This summer JH and I went to Bologna and Remini in Italy. We had a wonderful time. It was a well needed trip for both of us. As much as we love our little side-kick it sure is nice to get away together...just the two of us. And since NK was in Iowa and having a great summer, we felt guiltless...okay, until we were on the beach swimming in the Adriatic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriatic_Sea. The Italian Riviera is wonderful.
We enjoyed lots of carb loaded food, and had our fill of the local wines.
We enjoyed the towers in Northern Italy. There is such an amazing history of how and why the towers were constructed,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towers_of_Bologna.
We hiked, and toured...and wandered around. The amazingly narrow and winding roads were like a maze.
We were astounded at the history that we were able to visualize while walking in the steps of St. Luke, seeing the ideas of Michelangelo and Da Vinci, and studying the constructs of the Roman emperors.
My guy enjoying a sunny day in Italy.
The wall of one of the many palaces we saw.
Ancient walls currently used as sleeping alcoves for homeless people.
Aw...the beach. We loved the train ride from Bologna to Remini past the steps of the country of San Marino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino. We travelled through wine vineyards, olive groves and citrus groves. Lovely.
So many fountains to gaze at...so little time! This fountain reminded me of Kansas City's Plaza.
Bologna has many, many miles of porticos. Many are kept in great shape with intact frescoes.
This was our rental car...NOT! I wish. I would have loved to zoom-a-zoom-zoom through the Riviera in a Ferrari.
We crept into a lot of churches. Some constructed in the 1200s - 1600s. Amazing.
Even the graffiti was attractive.
This is part of an ancient city with a system of aquaducts carrying water from the sea inland.
Lovebirds.
Aquaducts.
Castles.
We were in the Plaza of Neptune and not too many miles from the G8 conference when a protest erupted (apaprently) and the police marched in with combat wear and launched tear-gas.
You can see that for the locals and the police that the firing of tear gas and police in riot gear is a usual thing. For me and JH...well, we were in awe. I wanted to stick closer to the action, but JH pulled me about a block away before the gas was launched and we watched a little bit before the police pushed people back and sent us on buses out of the area.
JH went into this tower. Since I get freaked-out in towers and confinded spaces, I stayed outside.
An ancient light post in the central plaza of Bologna.
Bologna has the second biggest Basilica in the world. San Petronio was supposed to be bigger than St. Peter's at the Vatican, but the Pope exercised envy (a sin...no?) and haulted the building and even today the stucture is incomplete.
A little cafe we really enjoyed. The dog is a relative of the owners...her dog's nephew I think.
Scooters EVERYWHERE. One night I was so tired while walking back to our hotel that I considered "jacking" a scooter...I mean...there are so many.
John Paul II was in the church twice.
Peace to you too Jesus.
This hawk frightens me.
I enjoyed peeking into the courtyards of the palaces.
So funny. Some kid had this chained to a bike rack in front of a swank restaurant.
JH's brother Bjorn, JH and JH's cousin Age. We were sitting along a fjord in the Arctic drinking beer and eating bread and fish soup. Yum yum.
Bjorn and his lovely girlfriend from Belize Khetura. In a few months they are moving back to Norway from Belize!
Age before a case of beer!
Bjorn and JH after several drinks...enough that they became silly.
NK riding a horse at the stable behind my father-in-law's house.
The horse's name is Gulliver and he took NK on a trip up into the mountains. Yippie-ki-yi-yo!
These horses pull sleds during the winter.
Crazy sheep. In Norway animals graze free-range. These sheep were trying to cross the road to get to the other side when we spooked them.
A nice reflection on the granite mountains on the fjord.
Yes, we couldn't resist taking a dip high in the mountains in a clear lake.
NK is trying to dry off by running across a peak.
Me and the JH in front of a full-size model of a Stave Church built in the Beiarn Valley.
This is such a beautiful little chapel.
NK found this little fish inside the stomach of a bigger fish he caught and cleaned!
This was supper an hour after this photo! Good catch NK!
NK trying to figure out how to carve-up dinner!
Bjorn is making plans to love back to Norway! Hurrah!
