I am so pleased with myself. From past experience when one of the people on one of the Sister Cities trips who had his card sucked into an ATM and I talked until I was blue in the face trying to persuade the teller to return it with no luck at all, I thought my time and energy would probably be wasted. But...nothing ventured, nothing gained. I took my passport over to the bank where the ATM was located and approached the teller: "Parla inglese?" I asked in the most timid voice possible. She replied, "A little." I carefully explained that I had mistakenly inserted my credit card into the ATM instead of my debit card, and asked if it would be possible to retreive it. She spoke to her boss, who took my passport and his key and removed my card from the machine. So, I have my credit card with a chip in it again. I'm in business!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
May 13
Well, Another catastrophe! Oh, it's actually not a catastrophe, more like a vexation. I've been taking 250 euros out on my debit card every day so that we'll have the rent money for Paris. Tonight when I stuck my card in, thinking it was the correct card, it got sucked into the machine. It was my credit card, not my debit card. Fortunately, I have another one, but that was the one with a chip in it. At any rate, I finally realized what I had done and put my debit card in and out came the 250 euros. My bank told me that I could draw out $500 per day, but the ATMs here will only allow 250 euros in 24 hours--$324-327, whatever the rate is for the day. Anyway, Eunice thinks we're even now. I suppose she's correct. We both have our moments.
Enough of my problems! Eunice and I just got back from the Chianti region of Italy. We visited a vineyard and had a fairly elaborate tasting with hors d'oeuvres. We were there about two hours, touring the winery, then tasting about 4 different wines. One thing that we really enjoyed was the scenery on the way. It looked like all the photos that we see of Tuscany. Yesterday when we went to Pisa, we were disappointed in the scenery, not at all what we were expecting. We took lots of photos, so, as promised, I will do a blog entry when I come home with photos and annotations.
Tomorrow evening at 9:30 we take a night train to Paris, arriving about 9:30 a.m. We're both excited about that, as well as our meeting with my friend Cathy and her husband Pete. We have made several plans with them--a couple of dinners, a tour of Poilaine Bakery, a shopping trip to the St. Germain Market, and the Caveau de la Huchette (jazz club). More about all that in a couple days.
Well, Another catastrophe! Oh, it's actually not a catastrophe, more like a vexation. I've been taking 250 euros out on my debit card every day so that we'll have the rent money for Paris. Tonight when I stuck my card in, thinking it was the correct card, it got sucked into the machine. It was my credit card, not my debit card. Fortunately, I have another one, but that was the one with a chip in it. At any rate, I finally realized what I had done and put my debit card in and out came the 250 euros. My bank told me that I could draw out $500 per day, but the ATMs here will only allow 250 euros in 24 hours--$324-327, whatever the rate is for the day. Anyway, Eunice thinks we're even now. I suppose she's correct. We both have our moments.
Enough of my problems! Eunice and I just got back from the Chianti region of Italy. We visited a vineyard and had a fairly elaborate tasting with hors d'oeuvres. We were there about two hours, touring the winery, then tasting about 4 different wines. One thing that we really enjoyed was the scenery on the way. It looked like all the photos that we see of Tuscany. Yesterday when we went to Pisa, we were disappointed in the scenery, not at all what we were expecting. We took lots of photos, so, as promised, I will do a blog entry when I come home with photos and annotations.
Tomorrow evening at 9:30 we take a night train to Paris, arriving about 9:30 a.m. We're both excited about that, as well as our meeting with my friend Cathy and her husband Pete. We have made several plans with them--a couple of dinners, a tour of Poilaine Bakery, a shopping trip to the St. Germain Market, and the Caveau de la Huchette (jazz club). More about all that in a couple days.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
May 12,
Eunice and I went over to Brunelleschi's Duomo this morning, We were not able to go inside because they were having Mass. Unlike French Cathedrals, Italian Cathedrals evidently don't want tourists wandering up and down the asiles during their services--even if they might spend a euro to light a candle or something. We did go inside the Baptristry, which was interesting, but we didn't stay long. What we enjoyed the most was the Museum, which houses the original "Gates of Paradise," designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti. They were originally on the outside of the Baptristry, but hey were seriously deteriorating, so they were removed and renovated, then housed inside the museum. We also saw Michelangelo's Pieta in that museum as well as lots of other interesting sculptures. Perhaps the most interesting were replicas of the models for the cathedral as well as replicas of the scaffolding and some of the tools.
Since we had arranged for a trip to Pisa at 1:30, we headed toward the meeting place and stopped and had a nice lunch of pizza, wine, gelato, and "coffee American." I hate to complain, but these Italians do not really understand what is American coffee. We drank it anyway and even enjoyed it.
The trip to Pisa took about 1 1/2 hours. Both Eunice and I had anticipated seeing the Tuscan countryside, and I suppose we did, although we were both a little disappointed. I suppose we're just dyed in the wool Francophiles. We were expecting this countryside to look like the south of France and it doesn't. Perhaps the monetary troubles that Italy has had has prevented them from keeping up appearances.
We did, however, enjoy Pisa and its leaning Tower. In the area is a Baptristy, a Cathedral, and the leaning Tower. I have lots of photos, but my Samsung Tablet doesn't seem to want to display these photos. When I get home, I will do one more blog with photos and short notes.
We got home a little after seven, stopped by the ATM and the grocery store, and you wouldn't believe the line we stood in to pay for a mellon and some Gorgonzola, which is absolutely wonderful. The melon as well as the Gorgonzola are wonderful. We have eaten lots of cheese, prosciutto, and melon. This morning for breakfast,we had "French toast" or as the French callit "pain perdu (lost bread). The only coffee maker we have is an espresso pot, so I made espresso and heated up a lot of milk. We didn't have any syrup, so we had apribot jam on it--very tasty.
Eunice and I went over to Brunelleschi's Duomo this morning, We were not able to go inside because they were having Mass. Unlike French Cathedrals, Italian Cathedrals evidently don't want tourists wandering up and down the asiles during their services--even if they might spend a euro to light a candle or something. We did go inside the Baptristry, which was interesting, but we didn't stay long. What we enjoyed the most was the Museum, which houses the original "Gates of Paradise," designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti. They were originally on the outside of the Baptristry, but hey were seriously deteriorating, so they were removed and renovated, then housed inside the museum. We also saw Michelangelo's Pieta in that museum as well as lots of other interesting sculptures. Perhaps the most interesting were replicas of the models for the cathedral as well as replicas of the scaffolding and some of the tools.
Since we had arranged for a trip to Pisa at 1:30, we headed toward the meeting place and stopped and had a nice lunch of pizza, wine, gelato, and "coffee American." I hate to complain, but these Italians do not really understand what is American coffee. We drank it anyway and even enjoyed it.
The trip to Pisa took about 1 1/2 hours. Both Eunice and I had anticipated seeing the Tuscan countryside, and I suppose we did, although we were both a little disappointed. I suppose we're just dyed in the wool Francophiles. We were expecting this countryside to look like the south of France and it doesn't. Perhaps the monetary troubles that Italy has had has prevented them from keeping up appearances.
We did, however, enjoy Pisa and its leaning Tower. In the area is a Baptristy, a Cathedral, and the leaning Tower. I have lots of photos, but my Samsung Tablet doesn't seem to want to display these photos. When I get home, I will do one more blog with photos and short notes.
We got home a little after seven, stopped by the ATM and the grocery store, and you wouldn't believe the line we stood in to pay for a mellon and some Gorgonzola, which is absolutely wonderful. The melon as well as the Gorgonzola are wonderful. We have eaten lots of cheese, prosciutto, and melon. This morning for breakfast,we had "French toast" or as the French callit "pain perdu (lost bread). The only coffee maker we have is an espresso pot, so I made espresso and heated up a lot of milk. We didn't have any syrup, so we had apribot jam on it--very tasty.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
May 11, p.m.
Eunice and I had a tour of the Ufizzi Galleries this afternoon. We had signed up for a tour, and our guide was fabulous. We suspect that he might be a retired art history proffessor. He was very dramatic and had excellent English. We spent a good deal of time in a gallery of paintings on wood from the 13th century--religious, of course. Next we spent in the Botticelli room with the "Birth of Venus" and "The Allegory of Spring," which he spent lots oftime on. We also saw a couple of DaVincis and ended up with a marvelous Michelangelo painting.
We stopped for pizza on theway home. We've been taking all our meals in the apartment, saving the restaurants for Paris. We have not had any more strange men coming to our door, and we are looking forward to our trip to Pisa tomorrow.
Eunice and I had a tour of the Ufizzi Galleries this afternoon. We had signed up for a tour, and our guide was fabulous. We suspect that he might be a retired art history proffessor. He was very dramatic and had excellent English. We spent a good deal of time in a gallery of paintings on wood from the 13th century--religious, of course. Next we spent in the Botticelli room with the "Birth of Venus" and "The Allegory of Spring," which he spent lots oftime on. We also saw a couple of DaVincis and ended up with a marvelous Michelangelo painting.
We stopped for pizza on theway home. We've been taking all our meals in the apartment, saving the restaurants for Paris. We have not had any more strange men coming to our door, and we are looking forward to our trip to Pisa tomorrow.
May 11,
I will try once again to use the blog.
We are still having a wonderful time in Florence. Our City Tour yesterday with our wonderful guide ending at the Michelangelo Museum was very enjoyable. This morning, we walked over to the Boboli Gardens that are behind the Pitti Palace, home of the Medici family who ruled Florence for 300 years.
While it was an interesting experience, we were a bit disappointed. There are lots of beautiful trees, grass, and statuary, there are few flowers. These gardens are unlike anything one would see in the U.S. or in France. I have photos which I will post when I return home. Somehow my Samsung Tab 2 doesn't upload them fast enough on the blog.
We returned to our apartment about 11:00 after buying more bread and cheese and had lunch. We still had half a mellon--cantelope type, but much sweeter--which we ate with prosciutto, accompanied with an assortment of cheeses--chevre, ementhaler, brie, and gorgonzola--and Italian bread. I made salade dressing and we dressed an assortment of lettuce. What a nice lunch--with a liberal amount of chianti, of course.
We will tour the Uffizi Gallery this afternoon, so I may add another blog this p.m. if I find that I have something of interest to say.
I will try once again to use the blog.
We are still having a wonderful time in Florence. Our City Tour yesterday with our wonderful guide ending at the Michelangelo Museum was very enjoyable. This morning, we walked over to the Boboli Gardens that are behind the Pitti Palace, home of the Medici family who ruled Florence for 300 years.
While it was an interesting experience, we were a bit disappointed. There are lots of beautiful trees, grass, and statuary, there are few flowers. These gardens are unlike anything one would see in the U.S. or in France. I have photos which I will post when I return home. Somehow my Samsung Tab 2 doesn't upload them fast enough on the blog.
We returned to our apartment about 11:00 after buying more bread and cheese and had lunch. We still had half a mellon--cantelope type, but much sweeter--which we ate with prosciutto, accompanied with an assortment of cheeses--chevre, ementhaler, brie, and gorgonzola--and Italian bread. I made salade dressing and we dressed an assortment of lettuce. What a nice lunch--with a liberal amount of chianti, of course.
We will tour the Uffizi Gallery this afternoon, so I may add another blog this p.m. if I find that I have something of interest to say.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Arrived safely in Florence
Eunice and I have arrived in Florence and our apartment is wonderful. My bedroom balconyoverlooks the Arno, and the Ponte Vecchio is about a 1/2 block in the distance. We will do a walking tour tomorrow morning, and i will take photos to post. Right now I'm very tired because I haven't slept since I woke up Wednesday morning at 5 am. It is now Thursday 10:30 a.m in Wichita.
Stay tuned in.
Glad to have a follower--Pat Dooley. Got your message, and it was nice to hear from someone from home.
Stay tuned in.
Glad to have a follower--Pat Dooley. Got your message, and it was nice to hear from someone from home.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Traveling Again--May 2013
According to the information on my blog, I haven't entered anything since May 24, 2012. I'm not sure that I remember how this works, but since I'm leaving May 8, 2013, I decided that doing a trial run from home might be a good idea.
I'm traveling with my good friend Eunice Ellis this time, and our itinerary is as follows: Leave Wichita at 11:00 a.m. May 8, arriving in Atlanta at 2:06. We leave Atlanta at 3:10, arriving in Charles DeGaulle airport at 6:10 am.m May 9. We leave CDG at 7:20, arriving in Florence Italy at 9:20 a.m.
We have an apartment overlooking the Arno, near the Ponte Vecchio. We will be there until May 14 when we take a night train to Paris, arriving May 15 a little after 10:00 a.m. We have an apartment there, which we rented in the fall of 2011. It's located on rue de l'Odeon in the Latin Quarter. Again, we will spend five days there. On May 20, we will take a train to Beaune in Burgundy (La Bourgogne) where we have an apartment for three days. We have been informed by the people in charge that it is in the center of town and that we will not need a car. We return to Paris May 23, and Eunice will go to a hotel at the CDG airport so that she can meet her daughter Katy, son-in-law Carl, and granddaughters Channing and Madeliene. I have rented a studio apartment on rue de Conde, one block over from the apartment on rue de l'Odeon. This is the same street that I lived on when I attended summer classes at the Sorbonne in 1984, so it's an area where I feel comfortable. Eunice will be able to leave her large bag in my studio apartment and just take her back pack to the hotel at the airport. When they return, they will be staying at a hotel on the Isle St. Louis, which is walking distance from my studio apartment. That weekend--two days later, I will take the train to Orleans to spend Saturday and Sunday with my friends the Legentil familly, with whom I stayed in 1988. So this is our 25th anniversary.
The photo on the right was taken in 2011 at the home of Bernard and Christiane Legentil. Their daughter Fabienne is in the center, Eunice on the left and Carol on the right. Eunice in the photo below is in the same apartment where we will stay this time, enjoying some bread and cheese along with some French wine to wash it down.
I'm traveling with my good friend Eunice Ellis this time, and our itinerary is as follows: Leave Wichita at 11:00 a.m. May 8, arriving in Atlanta at 2:06. We leave Atlanta at 3:10, arriving in Charles DeGaulle airport at 6:10 am.m May 9. We leave CDG at 7:20, arriving in Florence Italy at 9:20 a.m.
We have an apartment overlooking the Arno, near the Ponte Vecchio. We will be there until May 14 when we take a night train to Paris, arriving May 15 a little after 10:00 a.m. We have an apartment there, which we rented in the fall of 2011. It's located on rue de l'Odeon in the Latin Quarter. Again, we will spend five days there. On May 20, we will take a train to Beaune in Burgundy (La Bourgogne) where we have an apartment for three days. We have been informed by the people in charge that it is in the center of town and that we will not need a car. We return to Paris May 23, and Eunice will go to a hotel at the CDG airport so that she can meet her daughter Katy, son-in-law Carl, and granddaughters Channing and Madeliene. I have rented a studio apartment on rue de Conde, one block over from the apartment on rue de l'Odeon. This is the same street that I lived on when I attended summer classes at the Sorbonne in 1984, so it's an area where I feel comfortable. Eunice will be able to leave her large bag in my studio apartment and just take her back pack to the hotel at the airport. When they return, they will be staying at a hotel on the Isle St. Louis, which is walking distance from my studio apartment. That weekend--two days later, I will take the train to Orleans to spend Saturday and Sunday with my friends the Legentil familly, with whom I stayed in 1988. So this is our 25th anniversary.
The photo on the right was taken in 2011 at the home of Bernard and Christiane Legentil. Their daughter Fabienne is in the center, Eunice on the left and Carol on the right. Eunice in the photo below is in the same apartment where we will stay this time, enjoying some bread and cheese along with some French wine to wash it down.
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