Italy 2007 Day 3 Waiting outside of St. Mark's

Venice

Waiting

Sherri doesn't really like heights so when we go up to the balcony of St. Mark's in Venice, she waits for us and looks after any lost sheep. Occasionally she is asked by strangers, (especially students) to watch their backpacks while they go inside. Strange how trusting people are. In this picture, she is talking to my cousin Pete. Jenna and a group of us are taking in the incredible view.

Italy 2007 Bukowski Art Army Review Day 3

We are still in Venice, we just got done with the Academy Gallery and everyone had free time.  Gelato was a priority for some of the students, and it should be.  There is nothing like Italian gelato in Italy.  It is good other places, but to be in Venice on a sunny day with friends, after just seeing Titian's last great pieta painting.....what could be better?   

Everyone went exploring a few from our group went back to the hotel and took a nap.  I didn't find out until later.  It really was our first day and we had been up all last night on the flight from New York City.  This second picture is the Rialto bridge.  It is the grandest bridge covering the Grand Canal.  A few too many shops for me, but still, it is great to be here.  

Italy 2007 Bukowski Art Army Review Day 3

It was a happy reunion when our group from New York City met up with Sherri and the other 22 student travelers at our hotel in Venice.  A cup of cappuccino and I was ready to go!  We started with a tour of St. Mark's Basilica.  We included the treasury, the back altar and the balcony.  They don't allow pictures except for the balcony so here is the view of the harbor.  It was a beautiful morning and the gold in the church looked magnificent.  I have had a real interest in the Byzantine influence on Venice and of course the things that were taken in the fall of Constantinople.  The horses that used to be out front, taken in the sack, were as regal as ever.  We took a boat over to the Academy Gallery for a good dose of Titian, Bellini and Veronese with a little Tintoretto on the side.  We had free time later in the afternoon and could look forward to an evening dinner with our entire group.

New Trip from the Archives - Italy 2007

So, I finally finished this spring's trip to London and Paris.  I was looking back in the files and decided to review the 2007 trip to Italy. 

 We had a rough start.  There was a blizzard in Minneapolis and all the flights were being canceled.  We took a chance and loaded the bus and hauled up to the airport even knowing that we might not get out.  It was a little stressful. The solution was that Sherri should take 22 to Memphis and then to Amsterdam then to Venice.  I would take 10 to New York overnight and go right to Venice.  Sherri took a deep breath and we met in Venice.  It was like a miracle.  We left the frozen north of Minnesota to 70 degrees and came to the dreamlike Italia.  Jenna took this picture on the trip and I think it was used in a Free Press article.

Trip Review-Day 10 The Break In

If you do anything for a period of time, eventually something unplanned and unexpected will probably happen.  This is the 12th year of Bethany traveling to Europe for the art trips and it finally happened!  One of the rooms was burglarized while we were at dinner and the police came and Niki and Jenna ended up at the police station until 2:30 a.m. filling out forms.  So much for the last night touring the city of lights.  I guess it will have to wait until next time.   Happily we all made it back home safe and sound.

Trip Review-Day 10 The Farewell dinner.

The farewell dinner was at Noces de Jeanette at 14 rue Favart near our hotel.  We had a separate room for our group and a wonderful meal.  I think everyone had fun.  In one of the pictures here, Gail asked everyone for their testimony as to what was the best thing about the trip or who their favorite art army group leader was...or something.  Jenna looks a little sad.

Little did we know the excitement for the evening wasn't quite over yet......