A View to a Thrill

 Where do I start? There is so much to tell about Florence ( Firenze) which means flourishing or flowering.  I want to return to this beautiful city. The first time I visited there, I knew I wanted to return, and now, my second visit makes me want to return again. Florence is packed full of history, culture and art. Last year Ray and I watched, "Medici the Magnificent", a Netflix series of three years; a great series to watch before and after visiting Florence. It is about the Medici family dynasty and their influence on the culture and art of the city. It does get a bit gruesome at times as there are power struggles, and it is the Renaissance period so lots of sword fights and stabbings. The Medici family is well known for their patronage of the arts. They supported such artists as Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo d' Vinci.  

Back to our trip. We woke up early to meet our guide, Leonardo, who would take us to the Academia Gallery of Florence and then to the Florence Duomo, also known as Santa Maria del Fiore. My goal was to walk to the top of the dome, 463 steps up narrow spiraling stairs. This huge, red tiled dome is the biggest brick and mortar dome in the world. They began building the cathedral in 13th century and about a hundred years later, when it was almost finished, the builders faced a major issue: a nearly 150 foot oval hole in the roof where the Florence Duomo was to be. The dome would be the largest ever built at that time, and  there was concern that it would collapse because no design had been perfected to hold such a large dome together. 

This is a picture of the whole Duomo. I got this from the internet because we were unable to get a picture from far away.

This is inside Florence Duomo. If you look closely you may see people below the round stained glass window right below the dome. I took a picture from there to show how high up we were before we began the last part of our climb to the top of the dome.

Looking up from the floor to the dome. If you can zoom in, check out the paintings. They are amazing. The frescoes depict the Last Judgement. This is when I was sad because my camera was in my carry on luggage that was still in the process of following us and had not caught up yet. 

A contest was held to get creative ideas on how to construct such a large dome. A goldsmith, Brunelleschi, presented a design of building a dome within a dome, and this is what they did. It took 16 years to construct and only three deaths were recorded of any workers. 

Looking down from the walkway under the round stained glass windows. Taken with my iPhone.

I know I am  getting bogged down in describing this dome. I promise to not write anymore facts about it. If you are interested, there is a lot of information on line that can answer any questions you may have. So, as I looked at the top of the dome from inside the cathedral, I wavered on whether I would be able to make it to the top. About half way up there is a walkway where I could see people walking, and they looked so small, not ant size, more like sparrow size. It was then that I thought that the climb would be gradual, winding around the dome. I convinced Ann (because we were both hesitant) that it would be a gentle climb. So we both headed for the door to the stairs. Leonardo convinced me that I would make it to the top and that it would be worth the climb.

Ray is getting a drink out of a water fountain before we began our climb.

Ann is getting a drink, too. I like how the camera caught the water drops. 

After about five minutes, Ann finally said to me. "I thought you said it was going to be gentle and a gradual incline?" I could barely answer her as I wanted to use the little breath I had to focus on this climb, a climb that felt almost straight up at times, with no places to stop and rest. " I think...pant, pant...I made a mistake," was all I could get out. I was having doubts. Could this 72 year old asthmatic woman make it to the top? I had remembered my inhaler, and also a handheld fan. The fan was a godsend. At one point, Ann pulled me into a small alcove that felt like air-conditioning. I gulped in the cool air and my heart settled down to a normal beat. 

This is a video that Ray took, looking down  from the walkway. We are about halfway up, or so, I lost track of how far we had been climbing.

Peeking out of the alcove, all I saw were more steps, and even though I wanted to stay in that tiny cool space, I trudged on. Poor Ray was worried about me, so I know I looked like a sweaty wheezing mess. Oh sh#t, I thought. I really don't want to have my picture taken when I get to the top. Why did I have to inherit the sweating genes? Even when I am not creeping up 463 steps I get red and sweaty from just normal exercise. Isn't that funny? The one thing I am concerned about when (at that time I was wondering IF) I got to the top, was how exhausted and red I would look! So I shoved that out of my mind and focused on each step. My legs were not tired at all, but my lungs were yelling at me.

I began the climb by counting the steps but lost count after 158 as I felt it more important to focus on breathing. It reminded me of hiking to Lake Solitaire in the Tetons, when I would think that this would be the last switchback on the trail, and then came upon another, and another and another. The difference was, that here I was confined in a dark, (there was some light, but not much) narrow spiraling stone staircase. I couldn't stop and look at the beauty of the mountains. My vision was grey stone steps that the builders used over 600 years ago. At this time the children's story, "The Little Engine that Could" clouded my mind with, "I think I can, I think I can...." as I slowly chugged up the steps.

At times along the climb there would be a window. Here is one where people have left locks.

Michael took this picture of me climbing the last steps. It felt like climbing a ladder but doesn't look as steep from this angle. My hair is soaking wet with sweat and the shirt I has washed out in the sink is soaking wet, too.

The climb became narrower and steeper but soon my weary, wet face saw a beam of light above my head. At this point, I climbed up a ladder and deposited myself on the platform at the top of the Duomo! The fresh air brought life back into my lungs and the view of the city was awesome. I was proud that I had reached the top but decided then that it would be a once in a lifetime trek for me. The walk down was not as easy as I thought because I was concerned about falling forward, so I hung on to the handrails (when there were handrails). 

Michael and Ann at the top of the Dome. Look how fresh and cool they look.

Ray and Jackie at the top of the Dome. Note, the red face and sweat plastered hair on me. But I am smiling and feeling great.

                                   Michael took a video from the top of the Duomo

The tours to the top are timed so that we did not meet people going the opposite direction. But we did come upon three people on their way up. One woman was wheezing and struggling, worse that I had. Her friends were on each side of her. When I got to her I stopped and said, "You are going to make it to the top. Take your time. Stop and rest. It will be worth it. I was in the same place as you on my way up and many times wondered if I would make it. Do not try to rush and you will get there."  She could only pant out "Thanks" and we both went our opposite directions. I was glad I was going down instead of up. Here are some more pictures from  the top of the dome.

When we finally got down, I stopped to light a candle for Rae. She would always do that when visiting cathedrals. Then we went out to find Stephanie and Bruce to have some lunch.

Lighting a candle for Rae

Bruce, Michael and Ann after lunch

Brush Teeth! No Shower!

Night Ride on a Gondola

I am floating down the narrow canals in Venice listening to the water slap against the gondola.  The gentle rocking makes my eyes heavy. It had been two sleepless nights. Slap, slap, slap, rock rock rock; the gondola silently slithers through the canal. The night sky joins in with its blanket of darkness. Slap, slap, slap, rock, rock, rock......

RING!!!  RING!!!   Who's phone is disrupting this perfect evening!! How unthoughtful.

RING!!!  RING!!!  It continued with its abrasive noise. I opened my eyes to find the culprit who owned that phone, but was greeted with a land phone sitting next to my bed! (Oh s#it, we overslept)

I answered and heard Bruce's concerned voice, "The water taxi is waiting for us now." ADRENALINE RUSH!

I don't know what I said to Ray, but he was already throwing our belongings into our packs and getting dressed at the same time. How fortunate that our luggage was still lost and we did not have to ponder on which outfit to wear. It was just the same old one. Also, how fortunate that we had showered the night before and had most of our stuff packed.

We made it to the lobby, a bit disheveled and disorientated. Michael and Ann had also overslept, and had awoken before us. But they had to do without a shower. That is what Michael said when he saw the clock.

"Brush Teeth! No Shower!" And they scurried to the lobby with clean teeth, and three day old clothes.

At the Venice Train Station. Having no luggage made it easier to travel.

Thank goodness the water taxi waited for us, and thank goodness Stephanie and Bruce did not oversleep. We made it to the train station, found our seats and were able to relax for a couple of hours for our next destination: Florence.

Our train was on time and ready for our trip to Florence.

We met a kind couple from Australia, Mark and Cynthia, while on the train.  Cynthia overheard us talking about our lost luggage and told us she had just had a similar experience. When she found out that my hat had been packed in my suitcase, she generously offered me her second hat (since she had to buy one when her luggage was lost).  

Cynthia was determined I take her hat. 

Next stop: Artists' Palace Hotel in Florence. I loved this place and want to return to spend more time there. The Artists' Palace is located in Piazza San Lorenzo right in the heart of the art and historic section of Florence. Across the street is the oldest church in Florence, The Santa Tranita. It looks so plain on the outside but inside is full of paintings, and colorful religious figures.

The Artists' Palace had at one time been a place for priests to stay, and it also hosted Leonardo da Vinci in 1508. So this place was packed with history. Here is a YouTube that I found on line about this hotel. We loved it, and want to return. I know I have said that earlier, but I really mean it. 

Here is the link. You may want to stay there, too, if you visit Florence.

https://www.artistspalaceflorence.com/en/videos/#lg=1&slide=0

We had the rest of the day to explore. In the evening we were going on a walking tour of the area. That will be the next post in this blog.

To be continued...

Ve-Nice!!

 We have arrived in Venice! So what if we don't have luggage, and  who cares that it took us two days of flying and staying at airports to get here. We finally made it. We boarded a water taxi and took a bumpy and fun ride to our hotel, Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseldo. The water taxi took us right up to the entrance so we stepped out of the taxi, and into the hotel lobby. 

Ray and Michael taking in the ride

Stephanie and Bruce enjoying the ride from inside

Here are some pictures and some  videos of our  water taxi ride. Ray and Michael stood in the back where they could stand and watch. I enjoyed watching Ray's face. He has been wanting to visit Italy for years, and the excitement on his face was evident.

We lost a day in Venice, so we were not able to tour inside St. Mark's Basilica, which was a bummer, but it did not prevent us from walking the streets and just experiencing the flavors of Venice.  We also went off the main touristy area to find a place for lunch. It was here I began to sample bruschetta for most of my meals. I loved all the different types, and each piece was delicious. The fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on slices of yummy Italian bread was all I needed for lunch, and sometimes supper. 

I took this just because there was some guy looking out his window.

Rialto Bridge

Narrow canal on our way to our hotel

The Hard Rock Cafe was right across the canal from our hotel.

We did a little shopping, for clothes, like t-shirts, just in case our luggage was not delivered while we were gone. We did not want to wear the same shirts three days in a row.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square at night

St. Mark's Basilica at night

That evening we took a gondola ride through Venice, serenaded by a talented gondolier. Here are some pictures and a few videos. It was so peaceful as we floated along the canals hearing the water slapping the sidewalks and building walls. There were very few gondolas out and I felt like we had the whole canal to ourselves. Michael chose to not ride because we could only fit five in our gondola. Thank you, Michael. I am sorry you missed this, but you volunteered so quickly, I wonder if you preferred to enjoy Venice on solid ground. 

Floating down a narrow canal in the gondola

Rialto Bridge at Night 

This is Ca' Farsetti, where George Clooney got married.

Michael on the bridge taking our picture

After our gondola ride, we went to our rooms to get some much needed sleep. It was about 10:00 that evening, and we had had a full day. We checked the lobby to see if our luggage had been delivered, and returned to our rooms with toothbrushes and toothpaste supplied by the hotel for those who 'forgot' to pack toiletries. I was ready for a good night's sleep.

Oh, but I can't forget! Before we went to our rooms to finally get some sleep, we made a video to sing Happy Birthday for Leia, our granddaughter. She turned two and we were not there to join her celebration. Thanks to Ann, Michael, Stephanie and Bruce, we sounded like we could go professional, maybe.

To be continued...

 

Getting to Venice Was Like Having a Root Canal

 I left off with four of our group heading to the gate for Brussels. As we looked out the window of the airport we saw dark clouds and rain. Oh No! This can't happen again! We did not want to be diverted to Rochester, NY airport and miss another flight. We kept checking the weather radar on your phones, trying to keep positive.  There was a delay, but no cancelation. Still, there was concern that we would not be able to reach our connecting gate to Venice. 

Is the rain going to delay us again?

I will make this short. Ann and I did not sleep at all on the flight to Brussels. We knew we would not be time for us to make the connection. We talked with the head flight attendant who told us he would do his best to convince passengers who did not have connecting flights to remain seated and let those of us who did, leave first. ( I forgot to say that when we had to reschedule we ended up getting seats in the back part of the plane, not near the front as ours had been on the first flight.) The flight attendant also told us to request wheel chairs as they would be able to get us through the airport, through customs and to our gate in the speediest way. Ann and I decided to get wheelchairs and Michael and Ray would run along beside us. And yes, I did feel guilty, but this was a decision made under sleep deprivation.

We landed in Brussels and people were so kind to those of us with tight connections. Some of them even cheered for us as we walked down the aisles. I tried to thank each one of them as we walked by.

The motorized wheelchairs zipped along winding around people and through customs without having to stand in line.  Next we were transferred to a larger people mover. Michael had disappeared ahead of us, and Ray was still trotting along side of us. It was then we heard a panicked voice. "Help us, please, we can't make it!" Behind us was a younger woman and her mother. (It reminded me of when Ray and I had to run from gate to gate at O'Hare Airport. That was another tight connection where Ray had to run ahead hoping to have them hold the plane for me. I was lugging a carry on and had this stupid purse that kept sliding down my arm and getting caught in the wheels. I was also wearing a mask and that made my asthma kick in. But, I made it.) We asked our driver if he could stop and pick up these women. There was only room for the mother, but the daughter was fine with that. She and Ray ran along with us and we made it to the gate where we saw Michael waiting for us. 

Here is a picture of our plane. Isn't it beautiful! We were going to be on our way to Venice! Yes!!

Look at our plane! And the sky is blue, so no weather delay!

We were so excited. We couldn't wait to meet Stephanie and Bruce who had lucked out to get a direct flight to Venice from Newark. We planned to meet them at the Venice airport and finally begin our journey. Our excitement was peaked when we felt the wheels touch land. We were in Venice! We shuffled out of the plane and headed to baggage claim.

We watched bag after bag slide down the luggage ramp to the carrousel. Ours were not among the others. We watched happy people grab their luggage off the carrousel and head on to their own adventures. We waited with great anticipation for another batch to come down, but alas, we were directed to a waiting area with many helpful people. The sad new; our luggage was not on this plane. The good news;, fill out the forms and the baggage would be delivered to us.  It was hard to be upset because everyone was nice, unlike the people in Newark, and there was a waiting area so we did not have to stand in line. We were given a number and  went to the window when it was our turn. Plus, we were in Venice! So let's be happy and take a water taxi to our hotel.

To be continued.....

Stranded: Part Two

 My last post left the six of us (traveling to Italy) sleeping all night at the Newark airport because of a delay caused by a terrible storm. I should qualify that in saying that some of us attempted to sleep while some just stayed awake. I spent my time reading, playing card games on my iPad and checking out the airport map to find if there was a place to shower.

I did find that United has two lounges. One was the United Polaris Lounge that was restricted to first and business class passengers. The other was the United Lounge that charged $59 per person. Entry includes drink, WiFi, TV, and comfy seating in a modern space. But what caught my eye was that it had showers and a buffet breakfast. It opened at 5:00 A.M. and had a limit of how many people were permitted for the day. I was determined to be one of those people. It had been a  long day of traveling, getting delayed, getting diverted to Rochester airport and then hours later traveling back to Newark. We slept on cots in the airport and our next flight was not until 6:00 that evening. Our spirits were dwindling because we knew we would be missing a day in Venice. >This lounge was the best find and I did not want to be blocked out. Most of the group was slumbering on their cots, but I talked Ray into going with me to find this lounge and see if there was anything else we needed other than money to get in.  It was a long walk, but everything seemed to be a long walk in the airport. We found the lounge next to the Polaris Lounge but it was closed. We had about an hour before it opened so we went back to our group, who had been awakened by ungodly loud music from the restaurant where we had made our home for the night.

 Everyone felt that $59 was worth having a shower, hot meal and a place to hang out for the day. We gathered our few belongings and walked back to the lounge which had been open only a few minutes. Here is a picture of us sitting at a table having breakfast. A nice man took our picture. We found out he was a make up artist in Los Angeles and had just had carpel tunnel surgery. He assured us his hands were able to take a picture and also told Ray that the surgery was well worth it and to have it done when Ray returned home. Not sure where Ray is on that now, but he and this guy talked quite a bit about it.

Ray and Jackie in foreground, Ann and Michael next and Bruce and Stephanie in back

After a great breakfast I decided to take a shower. I was thankful that I had packed extra underwear in my backpack. I kept my expectations of the shower low as I did not want to be disappointed by a grungy, moldy place. I walked into the shower room and found a waiting area, kind of like going to a spa. A kind young woman greeted me and guided me to a huge bathroom with a walk in shower. She gave me towels and a wash cloth and told me that the soap and shampoo and lotions were in the shower. It was such a relief to see this pristine shower that I did not want to leave. Here are some pictures of the shower and bathroom. 

Inside the shower

There were other showers. I am not sure how many, maybe six or eight. After one was in use, the young woman would thoroughly clean it, to get it ready for the next person.

The best part of finding the United Lounge was later in the day. I was just finished charging my phone at a table and stood up to join the others in more comfortable seats. I looked up and here comes a woman who looked familiar. Before I could stop my mouth I said to her, "You look like Joan Baez." She pulled down her mask, looked at me, smiled and said, "I am." She then put her finger to her mouth in a shhh gesture, and I knew she did not want me to make this public. I smiled and nodded, but inside I wanted to follow her to her seat and tell her how much I admired her, her music, her bravery standing up for peace and civil rights, and how she made me cry when I listened to her sing to the children in war torn Ukraine just last year.  But I could not. I respected her need to have her time. Darn, it was so hard.  She sat right across from us and worked on paperwork and checked her phone. My heart was full and realized that if we had not been stranded in Newark airport all night and all day, I would have never spoken to Joan Baez.  Here are a couple pictures of Joan Baez. 

Later in the afternoon we gathered our few belongings and headed for the gate to catch our plane. Stephanie and Bruce were scheduled on a different flight that went directly to Venice. Ann, Michael, Ray and I were scheduled on a flight through Brussels. Here is a picture of the four of us, looking all refreshed from spending all day at the United Lounge.

To be continued....

Stranded!!

Molly is taking ownership of my carryon. 

 It began with an email I sent to our friends, Ann, Michael, Stephanie and Bruce, a few days before we began our trip to Italy and then a Mediterranean cruise. The email said: "Since we have a long layover in Newark, why don't we find a place to order drinks and toast to a great adventure."  We did have a long layover in Newark as we did not want to be running to our next gate to catch a plane. Everyone thought that was an excellent way to spend a few hours waiting for our next flight.

Now, the truth. Our flight from Detroit was on time. We departed around 1:00 P. M.  Ray and I packed light and let the airlines (United) talk us into putting our carryon in with the checked in bags since the plane was so full. We arrived at Newark on time but at this time the plane began jerking and bouncing. It seemed like we flew forever, bobbing up and down, round and round the airport. After about twenty minutes the pilot informed us that our flight had been diverted to Rochester, NY to refuel because we were not able to land due to a storm. ROCHESTER!! Like that is halfway back to Detroit, or so it seemed. Here is the flight pattern of our plane in Newark.

When we got to Rochester, we were able to go inside the airport and wait for updates. We were also told we could stand in line to see if we could get on other flights if we were going to miss our connecting flight. We took turns standing in line while others were on their phones seeing if they could get any better information. The woman helping in the line was also responsible for checking for updates from the pilot. This meant that she had to leave her desk, walk into the plane, return and tell everyone that we would have another update in an hour. Then she would return in the ever growing line. She was working on the first couple, a woman and her adult daughter, for two hours. This did not look promising. 

I lost track of the hours we waited in line. We kept being told at each update that we would get another update in an hour. All of the airports in the New York City area had been closed because of this storm, and so everyone was trying to book new flights. Soon we decided to book a hotel since  it looked like we were going to miss our connecting flight....unless that flight was going to be late, too. Hope is great, but in this case it delayed us in getting a hotel. All of the hotels were filled around Newark because of this storm. Still, we could hope, because, well, what else could we do. 

Around 9:00 P.M. we were next in line and the adrenalin kept our tired bodies alert. The woman helping us had to be frustrated because there were few options people could take and people were getting upset. We were just happy to be next in line. She got to us and found that we could still make it to Venice, Italy but we would be a day late. We would also be diverted through Brussels. We took it. She had four of our reservations set and then she got a message that the plane was loaded and we had to leave,  NOW! She guaranteed us that she had the information for Stephanie and Bruce and would finish it and we could get those boarding passes in Newark. With that, she stopped everything and shuttled us all to the plane. 

Faith, well, that is a good thing too, sometimes. Did we have faith that Stephanie and Bruce would get their flights changed to the same as ours, or even changed at all? We had no choice. We would finish it when we got to Newark. 

We arrived at Newark around midnight. Some of us went to baggage claim to see if our bags happened to be there, and if not, to see how to get them. Of course, there were no bags. Here is where we stood in another long line to find out where our baggage was. I have a picture of the line that was taken at 1:50 A.M. 

It was a long line and a slow line. When it was our turn, I made the mistake of walking up to an open window before the woman announced she was ready. I had not noticed any of the other people doing that, because I would have waited if I had known that was the process. So, I got chastised for being rude. This woman almost had me in tears until the woman next to her called us to her window. 

I was relieved to find a kind soul, but she really could not help us. She told us that our luggage would follow us and we had nothing to worry about. We stated that we would just like to get  our luggage now and then go through security later the next day since our flight did not leave until 6:00P.M. But no, that was not the process. The luggage would follow us. We had nothing to worry about.

We left, heads down in defeat and eyes tired from no sleep. We met the rest of the group, found some cots that the airport was offering, and hoped to get some sleep. 

Michael waving hello before he tries to get some sleep.

Stephanie and Bruce napping

Ann got up from her cot for a few minutes and when she returned she found this.

We have no idea who this is. He just found Ann's cot and fell asleep.

To be continued.....