drink – not even a taste. Funny. Then, they brought out tiramisu which had coffee beans on it. Reagan ate one – thinking it was a chocolate chip. It was so bitter that she couldn’t get the taste out of her mouth.  They also had like a pudding type dessert. Then, they brought little shot glasses of an orange drink. They put one in front of the children and I asked if there was alcohol. The man said no and shook his head no. Then, one of our tablemates took a sip of it and said “Oh my gosh – there is a LOT of alcohol in that.” Just then, Patrick came over and took the glasses away from in front of Reagan and Cole. He said that it had alcohol. I told him I asked and he said that the guy must not have understood me. We had music playing and a singer.</sup>

^{Then, we were able to walk around the area a bit. They make wine here and they make olive oil. It was SO beautiful and yet, Steve and I kept saying how hard it would be to maintain that property and to harvest all the olives or grapes or whatever. Crazy!}

^{The kiddos – and we – were SO tired as we drove back to the hotel. Today was the first time that we felt like it was a bit too much. We wanted out of the sun so badly. It has been record heat today, but the weather in Tuscany was just beautiful. I think we just got too hot today as we walked around Florence.}

We stopped at a sort of lookout point and we could see across the city. There was also a copper replica of the David statue. When we were in Rome, Patrick had said that it was not worth the wait to see the original when we could see a replica. The view was beautiful from this point on the top of a hill.

^{We hit the sack as soon as we returned to the hotel.} 

^{Tomorrow, we head for Lucerne Switzerland.}

Europe - Day 15

Today, we got up and had breakfast. It was ok – not amazing, but ok. We headed out fairly early to meet Chynsia to tour the Vatican. Patrick had our tickets. We had to have shorts or skirts to the knees and covered shoulders. We had to go through security and they gave us different radios to use. The Vatican is actually another country. It is a country within a country. It has its own hospitals, its own police, its own mail and postage, etc.

The Spanish Guard is everywhere – guarding the place where the Pope goes. They have the most interesting uniforms. I think our guide said they were designed by Michelangelo. He did everything!

We saw the dome of St. Peter’s basilica and the gardens. Then, we went into the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo painted the one wall – the Final Judgment and then the ceiling. Since we couldn’t speak or take pictures in the chapel, our guide told us a few things before we went in.

She told us that Michelangelo was paid for the job of painting those, but he was constantly behind schedule. After all, he was an artist and he wanted everything to be perfect. He studied anatomy, so, in the Final Judgment, the picture of Christ has him bulked up like a body builder. Usually, we see Christ portrayed as frail and small and thin, but this one has him looking like a muscle laden, huge man. Some of the women in the Final Judgment and in the ceiling look like they are men – huge, bulging muscles in their arms and legs. Again – attention to anatomy, not WHO was being painted. Also, Mary is next to him and she has a blue robe over her legs – he used iaipais to make the color of that blue. I guess one of the cardinals at the time he was working criticized the nudity of the people in the painting, saying it was obscene. However, Michelangelo defended his work saying that we are born naked and we will die and be naked and that it is perfectly acceptable to meet God naked. Then, Michelangelo proceeded to paint that cardinal on the bottom, right side of the painting (where the souls are going down to hell) and he drew him naked with a snake wrapped around his body and the snake is biting a very sensitive, private part of the cardinal. Ugh! Apparently, after this, the cardinal complained to the Pope who said that he was in hell, so, there was nothing he could do for him. If Michelangelo had painted him in Purgatory, maybe there would be something he could do, but since he was in hell – there was nothing he could do. Love it!!! On the left hand side of the painting, the souls are going up to heaven and on the right hand side, the souls are going down to hell. Michelangelo also painted the apostle Bartholomew on the middle, right. He was skinned alive and in the painting, he is holding his skin. Apparently, Michelangelo painted his own face on the skin of Bartholomew. I guess Michelangelo was somewhat tortured to have to paint for so many years (it took 2 years to prep the walls and another 4 to do the Final Judgment and another 5 to do the ceiling – so a total of 11 years of his life to paint, rather than sculpt like he preferred) plus, he was being told what to do and how and he was not happy. So, he painted his own face on the skin of Bartholomew. There are – of course – so many other things to notice about the painting. We only did so much. Interesting also – the part of the ceiling called the Creation where God is touching his finger to Adam’s, the color behind the cloud of where God is – is shaped like a human brain. So, God has the brain and is creating Adam. So cool!

After we left the Sistine Chapel, we went to St. Peter’s basilica. It was SO ornate. I guess it took them 200 years to decorate it. There are tombs and altars and candles and this huge dome that was designed by Michelangelo.

^{When our guide told us that Pope John Paul the 2nd had an altar there, I asked why it was his altar. Turns out that it really has nothing to do with him. He didn’t use that altar or anything – they just put an altar there with a statue of him and people pray at his feet (you could buy a candle for 1 Euro). It was very interesting.}

^{The guide told us that when a pope dies, all the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel and they have “elections”. She said that no one campaigns or whatever for a certain cardinal to become pope, but that Mary is the one who decides who the next pope should be and the cardinals are supposed to pray and Mary will reveal to them the name of the next pope. Then, they vote by secret ballot. Once the vote takes place, if ¾ don’t have the same name, the ballot papers are burned and the gray smoke appears from the chapel (they bring in the stoves to have the ballots burnt. Once ¾ agree, the ballots are burned and there is white smoke. That means they have a new pope. I guess it was quite scandalous that the last pope (benedict) stepped down and did not serve as pope until his death. She said he lives at the Vatican still, but that you never see him. The new pope refused the papal apartment, the nice shoes for the pope, the car and many of the luxuries that the pope is entitled to. He, instead, lives in a small apartment at the Vatican.}

^{Our guide showed us where the pope gives mass inside and where he gives mass outside. She showed us the balcony where he appears to wave to the people and how people know if the pope is there. Then, we left the Vatican and headed back to Italy for lunch.} 

^{As we were walking, there was a hunchbacked old woman with her face covered. She was barefoot and shaking and begging. Our guide said “Don’t give her money – she is fake. I’ve seen her run when the police come and I’ve seen her take off her shroud and flip her hair and walk away. She isn’t old, she isn’t a hunchback and she isn’t shaking.” She came right up to us and we said “no – fake” and walked away. Then, we went a block or so away and we were talking about where we would meet and when – as a group – and we looked down and she had followed us. She was right there and bumping into us (maybe to steal a bag??). We said “No! Fake” again and waked away. It creeped Reagan and Cole out though because she was right by us and had followed us. Crazy!}

^{We had lunch at a place recommended by our guides. Holy cow it was expensive. It was over $100 for us to all have lunch. We have been wary to just head out and find places since our guides said that Italy is the worst with taking advantage of tourists. They said “Keep your bags tightly by you – even in St. Peter’s basilica.” They also told us to pay attention to the change we get from a vendor – that they will try to shortchange you on the trip. Patrick said that you will go sit down in a restaurant and that you will order what you saw on the menu, but then, they will charge you to “rent” the tablecloth, the plate, the cup, etc. It is crazy. So, he said just to be aware and remember that it is all a negotiation.}

After our lunch, we went back to the meeting place and someone mentioned an ambulance. I guess one of our tour companions had fallen on the steps to the restrooms and had hurt his shoulder It’s actually the man who keeps coming up to Cole and asking where his M&Ms are. So sad. We were delayed a bit, but then, we were on our way walking through the streets of Rome with our local specialist. 

^{Then, we boarded the coach and went to the Coliseum. Whoa!!! It was crazy – I think our guide said it was completed in 80 ad. That is just crazy!!!! Plus I think she said they had a hydraulic lift and that they would have a floor or they could flood the center and have naval battles here. Later, they got rid of the water and they build cages (for the animals) down in the open space ;and they put a wooden floor above it. The scale of it was just enormous. It was crazy.}

^{After that, we heard that our friend had a dislocated shoulder, that he was at the hospital, that the dr. had “popped” it back in and that they were waiting for another hospital. Cole had asked me probably 10 times if Richard was ok. I think it is funny that he was previously his nemesis, but now he is his friend. Silly boy!}

^{After the coliseum, we boarded the coach and took a little driving tour before we went to the hotel. Our guide pointed out several landmarks and our driver actually broke a few laws trying to get us within photo range of these landmarks :)  Patrick was still at the hospital with Richard and his wife jiva. So, we were dropped off and we had a couple of hours until it would be time for dinner. We just laid on the bed, trying to get cool. It was super hot..}

^{Eventually, it was time for dinner. We boarded the coach and went to a restaurant. They gave us our own room and they proceeded to feed us an enormous amount of food. Seriously – I think we had 5 courses. They said there were surprises for the ladies. I went to the restroom while Cole did (right when we arrived0 and it was beautiful. It was modern, free, had toilet seats and marble countertops and floors. Best of all, there were fresh floral arrangements all around the palatial women’s bathroom. When Cole came out of the bathroom, I mentioned it and he said that the men’s bathroom I   They had big vases of ice (my favorite ice) with the wine bottles in them. We took out the wine bottles and ate the ice. The guy thought we were crazy, but brought us a big bowl of ice. Yay!!!! I didn’t realize how much I like ice. It is so yummy and makes a drink even better. Oh well –} 

^{They had musicians come in an play for us (one had a violin and the other had a golden flute.) Also, they had flowers. By the end of the meal, they gave each of the husbands a flower to give their lady. Steve gave me one and I kissed him. Then, there are some ladies on their own. The main guy would give them a rose and then would start kissing them and then kissing down their arm or neck or whatever. Then, he would reach down and grab their bum and we were all laughing. Then, he went to Glen (the dad of the 2 New Zealand girls) and he offered him a rose and then a kiss. Then, he brought out a blonde wig for Glenn to wear and he tried to kiss him. Glenn just played along – it was funny. Then, they sang some more and Patrick sang a song that the Welsh sing at a rugby match. He has a great voice!} 

^{Cole – always looking to make some money off of Steve – asked how much Steve would pay him if he got up to dance while the guys were playing music. Steve offered 5 Euros for a minute and a half. Cole paused for a bit and then got his courage up and got up to dance. Steve filmed it and we were all laughing. So funny. Right when Cole sat down, he said to Steve “You owe me 5 bucks!” Silly boy – it was worth that and more to see him dance like a crazy person in front of everyone.}

^{Next we finished up and got back on the coach. Sort of a late night, but it was exciting for sure! Tomorrow, we leave for Florence.}