Return Ticket to Rome

Italy : Rome, Vatican
Autumn 2016

Coin throwing in Trevi Fountain on a third visit to Rome
(Nov-2016)

Journal Entry... Who would have thought throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain did prove true to the legend of ensuring a return ticket to Rome. My first coin throwing, in 2011, brought me back to Rome in 2015; my second coin throwing, in 2015, brought me back to Rome in 2016. For a third time, I planted a kiss on my 10-Philippine coin, for luck, and threw it in the Trevi Fountain [Tip: right hand over left shoulder], crossing my fingers I'd get another return ticket to Rome. 

Letters from Verona

Italy : Verona
Winter 2011

Off to see Juliet's balcony in Verona
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Shakespeare had made a landmark out of the town of Verona when he wrote his play, Romeo & Juliet. So did Verona recreate the star-crossed lovers' story, and a "Juliet's balcony", somewhere off Piazza della Erbe. 

360-Degree of Milan

Italy : Milan
Winter 2011

A bustling Piazza del Duomo on a winter day in Milan
(Feb-2011

Journal Entry... Standing at Piazza del Duomo, I came to terms with reality that the best of Milan might as well be absorbed by pivoting oneself in a 360-degree turn. There's the Duomo (Basilica), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (indoor shopping center), the museum (with Da Vinci's Last Supper painting)... then the Duomo, the Galleria... again the Duomo and the Galleria... Now, I've dizzied myself. 

Oh my, Murano!

Italy : Murano
Winter 2011

Main canal artery to the island of Murano
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... I am not fond of glass items. Glass is breakable, so what's the use. It cuts the flesh, and can drip your blood dry. Then as a child and now adult, I never go near glass objects... Venice, I see, is also known for its artistically crafted glass, which is named after one of the minor islands where it is made. 

Carnevale di Venezia

Italy : Venice
Winter 2011

In a commercial mask on Carnevale Week in Venice
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... A thick fog hovered over bringing visibility down to zero. The yellow-orange tinge in the sky had turned to grey. Train stayed on course above water and cut through the fog... to reveal the island of Venice. If this approach was to be in a movie scene, and I was directing, I would not have that arrival to Venice any other way, other than by train. (No, this is not the Italian version to Harry Potter's arrival to Hogwarts.) 

Florentine Delights

Italy : Florence
Winter 2011

Rub the Boar's snout with a coin for a return to Florence
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Half-expecting a continuation of my daily dose of the pasta-and-pizza combo, little did I know what gastronomic feast awaited me in Florence. 

The Color of Burnt Sienna

Italy : Siena
Winter 2011

Under the Tuscan sun in Siena
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... The burnt sienna color must have gotten its name after the city. A reddish-brown hue is not only on the soil on which the city stands, but the same color had spilled over Siena's cityscape. 

Lean on Me

Italy : Pisa
Winter 2011

Jump high for Pisa!
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... No wonder those who visited Pisa did all sorts of poses to the leaning Tower of Pisa, and I would find out why. 

Renaissance Florence

Italy : Florence, Lecchio
Winter 2011

On a hill at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... A replica of Michelangelo's David overlooks the city of Florence. In Biblical account, David was empowered by God to slay the giant Goliath. David is used to represent Florence. Like David, Florence rose above her neighboring cities, kicking off the Renaissance cultural revolution that had influenced the world over. 

Old Bridge

Italy : Florence
Winter 2011

Set against the backdrop of a medieval bridge - Ponte Vecchio in Florence
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... There's this one image of a bridge I've come to know about growing up that had somehow fixated me to it. That winter morning, in 2011, I woke up to it so close I could almost touch the bridge from the apartment window. 

Assisi on a Hilltop

Italy : Assisi
Winter 2011

On a hilltop in St. Francis' town of Assisi
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... I'm thinking, what's a possible place for a day trip from Rome? On hubby's birthday, which was coming up. I was told to close my eyes and imagine... the cool mountain breeze... labyrinth pathways... olive groves and grapevines... a fortress... and mementos from a hometown boy and his female counterpart, Saint Francis and Saint Clare... in the medieval town of Assisi perched on a slope, two hours from Rome. 

Crossing Over to the Holy See

Vatican City
Winter 2011

Two cities caught in a snap from the Cupola at the Vatican
(Jan-2011)

Journal Entry... Sun was up amidst the cold of winter that Tuesday morning. It was one fine day for a walk to Vatican City, a mere bridge away from Rome. 

Streets to Rome

Italy : Rome
Winter 2011

Throwing a coin over the Trevi Fountain for my return ticket to Rome
(Jan-2011)

Journal Entry... Seeing those bricks and stones and ancient columns, I know I've been transported to ancient Rome. The mythical story goes... Mars, the Roman God of war, seduced a vestal virgin who bore twins-- Romulus and Remus. Sentenced to death upon their birth, a servant took pity on the twins. The servant sent the twins afloat in a basket on Tiber river which ended up on Palatine hill... and there, Rome was founded. And the rest, as they say, is history.