Genova

This week was full of Zone Conferences.  We attended the one in Milano.  The president does a great job of motivating the missionaries.  I was really impressed.  Because there were 5 zone conferences almost back to back, Sister Dibb decided that we wouldn't cook for them but just buy pizzas.  This was much much easier, But of course I had to get the cash together each day to pay the pizza man.  Even at just 5 euros per pizza this comes to almost 1400 euros for these zone conferences.  Needless to say, I ran out of cash.

It is Spring time here is Mlano.  Here are some pictures of I think a magnolia tree just one building away from us.

Even though we just got back from a great trip to Venice, The thought came to me wondering how were we ever going to be able to see Liguira - the coast between France and La Spezia.  On Wednesday we got a call that the Sisters in Savona had sent their phone through the washing machine and of course it no longer works. We now had an excuse to deliver a phone to them on Saturday.

We left rather early so that we could get to Genova by about 9:30 or 10.  All of he roads around Genova drive though lots of tunnels.  As you finally come down to the sea level the city is really  compact with lots of buildings built up on the hillsides. We had the TomTom set to guide to the central part of the city.  We drove past the main port, saw an awesome sailing ship, took the exit TomTom told us to take and next thing we know we were in the bowels under the city.  The road was winding through the deep dungeons under all of the old buildings.  After quite some time the road came up to the surface and we were in the middle of the city.  We got lost trying to find a parking place and after 20 minutes or so we got back to where we came up out of the dungeons.  This time we turned the other way and found some parking as a road began to go back to the dungeons.  We parked and walked a block or so and we saw this:

This is the birthplace and childhood home of Christopher Columbus!

Next door was this ancient ruin of an old convent

And next to this were these two towers.  This is known as the east gate to the city.

It was awesome

We then began to wander downhill to see what we could see.  This church is the Jesus Church.

One street over was this main square with a light pole that people had knitted or crotchette some covering for the pole.  I guess this is art.

In the middle of this Piazza was a giant fountain know as the brass fountain.  I guess that is because the water is rust or brass colored.

Another interesting building

We walked through some very narrow streets, turned the corner and in the middle of these large buildings was this little square and little church!

After walking towards the sea a couple of blocks we got to a very large public open space just across the street from the port.  In this space was this wonderful carousel.  We have seen others around Italy, but this is the cleanest and newest one we have seen.  It was coin operated and like a giant kids ride at the grocery store.

A view on the inside.

Down on the wharf we found the giant sailing ship we saw while driving in.

It was wonderful and gigantic.

On the sides were painted cannon doors that were raised and had these fabulous carved heads.

Back on the city side of the road across from the sea was this painted building.  All of the joints between the stones on the lower floor and all of the columns and arches and architectural details are not real but have been painted on. This style of painting the details is very typical in the buildings here.  We saw it on many many buildings.

Here is a painting of St George killing the dragon.

We wandered though some shops and then began our way back up the hill.  Here is their cathedral.

The front door

The posts holding up the lintel were carved.  This looks like Mary and Elisabeth.

Inside was very nice.  They were closing in 5 minutes so we did not have much time inside.

One of the lions guarding the front steps.

On the  side of the building away from everyone was a guy playing with his dog.

A building along side of the cathedral

Above the windows were these fabulous carved heads.

We took a side street to walk a different way back to the car.  Here are some  weathered buildings

This is another painted building

And another very unique church

Interesting patios on these buildings

And the upper levels of the cathedral and bell tower.  Genova was wonderful!

Venice - Wandering around

Here are some pictures I took while on my morning walks around Venice and on our boat ride to the train station on Sunday morning.

 Twilight in Venice

 On my 1st morning walk I saw this witches broom.

 It was foggy on Saturday morning

 Sign in a window.  Look closely - it does not say free Pizza.

 A church on our way to the vaperetto stop on Saturday.

 Another church on our way back on Saturday afternoon.

 This is the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge.  By this time we were very tired of walking and shopping.  So we found a gelato shop and sat down and had Coconut and Chocolate Gelato.  It was great!

 We walked and walked and walked.  Several times we got lost.  You absolutely must have a map at all times.  And even with constant reference to the map, I still got lost.  Here we found a dragon corner piece.

 This was our hotel!  A great bed and breakfast about 5 minute walk across 4 canals from St Marks.

 Sunday Morning I walked away from St marks and saw lots of interesting things.  I am not sure what these strange things are on this building.

 Great detail in this building

 Along the walk was this sculpture.  An old seaman who was asleep?

 The further I walked the less it looked like typical Venice.  Here is a nice park with lots of space.

 And a broad parkway.

 Sunday morning and the city employees are out sweeping and cleaning the streets.

 Typical Venice on our way to the Vaperetto

 St Mark's with the Doge's palace on the right

 Houses and churches on our vaperato ride to the train station.

 Doors and door knobs

Knocker with a eye  window for a peep hole.

Venice - Murano & Burano

Saturday we went to Murano and Burano.  We walked to the other side of Venice and got on the vaperetto and went to Murano.  Murano is where all of the glass is made.  I have always been fascinated by glass of all different kinds.  We were hoping to see glass blowers and craftsmen. We got there quite early and very few of the shops were open.

 We walked a long ways to the glass museum.  While we were waiting for it to open I took these pictures of this church.  The museum was rather disappointing.  Much of it was closed.  They have lots of ancient glass, but really nothing nice and new.

 The walk was rather interesting.

 Here is a vegetable store selling to the locals directly from her boat.

On the way back we saw this enormous glass sculpture.  We did see one glass artist making large fish, bulls, and horses.  He was fascinating to watch. No pictures were allowed.

 We then got on another vaperetto to Burano.  This was a 40 minute boat ride.

 Burano is an old fishing village that is known for its lace and very colorful houses.

 There were a few narrow streets

 Very picturesque

 We had lunch here.  Very nice and then went next door to the lace museum.  This museum was wonderful.  A great 20 minute film about all about lace and then upstairs was tons of lace through the years.  This was the lace school where young girls were trained to make lace.

 Across from the lace museum

 The main street with the lace shops & restaurants

 They even have a purple house.  While this looks great here, I would never want this color for my house.

This was an outstanding island to visit.  From here we rode the vaperetto back to Venice and wandering the Streets.