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When the Moon Hits Your Eye …
By Laura Thomas, ABC | June 19th, 2008
As the solstice moon rises, I’m counting down the days until our big vacation. Now that it’s getting closer I’m starting to think of all the things that still need to be done to prepare. Stop the newspaper, make arrangements for the dog, ask neighbors to keep an eye on the house - that sort of stuff.
But, there are a couple of other things that I could use your help with. One, is finding good books to read while traveling or relaxing after we arrive. This will be the longest I’ve ever spent on a plane at one time - and that’s before you even factor in the potential hours spent on some tarmac with the way air travel goes these days. (ick) So, I’m seeking recommendations of what titles I should purchase. Preferably something that’s not too deep or too business-oriented. Entertain me, please. Take my mind away from my every day, as I take my body away to Italy.
Map of Italy by Tourizm Maps © 2006
Yes, that’s right. I’m about to make my first ever trip to Europe. I’m one of those Americans who can’t speak more than one language and for most of their life have had no need for a passport. But, I’m finally getting to fix that - well, at least the need for a passport part. (The 13 hours of university credit in Spanish classes attempted to fix the first part, but I’m only marginal in my grasp of the language).
So, the next thing I could use some help with is a list of “can’t miss” sights I have to see while in Italy. We’re flying into Rome for a couple of days, then heading to Florence, and finally a couple of days in Venice. I know I need to mark the Colosseum off my list. That will give me check marks by two of the New 7 Wonders of the World. (the other one I’ve visited is Chichen Itza, Mexico) But, what other sites in Rome, Florence or Venice should I see? Several Twitter friends have already recommended Cinque Terre, but we’ll probably be sticking closer to the three cities where we’ve already got hotels booked. What should we do there?
June 19th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Books for light reading:
Bridget Jones’s Diary (Helen Fielding) - One of my all-time favorite books. A modern take on Pride and Prejudice.
Meg Cabot’s books for adults - she wrote the Princess Diaries, but shes got some great light, funny reading for women. I like the Heather Welles Mysteries (starting with Size Twelve’s Not Fat) and I just read She Went All The Way which was more unabashedly romantic, but not schmoopy.
Terry Pratchett - Britain’s 2nd best selling author (after JK Rowling, of course) and one of the greatest living satirists. He’s incredibly prolific and most of his work is set in a fictional world called Discworld. The first 3-4 books he leans too heavily on lampooning fantasy conventions, they get better after he just starts writing satire of this world set in that one. If you like politics, try Guards Guards!, if you’re interested in matriarchy, try Wyrd Sisters, and the other thread I like are the Death books, which start with Mort.
Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files are supernatural mysteries (he’s the only listed ‘wizard’ in the Chicago phone book– PI stories with a magic twist).
Greg Rucka writes compelling characters into his bodyguard/thriller books.
Neil Gaiman writes incredible stuff, some of which is heavier than others– I suggest Neverwhere or Stardust for their great stories.
Christopher Moore writes irreverent humor. I liked Lamb (the gospel according to Christ’s childhood friend Biff) and The Island of the Sequined Love Nun.
Chick vampire hunter/supernatural cops/lawyers/etc authors I have liked include: CE Murphy and Kim Harrison.
Metaverse Sci-fi I like: Verner Vinge’s True Names, Neal Stephenson’s Snowcrash, William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition.
I just remembered a cat fantasy short story that was set in, of all places, Monroe! But I think it was a one-off, in an anthology.
I like to read.
On the other hand, I know nothing about Italy.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Firenze is compact and easy to get to by train and walk. You can take a bus to Piazzale Michelangelo, which sits above the city for breathtaking views and photographs. There’s all the usual Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo della Signoria - by via dei Calzaiuoli that connects with il Duomo and campanile Giotto. I love the battistero in front of the Duomo (the doors, etc), which used to be the cathedral and the place where Dante Alighieri was baptized. The Lungo Arno (roads that flank the river) are interesting, too. There used to be an American Consulate there… not sure if they kept it. My first visa was from Florence.
If you’re taking the train between Firenze and Venezia, you will go through Bologna (where my Alma Mater is). See if you can make a stop, even half a day or so would suffice. You can walk from the train station to Piazza Maggiore where the half completed Cathedral and the King’s Palace are (statue of Neptune has an interesting story to it). From the viale to get there, you will see the Two Towers. Bologna is famous for the many towers and about 38 km. of covered walkways throughout the city. Near the Sede dell’Agricoltura, you will also be able to spot some ancient woodwork in palaces that is preserved remarkably well. From the two towers, you will also see the street where the University main buildings are. It dates back to 1088, one of the oldest in Europe (I think there was one older in Poland) for non-clergy.
In Venezia, also easy to reach by train, I like Murano and Burano (ferry off Piazza San Marco). Get prepared to pay some serious Euros for food there. Depending on when you are going, be prepared for the intense heat, and potentially humidity.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Don’t know if you’re going down to Southern Italy (which is where I spent most of my time), but my favorite places were there. The first was a little town called Alberobello (and not too far away from my friend’s town of San Vito).
It’s in the Puglia region on the Adriatic coast and it’s made up of trulli houses. Be prepared to climb stairs but it’s worth it. I bought the most amazing ceramic pasta bowls (two sets of six small and one large for the equivalent of $80USD - one set for me and one for my mother). Plus, I had the best meal of my entire trip there.
My second favorite place was (obviously) the Amalfi coast. We started at Pompeii and headed down to Sorrento and then to Positano. The views are amazing, but if you are araid of heights, don’t look down. In Sorrento, you can buy the most amazing inlaid wood items, limencello and leather items! Positano is great for its’ views, etc. You can also cruise over to the Isle of Capri. It’s only 5KM.
Hope this helps. Enjoy the trip!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Thank you all for the suggestions! We’re about to leave for the airport, so probably no more updates here until we’re back. Then, I’ll be sure to post lots of photos to Flickr!
June 27th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Laura,
At forty years old, I find that my brain spends a considerable amount of time engaged in remembrances. Most of it is ideas and thoughts like, “who was this” and “I can’t remember the name”…names like Laura Pevehouse, Cecilia Hopkins, Ray Pearce, Greg Landry, Melissa Gould & Paul Miller…and I just wonder what happened to them and how their lives turned out. I googled your name and half the server kicked in. You’ve had and are leading an extraordinary life. I live with my wife, Kat, and our boys Jared and Zane, in San Antonio. I carpool to Austin where I work full-time for the Texas National Guard, where I’m a Major in logistics. I’ve deployed overseas twice and there is another tour looming. My mother, if you recall, was the county agent in Frankin Parish. She retired last year. Some people are very conservative in their opinions of married people contacting other married people of the opposite gender…so, up front, I’m just saying “hi” to an old acquaintance from my 4-H club days. I don’t remember what parish you were from and I don’t remember the specific events we frequented together. I do remember serving with you on Junior Leadership Counsel. You ran for office once. It would be great to hear from you and exchange a message or two. If not, then I most certainly understand. Enjoy your vacation, Laura.
I pledge head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club my community, my country and my world.
Ray
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 am
Ray - It’s always nice to hear a blast from the past! You brought up many long-forgotten names that it is good to think about again. I was from West Carroll parish. Hope your mother enjoys retirement. I know mine is counting down until Christmas when she’ll reach retirement as a teacher/librarian. One of the best ways to stay in touch with me these days is over on Twitter (see latest updates in the right column of this blog). Now back to vacation for me!