2018 - Disney Cruise of the Mediterranean
Above: Detroit to Rome. Delta Airlines. Boeing 777. Early AM. 20 June 2018.
A dix mille metres au dessus, quoi.
Tout aupres d'une ancienne residence (1966) a moi. Hotel Gargoulou, La Rochelle, Charentes-Maritime.
Passagers d'entrepont....mais ca n'etais pas terrible.
Above: Walking down Via Montebello. Rome, Italy. 20 June 2018.
Here, we are on our way to Restaurant Katty a block or two away. I had a steak. There was a lot of spaghetti bolognaise shared amongst the kids. I have always maintained that it is impossible to get a bad meal in Italy, and at Katty, we were not disappointed.
We stayed in a Via Montebello private apartment found by TIMDT on Trip Advisor. The rooms were spacious, well lit, and air conditioned. Rooms were linked by a common kitchen area with everything needed to live in. We found a nearby supermarket and stocked up on breakfast, bottled water, snacks etc.
Our first extended family vacation since 2013. That year we went on a Norwegian Cruise Lines Alaskan cruise.
Now...
Three nights in Rome... a seven day cruise to Barcelona on the Disney Magic...ended by three nights in Barcelona.
TIMDT and Mwah have seen many of the anticipated sights already, but it has been thirty years since we were last in Rome. Naples, Pompeii, and Mr. Vesuvius will be new to us. Though I have spent over three years of my life in France, I've never been to Marseilles or Cannes, also stops on this cruise.
So, something new to be seen along with a a good family experience.
Above: Our family groups on an overlook of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. 21 June 2018.
Above: Kids group for a Sistine Chapel pre visit tutorial with guide Angelica. Vatican Museum. 21 June 2018.
We used "Europe 4 Kids" to provide guides and tutorials for our Rome visit.
"Europe 4 Kids" worked quite well. Tour leaders handed out a kid friendly brochure for the kids to check off certain sites they visited. Grrr was assiduous in identifying and checking off the various sites along the tour. Kids received the occasional gift/prize... a key chain or some such to hold their interest in the tour. Angelica, and later guide Katia, were great at telling stories at a kid level... and keeping the kids' attention. Katia, in particular, would use the child's first name in drawing him/her back into the discussion when attention strayed.
Here at the Vatican Museum, we were taken to the little visited area where the various popes' transport, collected from over the centuries were exhibited. This was a good move as the exhibit was not surrounded by mobs of tourists and the kids loved the big carriages and pope mobiles. Angelica was able to move our group from vehicle to vehicle while pointing out interesting features and facts of interest to both adults and children.
Above: Selfie (I'm wearing the green strap) of Sistine Chapel ceiling. Vatican City, 2018.
Mobs of people. Bumper to bumper the whole way down the corridor of geography, into and out of the Sistine Chapel. Authorities tried to move everyone on and discouraged photos... mostly because stops for images would delay the throngs walking through the chapel.
It took Michelangelo, in his '30s, four years to complete this masterpiece. The painting (s) were fully restored end April 1994. TIMDT and Mwah (sic) saw the painting first in 1972, before the restoration. I recall the first visit well and so was able to contrast in my mind the difference between the washed out painting (s) I saw in the '70's with the more vividly colorful rendition today... and as it might have looked at the time Michelangelo painted it.
Above: The Pieta, by Michaelangelo. St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican City. 21 June 2018.
Pieta. By Michelangelo.
After being damaged by a vandal, now repaired and behind see through protection.
We first saw the Pieta in 1972 only a few months before it was vandalized. You could walk right up to and almost touch the statue. There was only a rope barrier separating the statue from the spectators.
Touring in Europe was easier "back then."
We went to Stonehenge in 1974. Then, you could drive right up to the circle of stones, exit the car and walk amidst the monoliths.
Today at Stonehenge (I visited in 2015) you drive as far as a visitors center a mile and a half away from the main circle of stones. From the visitors center you must either walk or take a dedicated bus to the monument.
At the monument you are no longer allowed to walk amidst the stones. You must view the monument from an outside perimeter.
So many more tourists today compared to 45 years ago.
Above: Bishop at Roman Colosseum. 22 June 2018.
I had thought we had Italy out of our system. I'd been to Rome and seen the Colosseum twice before, once in the early 70's and the other time circa '84. TIMDT and Mwah (sic) had come to Italy six or seven times in the 2000's, sometimes together and sometimes separately, when I tooled around, from Sicily to Vengtimille on my Nice, France based Ducati ST4S.
But, here we are again... this time with our children and grandchildren.
The tour is going great. Europe 4 Kids is doing a great job leading our tours.
Bud and I had watched "Gladiator" just last week. I closed my eyes while standing on the top deck of the Colosseum and heard, "Maximus..... Maximus..... Maximus!" And, then, "Spaniard, Spaniard, Spaniard!
Above: Family overlooks Roman Forum. 22 June 2018. Rome, Italy.
Our tours are oriented towards keeping the kids engaged. Europe 4 Kids guide Katia is doing a great job keeping kids attention. I ask kids questions about Rome and they seem to remember quite a bit. Happy with the Europe 4 Kids company so far.
Above: TIMDT overlooks Roman Forum. Rome, Italy. 22 June 2018.
Above: Trevi Fountain. Rome, Italy. 22 June 2019.
Chick image carefully for family members taking selfie at edge of fountain.
Romance of "Three Coins in a Fountain" replaced by teeming hoards of tourists. Like I said in yesterday's post, "it was better traveling, then."
Rome has changed in other ways. Its a bit trashy. Squint and you could be in Cairo, where denizens routinely toss garbage out their windows.
Streets are cluttered with litter, trash bags are piled up on sidewalks and neighborhood trash bins are filled to overflowing.
Our guides are not afraid to talk about this trash problem. Heard from one or the other of them: "Its because of the immigrants." Or, "Rome has replaced Naples as Italy's trash capital. But, no one wants to talk about it for fear they'll upset the tourist trade."
Addendum:
Did you ever try to propagate from cuttings your favorite rose bush? You should consider having at least one back up bush in case this one gets diseased. Roses are easy to propagate. Here are some pretty good instructions:
http://scvrs.homestead.com/Cuttings1.html
Nathans,
Massapequa, NY
Really was better in the old days!
the monk,
Salina, UT
23 June 2018 was a day of transit from Rome to Rome cruise port.
Above: Rapunzel and Bud. Dinner Rapunzel's Royal Table Restaurant. Disney Magic cruise liner. Rome Cruise Port, Italy. 23 June 2018.
Above: McGill's Bar, Disney Magic Cruise liner. World Cup, after hours. 23 June 2018.
Colombia vs. Poland. 0-0, early in the game.
It was thrilling to watch Colombian fans and team members passionately sing their national anthem... a refreshing contrast to NFL athletes' disdain for American symbols...flag and anthem.
Last night at this spot I watched Germany defeat Sweden on a thrilling last minute penalty goal.
Looking back, I remember being someplace in Europe three or four times during World Cup. It's a big deal here, and hard to avoid. So, despite my lack of interest in US sports, I just go with the flow and watch the World Cup matches when I have the chance.
Above: Bishop atop Mt. Vesuvius with Naples and Bay of Naples in background. 24 June 2018.
Hike portion 1km. 1k vertical feet i.e. pretty steep hike, though not arduously long.
Eruption in 79 AD left nearby Roman city of Pompeii buried in 30 feet of ash. At least 10k people died.
Remaining: a legacy of ruins to be excavated archaeological artifacts to be pored over to this day.
Last Pompeii eruption was in 1944, during WWII after allies had knocked the Germans out of Italy.
Bishop rode through this area on his Nice based Ducati ST1100 circa 2006 on his way from Messina, via the Amalfi Coast, to Ravenna.
Above: Bishop (AKA Big Cat) makes his mark at Mt. Vesuvius crater. Naples, Italy. 24 June 2018.
Above: Matriarch (TIMDT). Dispensing true, authentic Neapolitan pizza. Pompeii, Italy. 24 June 2018.
Pompeii is Naples burb. Naples, home of "true" pizza. Authentic pizza still cooked in wood fired stoves. Margarita (appropriate name for this occasion!), preggo!
Above: Family explores the ruins of Pompeii. Pompeii, Italy. 24 June 2018.
Addendum:
Did you ever try to propagate from cuttings your favorite rose bush? You should consider having at least one back up bush in case this one gets diseased. Roses are easy to propagate. Here are some pretty good instructions:
http://scvrs.homestead.com/Cuttings1.html
Nathans, Massapequa, NY
Really was better in the old days!
the monk, Salina, UT
No doubt about it. Incredible traveling hoards today as opposed to the old days. I'm glad more people are able to travel. But, it doesn't prevent me comparing the two eras of travel during my lifetime.... and certifying the former time as a superior experience. We were younger then, too... we saw everything through different, more idealistic, eyes.
When I was 13 years old, I was taken on a trip by my parents. On the second leg of the trip we ended up in Rome. My parents wanted to take a nap but I wanted to see Rome. After an hour of complaining, my father at 1:00 PM gave me a map and some lira and told me to be back at 6:00 PM. After half an hour of walking I turned a corner and the Colosseum was in front of me. I stopped, explored and my love of travel was I stably created.
I have been to Rome at least a dozen times. I have been to the Vatican at least 4 times. The last time it was incredibly crowded. It is a total walled city/country with its own army and security forces.
Among my favorite places are the Vatican, St. Peter's, the other 3 basilicas, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Pizza Navona and the Quirinale Palace.
Steve - Have fun.
The Pope,
Naples, FL
A wonderful opportunity for all glad you’re enjoying 😎
Markco,
Ojai, CA
Above: Morocco vs. Spain. MISHMAOUL!!!! 2-2. Spain tie goal at 92:33. Disney Magic. McGill's Bar. Tyrrhenian Sea, near Elba.
Above: Bishop. Leaning Tower of Pisa. 26 June 2018.
Second visit. When here during the late '90's the tower was undergoing repairs. Then, it was buttressed by cable supports. The "fix" included 60 tons of earth being removed from underneath the tower on the side opposite the lean. Thereafter, the tower's lean decreased by six inches.
Above: Move over Moroni. John the Baptist atop the Pisa Baptistery. Pisa. 26 June 2018.
Font inside is for baptism by immersion, practiced by the Catholic Church up through the Middle Ages.
Notwithstanding a previous visit to the tower, this is the first time I visited the nearby Baptistry.
Inside, a "cantor' sang to demonstrate the Baptistry's reverberations.
Above: TIMDT contemplates Pisa Cathedral. 26 June 2018.
Above: Bishop relaxes in Lucca. 26 June 2018.
Kids and grandkids are off riding bicycles around the Lucca city wall.
Above: Bishop observes Lucca Cathedral. 26 June 2018.
Above: Argentina scores at 88 minutes to beat Nigeria 2-1. Stays in the tournament. Another thriller! 26 June 2018.
I'm warming up to enjoying the game. Not a lot of scoring... but, there is a thrill in the anticipation of a score.
Above: TIMDT. Piazza de Ferrari. Genoa, Italy. 27 June 2018.
This was my third visit to Genoa, Margaret's first, though she had whipped through without stopping a couple of times on the Autostrade de Fiori on her way to Cinque Terre and La Spezia.
In the early naughts I took a ferry to Palermo from Genoa.
On another occasion, with a friend, we had motorcycled to the city, found a cheap hotel, and walked around quite a bit in the area of Piazza de Ferrari.
On this visit, one could not help note the contrast between Genoa and Rome. Genoa was clean.. spruced up... beautiful. And, as I noted in a previous post, Rome was trashy.... trashy streets, and overflowing bins everywhere (everywhere we went, that is).
Our Genoa guide noted our complement about how nice her city looked, but, wanted to remind us that it was not always so... even until recent times.
Above: Mynduveroan stands at the birth place of Christopher Columbus. Genoa, Italy. 27 June 2018.
Then: Discoverer of the new world... opens way to sea faring knowledge, discovery, new settlement, wealth.
Now: Rapist, slaver, and bringer of disease to native Americans.
The fact that the people in the new world were also slavers, kidnappers, rapists, engaged in human sacrifice.... who did little to advance civilization and the human condition is ignored in much of today's politically correct, imbalanced discussion on the period of western exploration.
Above: Catch of the day. Camogli, Italy. 27 June 2018.
Above: San Fruttuoso, Italy. 27 May 2018.
In the early 'naughts, TIMDT and Mwah (sic) walked here (not reachable by car) from Portofino, north of here.
Today we took a boat from Camogli, south of here.
Then: Peaceful former monastery turned into museum. Small cafe to nibble and muse by the sea side.
Now: Jam packed with tourists and beach goers. We let the kids swim for a bit but the hoards were such that we left one ferry ahead of what we planned.
Above: Lunch at Ortoprego Restaurant. Camogli, Italy. 27 June 2018.
We had intended lunch at San Fruttuoso. To0 crowded. We took the early ferry back to Camogli. Lunch here was fine!
Above: TIMDT contemplates at Chiesa del Gesu e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea cathedral. Genoa, Italy. 27 June 2018.
Above: Mynduveroan. Genoa Cathedral. 27 June 2019.
Its hard to say how this trip will impact the kids. It has to help on some level. I had no conception of this type of travel at Mynduveroan's age, nine. My first overseas trip was at the age of nineteen. And, looking back at my travel during that period, I'm shocked about my low level of awareness about the world even as a teenager having traveled a bit.
Travel continues to excite me and my curiosity level remains high. I have much more time to read today than ever before in my life. And, reading helps fill in a lot of the blanks that persisted throughout much of my life. I've traveled to 120 countries since that teenage voyage. I've lived outside of the United States for twenty years, spending at least six months or more in France, Egypt, Lebanon, India, Philippines, Australia and Japan.
I hope this travel experience has some value to Mynduveroan, her brother and her cousins. These millenium old cathedrals tell a story of the rebirth, post classical culture, of human progress, flowering of arts and architecture, aspiration, and devotion. Will western culture continue to advance culturally today? Or will it slip back into another "dark ages" as it did post Rome? I don't rule a measurable probability of a Rome like back slide out, by the way.
Perhaps Mynduveroan's reflections are not as ponderous as mine, but, at least in visiting the Genoa cathedral today, she has a reference point if and when such reflections come to her.
Addendum:
Just back from Russia..Moscow and St Petes. Saw 3 matches incl Argentina vs Nigeria and Portugal vs Morocco.
Terrific organisation by the Russkis.
Enjoy Italy and games. Great Matches today...Must watch. Knock Outs stage. Argentina/France, Portugal/Uruguay.
Scout,
Mumbai, India
Above: Passengers aboard Disney Magic. 28 June 2018. Breakfast in Cabana Restaurant (fan tail 9th deck).
This is a ship of families, including many three generation families.
Disney cruise is a very well executed, family oriented operation with something for all.
There is a good feeling aboard.
All the better to enjoy now considering the ongoing decline of family formation in the Western world.
I enjoy being here.
Above: Bishop. Cannes, France wharf. 28 June 2018.
In search of Johnny Depp... or is it George Clooney.... circus performers in an age before media.
Disney Magic way out there.
I've spent a lot of time on the French Riviera... but, never in Cannes nor in St. Paul de Vence, destination of today's tour.
During the early naughts I kept a motorcycle based in Nice. Over the course of five or six years I rode many roads from Avignon to Messina... sometimes with friends, sometimes accompanying TIMDT and her cronies and sometimes alone. I also rode my Ducati ST4S in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, ferrying from the mainland from either Livorno or Genoa... or by crossing by ferry from Sicily to Messina (channeling George Patton).
We would stay at Hotel Diana in Vence for most of our Riviera trips. On 11 September 2001, we walked into the Hotel Diana to observe fifteen or twenty huddled around the hotel lobby TV set. They were watching the collapse of the Twin Towers.
Everyone was stunned. We went on with our "holiday" but it was suffused with a kind of somber uncertainty about the future. French people we would encounter over the course of the next two weeks or so, were universally friendly and sympathetically sorrowful to us over the course of the visit.
Au dessus: L'Evecque a Cafe de La Place. St. Paul de Vence, France. 28 Juillet 2018.
Mise en scene: Cafe de la Place, St. Paul de Vence.
Il pleut.
J'entre cette etablissement pour sortir de la pluie.
Je commande un verre de vin rouge ordinaire.
Quand la pluie s'arrette, je demande au patron l'addition.
Je tiens au patron ma carte de credit.
Patron: Pas de carte de credit! N'avez vous pas de la monnaie?
L'Eveque: Pourqui je ne peut pas utilizer la carte de credit?
Patron: C'est affiche! Pas de carte de credit!
L'Eveque: Alors, il faut que j'aille trouver un distributeur. Je ne peut rien faire d'autre.
Patron: D'accord. Je vous prends les lunnettes de soleil! Je les retourne aussitot que vous me payer!
J'avoue que c'est un peut idiotic de faire excursion sans monnaie... mais moi.... ai-je l'air d'un "deadbeat?"
Etais-ce necessaire pour le patron etre si impoli? Je n'ai pas vu I'affichement, dis donc! Quand meme!
Eh bien, sans mes lunnettes de soleil, je suis aller chercher un distributeur.
Mes enquetes en ce qui concerne les locations des banques distributeurs allaient biens. Tous le monde de qui je demande directions pour le distributeur etaients tres aimable.
J'ai trouver de la monnaie, et retourne a la cafe. J'ai payee le montant et le patron m'a retourne les lunnettes.
Ca y est!
Vraiment, la patron de la cafe etait un connard.
Le Patron: Symbole de l'esprit de St. Paul de Vence?
An verite, St. Paul de Vence ne vallait pas la peine. La petite ville me rappelle de Paris Hilton. "Fameuse a cause d'etant fameuse." En realite, c'est pas grand chose.
— in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Above: Cemetery. St. Paul de Vence. 28 July 2018.
Burial place of Marc Chagall.
St. Paul de Vence carries on the tradition of Chagall by being mainly a center for painters and galleries.
Image looks south towards the coast line.
You're supposed to be able to turn the other way form this spot to see the peaks of the Alps. But, not today given the cloud cover.
Above: Port Maritime Marseille. France. 29 June 2018.
Where is Gene Hackman when you need him?
Note: Of three years spent in France, never been here. — at Port Maritime Marseille.
A dix heures du matin, d'en haut a la basilique, Notre Dame de la Garde, on pouvait entendre les klaxons puissants des gros CMA CGM bateaux Panamax qui payee homage au CMA CGM patron decede, Jacques Saade, fondateur et patron de CMA CGM.
Le son des grands klaxons etait mystique...une espece de chant funebre hante. Le son se reverbere partout. Mouvante. Sensible. — at Vieux Port (Marseille).
Above: Marseille Basilica, Notre Dame de La Garde. 29 June 2018.
Une messe Catholique celebree aujourd'hui.
Move over Moroni. Move over John the Baptist (Pisa Baptistery). Make way for the Virgin Mary as top (sized) "temple" topper!
Above: Kids enjoy hyper pastry, The Twist. Marseille, France. 29 June 2018.
Above: Whole famn (sic) damily (sic). Disney Magic cruise ship. 29 June 2018.
A true Mickey Mouse operation.
Above: Animator's Palate Restaurant. Disney Magic. 29 June 2018.
Grandkids watch their drawings come to life on Disney Magic screens at Animator's Palate Restaurant. — at Disney Magic Cruise Line.
Addendum:
Now you’re gonna tell me we never share time there either Not -!👻🙈🏍
markco,
Oaji, CA
We might have had dinner there together one night.
Steve
I am always a great fan of the World Cups, in part because of the ways in which a national culture is on display in the conduct of players and fans.
This article addresses that topic. I pass it along to you for your role as “senior observer of cultural differences”, and also because you have professed particular respect for Japan in some of our conversations.
Or, in short, I enjoyed this quick insight and thought you might also.
"After defeat, Japan's World Cup team leaves behind a spotlessly clean locker room and a 'thank you' note"
https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/03/football/japan-belgium-russia-thank-you-locker-room-trnd/index.html
Shock,
Reading, PA
Bishop,
U r one lucky man. I enjoy reading you words and wisdom. Wish I had more time to do it myself. Current demands of my time preclude it for now. Once Coco turns 2 or 3 hope to change all that. Just celebrated year 1.
Safe travels and happy 4th.
Carpet,
Atlanta, GA
My first visit to Barcelona. TIMDT had been here a couple of times before with her cronies.
Above: TIMDT (or Granny, if you will) at breakfast, Cabana Restaurant. Disney Magic cruise ship. Barcelona, Spain. 30 June 2018.
Not alone in Barcelone.
Above: Art on Barcelona Street. Barcelona, Spain. 30 June 2018.
Where's Robert Smithson when you need him? Spiral Jetty ain't got nuttin' over the Catalons. — at Barcelona City, Spain.
There is art of varying sorts throughout the city.
Above: Family and guide Maria. Near Sangrada Familla Basilica. Barcelona, Spain. 30 June 2018.
We're back to using Europe for Kids company for transfer and guide service.... as we did in Rome over a week ago.
Above: Sagrada Familla Basicilica. Barcelona, Spain. 30 June 2018.
Like nothing you will ever see....
Wikipedia
The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Catalan pronunciation: [səˈɣɾaðə fəˈmiɫiə]; Spanish: Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia; English: Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family) is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Gaudí's work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[4] and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica,[5][6][7] as distinct from a cathedral, which must be the seat of a bishop.
In 1882, construction of Sagrada Família started under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned,[4]Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.[8]
Relying solely on private donations, Sagrada Familia's construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Since commencing construction in 1882, advancements in technologies such as computer aided design and computerized numerical control (CNC) have enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010. However, some of the project's greatest challenges remain, including the construction of ten more spires, each symbolizing an important Biblical figure in the New Testament.[8] It is anticipated that the building can be completed by 2026—the centenary of Gaudí's death.
The basilica has a long history of dividing the citizens of Barcelona: over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona's cathedral, over Gaudí's design itself, over the possibility that work after Gaudí's death disregarded his design,[9] and the 2007 proposal to build an underground tunnel of Spain's high-speed raillink to France which could disturb its stability.[10] Describing Sagrada Família, art critic Rainer Zerbst said "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art",[11] and Paul Goldberger describes it as "the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages".[12]
Above: Granny's Charges. Bierras y Tapas. Tapas near our hotel, Marriott AC Sant, and Barcelona Central Train Station.
Tentative on most of the tapas offerings, at least they gobbled up a couple of large plates of chicken fingers.
Granny and Bishop kept the grand kids while the kids went out to explore Las Ramblas.
Above: Bud and Mynduveroan. Centro Comercial Arenas de Barcelona, Placa Espanya. Barcelona, Spain. 30 June 2018.
The fish clean off the dead skin from the feet... or it is so promoted. Whatever... the kids love it.
We found a great family friendly dinner place at this old bull ring, now a shopping center.
When we found this ... fish service... the other kids and grand kids had gone back to the hotel to rest for a very early departure back to the US.
Bull fighting was outlawed by the Catalan Parliament in 2010... taking effect in 2012. What better way to use the old bull ring than to turn it into a destination shopping and restaurant center.
Addendum:
Yes, but we have seen some other Mickey Mouse operations in our day!
the monk,
Salina, UT
Above: Santa Anna Church. Barcelona, Spain. 01 July 2018.
TIMDT, B1B, Mynduveroan, and Mwah (sic) took a "Rick Steves Walk" from Placa de Catalunya to Barcelona Cathedral. We found this small, ancient (1100 AD circa) Romanesque cathedral along the way.
Rudy Jr.'s and Portland's family had left very early yesterday. FeeBee and Bud also left yesterday, but, on a later flight. Bud had to be back for an important band practice.
I told Mynduveroan that this cathedral was built 800 years before the Mormons came to the Salt Lake Valley. That seems like a long time. Don't get me talking about geologic time... my brain pops.
There were some other interesting sites along this walk. Two gateway towers, dating back to Roman times. An old, still working, city well source where citizens used to obtain their drinking water. Some still do. Reminds of Artesian Well park in Salt Lake City.... though I'm sure the well in Barcelona pre dates the one in Salt Lake.
On reaching the cathedral, TIMDT, B1B, and Mynduveroan walked over to the Ramblas while I explored the area of the cathedral. We met at a cafe near the cathedral an hour later so as to be ready to watch the Sardane dancers in the cathedral square at noon.
Above: Cloister, Barcelona Cathedral. 01 July 2018.
I couldn't enter the cathedral as Sunday services were in progress. If you could convince the guard you were a Catholic who wanted to worship, you could enter. I didn't think I could pull that off... nor would it have been right. Also, I was inappropriately attired, wearing shorts.
Above: The Sardane. Barcelona Cathedral Square. 01 July 2018.
The Sardane is an ancient dance unique to Catalonia. It is performed at Barcelona Cathedral, backed up by a brass band sitting on the cathedral steps, on Sundays at noon, by anyone who wants to participate.
The Sardane has become a symbol of Catalon nationalism. Catolon patriots come to dance, but, the dance is open to anyone who wants to participate. Most of the dancers we saw were of a certain age.
The Sardane is a benign, subtle dance. There is really not that much to it. Dancers form a circle, hold hands, and do small steps... the right... to the left... back... and forward again. And, then, the circle moves a step clockwise. The routine is performed over and over until the music stops. Its kind of a low impact line dance... except in a circle, not a line. The music is a bit haunting, in a minor key. Wistful, somewhat poignant...religious, and, if you believe in the idea of Catalon nationalism, aspirational.... the Sardane.
Evidence of Catalon, as opposed to Spanish, patriotism is rife in Barcelona. Many apartment windows show a bowed yellow ribbon displayed as a protest of Spanish federal government - some say illegal -imprisonment of orchestrators of the recent election for Catalon independence from Spain. Catalon flags are also flown from residences.
Catalons recently voted to secede from Spain, but, Spanish federal authorities declared the election illegal and arrested and imprisoned leaders of the independence movement.
Above: B1B and Mynduveroan watch World Cup. Marriot Sant Hotel lobby. Barcelona, Spain. Spain vs. Russia. 1-1. OVERTIME! (as this image was taken)
Soccer Girl Mynduveroan watches, rapt.
Post game edit: Russia wins in end game 5x penalty kick competition! — at AC Hotel by Marriott Sants.
It was hard to gauge the local reaction to Spain's loss. Spain was a big favorite in this match... and after Brazil and France, Spain was considered to be a top contender for the World Cub championship.
Most of the viewers in the hotel were foreigners.
Out on the street, later, I didn't sense any woe form the many local passers by. Pre-game... there was no apparent horn honking, or people running around singing in Spain team soccer jerseys. Is there a Catalonia first, Spain "meh" thing going on here in Barcelona?
I was happy for the Russians. They are playing at 60 to 1 odds to win the cup. And here they beat powerful Spain to move forward to the round of eight.
Hosting the World Cup AND having their team move into the final eight has to be real shot in the arm for Putin's quest to revive the Russian spirit, brutally battered by 80 years of Communism. To be sure, Russia has a long row to hoe to create a country of vitality and growth. The country loses 1 million in population per year and alcoholism is a chronic problem.
I am optimistic for Russia over the long haul though. This is the country that turned back Napoleon and Hitler (siege of Leningrad and Stalingrad). Stalin killed 30 million Russians to protect his authoritarian regime and to force collectivism. Russians are inured to hardship and stress on levels not comprehensible in the snowflake West. Russia has produced some of the world's greatest literature and music and has the capacity to revive the cultural preeminence it kicked off during the time of Catherine the Great.
I heard from the TV sports commentators that the Russians have done a terrific job in organizing this World Cup. Putting on a good show and having a solid, better than expected team performance, can only help buttress Russia's quest for cultural revival. Russia will also get a boost from the current rising oil prices as "the fatherland" is one of the largest oil producers in the world.
Things are looking up for Russia, as they are in the United States. Here's hoping that Trump can facilitate a fair rapprochement with Russia. The US and Russia have too much in common... space program, oil production, need to fight Islamic terror... for them not to be friends. Russia and the US have fought on the same side during two world wars. Russia gotta stop the cyber warfare though. The only way for the US to counter that, is to thump Russia back... tit for tat as it were. Lets get on with it.
Above: Paella. Restaurante Cerveceria Casa Martelo. Barcelona, Spain. 01 July 2018. Great meal. TIMDT found this place on a recommendation from the hotel concierge. We got a couple of miles walking in in the process. The restaurant was open early.... we dined at 6:45 PM. Typically, Spaniards don't start eating until 9:00 PM or later. Barcelona establishments recognize, however, that much of their economy is driven by tourism so some restaurants provide the full meal service earlier than normal.
Above: In flight map from Delta aircraft showing route from Barcelona to Atlanta.
Sleep? Movie? Read? Movie. "Hostiles."
Western. Two of my favorite actors: Christian Bale and Ben Foster. Rosumund Pike excellent in role of wife surviving a Comanchero attack that left her three children and husband dead.
1892. President Harrison orders "repatriation" from New Mexico prison of seven year captive Indian chief, Yellow Hawk (played by Wes Studi) and his family back to Montana home.
Bale character, Joseph Blocker, hardened army Indian fighter Captain, ordered, much against his will, to lead the transfer party of his former antagonist, Yellow Hawk.
Blocker, as Odysseus, leads Yellow Hawk and company from NM to MT, where the travelers encounter Comoncheros, a nasty bunch of trappers, and stubborn Montana "land owners." No Sirens or Charibdis, though.
Erstwhile antagonists, Yellow Hawk and Blocker develop a mutual respect for one another as they mutually cooperate to face the challenges and threats of the journey.
Foster plays a cameo role as a soldier prisoner accused of murder, former friend of Blocker, who is picked up at a fort in Colorado along the way. Blocker is supposed to escort him to Montana to face trial. Foster's escape adds to the Odyssian drama of the film.
Bale and Foster starred together in the 2015 remake of "3:10 to Yuma," a better film than this one.
Movie was engaging...scenery, score excellent. Syrupy, mutual befriending of bitter enemies a bit unrealistic, driven by modern sentiment of political correctness and guilt of taking out - disrespecting - the Indians.
In point of fact, there wasn't much to respect and laud about the lifestyle and contribution of the plains Indian. They were slavers, kidnappers and misogynists who made little or no contribution to human progress.
But, that was then. This is now.
Above: Trip trinkets.
Toy Deux Chevaux purchased at St. Paul de Vence. Lacquered bull bought in Barcelona.
My trip trinket shelf is full. I'll have to open up another.
The trip was above expectation.
Disney has the family experience down well. It was strange being on a cruise where half the passengers are kids. I asked one of our kids his favorite thing about the trip. Not Colosseum, not Vesuvius, not Pompeii but, the session in the Animator's Palate restaurant where he was able to see his stick-man come alive on the screen as a character in a real Disney cartoon.
I was amazed at how much we saw. You couldn't visit all the places we saw in a week by not being on a cruise ship... a hotel, that moves every night, as it were.
Pompeii, Vesuvius, St. Paul de Vence, Marseilles, and Barcelona were all new stops for me. And, it had been a long time since I had visited the other destinations.... Rome, Pisa, Genoa, and the French Riviera.
Its been a long time since I've traveled in Europe during the peak of summer, so I was ill equipped to traveling with hoards of tourists everywhere. The Sistine Chapel has to be seen... but, it is an ordeal to see it in a flow of mass humanity.
Rome was really trashy. Our Naples (Vesuvius, Pompeii) guide told us that Rome had now replaced Naples as Italy's garbage city. That fact, she said, is not widely known as no one wants to kill the proverbial Roman goose and its golden egg. Its not an "Italy phenomenon." Pisa and Genoa were neatly trimmed and spotless.
It was great being with family. We had lots of interaction that is frequently missed during busy lives while at home. Yes, we are blessed by living near all of our children and grand children... but, you can always improve on enjoying and strengthening family relationships... and this trip facilitated that in spades.
I'm confident that the trip sowed seeds, on varying levels, of world awareness for our five grandchildren... and I'm happy for that.
Addendum:
Very nice sdt. Beautiful family. Enjoy!
Yrs,
Bean Counter,
Miami, FL