tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36302336665255016512024-02-07T03:55:35.601-06:00Jen Judd Rocks!Continuing to learn, explore, grow, create, & inspire!Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.comBlogger559125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-55500674917026455072017-03-01T21:05:00.002-06:002017-03-01T21:05:17.587-06:00Life in the Round<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a cappuccino with a smiley face. At least that's what the barista told me. haaaaaaaa Maybe that's what people see when I laugh really loud.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQN0oubj5QWgVwt_DPr1p8nPpG_dwVgsZH2oXt5A1ffDccEiWXu8oV8V_vvr_pKNhJm6hMlwdrsSXyYy9J8ZXtDy3BJ_eTy3rQbJplkVO0uaEVKMXR0JGlNvero6dntVK0Lc3M8iIqPk/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQN0oubj5QWgVwt_DPr1p8nPpG_dwVgsZH2oXt5A1ffDccEiWXu8oV8V_vvr_pKNhJm6hMlwdrsSXyYy9J8ZXtDy3BJ_eTy3rQbJplkVO0uaEVKMXR0JGlNvero6dntVK0Lc3M8iIqPk/s640/IMG_2015.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> It's the most delicious curry that you ever did taste, right on King Street in Charleston SC. Spicy, sweet, creamy, herbaceous and delightful. Kinda like the perfect day?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJki5iuw-cISmVSyrptLojrvu5zmWlUlQl7fgdAx25Sg94M0pPBlJ7U8oOJreWs9FrGz1ol2RCc1-uR5o4F8KjnHaC7uh_MvyqXLJ2nvUZcn2scVEsqbS50pieFPvDMhuxgBfWqzY3IE/s1600/IMG_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJki5iuw-cISmVSyrptLojrvu5zmWlUlQl7fgdAx25Sg94M0pPBlJ7U8oOJreWs9FrGz1ol2RCc1-uR5o4F8KjnHaC7uh_MvyqXLJ2nvUZcn2scVEsqbS50pieFPvDMhuxgBfWqzY3IE/s640/IMG_2023.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How about a Bloody Mary with spicy peppers, beans and okra just waiting for you to finish up the salty deliciousness that goes with the perfect brunch?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfatb_O7iSSLf4S8StgwxsINJt9yR4r7f91bEKPl3vEKL1bwsoO7SXQGPwwlogwzX7W3uzHmSYi10Qrr7UH8JppJq7EeG2tVM53vyWof6_muH2HBsaYI6BEJhrl59_nsstvNZYEfrFBkA/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfatb_O7iSSLf4S8StgwxsINJt9yR4r7f91bEKPl3vEKL1bwsoO7SXQGPwwlogwzX7W3uzHmSYi10Qrr7UH8JppJq7EeG2tVM53vyWof6_muH2HBsaYI6BEJhrl59_nsstvNZYEfrFBkA/s640/IMG_2572.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or maybe it's a bucket full of roasted oyster perfection, just waiting to get your hands dirty. In the middle of a festival with wonderful friends who are there to laugh and cry with you!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxmOlNPmFnmVzXXSDDWFGzvCGEW1Ne4VvXucMEuOw9WyovLSnRsV4VUI_rNalDgSqLCl0vP6aZhTHZweqsqqLwdttnFub1wG9jMXC3RJn28kGYrAYgYNbRtsvvz53pfc6tnYNoaOfO7E/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxmOlNPmFnmVzXXSDDWFGzvCGEW1Ne4VvXucMEuOw9WyovLSnRsV4VUI_rNalDgSqLCl0vP6aZhTHZweqsqqLwdttnFub1wG9jMXC3RJn28kGYrAYgYNbRtsvvz53pfc6tnYNoaOfO7E/s640/IMG_2117.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Okay, maybe it's another spicy drink...this one a margarita with some jalapeƱo. Thinking about the sweetness in a different way that sort of hurts with every sip.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f9lKmHijVeJK7Lew5wu6ovgAgHhqBGzk-xRFoIf9McLTV3BvDFHR3u2RyFxTbrGdXeiiIXknS352fD2eQsQLEAe0NMiDUTQVNXMYMGdJ6tThOlPY_ZUz3pRoUoFY5yrKytf-n93Gbp8/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f9lKmHijVeJK7Lew5wu6ovgAgHhqBGzk-xRFoIf9McLTV3BvDFHR3u2RyFxTbrGdXeiiIXknS352fD2eQsQLEAe0NMiDUTQVNXMYMGdJ6tThOlPY_ZUz3pRoUoFY5yrKytf-n93Gbp8/s640/IMG_3674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wishing you a big old round of smiles and spice...no matter where you are or what you're drinking. :)</div>
<br />Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-47666287998794425062016-02-25T11:14:00.001-06:002016-02-25T11:14:38.488-06:00Being a Student<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's harder than I thought it would be. I'm not used to having so much free time, or at least so much time that I should be filling with useful things. Plus, drawing is hard work. I actually woke up in the middle of the night stressed out about what I should practice on this week. Our assignment was "do a pen and ink drawing" and the professor wants us to draw from life rather than pictures, so I spent some time wandering around my tiny townhouse looking for something interesting to try to draw. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found a shell on the back porch from a recent beach walk and then set up a light on it to get a little more clear light and shadow going and then blanked out as I stared at my white sheet of paper. Got going, finally, and was shocked at how awful it felt to try controlling the brush and not getting it to work the way I wanted. I miss the wishy-washy watercolor messes I usually make.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alas, I walked away from the table dissatisfied after an hour at work and decided I'd try again today. The table is ready and I'm now sitting at the computer ignoring it! haaaaaa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We did some work on portraits for the last couple of weeks. Here's part of one that was going on a mid-tone charcoal background. I don't have a finished version because my professor likes to teach by working on the actual piece so it came out looking completely different. I suppose I learned something by watching him, but now I have a drawing of a face that isn't really mine...my drawing or my face.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9qg6V2vnNhqVwuQpGex0k6mdtsj2WHJkC_WeGrvu88pU1H1V7VIA__q9r9M2NyklwmpQz_bmRByk41dXSLWIo08fQS09BTwguoPEjHjJkR7BE1ttXvSW7QYfv3uX72EV5eXXFge0-EU/s1600/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9qg6V2vnNhqVwuQpGex0k6mdtsj2WHJkC_WeGrvu88pU1H1V7VIA__q9r9M2NyklwmpQz_bmRByk41dXSLWIo08fQS09BTwguoPEjHjJkR7BE1ttXvSW7QYfv3uX72EV5eXXFge0-EU/s640/IMG_2199.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've done quite a few faces in my life, with lots of lessons from wonderful artists like <a href="http://janedavenport.com/">Jane Davenport</a>, <a href="http://www.willowing.org/">Tamara Laporte</a>, and <a href="http://dinawakley.com/">Dina Wakley</a>. Apparently, though, I'm not focusing enough on the forms, so now I feel like I'm starting over and it's a little disheartening. I know that's what I asked for when I signed up for school...a challenge to learn new things...but it's still not very fun sometimes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is what our classroom setup looks like:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJwfPgEJ7bIUwPavxXz8ZqKa9hhgOQ136SF_RbtbZZuYkZb55cpCvb-jKRMj920mbauOdAtdsI8ZtSODh-3W8QchbFeydHK_dgvD-LVG1Np_y0hCzx8IfpAPeGpTFdO4ERIDtkeL7uCQ/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJwfPgEJ7bIUwPavxXz8ZqKa9hhgOQ136SF_RbtbZZuYkZb55cpCvb-jKRMj920mbauOdAtdsI8ZtSODh-3W8QchbFeydHK_dgvD-LVG1Np_y0hCzx8IfpAPeGpTFdO4ERIDtkeL7uCQ/s640/IMG_2118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Since class only meets once a week for three and half hours, we spend a lot of time working at one specific drawing. I'm not accustomed to spending that much time looking at one thing, so that's a challenge, but it's teaching me to focus and keep working even when I think I'm done with something. Maybe that's why my chick is frowning in the picture. haaaaaa<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXANapJMnLCNrqujJkCrs0SZdtjIJ9t3HxienY4eDh9AaBkLKTQkVxNqHM_3SHX7yZmWXyMhdCy_yH_v74p_t7pPEjAOhjRg7UPktnRivbAJybBpxTDE0u_9i4rME5w_v2-9d8AcQi2g/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXANapJMnLCNrqujJkCrs0SZdtjIJ9t3HxienY4eDh9AaBkLKTQkVxNqHM_3SHX7yZmWXyMhdCy_yH_v74p_t7pPEjAOhjRg7UPktnRivbAJybBpxTDE0u_9i4rME5w_v2-9d8AcQi2g/s640/IMG_2119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm going to go back to the drawing board, literally, today and try my hand at the ink and brush again. Might get some of my colored ink out just because I can.Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-78456285648899844862015-12-06T17:32:00.001-06:002015-12-06T17:32:23.139-06:00My Fave Photo Apps - Vacation Fun!I have about a zillion photo apps on my phone, but there are a few that I think are really awesome and I want to share. During my recent European adventures, there was some downtime in airports and train stations with no wifi or expensive data plan available, so it was a perfect opportunity to play with some of my photos!<br />
<br />
1. First up is <a href="http://www.percolatorapp.com/">Percolator</a>. It's a "photo mosaic" app that costs $2.99 and makes serious awesomeness like this shot of Saint Mark's Basilica:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNWddm9srRQxKwqiRvtjxeYKZg1lrM0iYZPAfm_Sr-bR3KfivdwiGUOgVdYoc2HEt1BikQbxGanKQhtxNAypME4mmv36OJ149SnSN3a4prvULMKo1O1iDUGkRXyk7qaXDz3xRCkMAGxc/s640/blogger-image--893767030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNWddm9srRQxKwqiRvtjxeYKZg1lrM0iYZPAfm_Sr-bR3KfivdwiGUOgVdYoc2HEt1BikQbxGanKQhtxNAypME4mmv36OJ149SnSN3a4prvULMKo1O1iDUGkRXyk7qaXDz3xRCkMAGxc/s1600/blogger-image--893767030.jpg" /></a></div>
It's basically like taking your image and putting it through the coffee-making process with a grind strength and various ways to serve it--like a sweet caramel latte or like a hearty cup of thick black joe. You can let your image show through a bit or completely replace it with the "grind." Using shots with a big range of values can lead to a dramatic end result. This is the same Basilica "percolated" a different way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpNjZGbzOSw0GiSuZy-zPca_CAg_ZL1f2SP7aC-Vw0KvKwFNVSvwITmzB4aw5GyUk8OxLTaaJtzbjMolr2pviHZiQUe2Uf6Z-zm5dqgyrZzz1s510HMB74AVF00EqtHwUicIGPIR40yY/s640/blogger-image-343627200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpNjZGbzOSw0GiSuZy-zPca_CAg_ZL1f2SP7aC-Vw0KvKwFNVSvwITmzB4aw5GyUk8OxLTaaJtzbjMolr2pviHZiQUe2Uf6Z-zm5dqgyrZzz1s510HMB74AVF00EqtHwUicIGPIR40yY/s640/blogger-image-343627200.jpg" /></a></div>
If you go to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=percolator">Flickr and search for Percolator</a>, you'll see a ton of other wonderful works done with the app.<br />
<br />
2. Next up is <a href="http://www.wordfoto.com/">WordFoto</a> which can take your image and turn it into a word collage. It comes with a lot of preset formats, but there is plenty of opportunity to "fine-tune" your particular image into something perfect. You can create your own list of words and change up the fonts like I did with this Basilica image to make it reflect special details about my trip:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb77UywTgxqpzQOQ411wR40uOyfw8k7gEq24kO_1FJXVGC7-pvlbAJjRJoeCHmyYS3cKk7NKZwF-RG725vBCX1Y-nXZibZLLN4RCIZm_QobfYENr2OzLfv2ELojKxLZDbHB7x0zWSU1k8/s640/blogger-image--1925013038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb77UywTgxqpzQOQ411wR40uOyfw8k7gEq24kO_1FJXVGC7-pvlbAJjRJoeCHmyYS3cKk7NKZwF-RG725vBCX1Y-nXZibZLLN4RCIZm_QobfYENr2OzLfv2ELojKxLZDbHB7x0zWSU1k8/s1600/blogger-image--1925013038.jpg" /></a></div>
Using a photo with a nice range of values really makes for nice outlines, but there are lots of options in the app to change the font and how tightly it fits to the image. You can also adjust how much of the image shows in the background to highlight the text in the foreground. Here's another example from a visit to Santorini, Greece, while on our cruise:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QPqz9cNOaiAIjvAAySKsUeraoFRoCPsPaHKH61txcxeQ0Uh45SGXoMKjh3qLBL-pwcX2aKNO6Aa6moAmygvn3LYNqF8lCGyJC1HOjPbMhasGYb_HZDfhhPpWJEr4u-vntk9DIMd8a3s/s640/blogger-image-2015284779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QPqz9cNOaiAIjvAAySKsUeraoFRoCPsPaHKH61txcxeQ0Uh45SGXoMKjh3qLBL-pwcX2aKNO6Aa6moAmygvn3LYNqF8lCGyJC1HOjPbMhasGYb_HZDfhhPpWJEr4u-vntk9DIMd8a3s/s1600/blogger-image-2015284779.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
3. The next fun one is <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tooncamera/id392538848?mt=8">ToonCamera</a>, which at $1.99 is worth it for the cool images I've come up with using the various tools and styles available. It basically takes a photo and makes it look like a sketch or a painting, depending on the "art style" you choose. It's very easy to pick options and the strength of the look, so you can really play around with your image. This is a view of Venice from the bridge to the Academia...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05l5O4q0LAZ6dKNg8ura5XdiKIl-xf2KNRMZ-ZdKsGX9uRSpBzk6lGZLKe6kiPFFaxo7lI5DxRIDA-NbezWMh5ConrVpFk12W-J__z6MAGOnCzdS3MzU7aHgLyUYGwVct-U6sw-gOxjc/s640/blogger-image-1971519726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05l5O4q0LAZ6dKNg8ura5XdiKIl-xf2KNRMZ-ZdKsGX9uRSpBzk6lGZLKe6kiPFFaxo7lI5DxRIDA-NbezWMh5ConrVpFk12W-J__z6MAGOnCzdS3MzU7aHgLyUYGwVct-U6sw-gOxjc/s1600/blogger-image-1971519726.jpg" /></a></div>
And here's a more painterly image of the beautiful blue sky over Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece. You can play with the level of detail on the lines and the boldness of the color to highlight what you want out of the photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUgtIXXBOMEOqG_n7oLxf2JbrOMD7-j5gB5TwI1ajHTSbUmTdbEsllj1gAgQVyqvvFohurD67IQZlyxspJ4NPT1Xu0mM8nSEk5f8aKjNdZVC7nUKZTKKF7pN4dbpvjKIquOQrwV23Vz0/s640/blogger-image-1650806390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUgtIXXBOMEOqG_n7oLxf2JbrOMD7-j5gB5TwI1ajHTSbUmTdbEsllj1gAgQVyqvvFohurD67IQZlyxspJ4NPT1Xu0mM8nSEk5f8aKjNdZVC7nUKZTKKF7pN4dbpvjKIquOQrwV23Vz0/s640/blogger-image-1650806390.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Last but not least is <a href="http://www.pocketpixels.com/ColorSplash.html">Color Splash</a> that allows you to selectively colorize or un-colorize parts of your photo. Once you get used to panning and zooming around on your image, you can "brush" the color on or off the photo easily. This probably isn't the greatest example but I like how the greyscale of the buildings on the side of the lagoon contrast against the bright blue of the waterway with a few red highlights on the boats and the docks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyvCJRB-1cLtDWy4jC4UjeJ2quBI1qOhvaO6FCzy6-wTdi-Hn6vPsk-s42h5mFpDvdMP_ZMpiabBJUBOYGfKxzFiclKA-6QOhROBPyDkE6snvbp2KzSwLsIecDtHrXW_H0XNOFOo60KA/s640/blogger-image--795525066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyvCJRB-1cLtDWy4jC4UjeJ2quBI1qOhvaO6FCzy6-wTdi-Hn6vPsk-s42h5mFpDvdMP_ZMpiabBJUBOYGfKxzFiclKA-6QOhROBPyDkE6snvbp2KzSwLsIecDtHrXW_H0XNOFOo60KA/s1600/blogger-image--795525066.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
For only a few bucks, you could have hours of adventures right at your fingertips...making cool artwork out of your own simple photos. It's a lot more fun than solitaire, I swear!</div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-66394068036773133252015-11-12T06:47:00.001-06:002015-11-12T06:47:42.158-06:00Venetian Street Art<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I first noticed the visual impact of street art in Paris, with both what appeared to be sanctioned and unsanctioned work mixed with "traditional" graffiti or vandalism. We even used some of it in our art journaling by taking stickers or pamphlets off light poles or stair rails. </span></span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">On one particular day in Venice, though, I started seeing a lot of really cool work. I put the map away for a little bit and just walked through some streets around the accademia--not really intending to get lost, but that's what happened. It was a fruitful trip, though, because I found lots of less-populated streets with unique, informal, art presentations. Like this sun-drenched woman...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9xBNNSg20qikpRO2tsnlkTpGCC8NbMtA-8JOMmmmKLXaCWknTEjd03kom7-yUvDklLRT8VzFbl7LyH9IfMVpA_zKHNV1lDJVETTWoahuqeoeo_vc9sUt0-kgd8jNsGUPDPZvG9SdbF0/s640/blogger-image-1568901994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9xBNNSg20qikpRO2tsnlkTpGCC8NbMtA-8JOMmmmKLXaCWknTEjd03kom7-yUvDklLRT8VzFbl7LyH9IfMVpA_zKHNV1lDJVETTWoahuqeoeo_vc9sUt0-kgd8jNsGUPDPZvG9SdbF0/s640/blogger-image-1568901994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9xBNNSg20qikpRO2tsnlkTpGCC8NbMtA-8JOMmmmKLXaCWknTEjd03kom7-yUvDklLRT8VzFbl7LyH9IfMVpA_zKHNV1lDJVETTWoahuqeoeo_vc9sUt0-kgd8jNsGUPDPZvG9SdbF0/s640/blogger-image-1568901994.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or this lovely leo...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dTvCWo82ygPofSxy6MBOY0PFDJ7V1xz_iQk5F-KUbILc-KBmyLQF6RWg_MWsxcyt_Ufh4RpQX2cGdPDLBTbvknesUcGlfeLPHjUvP7MYXzFJgVZ28GmrY3IoZ4gggqbdSExpn5T4aF0/s640/blogger-image-1924693920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dTvCWo82ygPofSxy6MBOY0PFDJ7V1xz_iQk5F-KUbILc-KBmyLQF6RWg_MWsxcyt_Ufh4RpQX2cGdPDLBTbvknesUcGlfeLPHjUvP7MYXzFJgVZ28GmrY3IoZ4gggqbdSExpn5T4aF0/s640/blogger-image-1924693920.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm sure there must be some larger context to these pieces, given that some of them are in the form of stencils or stickers and can be reproduced at will...might be an interesting project to see if I can figure out the artists and inspiration.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCKz6yW1EyMDRSp7io5eQjxhpwMmGCVDd_oB04NmHZ5Nhw9erFE1YfODjU9sBgJ0wkYmdWub8v9biZPH_0KPlpIICyvOPfPNOOcO_ngfZz8Moprkm3JAgFsRQ6cwUPTGh1F7xmJEnYY0/s640/blogger-image-476179563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCKz6yW1EyMDRSp7io5eQjxhpwMmGCVDd_oB04NmHZ5Nhw9erFE1YfODjU9sBgJ0wkYmdWub8v9biZPH_0KPlpIICyvOPfPNOOcO_ngfZz8Moprkm3JAgFsRQ6cwUPTGh1F7xmJEnYY0/s640/blogger-image-476179563.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cat just makes me laugh.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFU7TbWbtHzj5UkH-AmCSicTLxhEyMV6E9gXKHBQq2PY4X6ZcBwN9Czzca3x408mbZub4XsY2lgTVPFH6hBYNaP3Y8CKKhEy0uvAApG3Xlbwxe6_W6XPJQNvX1OX9uOY00SglFco1mRU/s640/blogger-image-1921490992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFU7TbWbtHzj5UkH-AmCSicTLxhEyMV6E9gXKHBQq2PY4X6ZcBwN9Czzca3x408mbZub4XsY2lgTVPFH6hBYNaP3Y8CKKhEy0uvAApG3Xlbwxe6_W6XPJQNvX1OX9uOY00SglFco1mRU/s640/blogger-image-1921490992.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is probably just a graffiti bit, but cat is fun</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFSEUjvEOCp27s4_oYiFj3aeqfkm0Ra2xparv6Rv3i9Juu1kAg-Ey2GHBv9WvN2smHUGzTpjGj-sWd0OLSZCuh_9lwznxQE18v2Wg6gcirUFbkvCvXq0t7mSPtkZD6OIGNiJNuN4wUAc/s640/blogger-image-609009529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFSEUjvEOCp27s4_oYiFj3aeqfkm0Ra2xparv6Rv3i9Juu1kAg-Ey2GHBv9WvN2smHUGzTpjGj-sWd0OLSZCuh_9lwznxQE18v2Wg6gcirUFbkvCvXq0t7mSPtkZD6OIGNiJNuN4wUAc/s640/blogger-image-609009529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some puppy love next to a canal:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdb_jLZ_9PMgxTMK1jpzDAYwERDp8YCDggMeWXeQ0FKC9OwWwM6lWhCh5SH9vVA1vSwa9RPV_AJQOHcloSdzzE-Nl8Ve0eYJ4Fej9bsUTQettqw3JDAhMkJ9KcYs5TVupu3Khom0qBaU/s640/blogger-image-209998238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdb_jLZ_9PMgxTMK1jpzDAYwERDp8YCDggMeWXeQ0FKC9OwWwM6lWhCh5SH9vVA1vSwa9RPV_AJQOHcloSdzzE-Nl8Ve0eYJ4Fej9bsUTQettqw3JDAhMkJ9KcYs5TVupu3Khom0qBaU/s640/blogger-image-209998238.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This one is almost sculptural the way the building material has started to erode. Looks like there's an artist "tag" on that one so may be able to find the creator more easily.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk0-JkwVQxCxJgh-zkl-iiFMbcoalj42PS1TqNYS5gHVyaeYF14gk2F6ffLya-3zP_-kBsvNepCDuX2nQZu6JSSYvfLbs9gxXPPr84RSDN9FHKelB7p1w5gU2_2iWeZ7CXX_uYYgzghE/s640/blogger-image-227568222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk0-JkwVQxCxJgh-zkl-iiFMbcoalj42PS1TqNYS5gHVyaeYF14gk2F6ffLya-3zP_-kBsvNepCDuX2nQZu6JSSYvfLbs9gxXPPr84RSDN9FHKelB7p1w5gU2_2iWeZ7CXX_uYYgzghE/s640/blogger-image-227568222.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scary magic dude next to a scary, dark walkway. Perfect scenario.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-D9iwtr52Nl1jVbN2uV0d_lsM058H280nttLBC_GpgMUYcmbndCDOyDJmDdOgJ2tdpjaMB0EofbV5W-90MWUODFUojnzjWtvf8L7SwXoON1zAyy8NcOuQvW13mKYKF8MdBj3ggcgg2A/s640/blogger-image-1350349940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-D9iwtr52Nl1jVbN2uV0d_lsM058H280nttLBC_GpgMUYcmbndCDOyDJmDdOgJ2tdpjaMB0EofbV5W-90MWUODFUojnzjWtvf8L7SwXoON1zAyy8NcOuQvW13mKYKF8MdBj3ggcgg2A/s640/blogger-image-1350349940.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A rolling wave of garden near an actual garden. They must have gotten tired of the big brown building that didn't match the beauty of the lagoon or the tree-lined paths.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8tb2o1GGXatwVJVGzsRio59SrMfv3iAMWGGinV6Y8k2otE2NCNFNErj6sDPWWXK947ql1L3NSavhc7Y2UedAkUecGAsepyfkddgXOxF0Ef-iQNUrc3Hy-z-s8yCF6IlxajhyZY-wlkw/s640/blogger-image--1761434392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8tb2o1GGXatwVJVGzsRio59SrMfv3iAMWGGinV6Y8k2otE2NCNFNErj6sDPWWXK947ql1L3NSavhc7Y2UedAkUecGAsepyfkddgXOxF0Ef-iQNUrc3Hy-z-s8yCF6IlxajhyZY-wlkw/s640/blogger-image--1761434392.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A sailor in Venice. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0HdcBbRA8b2lpv-dO03aFwCFhW0Ob8lJw2C2VM-4lXOOSCKof2bg_Lr3Pbpim2n-O7flpsAIWqsll9C0y92OvMQgjn-T-Wk-THiq4MpnRhOngFEziWxeqEtvAoj8vbErx3zJUg7h9II/s640/blogger-image--860895309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0HdcBbRA8b2lpv-dO03aFwCFhW0Ob8lJw2C2VM-4lXOOSCKof2bg_Lr3Pbpim2n-O7flpsAIWqsll9C0y92OvMQgjn-T-Wk-THiq4MpnRhOngFEziWxeqEtvAoj8vbErx3zJUg7h9II/s640/blogger-image--860895309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I think I'll do some more digging to see what I can find on these particular images and figure out what the artists may be trying to say versus what I'm hearing/seeing/thinking. </div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-23033663331769756852015-11-08T12:32:00.003-06:002015-11-08T12:34:17.556-06:00Solitario Esploratore<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kF2FISaYphOyU68YIijRIIFSV5ngk3e_ntpxOn1PjFSVuh5h0dyZwdGvDP2khbZu88b4WLoJ6NRvmoGcDOKBlgaSXa63diUBGRn2U16iEXZ3BcNz5A26ol7jNnZ6P645fw_hxyiuXPU/s640/blogger-image-1645479624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Just a week ago, on a sunny Sunday much like today's in Pennsylvania, I spent some time solo wandering the narrow streets in Venice. After B left, I took a couple more days in the city before heading north to Germany to catch a flight home. I took in lots of delightful scenery and reveled in the uniqueness of the city<br />
<br />
Stopped off for a cappuccino and a little sweet and did some sketching from a photo of that shot from the Ponte dell'Accademia. I took the waterbus over instead of walking through the maze.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kF2FISaYphOyU68YIijRIIFSV5ngk3e_ntpxOn1PjFSVuh5h0dyZwdGvDP2khbZu88b4WLoJ6NRvmoGcDOKBlgaSXa63diUBGRn2U16iEXZ3BcNz5A26ol7jNnZ6P645fw_hxyiuXPU/s640/blogger-image-1645479624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kF2FISaYphOyU68YIijRIIFSV5ngk3e_ntpxOn1PjFSVuh5h0dyZwdGvDP2khbZu88b4WLoJ6NRvmoGcDOKBlgaSXa63diUBGRn2U16iEXZ3BcNz5A26ol7jNnZ6P645fw_hxyiuXPU/s640/blogger-image-1645479624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Epic pen in action...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1f0KCvRyzitQx9_lw3Ajg9RQ_IXaZoBARXhoj1ZWbvpaxzY9rezV5Ibd7_Gm97zFSkF9OBqXZdzATE4cmJ_Ig6usExn1_AaIktYdpfZ27znaKluDiuAsMSao_frJJB2epdhyIOcG-To/s640/blogger-image--1377265169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1f0KCvRyzitQx9_lw3Ajg9RQ_IXaZoBARXhoj1ZWbvpaxzY9rezV5Ibd7_Gm97zFSkF9OBqXZdzATE4cmJ_Ig6usExn1_AaIktYdpfZ27znaKluDiuAsMSao_frJJB2epdhyIOcG-To/s640/blogger-image--1377265169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm looking through photos from the trip today for some inspiring bits to take with me to <a href="http://www.artofthecarolinas.com/">Art of the Carolinas</a> this week for the various classes I have going on down in Raleigh, North Carolina. These window shapes are just so beautiful. I expect to see them in quite a few pieces in the near future. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0y60qoxHRPJ2EcomU-vmzbMKxvO5JIGiJfHRuWYKUyWTz9N9Sow1BqbN90j-H0Jdu5j1Iy-0IWFSoAOUjLTMt2awK-4IyvKeAz8KYCYkXieJq9_o0jRE_zjhJ9DCkh8qPmGocdDfidE/s640/blogger-image--209023219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0y60qoxHRPJ2EcomU-vmzbMKxvO5JIGiJfHRuWYKUyWTz9N9Sow1BqbN90j-H0Jdu5j1Iy-0IWFSoAOUjLTMt2awK-4IyvKeAz8KYCYkXieJq9_o0jRE_zjhJ9DCkh8qPmGocdDfidE/s640/blogger-image--209023219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I've got a variety of classes coming up, including some collage, cold wax, and underpainting techniques. I want to use these colors and textures as inspiration...will be a neat way to re-live some of those days just wandering around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxqruyYKyRJTn56Vnwv7YG4VSTydd84hAoTojzLLo8xN6AQVksxpgadr5GupaLLH6PfQPUsgo4VlDAmvMxrqAjGiRB6efX7M7soYjh8mbghDtNhqHNiTvWFbwecXndcDhHeXdb-TOweM/s640/blogger-image--1921636821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxqruyYKyRJTn56Vnwv7YG4VSTydd84hAoTojzLLo8xN6AQVksxpgadr5GupaLLH6PfQPUsgo4VlDAmvMxrqAjGiRB6efX7M7soYjh8mbghDtNhqHNiTvWFbwecXndcDhHeXdb-TOweM/s640/blogger-image--1921636821.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Wandering and trying to take a selfie with a pretty canal in the background when some motorboat runs through it. haaaaaaa. I bought the scarf when I arrived in Paris at the train station when I arrived and it became a staple for the entire journey. If you're coveting, you can find it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Desigual-Womens-Seduction-Rectangular-Foulard/dp/B00VMB3PP8/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1447005432&sr=8-11&keywords=desigual+scarf">Amazon</a>. It's very cozy and somehow managed not to stink too badly after three weeks of solid wear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig67LtDgxWTlfcTNKKlJDO5AiPkZ791b-twiPitFifEHKxr0Xhyphenhyphen0znwD4FK8x_1GHJpc6C3ScHFeE4D6ZYXKtPy4cKWqNOW6QLIx5zvIe7uW6NM37QKgqRLMxQ315rUFGtbAzUU8TFB18/s640/blogger-image--722096964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig67LtDgxWTlfcTNKKlJDO5AiPkZ791b-twiPitFifEHKxr0Xhyphenhyphen0znwD4FK8x_1GHJpc6C3ScHFeE4D6ZYXKtPy4cKWqNOW6QLIx5zvIe7uW6NM37QKgqRLMxQ315rUFGtbAzUU8TFB18/s640/blogger-image--722096964.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Since my solo adventure had no agenda and no purpose other than to soak in the sights, I was able to fool around with camera apps a bit. Here's one with some Hipstamatic going on:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzDaGSdaT3g1uNdJF5qIJfFCx8fS3zBIX79hYujmeR6MB_oorkNRVurFeahJyfeZDzSi96xBoOnnrXrsdSB4dHakuwf84Ug6ksLot-bYXtlfQiXFb0QiG-PCsHbuUOuPUGbv2vwxH9Ho/s640/blogger-image--772699780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzDaGSdaT3g1uNdJF5qIJfFCx8fS3zBIX79hYujmeR6MB_oorkNRVurFeahJyfeZDzSi96xBoOnnrXrsdSB4dHakuwf84Ug6ksLot-bYXtlfQiXFb0QiG-PCsHbuUOuPUGbv2vwxH9Ho/s640/blogger-image--772699780.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
And here's another Hipstamatic shot of an iconic Venetian lion in a square near Arsenale. I took a walk away from St. Mark's square one morning and found a more idyllic garden in a residential area. It was a wonderful part of Venice that I hadn't seen before and really made it feel more "real" and less like a giant collection of tourist venues.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBmjSuCQzkU1o7_Oi1JBGyEK1JAq4fHqe12UjVinGsmxTCa_Lra8FrIDjn01bS7i_8X16i0hHZqDamEtazCewx8dwWJ_Ei9Gi4n6zNqlOGCMAKFe0DcIhziBq4PEmJSUxRY1fBcPobKs/s640/blogger-image-2095943072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBmjSuCQzkU1o7_Oi1JBGyEK1JAq4fHqe12UjVinGsmxTCa_Lra8FrIDjn01bS7i_8X16i0hHZqDamEtazCewx8dwWJ_Ei9Gi4n6zNqlOGCMAKFe0DcIhziBq4PEmJSUxRY1fBcPobKs/s640/blogger-image-2095943072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I made it over to the Guggenheim museum and spent a couple of hours enjoying the collection. They had a special Jackson Pollock exhibit going on, but I found a few other inspiring artists...going to save that trip description for another post.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhTov0UQ6VyIwcrK4nmSm7ZM4qrPETl08hoCgNKFBkhO_Ln0EbKKbG4fXJZ6f8GY2nJje7u2F8hj3c7f8pKOw0cNOCvgBSFQ3nfAzBo0PNFZodJ0yup1AdRspjCq6uEUyADNzjXPXeww/s640/blogger-image-1480622212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhTov0UQ6VyIwcrK4nmSm7ZM4qrPETl08hoCgNKFBkhO_Ln0EbKKbG4fXJZ6f8GY2nJje7u2F8hj3c7f8pKOw0cNOCvgBSFQ3nfAzBo0PNFZodJ0yup1AdRspjCq6uEUyADNzjXPXeww/s640/blogger-image-1480622212.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
The next morning, I stopped at a little cafe in the Serra Dei Giardini and had another cappuccino (can you really have too many of these little creamy delights?) and did some more sketching. Even got the paints out since the sun was so nice. I used some of the Amalfi watercolor paper that I got from my new favorite Italian paper shop, <a href="http://www.venicemarbledpaper.com/">La Ricerca</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDw5kEKYTnOCj4lyctpht3GL22PkINq1DqYaEgZTxSSkw-t3lWVyv6LhLO6t93qbqxVd5awYCC5GRRpygzXSp7OsDT6cS7ScIzxlzjaqU8HmrR5nSbVdykGqWzlgiE29FrPvKN5K-pVQ/s640/blogger-image--2063526909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDw5kEKYTnOCj4lyctpht3GL22PkINq1DqYaEgZTxSSkw-t3lWVyv6LhLO6t93qbqxVd5awYCC5GRRpygzXSp7OsDT6cS7ScIzxlzjaqU8HmrR5nSbVdykGqWzlgiE29FrPvKN5K-pVQ/s640/blogger-image--2063526909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I stopped for lunch on the Via Giuseppe Garibaldi and had "pizza pantalone" which is basically pizza with my favorite salad on top: bresaola (a dried beef), rucola (arugula), and parmesan cheese. I added some lemon juice and olive oil and it was perfect! Throw in a glass of vino rosso and a great novel and I had a wonderful lunch while reading and enjoying the crowds at the markets down the street.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VdyAcr-iqOqbwzprw6qQNHe2FjScf-qf6Y05jm-cdh5dmrSsykjWoXIWO4MJRVEb1ewGC0PeAH4KMbKCYGCnx9LjuFAw07gLS6jcEHB6O34ziv_RqLAuvCt9bEVwU1h5Oqdloys_S6s/s640/blogger-image--1683061509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VdyAcr-iqOqbwzprw6qQNHe2FjScf-qf6Y05jm-cdh5dmrSsykjWoXIWO4MJRVEb1ewGC0PeAH4KMbKCYGCnx9LjuFAw07gLS6jcEHB6O34ziv_RqLAuvCt9bEVwU1h5Oqdloys_S6s/s640/blogger-image--1683061509.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I took the bus back over to the Academia, but was too late...it was already closed early with Monday hours. So, I took the long way back on foot and made an important stop at the request of my Mom:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-06E76330ETJZyOBlbvd6A4m_RMQsUiUamy95c_Xgj4J_SdAa7rSFZoHhYlyNgeuKbq6YtoHvGzPsbFintDz8zLLAPt2AZy9boWjh3XpOboWUwUoW1VBdWTHHwiL-_QRsg9hwyVdUJw/s640/blogger-image--1848134329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-06E76330ETJZyOBlbvd6A4m_RMQsUiUamy95c_Xgj4J_SdAa7rSFZoHhYlyNgeuKbq6YtoHvGzPsbFintDz8zLLAPt2AZy9boWjh3XpOboWUwUoW1VBdWTHHwiL-_QRsg9hwyVdUJw/s640/blogger-image--1848134329.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Had a bellini at Harry's Bar. They weren't crowded, so I had some space there at the bar to get out my pen and paper and captured the moment to make it a little more special. The manager was standing nearby, noticed what I was doing, and actually explained that all the bottles on the shelves have been in the same place since the bar opened. He gave me a copy of a little book that had old pictures of the bar with the bottles arranged just so.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A little further on my walk back to the hotel, the gondoliers were massing back in their stalls near the square. I liked this action shot as they moved in all sorts of directions as the sun started to set.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-V9QYmAs9B-jVngG1uFKdS1y5zyqkBf-p6Fe7rEhMK9xniwmP_LS96hH0BqGIX7OWZHf-sNj8euaUfLA0uB2xuGhbhxnwGpzTex6Nwh-Neu5VmMNbRrJEHefHDL3oL2uYoxGQQMNI-8/s640/blogger-image--646853107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-V9QYmAs9B-jVngG1uFKdS1y5zyqkBf-p6Fe7rEhMK9xniwmP_LS96hH0BqGIX7OWZHf-sNj8euaUfLA0uB2xuGhbhxnwGpzTex6Nwh-Neu5VmMNbRrJEHefHDL3oL2uYoxGQQMNI-8/s640/blogger-image--646853107.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The sun was setting on the Italian leg of my adventure, too. The next day I had another long travel day with a flight up to Frankfurt, a shuttle van ride down to Reichenbach-Steegan, and then some time with the Horines awaiting transport back to the States. All goodness...even with 100 pounds of luggage to haul over bridges myself. haaaaaaa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-49243607294916145442015-11-05T02:30:00.000-06:002015-11-08T12:34:00.076-06:00Buongiorno da Venezia!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After a day at sea where we spent the day relaxing with facials at the spa and lots of time at the stupid Popeye slot machines (come on spinach can!!), we woke early on our final day coming into port in Venice. B had trouble sleeping the whole cruise, no thanks to my own snoring issues, so she was up early and poked her head out the curtains and happened to see this! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A3OK1Mh3IBn6OJeVnDlO1UQ4-6tXZlR-QgeRrtroZweK6ImDO5T7HQozM90ARMh2NrNPi4Wvw8CbIuHKx8OzbAzPMIQ6FX0up2UoymQB_Av9zR7IyfKQzkVG8A4aPprQyAL1vPMozyQ/s640/blogger-image--1876467217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A3OK1Mh3IBn6OJeVnDlO1UQ4-6tXZlR-QgeRrtroZweK6ImDO5T7HQozM90ARMh2NrNPi4Wvw8CbIuHKx8OzbAzPMIQ6FX0up2UoymQB_Av9zR7IyfKQzkVG8A4aPprQyAL1vPMozyQ/s640/blogger-image--1876467217.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We got to witness the gorgeous sunrise over the Venetian skyline right from our room. Eventually, we threw on jackets and shoes and went up to the 4th deck (from our room on the 3rd) and took some more pictures. It was hard to believe we were pulling into the final moments of our adventure together! But, we arranged it so we still had the whole day and one night in Venice to do some exploring. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
By this time, my suitcase had to be at least 70 pounds, plus there was another smaller bag with a pull-handle, my backpack (at about 25 pounds) and my purse (compact but heavy with art pens and paper jammed in there with a bunch of Euro coinage. B's load wasn't much better, so we were dreading the transition from the ship to our hotel near the Piazzale Roma. I actually did use some logic to pick a hotel on the northern side of the city, but there isn't a button on Travelocity that shows you how many bridges (i.e. flights of stairs) you'll have to traverse to get somewhere. We got a taxi from the port terminal to the Piazzale Roma--only 20 euro for a two-minute ride, but it was worth it to have someone schlep the bags. Then, we got up over the first bridge (of two) that had ramps built in for easier transit. We got to the second bridge and just sort of stood there looking at each other. There was a man hanging around by the trashcan nearby who eagerly approached us and then helped us over with everything in one trip. Another 20 euro...again, probably worth it. We got checked in at the Hotel Canal and were delighted to find there was no elevator in this little three-star delight. Before dealing with that bit of joy, we left our bags in their care (except for my heavy-ass backpack, that I decided I needed to carry) and headed out for a trek about the city.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdLwFv0NZE9jpBrQW1SjpTBvaYknEIdzsekyvS2rgazMQoc_iIQ4BVNxbNvoaNI84NUsYWqKQs4k9_4m9hZD3NLbemRGFZTPFTxtTR2f1UWX15hdMMe43PIenTTJjoJvrsiAMlTa-V0w/s640/blogger-image--903367255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdLwFv0NZE9jpBrQW1SjpTBvaYknEIdzsekyvS2rgazMQoc_iIQ4BVNxbNvoaNI84NUsYWqKQs4k9_4m9hZD3NLbemRGFZTPFTxtTR2f1UWX15hdMMe43PIenTTJjoJvrsiAMlTa-V0w/s640/blogger-image--903367255.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was actually more beautiful than I remember, having been here last in about 2004. I picked up a map at one of the zillion trinket stores near the hotel and we started on the path to St. Mark's Square via the Rialto bridge. We took tons of pictures along the way just capturing the skyline on a grander scale and smaller, more micro scale looks at texture and design. I'll do some other posts with more of those later on.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97BTvbSt9x1NHJf-cRzxyTP3b7yiDrOSYr5Z01O4-x63vegCu5HilvhpYUx5SNrmp3qhZ1LlvInVGNJb5dskisSar27Ek6D1Cb72bs0KdLNlITJwRRoAkq8XoBASp1nAgclU3cHAZSmg/s640/blogger-image--548546376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97BTvbSt9x1NHJf-cRzxyTP3b7yiDrOSYr5Z01O4-x63vegCu5HilvhpYUx5SNrmp3qhZ1LlvInVGNJb5dskisSar27Ek6D1Cb72bs0KdLNlITJwRRoAkq8XoBASp1nAgclU3cHAZSmg/s640/blogger-image--548546376.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The goal was to get through the crowds to St. Marks...and we did!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZAfzPDKLsMYFjOIX8pHQcSP0_6ReBpFLxZqV73Qs0b8mzRSSqX48B25MYn9pHcR9opGda78Pj7RYfgBQrgZ-y6TJTm3_jTmEgaUCbI6_YfGhmznFjB1FpFfjhyphenhyphent02Ftzaa8iXQseowY/s640/blogger-image--1233929039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZAfzPDKLsMYFjOIX8pHQcSP0_6ReBpFLxZqV73Qs0b8mzRSSqX48B25MYn9pHcR9opGda78Pj7RYfgBQrgZ-y6TJTm3_jTmEgaUCbI6_YfGhmznFjB1FpFfjhyphenhyphent02Ftzaa8iXQseowY/s640/blogger-image--1233929039.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was a gorgeous sunny day--and a Saturday--so we joined massive crowds and lots of pigeons in the square. While I stayed outside to sketch a bit, B went to see the interior of the basilica.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEw1YBC2fAtBZR3hpwKVXQyou57Zsf6-crd6x_PdokmaNtCiZrAfgl9Pu7JZWhLIFPlnOfnOaptai4HfDkFVQ8YQ0xvM-ck-Ga0eP0a1QOoKrTzJqTwP-WEyDt1BGI9wEEs_Go28W1Io/s640/blogger-image--1723690984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEw1YBC2fAtBZR3hpwKVXQyou57Zsf6-crd6x_PdokmaNtCiZrAfgl9Pu7JZWhLIFPlnOfnOaptai4HfDkFVQ8YQ0xvM-ck-Ga0eP0a1QOoKrTzJqTwP-WEyDt1BGI9wEEs_Go28W1Io/s640/blogger-image--1723690984.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This was only one of the short sitting breaks we took that day aside from lunch. A few days later, B's phone reported that we actually walked ten miles that day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXGbCpB7KTdXmrS4Faoo98IYVDlFA4z0uQW68duZYnAT8gASbgG6cFoBX6XfNC6YkYf2xn1CiBn1AVFGdLs7A89pLp9D6LS0VsO5fMNE0m1sLSFYdpwcPiSRgqPV43jcrfdvuBaHQAL8/s640/blogger-image-624209670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXGbCpB7KTdXmrS4Faoo98IYVDlFA4z0uQW68duZYnAT8gASbgG6cFoBX6XfNC6YkYf2xn1CiBn1AVFGdLs7A89pLp9D6LS0VsO5fMNE0m1sLSFYdpwcPiSRgqPV43jcrfdvuBaHQAL8/s640/blogger-image-624209670.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6eyXj783jq_GPUdKQMM6kMx4xS-vEcHBZ71-TN17gngNY0sl03YtLF3vvGw9NgrjNxJg-fQK09lm7a5TWQegTeC1hTgTKbCLuCy2xVmpdVqPL70GaXqc0k5bKmBeQ4-btH-m-I8Wo-w/s640/blogger-image-734949154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6eyXj783jq_GPUdKQMM6kMx4xS-vEcHBZ71-TN17gngNY0sl03YtLF3vvGw9NgrjNxJg-fQK09lm7a5TWQegTeC1hTgTKbCLuCy2xVmpdVqPL70GaXqc0k5bKmBeQ4-btH-m-I8Wo-w/s640/blogger-image-734949154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is the sketch I did that morning.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R5BEg6bWPlGTv4N6cnOkAsGQV-M0nyo8Rg9tm4m0pCWfGnkK4SWYCGXk-bb-sgkl_zUty49GoznBz2pNWPrrObeUv7s0XF_VIVjDeJZZF8UmqfBhkEr_YyAbpk5XHOgcboEmHGT0SXs/s640/blogger-image-650955865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R5BEg6bWPlGTv4N6cnOkAsGQV-M0nyo8Rg9tm4m0pCWfGnkK4SWYCGXk-bb-sgkl_zUty49GoznBz2pNWPrrObeUv7s0XF_VIVjDeJZZF8UmqfBhkEr_YyAbpk5XHOgcboEmHGT0SXs/s640/blogger-image-650955865.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After some yummy pizza for lunch, we decided to go into the <a href="http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/home/">Doge's Palace</a>. For all the times I visited in Venice when I lived in Italy, I'd never been there before. Beautiful gothic architecture and massive amounts of art in the museum...a great tour. We passed through the Bridge of Sighs, as it's known, and actually got to walk around the prison area. Creepy...especially since it was Halloween. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eMSps0GnoADN06sSvS0rdgUg_xHBF8TnStXRt6mDsiEaBHVWKC6S5tW2l56Y61exapNHWskCTpG6iemCdjUoegdDoH8Yuh-KBmGLBf3CJViGEK-xAMaIus9S4taNGctAKhqPFfJ0peo/s640/blogger-image--586432343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eMSps0GnoADN06sSvS0rdgUg_xHBF8TnStXRt6mDsiEaBHVWKC6S5tW2l56Y61exapNHWskCTpG6iemCdjUoegdDoH8Yuh-KBmGLBf3CJViGEK-xAMaIus9S4taNGctAKhqPFfJ0peo/s640/blogger-image--586432343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Just one pic of a typically ornate ceiling. Sadly, I didn't write down the details or artists...guess I'll have to go do some research during my Art History class next semester!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK1OZpBeYElKogj2Of9Dfz2M_ztefye__5Iml8V3OnGtr25IXPqRS__mblD0u642zmoYMUoTwVarS29IFutEYhb6k1bbE-aUOOp8pYdjzPzmidO2EPVym0HsVEaOS-O9O7MuDgM625-w/s640/blogger-image--2138904511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYK1OZpBeYElKogj2Of9Dfz2M_ztefye__5Iml8V3OnGtr25IXPqRS__mblD0u642zmoYMUoTwVarS29IFutEYhb6k1bbE-aUOOp8pYdjzPzmidO2EPVym0HsVEaOS-O9O7MuDgM625-w/s640/blogger-image--2138904511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There were a few rooms displaying the contents of the armory with massive swords, helmets and other tools of death and destruction.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJULToeHCiYwXCUwuWMw4dzKU5ZbEC7b2c0e9QIPm90yFV7weP8mUQ3Wy5__fYCRxXtvY46iEGHFJ7GxbkASgCe99dwl4I4vcVKNsNklJ6d6fuc0Yy3QkACRj8OVYkSpyToHiF03COQw/s640/blogger-image--1528988453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJULToeHCiYwXCUwuWMw4dzKU5ZbEC7b2c0e9QIPm90yFV7weP8mUQ3Wy5__fYCRxXtvY46iEGHFJ7GxbkASgCe99dwl4I4vcVKNsNklJ6d6fuc0Yy3QkACRj8OVYkSpyToHiF03COQw/s640/blogger-image--1528988453.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This is a view from one of the upper floor windows.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NsxLmwP9NKH7sjvo17ARWyt6uadZ9i90POMM-N7RaTJXia1sqIdhJqoQsMF4DiLDDPsJMBjZkya3-z2xJQMtYquD25NO-pxCFJn0-p1LlKEn-6dIPq5kcc11Uabuk_xIt_kFV85832o/s640/blogger-image--379243930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NsxLmwP9NKH7sjvo17ARWyt6uadZ9i90POMM-N7RaTJXia1sqIdhJqoQsMF4DiLDDPsJMBjZkya3-z2xJQMtYquD25NO-pxCFJn0-p1LlKEn-6dIPq5kcc11Uabuk_xIt_kFV85832o/s640/blogger-image--379243930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Out in the small piazza, the marble statues and details were just beautiful.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dyQnPUTCBPDS7ZfDhIUREaLccqCognXR8bOt_0TXSeuoLK4VfKP40kUDzXjhEWnd2UMyJdRbJYHzSkIPAC_r7ykGd3u9zVTmPxAUXT0X_gyFLSdrJYyBwiQVcODRjPuOHWtzypn2LNA/s640/blogger-image-585516604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dyQnPUTCBPDS7ZfDhIUREaLccqCognXR8bOt_0TXSeuoLK4VfKP40kUDzXjhEWnd2UMyJdRbJYHzSkIPAC_r7ykGd3u9zVTmPxAUXT0X_gyFLSdrJYyBwiQVcODRjPuOHWtzypn2LNA/s640/blogger-image-585516604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Another big part of our day was my paper hunt. Italy is known for hand-marbled and decorated paper and I'm a paper hoarder, so, of course, when I saw this paper shop (the first of many), I had to stop. The shopkeeper used the paper to cover books, boxes, pencils, and all sorts of things. He had full-sized sheets, too, but more exciting at this shop was the scrap box. I showed him my art journal, with the collage and painting in it, and explained that I could use small pieces if he had some. He let me dig through his box of scraps and gave me a huge bag to fill before measuring it out and selling it by the ounce. He gave me a good deal with all the variety of good stuff I jammed in there. B was tremendously patient and let me have my little paper-fest! I think I need to do a whole other post about the paper and all the goodness I found in various shops as we wandered, so saving all the rest of that story.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVYeIRDY7Sl_D7iUn3VTZFZOJmyfJ57pbVP0Jp-KtxWaNoKOzl5HamCdhuqyYL2i1fZD5RIqOp7GoOIB1OMm4xFRObDMxi474eA8pPeyIQf0FLdeaDfMq5MitNROn8j062i1ef3FBBBU/s640/blogger-image--1355120277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVYeIRDY7Sl_D7iUn3VTZFZOJmyfJ57pbVP0Jp-KtxWaNoKOzl5HamCdhuqyYL2i1fZD5RIqOp7GoOIB1OMm4xFRObDMxi474eA8pPeyIQf0FLdeaDfMq5MitNROn8j062i1ef3FBBBU/s640/blogger-image--1355120277.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We went over the Ponte dell'Accademia, traversing the Grand Canal, as part of our venture back to our hotel up in the Santa Croce area. The view of the canal from that bridge is one of my favorite from the whole trip. I promised B that I'd draw it a bit the next day, once I was left solo.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92UhveJWE9026onBI1FdiS1RXCKpHTrWwVI0_xWfGGekNfV92uNseK-xZOnuFIjxbcMOpoCnYkvQMcFHcf09_8kZOfs-rSfTlTRYB2j1gC-aBBabNSaO4bozxjDy_BCL29FlwZe8mO1g/s640/blogger-image-285148415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92UhveJWE9026onBI1FdiS1RXCKpHTrWwVI0_xWfGGekNfV92uNseK-xZOnuFIjxbcMOpoCnYkvQMcFHcf09_8kZOfs-rSfTlTRYB2j1gC-aBBabNSaO4bozxjDy_BCL29FlwZe8mO1g/s640/blogger-image-285148415.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Once we got back to the hotel, after walking what was apparently 10 miles, we still got the opportunity to carry our bags up a nice narrow flight of steps to our "room with a canal view" and three-star luxury. If you can't sense my sarcasm, I do not recommend this hotel and will send comments to Travelocity as such. The only redeeming quality, in my mind, was that you could smell bread baking in the morning and the croissants were delicious. If you are a troubled sleeper, though, the smell of bread and yeast at 0430 may not be a good one. haaaaaaa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here's a happy girl from Venice to leave this post on a positive note...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1kDxcd8donGKJC2AZLHs9hZEwacaSFuDeCDH8_GaSHL1AeEiNxVqlJjSPHiwpFrxqH21ywd12fBG_UNF6ozBesQcSY0ixxiWuRx0FGLxP-gj3X6ezTgMhdsKz4iMUnPfOtknn2xtJQs/s640/blogger-image-1245849707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1kDxcd8donGKJC2AZLHs9hZEwacaSFuDeCDH8_GaSHL1AeEiNxVqlJjSPHiwpFrxqH21ywd12fBG_UNF6ozBesQcSY0ixxiWuRx0FGLxP-gj3X6ezTgMhdsKz4iMUnPfOtknn2xtJQs/s640/blogger-image-1245849707.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVYeIRDY7Sl_D7iUn3VTZFZOJmyfJ57pbVP0Jp-KtxWaNoKOzl5HamCdhuqyYL2i1fZD5RIqOp7GoOIB1OMm4xFRObDMxi474eA8pPeyIQf0FLdeaDfMq5MitNROn8j062i1ef3FBBBU/s640/blogger-image--1355120277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-34066875022367632582015-11-03T02:05:00.000-06:002015-11-08T12:35:00.306-06:00In OlympiaWith only two days left on our cruise, B and I were feeling the time fly! Our next port of call was at Katakolon, Greece. Our excursion for this area involved the ruins at Olympia and a tour of a vineyard, complete with wine tastings!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our tour guide for this day was Demetrius and we met him at the bus for Group 1. This trip ashore was a little easier than the day prior at Santorini. For that stop, we had to ride on a tender from the ship to the shore. Basically, a little water bus took us across in some crazy waves splashing like crazy. This was just a regular old bus, with only about 25 folks on it, so we had plenty of room. Demetrius liked to smoke, so we got plenty of breaks for bathrooms and wandering around while he stepped away and lit up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B6NsflYnWsra0TQEq9UjTFe7qK4-dAoH8G5AZHIFy-CkvnM7QeaZNCNXmphchlwRA996933fqEfeUL63jEM1qYxlR7coUoYizofmJnCCsT-DU1tT5F0wVHQQNY9S1kC_gCSz-Xtrisw/s640/blogger-image-1424792168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B6NsflYnWsra0TQEq9UjTFe7qK4-dAoH8G5AZHIFy-CkvnM7QeaZNCNXmphchlwRA996933fqEfeUL63jEM1qYxlR7coUoYizofmJnCCsT-DU1tT5F0wVHQQNY9S1kC_gCSz-Xtrisw/s640/blogger-image-1424792168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He gave us some good information on the ruins and the layout of the town, but it was hard to understand him over the transmitter he was using, so I didn't pay a whole lot of attention. B and I were more concerned about whether our seventh grade history teacher, Mr. Hostetler, had given us good information about Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian column styles. haaaaaaa</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q0ZcvTna8pDP4Xb9TnrLRvYNlhlWxWFhW3nx09m9EnK8Nyjd9TTEXRP51oQkkIMeJbE7D2FnEkNd1VS-uRo1lJWBNk76YV0MandZ4KHu-tm2RiREhIRh5hBAvOQQkUOfsqcIucdDUhs/s640/blogger-image-333624248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q0ZcvTna8pDP4Xb9TnrLRvYNlhlWxWFhW3nx09m9EnK8Nyjd9TTEXRP51oQkkIMeJbE7D2FnEkNd1VS-uRo1lJWBNk76YV0MandZ4KHu-tm2RiREhIRh5hBAvOQQkUOfsqcIucdDUhs/s640/blogger-image-333624248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I got to enjoy wearing the same scarf for about the 18th day in a row. It's sitting on the chair with me here in Venice after getting a workout today, too. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlyFVuo4FAwFg3aJ-q4C6R0TMCTihVjPtOAk5amyPJChLhX4tugyHR-zJQtQnh5BxeJKzI1aNzs6NIsN2UqF20r8kb4ArIg5_UZZpgVr-IU71WTs_LU11-hp126alI43IkrCLXsgLCEs/s640/blogger-image--1829382026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlyFVuo4FAwFg3aJ-q4C6R0TMCTihVjPtOAk5amyPJChLhX4tugyHR-zJQtQnh5BxeJKzI1aNzs6NIsN2UqF20r8kb4ArIg5_UZZpgVr-IU71WTs_LU11-hp126alI43IkrCLXsgLCEs/s640/blogger-image--1829382026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This stone arch is the entryway onto what was basically the track for the Olympic event. It's not a round and round track as you might expect, but runners went from one point to the next and then back for multiple "laps." There were also no bleachers or seating, just grassy hills as it was easier for people to recline and relax.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIU-NRnauSkKJe0b6hnmLoXzHEDUPwNGAEdeHKhKdmwgFcaEiVAABlcQkBk6VsjEyf35tedRSkquQ6QEoaCChvsf5snMIK4XEt6aNGrTLfGhKiajDTKfq-WSWivXHoyaQ8NaSe8RbjyE/s640/blogger-image--158811001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIU-NRnauSkKJe0b6hnmLoXzHEDUPwNGAEdeHKhKdmwgFcaEiVAABlcQkBk6VsjEyf35tedRSkquQ6QEoaCChvsf5snMIK4XEt6aNGrTLfGhKiajDTKfq-WSWivXHoyaQ8NaSe8RbjyE/s640/blogger-image--158811001.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
B and I agreed that we enjoyed the Ephesus ruins more...just more to see and a better story about the everyday life of the citizens. But, it was still interesting. Once again, our tour took us to a local marketplace so we'd have an opportunity to positively impact Greece's economy. I just had a simple cappuccino served up by a rude Greek woman. Delightful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Next we headed to the Mercouri estate to tour the vineyards and enjoy a sample. We didn't have very high hopes for this one because the day before, on Santorini, the "wine tour" consisted of about 20 minutes to taste three wines, eat a tiny piece of cheese and then get the spiel to buy something in the little shop...not impressive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But, we were surprised and delighted at Mercouri to get an in-depth tour from the estate's owner who talked about the many generations of his family that have worked the vineyards and the farm for decades.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e1RKk-eNqzu2RPwlblizBPQs5sbWG9fYmdHmosFUTbG89j0XjhV_Y80Y_tAKJ9Ppb6k-CSdweIpYvNcT0gcqSbexaqIv73WQZ_0m9YrYkOdpoYdXraeODlp2HL038HApC-MixS3DZ1Q/s640/blogger-image--1051783030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_e1RKk-eNqzu2RPwlblizBPQs5sbWG9fYmdHmosFUTbG89j0XjhV_Y80Y_tAKJ9Ppb6k-CSdweIpYvNcT0gcqSbexaqIv73WQZ_0m9YrYkOdpoYdXraeODlp2HL038HApC-MixS3DZ1Q/s640/blogger-image--1051783030.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Mr. Kanellakopoulos, the owner, took us through an outbuilding housing a historical look at all the tools used for various crops at the estate through the years. There were cats and kittens all over the place, taking care of the farm, I'm sure. I watched one walk to the middle of our crowd of folks, scratch a bit, then take a poo just at the time Demetrius walked over to pet it. I'm sure I was the only one who saw that and laughed to myself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEnJ055hX2Ew2lpLmhuAm71mXrJIYt_uqbuN5yjY2hS0g4yDypHmDiUQnZ1nQHJeF-ThfEuTS5n8Xcc_TGlC7rA1Kp8WGBVzLd5oEfyU6eVCLaS789SWAsit31SnEBUoAsXghpQ_O_aQ/s640/blogger-image--1908644662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEnJ055hX2Ew2lpLmhuAm71mXrJIYt_uqbuN5yjY2hS0g4yDypHmDiUQnZ1nQHJeF-ThfEuTS5n8Xcc_TGlC7rA1Kp8WGBVzLd5oEfyU6eVCLaS789SWAsit31SnEBUoAsXghpQ_O_aQ/s640/blogger-image--1908644662.jpg" /></a></div>
We then went through the cellar to see hundreds of barrels of various red and white wines in their processing state. The highlight was, of course, the tasting. Both the red and white varieties were delicious and we were happy to have wonderful Greek olive oil and cheeses to share. (Mind you, after the previous day's experience, this was like a feast!) The timing of meals in Europe is just something I can't buy into...lunch at around two and then dinner after eight. I'm ready for a noon time lunch and then dinner at my Mom and Dad's table at five thirty or six. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm7iUwGYj_zYAfE_X7lzBmTjyQzOOysZvsgIHelcYk0c0YVYmMgdE7s8j3xGoLid-vfDQXXO8OKgFq5W98GxVcSsljRvu1Dior5M64JTHXGke4DA9tmr9lprnSvf5X_DODOS_xDg96Ww/s640/blogger-image-1975688776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm7iUwGYj_zYAfE_X7lzBmTjyQzOOysZvsgIHelcYk0c0YVYmMgdE7s8j3xGoLid-vfDQXXO8OKgFq5W98GxVcSsljRvu1Dior5M64JTHXGke4DA9tmr9lprnSvf5X_DODOS_xDg96Ww/s640/blogger-image-1975688776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In the bus on the way back to the port and the ship, we ran into a little delay in the form of a sheep herd. Probably a couple hundred head were making their way up the hill on the narrow road that was, allegedly, designed for two cars.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPfYV1MXkqZkUiASiSHIH2e6RswmmG7oELcb7gDRgn1FYSzIC6Ptd-MFjHV22ZuyBjond2xLTRy-3NdDZl7O0BxAXu0Sdw5bNti11BYu-VhoNdbqn4z6gN12XPwNvALo_dHFIeDOZdr8/s640/blogger-image--674867590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPfYV1MXkqZkUiASiSHIH2e6RswmmG7oELcb7gDRgn1FYSzIC6Ptd-MFjHV22ZuyBjond2xLTRy-3NdDZl7O0BxAXu0Sdw5bNti11BYu-VhoNdbqn4z6gN12XPwNvALo_dHFIeDOZdr8/s640/blogger-image--674867590.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I did a quick little drawing while celebrating my rude Greek customer service and made this little Greek girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvVtwom2dY5n2hod19M0D9nZygVEMjw2EiJOgpXuzM5on3c_e4xjIjfqM0dpQ6KcjDDXAYP1akPXk2rrCDtltFkD999a3gl1UH3rO_n1CK9OKflIEfYbNPDJGww5x2U6KllXYPPvP0S8/s640/blogger-image-1871763663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvVtwom2dY5n2hod19M0D9nZygVEMjw2EiJOgpXuzM5on3c_e4xjIjfqM0dpQ6KcjDDXAYP1akPXk2rrCDtltFkD999a3gl1UH3rO_n1CK9OKflIEfYbNPDJGww5x2U6KllXYPPvP0S8/s640/blogger-image-1871763663.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
That night, back on the ship, it was formal dinner night, so we dressed up and headed to "The King and I" dining room for our dark-of-night 8:30 dinner seating. Our fellow table guests were a group of ladies from Scotland who know each other from a dart club. They were completely hilarious and altogether puzzling...couldn't figure out who was single, married, or gay or even what their names were. It was so funny, though, that we laughed and laughed all through our shared meals. This particular evening, there were only two of them at the table since the others were all out on the deck watching Jurassic World.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Got home to our room to this cute little bunny. Smooches.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vPVxz-WuKA57IAB5X0oHqGqBIztp6xbUrwFByEg0i9QeIT3a2cvZTrnH43S05ZDoAWntRFoq7eQZRly5VyIDhEsKVBq1gnT8gIfzeF-I4eD1xK2T3YJ9FvzkW3Uykr9JhI13Ur9UJJg/s640/blogger-image--255496219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vPVxz-WuKA57IAB5X0oHqGqBIztp6xbUrwFByEg0i9QeIT3a2cvZTrnH43S05ZDoAWntRFoq7eQZRly5VyIDhEsKVBq1gnT8gIfzeF-I4eD1xK2T3YJ9FvzkW3Uykr9JhI13Ur9UJJg/s640/blogger-image--255496219.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Bunnyman knew we needed help getting through the evening as it was now time to brush our teeth and wash our faces with the tiny spittle of a faucet. Good grief. Only a few more times and we'd be back to land-based plumbing in Venice...with its own set of challenges! I'll share more on that one later! haaaaaaaaaaa</div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-90484052766220963582015-11-02T03:27:00.000-06:002015-11-05T02:33:39.789-06:00Santorini InspirationWe rose extra early on the day we arrived at Santorini. The showtime for our excursions was at 0715. It was kind of nice, though, because we got to see the early morning light over the ship.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVFQ7_Ch_Z9UejAmQw39X4Uw1O92cE3_P8T9y13uUTe-8rPEZHlfIATOPPfGLtzG-YhKlThKUWepf-wUezW5YDaJimFjK66e906fcBTrxvdoam2GDvF4SH5J2dFfxfL0moTgIWLK8y6g/s640/blogger-image-1718700135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVFQ7_Ch_Z9UejAmQw39X4Uw1O92cE3_P8T9y13uUTe-8rPEZHlfIATOPPfGLtzG-YhKlThKUWepf-wUezW5YDaJimFjK66e906fcBTrxvdoam2GDvF4SH5J2dFfxfL0moTgIWLK8y6g/s640/blogger-image-1718700135.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
That meant we got off the ship wonderfully early and were at the first stop, via our big bus, before the shops were open and swarmed with people. We started off in <a href="http://www.santorini.com/villages/oiavillage.htm">Oia</a> (pronounced E-Ya), which is known for it's extraordinarily narrow streets and fantastic sunset views. Obviously, we were there closer to sun rise, so we had a great bright experience. This town is the "postcard" view when you think of Greece with the white houses built into the side of the cliff and the blue rooftops of the churches. It was truly breathtaking.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMFPMkfToDYw8qd6xHrP3S_luwwsckEE3uQtb5dYcxEio5s9NgcaSCcV8WklyMK9q35G0CoIkB3eERAu2h8mBzXASrpgzaniHZ_24xFZMwFUgCfvOfr6tHAFoMB0o3UUVcs4y0wwht50/s640/blogger-image--1254212325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMFPMkfToDYw8qd6xHrP3S_luwwsckEE3uQtb5dYcxEio5s9NgcaSCcV8WklyMK9q35G0CoIkB3eERAu2h8mBzXASrpgzaniHZ_24xFZMwFUgCfvOfr6tHAFoMB0o3UUVcs4y0wwht50/s640/blogger-image--1254212325.jpg" /></a></div>
As you can see from the healthy blowing of the flag, the cool breeze was also breathtaking. We were lucky to have a few extra layers on and could handle it. The lady we saw with tiny shorts and a tube top was not having such a good day. I could see a tube top at the beach, maybe, but on a tour of massive cliffs? Not so much. Alas, with international travel there is every type of fashion drama you could imagine. The tube top was the least of the crazy things we saw that day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG6ydA0PNg1KzNBItyq0vX7mi5noVXjT-uD3yzdwidZoKTtVHOTSR6WIZ0TQRu9ZVojP3T92sbXrvm1dqdCBjze_kMIGdXwhPuKpsouODAkG2bBRpOP-p0_NvnLeCk9qT6PfNVvuMaHg/s640/blogger-image--1128164225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG6ydA0PNg1KzNBItyq0vX7mi5noVXjT-uD3yzdwidZoKTtVHOTSR6WIZ0TQRu9ZVojP3T92sbXrvm1dqdCBjze_kMIGdXwhPuKpsouODAkG2bBRpOP-p0_NvnLeCk9qT6PfNVvuMaHg/s640/blogger-image--1128164225.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Enough about bad clothing decisions...look at that view! I think this was the view out into the "caldera" which is the formation created by the volcano, since Santorini and the surrounding smaller islands are all part of one volcano's activity.</div>
<br />
We had our normal selfie shots. B is not good with them, even after lots of practice, so I always end up with the giant face in the camera. haaaaaaa<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6POwk6A22sr5SuZqaceljyJw7tCrI8RSwP3AU2w9uxVx_4XHVQG-C9mdYKxRUr3ez0lAq6mzXEwtJuLB6brYOUZTxldtN9si3D-63LNC-QhNC0CHHz9RKUMS3KfxsHEjM_14GHHbTzI/s640/blogger-image--852869094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6POwk6A22sr5SuZqaceljyJw7tCrI8RSwP3AU2w9uxVx_4XHVQG-C9mdYKxRUr3ez0lAq6mzXEwtJuLB6brYOUZTxldtN9si3D-63LNC-QhNC0CHHz9RKUMS3KfxsHEjM_14GHHbTzI/s640/blogger-image--852869094.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Aside from the utterly gorgeous view, there were little details of texture, shape and color that I had to catch for later on when I need a little boost or have a creative block.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJsSec-cZavI12IQhZ_miKNmVFpnbx5VnnsYfchNJo425CAA2PUDzTf6QY5kn8qQ4wb5Ev_NwLnUx1fYIjNt78cG4-RX4_WMuUUBXMVhR-f-rSUnaYQAVS4BzbjW3nRNXWcKqorzZh_g/s640/blogger-image--818043016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJsSec-cZavI12IQhZ_miKNmVFpnbx5VnnsYfchNJo425CAA2PUDzTf6QY5kn8qQ4wb5Ev_NwLnUx1fYIjNt78cG4-RX4_WMuUUBXMVhR-f-rSUnaYQAVS4BzbjW3nRNXWcKqorzZh_g/s640/blogger-image--818043016.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhS1F5U6bOLBBMNdvpHcVBJKZEJh96YiiTg7t525B0aNys1H5y6vQcB0kv1SMNf94tsHsgNXxDNwJiop3bTYopNfaT5Mv30Kk965LST3DR7tIPGyLIA97uiX0eeaAKmi_c1BYl40_8cM/s640/blogger-image--1012160235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhS1F5U6bOLBBMNdvpHcVBJKZEJh96YiiTg7t525B0aNys1H5y6vQcB0kv1SMNf94tsHsgNXxDNwJiop3bTYopNfaT5Mv30Kk965LST3DR7tIPGyLIA97uiX0eeaAKmi_c1BYl40_8cM/s640/blogger-image--1012160235.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
No matter the direction you looked, the water and the sky continued to amaze with various shades of blue and gray...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iH7vXlA0zbbK5mHnUSOW8R3ZajvcjirLH31rWGif2FmEm2OchEpYGFpfFKbIaaeJw1nPot-sdYfDtOzZIAGdUvj1PSa46cile08rh4Hh_cgqls4Zd-5ZWND4zpM5pYvKTa9JwlWzJOg/s640/blogger-image--1145961182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iH7vXlA0zbbK5mHnUSOW8R3ZajvcjirLH31rWGif2FmEm2OchEpYGFpfFKbIaaeJw1nPot-sdYfDtOzZIAGdUvj1PSa46cile08rh4Hh_cgqls4Zd-5ZWND4zpM5pYvKTa9JwlWzJOg/s640/blogger-image--1145961182.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABXDEb7xj6iotVR5v0KVfoK9DFJ0zh5n05icOrIsfF7tyjWzeUHaa-vCFkYULK8yLuNk5MqythpFsWchavb7yg1JRXs-auQePHY-AGRHCyIbXTipvKyhnYR5RwdcTgQ0-ZtlSlBpw9Ao/s640/blogger-image-1597938025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABXDEb7xj6iotVR5v0KVfoK9DFJ0zh5n05icOrIsfF7tyjWzeUHaa-vCFkYULK8yLuNk5MqythpFsWchavb7yg1JRXs-auQePHY-AGRHCyIbXTipvKyhnYR5RwdcTgQ0-ZtlSlBpw9Ao/s640/blogger-image-1597938025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEbOJUB4vgiXccssoBE0rbhGLZ0joFBcpsRG1QW5sAlIB9V82jQp_8gXiTScl2LZvCS63P0VODnrT0Bt5GS6hzsRnp0pf_fOo4AThaZKruSrEKWbHDmIwI54YXqPbIsuiblO0fsVN-fY/s640/blogger-image-2002693172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEbOJUB4vgiXccssoBE0rbhGLZ0joFBcpsRG1QW5sAlIB9V82jQp_8gXiTScl2LZvCS63P0VODnrT0Bt5GS6hzsRnp0pf_fOo4AThaZKruSrEKWbHDmIwI54YXqPbIsuiblO0fsVN-fY/s640/blogger-image-2002693172.jpg" /></a></div>
Even though it was still early in the morning, the fresh breeze and sun felt delicious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTWEwMsPTWU0zUeuoNCwgHRYOzZbCiC8BiSLwIiUHoQ6S7Wz8hhjmpnT_zp8uvImWl2_VQmEw4nrB5QPAB4bY0CJ7CAw-8AnkEiLiX-uvanbDyrftaN187Ufw2VxlzCuAj7FTgiyMCeg/s640/blogger-image-1542741541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTWEwMsPTWU0zUeuoNCwgHRYOzZbCiC8BiSLwIiUHoQ6S7Wz8hhjmpnT_zp8uvImWl2_VQmEw4nrB5QPAB4bY0CJ7CAw-8AnkEiLiX-uvanbDyrftaN187Ufw2VxlzCuAj7FTgiyMCeg/s640/blogger-image-1542741541.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljOE-QZZ8iwZZ6Sm2BJqvFq4G70VrbtL2VT1khzAPGTuD6FdQSUGcqQ4kxY4F9KJGsr1AHoZqphvy0kKO6QhkYKH6mdJfpq9I-jhELY1WDVxcR4I2U7n7X8Fsm_Qzxusf6RGOaAsMlXw/s640/blogger-image-1243452421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljOE-QZZ8iwZZ6Sm2BJqvFq4G70VrbtL2VT1khzAPGTuD6FdQSUGcqQ4kxY4F9KJGsr1AHoZqphvy0kKO6QhkYKH6mdJfpq9I-jhELY1WDVxcR4I2U7n7X8Fsm_Qzxusf6RGOaAsMlXw/s640/blogger-image-1243452421.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj04uUQV9yMnikY7F49jC8IyJoVe4impo5l1kQpuzniSfCefwupagkJUw6f4lR9DB6hAPIfTTc-k2wLWomH7xcZm0rXi-UEytWXM3SfJ-gE9Om9ZRF4HtOmiQZiWRA8ycDnGntbUcWcRc/s640/blogger-image-1486535133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj04uUQV9yMnikY7F49jC8IyJoVe4impo5l1kQpuzniSfCefwupagkJUw6f4lR9DB6hAPIfTTc-k2wLWomH7xcZm0rXi-UEytWXM3SfJ-gE9Om9ZRF4HtOmiQZiWRA8ycDnGntbUcWcRc/s640/blogger-image-1486535133.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p45yDeZ7Az0_Y6yyJ886_ucEIhNAdQ3NRANQpPX7uIzblcyH14xzJhu-UTnHmmmMxbD5XlHbWSr1trBPYxCyDcITN0RIpZe5zpmR63lfJk-pDQz05bgWb4JRnfO8Y0SeMhwhSU_Gu7A/s640/blogger-image--616439564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1p45yDeZ7Az0_Y6yyJ886_ucEIhNAdQ3NRANQpPX7uIzblcyH14xzJhu-UTnHmmmMxbD5XlHbWSr1trBPYxCyDcITN0RIpZe5zpmR63lfJk-pDQz05bgWb4JRnfO8Y0SeMhwhSU_Gu7A/s640/blogger-image--616439564.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rRSHEuaQFhM5zjcQdTa9L9pXsnligu1aw7HY8YikAe7iLAZw0_4Dz5tF0HW2ifOukvWAwA5AXYCGG3OtEVl_stCI8ywwqIwNv-wO9PfFJvlr63eMU4wvUTi5qL19RAa41xtKR3VP6G4/s640/blogger-image--838540225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rRSHEuaQFhM5zjcQdTa9L9pXsnligu1aw7HY8YikAe7iLAZw0_4Dz5tF0HW2ifOukvWAwA5AXYCGG3OtEVl_stCI8ywwqIwNv-wO9PfFJvlr63eMU4wvUTi5qL19RAa41xtKR3VP6G4/s640/blogger-image--838540225.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuVxFp_hTgL0FoVUTO7TN_F35d36xJSGsDdcxh8uVB51pBUpu6R-QpojRD1bAYBGQnC4YDBADv5quXLL8NdWwg5VdWmkPBT2XCkmdFb3ffr9VQw0ozWNbys7rq9tWsEznrh3csAi0jWE/s640/blogger-image-1971714515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuVxFp_hTgL0FoVUTO7TN_F35d36xJSGsDdcxh8uVB51pBUpu6R-QpojRD1bAYBGQnC4YDBADv5quXLL8NdWwg5VdWmkPBT2XCkmdFb3ffr9VQw0ozWNbys7rq9tWsEznrh3csAi0jWE/s640/blogger-image-1971714515.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Yes, I know...lots of pictures. But, every five steps down the narrow walkway led to a new opening with a slightly different view. This one has our ship in it:<br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fAyRNeFhkjY28fhGvEUPSDmyjG2Cops5iqkUTZbEg7cOmA8Y1s0kzu0X07-SYzVw5reJceYbM1VntWSbSSpyGuUk5jB7f6j9k-lnNpY6nc7jKstxaaBMTIcQazRC42_52_VmLs3RSto/s640/blogger-image-1049035715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fAyRNeFhkjY28fhGvEUPSDmyjG2Cops5iqkUTZbEg7cOmA8Y1s0kzu0X07-SYzVw5reJceYbM1VntWSbSSpyGuUk5jB7f6j9k-lnNpY6nc7jKstxaaBMTIcQazRC42_52_VmLs3RSto/s640/blogger-image-1049035715.jpg" /></a></div>
We eventually left Oia and moved onto the larger town of Fira, also still up high on the island, but with a view of the other side. It was some sort of national holiday, so there were banners hanging thorughout the streets. This stop was less about the tour, since our guide pretty much just dropped us off at the end of the street of markets and let us go. So, I don't know much more than there is a lot of souvenir shopping and a lot of gold.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYSA9QdH6H34JRrzwHFGwGWkMMMIhQNLUdPnvQq1pbQusmXtY-w97OCzHyGksEqCWtd8Ihk_HmeCjc7O8pmyxPVkJTDo5eJ7rQ84eLsOpIMVkakhmZwAn8sUt-jVXmdjakKi8bQPCc9Y/s640/blogger-image-1131901985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYSA9QdH6H34JRrzwHFGwGWkMMMIhQNLUdPnvQq1pbQusmXtY-w97OCzHyGksEqCWtd8Ihk_HmeCjc7O8pmyxPVkJTDo5eJ7rQ84eLsOpIMVkakhmZwAn8sUt-jVXmdjakKi8bQPCc9Y/s640/blogger-image-1131901985.jpg" /></a></div>
We had lunch at a little restaurant...with a view, of course. It was nice to not be rushed off to something else immediately, so we took our time. Not too much, though, because it was getting really cool in the shade of the umbrellas.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucjCmKoUk7A8lNzYOZR7PStRUhs1zXWDzr3IjllySiWc1LSUMhBQvhmC8JDgZpyYiqiPXQ9Qs2G4slxZm-zQVrpT9_zegEarCtsrCHoTHrJuwKNwLiumOYSEngUya9pUmIkEF1quvFFg/s640/blogger-image--987592964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucjCmKoUk7A8lNzYOZR7PStRUhs1zXWDzr3IjllySiWc1LSUMhBQvhmC8JDgZpyYiqiPXQ9Qs2G4slxZm-zQVrpT9_zegEarCtsrCHoTHrJuwKNwLiumOYSEngUya9pUmIkEF1quvFFg/s640/blogger-image--987592964.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aX2D9yMJFnYuVGs6v8w6eyF4WdSibZqxJ0kp1HoCwK3vuox9NdIVmumBlXUoJQ-HpwZ16gktbuzTfAA8kjdlxfFoPUZY_QN5z2r02dFtliKEWyRxsajrevTEN1FzE7HjG4JDjBKvCcQ/s640/blogger-image--1043580812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aX2D9yMJFnYuVGs6v8w6eyF4WdSibZqxJ0kp1HoCwK3vuox9NdIVmumBlXUoJQ-HpwZ16gktbuzTfAA8kjdlxfFoPUZY_QN5z2r02dFtliKEWyRxsajrevTEN1FzE7HjG4JDjBKvCcQ/s640/blogger-image--1043580812.jpg" /></a></div>
After lunch we shopped a little more in the narrow, jam-packed streets. That Idea shop looks really cool from the sign, but it was just one of hundreds of junky souvenir shops. I've seen enough of that stuff to last a lifetime...oh, and here I am writing this while sitting in Venice with views of at least a dozen of the same type of stands. These have Venetian masks instead of Santorini tote bags, but it's all the same.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBqe2vWapusd4ps3_7Ap0bPVUmq95Udb44xiDi3DK-N84fVHHLd9XdRFlaZsuTBdXp6U_JyO70Wgwyf6RW3HBm99cJgQS86fumjyJprT1bqryWSsk3uVniOK8Ot1pKmKPW-UbyZYkCTk/s640/blogger-image--1015443035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBqe2vWapusd4ps3_7Ap0bPVUmq95Udb44xiDi3DK-N84fVHHLd9XdRFlaZsuTBdXp6U_JyO70Wgwyf6RW3HBm99cJgQS86fumjyJprT1bqryWSsk3uVniOK8Ot1pKmKPW-UbyZYkCTk/s640/blogger-image--1015443035.jpg" /></a></div>
The finale to that day's adventures was the gondola ride down the side of the mountain. We waited in line for a little more than an hour to catch it. All the while, we got to listen to the naĆÆve and ridiculous conversation of the young newlyweds behind us. B and I just rolled our eyes and celebrated our cynicism. The waiting line wound it's way through several streets, so the dynamics of the crowd bringing social norms from all around the world made it interesting, to say the least.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsqGxgHBiYQynSwS1qbHTcjRdix1Qix71-XVAVQS5NFh1fzT-8LCvG3S6b3Xw2UQ16If1L5GqiN1dJDIFanoduTzMWQNVI3QkHFb8eXfcKIZqwbIR8MM5Uh7PY7F4YXi6_C89lE5PnAM/s640/blogger-image-2000123257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsqGxgHBiYQynSwS1qbHTcjRdix1Qix71-XVAVQS5NFh1fzT-8LCvG3S6b3Xw2UQ16If1L5GqiN1dJDIFanoduTzMWQNVI3QkHFb8eXfcKIZqwbIR8MM5Uh7PY7F4YXi6_C89lE5PnAM/s640/blogger-image-2000123257.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My fear of heights stayed at bay during the quick jaunt down the cliffs, probably because I was so relieved to be out of the line and off my feet! </div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-24739573196772860572015-10-28T13:17:00.001-05:002015-11-01T10:18:59.357-06:00On to Kusadasi and EphesusWe entered the Turkish port at Kusadasi on a beautiful, mild, sunny morning and prepped for our shore excursion to the ruins at Ephesus. The weather has been great this week, but it's always right on the brink of being too cold. I didn't pack quite right for this trip, but I'm working the layered look, which is actually a good thing when the sunny and shady spots can jump from hot to cool in moments.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jyn_t1UvwgIgaPczoDvE-yYxuox0X5HNZnFqHgjLTroGWnxaLO2gEua6x8qq0wBojRMvGROvWp-BwZqnLX4PbuwZ5FVpoqwdU3wZZ-SpbOn0V04G_c-HIrQdMonVS5LYLuMrh56H1mE/s640/blogger-image-1599470131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jyn_t1UvwgIgaPczoDvE-yYxuox0X5HNZnFqHgjLTroGWnxaLO2gEua6x8qq0wBojRMvGROvWp-BwZqnLX4PbuwZ5FVpoqwdU3wZZ-SpbOn0V04G_c-HIrQdMonVS5LYLuMrh56H1mE/s640/blogger-image-1599470131.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our big bus, jammed to the brim with almost 50 people, made its first stop near Ephesus to see the house of the Virgin Mary. This is apparently a very spirtual site as you can see by the sponsored signage and the compact marketplace jammed with intense and aggressive souvenir mongers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOPKrSpaYmaSyw1T4QMKERF428Tzz9TZ25SbpQVThS7CgGopCbiSfhslEjEVoPRBz09XEHd2NYDNT6jCxdiMsW0sg205JXZtiRu_iScK_3NBvW9WgwxW5wNYVA6taC2MIfTNm10lmU-k/s640/blogger-image--1689497708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOPKrSpaYmaSyw1T4QMKERF428Tzz9TZ25SbpQVThS7CgGopCbiSfhslEjEVoPRBz09XEHd2NYDNT6jCxdiMsW0sg205JXZtiRu_iScK_3NBvW9WgwxW5wNYVA6taC2MIfTNm10lmU-k/s640/blogger-image--1689497708.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I drew a little picture of one of the market stalls...in spite of the cognitive dissonance between a serene, sacred space and the commercialization, the colors and shapes were lovely. Pashmina scarves, some real but mostly fake, are a big deal in every market stall. This little drawing will get more watercolors at some point. I had to catch the bus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBzN7c40DvIhLliJPbWcjMMhVzibeAxwaolZCXi5mv_J-8GHlW0EK8evcgCfSOSzIts0A0QI__azqWAnKrYI0c6yC4we-sRhLFYTMB7H_dkKiwVwJEYKq1_gxgCT1OwGo40JJw57QQ90/s640/blogger-image-1719174429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBzN7c40DvIhLliJPbWcjMMhVzibeAxwaolZCXi5mv_J-8GHlW0EK8evcgCfSOSzIts0A0QI__azqWAnKrYI0c6yC4we-sRhLFYTMB7H_dkKiwVwJEYKq1_gxgCT1OwGo40JJw57QQ90/s640/blogger-image-1719174429.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's just one example of a marketplace near Ephesus. <br><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSrHF26FvdbauRMUwiwR67JRuThnY3qsF-tltnC-aWvuroroIiBq6M8zKM5aUQ38t6V8sFQqzazCmrs5HWIzfqm4HbkbdVxuhohpKFMDfciM5fQqK3sHfY4hb2xQoUa3CgDQyTMCrnJI/s640/blogger-image-827571079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSrHF26FvdbauRMUwiwR67JRuThnY3qsF-tltnC-aWvuroroIiBq6M8zKM5aUQ38t6V8sFQqzazCmrs5HWIzfqm4HbkbdVxuhohpKFMDfciM5fQqK3sHfY4hb2xQoUa3CgDQyTMCrnJI/s640/blogger-image-827571079.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And some luscious local pomegranates. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4c6u9BprhqqL7s8vkFOjPcTWZ_Dcp-mjYB0Gdaxusjmg6F8xo3RIvAGPwhcHsHY78MEngle1H2BNv9YVhnrq0jmpUYrnT-JNA3wIj5_125ihH2mRnK9qrqg1juy6UKeWYvdBbt3z6BY/s640/blogger-image-1514897422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4c6u9BprhqqL7s8vkFOjPcTWZ_Dcp-mjYB0Gdaxusjmg6F8xo3RIvAGPwhcHsHY78MEngle1H2BNv9YVhnrq0jmpUYrnT-JNA3wIj5_125ihH2mRnK9qrqg1juy6UKeWYvdBbt3z6BY/s640/blogger-image-1514897422.jpg"></a></div><div>This eyeball motif is found everywhere as it's designed to ward off evil spirits. There are tons of beads that have the pattern, but I loved this lamp that was hanging in one of the little coffee shops where we stopped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina7UwDKPBX96RVOGbK2udFxYIn6o7aLqW_6cpRzwfRdp_KDPgqw88N09Q1hsMc5eFoSIt8ZCss0TMy1VIJGRZZ8PbD-ZFUx2V33_0uDe9nsQ4r-qicsgEMjBXG_E_2MjEG61k4EMU15g/s640/blogger-image-1579270099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina7UwDKPBX96RVOGbK2udFxYIn6o7aLqW_6cpRzwfRdp_KDPgqw88N09Q1hsMc5eFoSIt8ZCss0TMy1VIJGRZZ8PbD-ZFUx2V33_0uDe9nsQ4r-qicsgEMjBXG_E_2MjEG61k4EMU15g/s640/blogger-image-1579270099.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our stop at the Virgin's House, we took a short bus ride with our guide, Tan (which sounds like "Tom" when it's pronounced) to the ruins at Ephesus. What an amazing excavation! Tan was a great guide and was able to fill us in on details about the market place, library and why some things look the way they do. Of course, I can't remember anything very interesting to share here, but that's why the Google exists!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz9ChMXNeajnv8_-JnLHKzk-Ta7d7tcc4sAccyZ6lUbtTWtcxSKVycHwvs_GRH7ahodnKxq2sEkTdYrB_80_gQ9m4TJTbk7cQgFdUZT7Xgq7ksC8VzONHmMVnAxIyZ9drI3A8-vDm_XI/s640/blogger-image-1869988744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdz9ChMXNeajnv8_-JnLHKzk-Ta7d7tcc4sAccyZ6lUbtTWtcxSKVycHwvs_GRH7ahodnKxq2sEkTdYrB_80_gQ9m4TJTbk7cQgFdUZT7Xgq7ksC8VzONHmMVnAxIyZ9drI3A8-vDm_XI/s640/blogger-image-1869988744.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I made a couple of stops to do some sketches on pieces of A4-sized watercolor paper. I took an online travel sketching class (okay, I signed up for it and only watched one lesson...haaaaa) so I was trying to follow his example and just do gestural sketching to catch the flavor of the scene. For me, it's more about helping to plant the memory of the time and place than actually make a piece of work.</div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqHHKdsXkrxSXL2sqWsBcJWFkZHq24tLHyfA6ibpou08mqBX2upc7_8x5H2xFJ3GOdUcw3EwtU9Ex93yzfDGS9Gj0hitUGGX5wDtWl15mMsVjGx7G85hYf9N8pX0Ac_vKGya1rdv0wZs/s640/blogger-image-911883499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqHHKdsXkrxSXL2sqWsBcJWFkZHq24tLHyfA6ibpou08mqBX2upc7_8x5H2xFJ3GOdUcw3EwtU9Ex93yzfDGS9Gj0hitUGGX5wDtWl15mMsVjGx7G85hYf9N8pX0Ac_vKGya1rdv0wZs/s640/blogger-image-911883499.jpg"></a></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We saw this winged beauty: the Goddess Nike. In just a few days, she is going to be put into a more climate-controlled environment out of public view for several years, so we were lucky to see her in person!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C4CY7K6nel10FNFidpF0iF8mZKA1-xxvOhR4-BFgXc08t-C7kjWIlKxBuSKxOhl8B3ekufwIXaTOdxB9rfmQsGf3VEWnQMWi-xeeE0_5PZdpWM5uUOWEmZDO728OlAJGGtCNdeQD7eU/s640/blogger-image-104903472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C4CY7K6nel10FNFidpF0iF8mZKA1-xxvOhR4-BFgXc08t-C7kjWIlKxBuSKxOhl8B3ekufwIXaTOdxB9rfmQsGf3VEWnQMWi-xeeE0_5PZdpWM5uUOWEmZDO728OlAJGGtCNdeQD7eU/s640/blogger-image-104903472.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Enjoying the sun amidst the ruins (while not paying attention to our guide who was talking to us through little transmitter ear pieces.)</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTLs_ZseAuKfOXLxXQfIuDGvR4oxDtn8BJjAVY3OAb-mTO44Jw_z6rJAE2K-6CZzGjK1DP0KBM2fmDMxZoD5Y5FmZAE8ZfDD8WO4CU4lyePV5Nb8GjbiDtLX7Wg2wTzMMF8iOnVkhkng/s640/blogger-image--1950861045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTLs_ZseAuKfOXLxXQfIuDGvR4oxDtn8BJjAVY3OAb-mTO44Jw_z6rJAE2K-6CZzGjK1DP0KBM2fmDMxZoD5Y5FmZAE8ZfDD8WO4CU4lyePV5Nb8GjbiDtLX7Wg2wTzMMF8iOnVkhkng/s640/blogger-image--1950861045.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tan reported that there are 265 cats living amidst the Ephesian ruins. They were lounging in all sorts of places and seemed wonderfully content. Since I'm a full-fledged cat lady, it was nice to see their sweet faces. Plus, it was even nicer to hear that they are all cared for by the caretakers of the site. The number is exact because that's how many were recently fixed and treated by veterinarians.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sqBjteg-1e_lVE-l4xJJve4jhZUbFd06oBGruYsuS6yCZNjVyzMiJ46tValNdzGgMGzWNbwgsJqFVkyofE6J-5ik0KqglXdl0uL87_xqF3FZte5PhTuMmgzInHnph9tNUnwdk3ml60k/s640/blogger-image--1350126533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sqBjteg-1e_lVE-l4xJJve4jhZUbFd06oBGruYsuS6yCZNjVyzMiJ46tValNdzGgMGzWNbwgsJqFVkyofE6J-5ik0KqglXdl0uL87_xqF3FZte5PhTuMmgzInHnph9tNUnwdk3ml60k/s640/blogger-image--1350126533.jpg"></a></div>There's a ton of gorgeous texture and patina that will be wonderfully inspiring for future collage and painting work...at least I can see it in my imagination.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJdF5W6xk8mC1Iu79zZAiGrALJnTj-NojJiuYqLO9FzgbheZaVvkbKLgN40y-zhGgb2_-zvKgITChkTixEzSczWfrOQk9SvwysL897mXTRDoUmuyl8YppisgRs1wNYM65ZpxV-6yfsLk/s640/blogger-image-665482967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJdF5W6xk8mC1Iu79zZAiGrALJnTj-NojJiuYqLO9FzgbheZaVvkbKLgN40y-zhGgb2_-zvKgITChkTixEzSczWfrOQk9SvwysL897mXTRDoUmuyl8YppisgRs1wNYM65ZpxV-6yfsLk/s640/blogger-image-665482967.jpg"></a></div>After following Tan for a while, he let us go wander for about thirty minutes to explore the Celsus Library, built in 117 AD. Isn't that just crazy? <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZD2izau_B_kzWHHk4Oi7PK0GyXg-JJQ6QxU69X1ZT_xTzDhu2B9rtuIRJ1VkFj467xtBEYtMMIwbtssmCWe30azGWJ7T7SNCEgYXX5kno1E4lCgrEyJMQTlb_zwWCf_OG2qy6fd4ouA/s640/blogger-image--416527125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZD2izau_B_kzWHHk4Oi7PK0GyXg-JJQ6QxU69X1ZT_xTzDhu2B9rtuIRJ1VkFj467xtBEYtMMIwbtssmCWe30azGWJ7T7SNCEgYXX5kno1E4lCgrEyJMQTlb_zwWCf_OG2qy6fd4ouA/s640/blogger-image--416527125.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used that time for a little pen and paper action. Perspective and line...it's hard! haaaaaa I find it a little amusing that I can look up at something and see a line, concentrate on the direction, and then when my pen puts it down it doesn't match. Eventually, I hope it will be a little closer from seeing to ink, but it's going to take some practice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5muXrdIgbm8pV88TjUA8FfkVaLtZgJdN5osr7xnWzLP0ZGLkF1OOdI8Bl5oxitJBtvwxhZvcG29cSWlTAOrmMq7Xh3fsPtTqOnDiuPtorCEgUfBzqFKuzPT3FlhhANqzHxrBled21cM/s640/blogger-image-277849869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5muXrdIgbm8pV88TjUA8FfkVaLtZgJdN5osr7xnWzLP0ZGLkF1OOdI8Bl5oxitJBtvwxhZvcG29cSWlTAOrmMq7Xh3fsPtTqOnDiuPtorCEgUfBzqFKuzPT3FlhhANqzHxrBled21cM/s640/blogger-image-277849869.jpg"></font></a></div>We all got back on the bus and left those ruins to visit some more at the Basilica of St. John. I was more excited about the cats than the tour guide by this point in the day.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22dWE2Mqw2C2NLFgeL_C_nQUZlMG7s3TqiA1PS4qq2zlMEmwd_xqCvYoV93-_pdWPqDmnipo_KTbSB5S-PVedKy4fuYoxUnPeS7igMwoP6GN1UGqk3hYHUHMD-4YTzEey-hOI-3M86eo/s640/blogger-image-306737986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22dWE2Mqw2C2NLFgeL_C_nQUZlMG7s3TqiA1PS4qq2zlMEmwd_xqCvYoV93-_pdWPqDmnipo_KTbSB5S-PVedKy4fuYoxUnPeS7igMwoP6GN1UGqk3hYHUHMD-4YTzEey-hOI-3M86eo/s640/blogger-image-306737986.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The final adventure of the day was a presentation at a rug shop in the market area that was allegedly to tell us about how the UNESCO project helps women in the hills get skills and make these fantastic rugs. It was really just a great display of rugs for sale. I'm a huge fan of Turkish rugs, but didn't need to see quite this many after a long day wandering around. We had a little bit of time to shop and went to a few stores just to see the local flavor, but I am not a fan of the aggressive shopkeepers or the smoking in such small quarters, so we didn't stay out there for long. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUBrI8zFU78uSaS7e_rFGGWITu_Hcl6hn_rsspkVfr5XlXkSWhd7RRyfhSqqIJbv4v3vedeK1kERkBGqg_uPgNPO3AZwmiYFfGoIJzEFwFvELBXhOWBR3TgaSXDw0o0Ui11Mox2ZIvzE/s640/blogger-image-2100720303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUBrI8zFU78uSaS7e_rFGGWITu_Hcl6hn_rsspkVfr5XlXkSWhd7RRyfhSqqIJbv4v3vedeK1kERkBGqg_uPgNPO3AZwmiYFfGoIJzEFwFvELBXhOWBR3TgaSXDw0o0Ui11Mox2ZIvzE/s640/blogger-image-2100720303.jpg"></a></div>We were very happy to be back on the ship--safe and sound with our little friend to greet us in our stateroom!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideSM_bWju1Q00vKq587HNmXOzE-UpsI4xIGwIemiHMvWZUoQqNWMEDjTsS3ibi-ZJxwHwUMd-SV6PAN7EpbEepZDoT2zQjSXKsIKgbUkt54gZK2X7cPAPhq-j1qVxwtfXrYu_9SD2LGo/s640/blogger-image-1664025738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideSM_bWju1Q00vKq587HNmXOzE-UpsI4xIGwIemiHMvWZUoQqNWMEDjTsS3ibi-ZJxwHwUMd-SV6PAN7EpbEepZDoT2zQjSXKsIKgbUkt54gZK2X7cPAPhq-j1qVxwtfXrYu_9SD2LGo/s640/blogger-image-1664025738.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The room was crazy small, but we made it work. The spittle of water out of the bathroom faucet was terribly frustrating when it came to brushing teeth and washing faces. But, for a week of adventure, we lived with it. Next up...Greece!</div></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-90944594104543832022015-10-28T10:13:00.001-05:002015-10-30T02:14:51.660-05:00Art at SeaDay three was an "at sea" day, so we spent time wandering around the ship. I woke up with a massive headache (because the late dinner the previous night was yummy...and the wine must have made it even better!) In spite of the throbbing in my brain, I enjoyed a delicious hot stone massage at the spa. The vibrating sensation from the boat is a little bit strange, so it takes some acclimatization. Laying there in on the table trying to get my senses all relaxed felt different because it was like laying in a little baby's vibrating sleeper seat. The table I'm sitting at right now in the solarium writing this is vibrating like that. It's not necessarily unpleasant, but I'd prefer not to be quite so bouncy.<div><br></div><div>Anyway, the massage was nice...complete with Enya's Sail Away playing in the background. Made me laugh. I moved onto a pedicure and was tucked in a little corner of the salon with a lovely view of the Greek islands we were passing by. Pulled out my book and pencils for a little work while enjoying a little toe pampering. My feet were delighted to be out of boots! I got some Cobb Hill boots especially for this trip and they have been fantastic. Would highly recommend them.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3zGfmdSofVyzMWg2P12VhMFJCIqcJTag1eNbDGD9bBIW-mylBJAz2_WAqfk-zTVAVAWqRV35AWKrxtdaCePPsgnySqaIjDa78U52sOl1TTbablyuVn8BdlprueSSvDmZ6yk8oMCPXfs/s640/blogger-image-905892373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3zGfmdSofVyzMWg2P12VhMFJCIqcJTag1eNbDGD9bBIW-mylBJAz2_WAqfk-zTVAVAWqRV35AWKrxtdaCePPsgnySqaIjDa78U52sOl1TTbablyuVn8BdlprueSSvDmZ6yk8oMCPXfs/s640/blogger-image-905892373.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I took a screenshot from my phone to show exactly where we were while I was sitting there. So neat to be out in the middle of all that blue.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-bY-r-eS0QI7igRTA5__wye88vAv8T_tmDjOSVXsDUHR5jVfU59nvIgaJXQ6eyQEk8tnYCHUcD7VoDg9HlHuZOzgOtlV3DPUk9Px4L6GHkB-5h-0HiUk_CokKaxI_oJTjwmHVXCIT8k/s640/blogger-image--1828560414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-bY-r-eS0QI7igRTA5__wye88vAv8T_tmDjOSVXsDUHR5jVfU59nvIgaJXQ6eyQEk8tnYCHUcD7VoDg9HlHuZOzgOtlV3DPUk9Px4L6GHkB-5h-0HiUk_CokKaxI_oJTjwmHVXCIT8k/s640/blogger-image--1828560414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Inspired by that blue all around us, I did a quick little mermaid while having coffee. I slept for a few hours and then got a beer...headache finally went away. I used my new Epic Pen that Jane recommends. One of my new art buds from Paris, Kristina, who is also a champion art supply hoarder/collector, had an extra pen and let me have it. Thank you!! A funny story on these pens...Jane is a professional artist and her endorsement of supplies means they are generally going to be amazing. So, she adores these carbon ink fountain pens--Epic Pens--and talks about them frequently in lessons and social media. We had a great laugh when she told us about a hashtag gone awry on a tweet she put out a while ago: "Can't wait for the weekend! #epicpenisawesome" See it? haaaaaaaaa</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGirVkMaXKrrxx873LYn-EevaJLCsVaa2jRQApqAl2Edk121gTjBtWAJqo7OQDxystY2v-VRRVmIF03Tb-D3rcDX002wCYQ-SAd5sO-pouNWklYWRQhKQMDWne7c74yHVAWts6zbILhk/s640/blogger-image--514954142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGirVkMaXKrrxx873LYn-EevaJLCsVaa2jRQApqAl2Edk121gTjBtWAJqo7OQDxystY2v-VRRVmIF03Tb-D3rcDX002wCYQ-SAd5sO-pouNWklYWRQhKQMDWne7c74yHVAWts6zbILhk/s640/blogger-image--514954142.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B and I got a little dressed up for dinner. Okay, she got dressed up wonderfully and I put on something less wrinked than usual. haaaaa We tried out the Asian restaurant, Ikumi, and had a wonderful dinner. Our server, Johnlee, took great care of us. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5Tl4r9pILxOTEP5T5YVuq01AtZWVeA7kV8lQ2q_inhllZwFSVhfhyphenhyphenSn7DSWEnSOBkXlvJgnCh3HQdXwCHpu-Rqc2uxtpQWj4dLweBbNGl08tGT1aYWlFlsEeUg7JpAjsQDpC85cgufE/s640/blogger-image-127834407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5Tl4r9pILxOTEP5T5YVuq01AtZWVeA7kV8lQ2q_inhllZwFSVhfhyphenhyphenSn7DSWEnSOBkXlvJgnCh3HQdXwCHpu-Rqc2uxtpQWj4dLweBbNGl08tGT1aYWlFlsEeUg7JpAjsQDpC85cgufE/s640/blogger-image-127834407.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This sushi roll was the biggest one I've seen in person and I got through most of it. <font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2BivPWUQ3nH1jvl1aRg1cKGMmKJW4EZCgOv0nTZHW9Es3HcDjleStuejuLyB86ft4W_ZgVNYudZ7ETjSZafbcwqrpF3a8Gl-UKK2KXHNA90eS83JJF2vAw9eJLpRz0japwMoYHg9JYM/s640/blogger-image--1553112423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2BivPWUQ3nH1jvl1aRg1cKGMmKJW4EZCgOv0nTZHW9Es3HcDjleStuejuLyB86ft4W_ZgVNYudZ7ETjSZafbcwqrpF3a8Gl-UKK2KXHNA90eS83JJF2vAw9eJLpRz0japwMoYHg9JYM/s640/blogger-image--1553112423.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I enjoyed every delectable sodium-drenched bite, I could only image the eye bags that lovely salt would cause in the morning! I wasn't disappointed. I'll spare you the pic of that prettiness!</span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-23890338488129146552015-10-27T01:02:00.001-05:002015-10-30T06:51:19.375-05:00Port o' Call: DubrovnikOur first excursion into the "wild" of international cruise travel was in Croatia. We landed at Dubrovnik, a wonderfully picturesque port, on Sunday morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9ABLtRJGbf9W9lvdp4Y9nor2vpJVQd7fgy-Y731Z0N1pqjBRfVMxb7xO4DBiK7SS6rQRZ5gzIN7CIniqEX_zi5cy1JbAIF42qkoEEyMZ6WBHNmbeXLVQd7WwkCQo9s1tWYyyarLaOJA/s640/blogger-image--810161734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9ABLtRJGbf9W9lvdp4Y9nor2vpJVQd7fgy-Y731Z0N1pqjBRfVMxb7xO4DBiK7SS6rQRZ5gzIN7CIniqEX_zi5cy1JbAIF42qkoEEyMZ6WBHNmbeXLVQd7WwkCQo9s1tWYyyarLaOJA/s640/blogger-image--810161734.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we sailed into port, B and I got up on the 11th deck to see the land as we approached and got a few pictures. Since this was our first "land" stop, it was really amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRotw6DouheqNq7JVCRH0tkKJK-jVMaZ705moJlmOQwurh36adsQ2MmFGtELz9SImuKmRIygV9DuhtgKXP2f9MqGp0E0KGrgXrWpq533y2MCxztNE-3On07v92LUltRuFMuUvms7N_5rg/s640/blogger-image-1363098733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRotw6DouheqNq7JVCRH0tkKJK-jVMaZ705moJlmOQwurh36adsQ2MmFGtELz9SImuKmRIygV9DuhtgKXP2f9MqGp0E0KGrgXrWpq533y2MCxztNE-3On07v92LUltRuFMuUvms7N_5rg/s640/blogger-image-1363098733.jpg"></a></font><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We signed up for the "dune buggy" excursion and it was an awesome day! Started out after we got off the ship with a tiny van--about 20 people loaded into it--winding its way up the narrow roads to the top of a mountain. We grew up in Pennsylvania, which has plenty of winding roads up and down ridges, but this was a new kind of winding road. B was by the window, so she got the full experience of just how close we were to the edge. No matter what, though, our driver was some kind of hero and we got all the way to the top. From that vantage point we could see the entire old city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXE5roGxMLXy2z0iBONkW2RlxfZ7ptTOSPsVArTzLV4xVfyenWweqF6BYKftb-jipSE0_6mLG_YyGLQnuNGh82b1H2xl-WJDx6YePKQyY3k-rJedFqSOh62BlKNd03RM2PgXK3DLYVvzs/s640/blogger-image--1289248170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXE5roGxMLXy2z0iBONkW2RlxfZ7ptTOSPsVArTzLV4xVfyenWweqF6BYKftb-jipSE0_6mLG_YyGLQnuNGh82b1H2xl-WJDx6YePKQyY3k-rJedFqSOh62BlKNd03RM2PgXK3DLYVvzs/s640/blogger-image--1289248170.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had to take shifts among our group for the buggies, so we got a chance to have a quick little lunch. I did some sketching and was even able to get out the paints to try to capture some of the moment.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQXSGrlmsyep39RvNl38EYLhQKuhzLjtUnSyEzPmLLuOhsMwT8RI-1zuo4UFGW62MVsjAcQto6JT9UP_Ie4eoXQoJfyUZaIBs9bgiC735uT5wLuHTXbmLq7B74Jjk22ANek37CGXVrsA/s640/blogger-image-504473843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQXSGrlmsyep39RvNl38EYLhQKuhzLjtUnSyEzPmLLuOhsMwT8RI-1zuo4UFGW62MVsjAcQto6JT9UP_Ie4eoXQoJfyUZaIBs9bgiC735uT5wLuHTXbmLq7B74Jjk22ANek37CGXVrsA/s640/blogger-image-504473843.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Watercolors and beef carpaccio. With that view, anything is a perfect combination. We only had about seven minutes to eat, though, so we wolfed down as much as we could and then headed up to meet the buggy folks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJXAwlkCHlXuaDro_PwvDundIytCRc4aijEuJG1BHjXa_WqehlTUt4NqEkmucgMYoVYHgBGJNboKdVqIzRHQjKdPsmPIr9dWW5ac1QvX_sVvRaqgL0M4yFzdUK2pMeMVbRC7FMVkCHlY/s640/blogger-image--36836605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJXAwlkCHlXuaDro_PwvDundIytCRc4aijEuJG1BHjXa_WqehlTUt4NqEkmucgMYoVYHgBGJNboKdVqIzRHQjKdPsmPIr9dWW5ac1QvX_sVvRaqgL0M4yFzdUK2pMeMVbRC7FMVkCHlY/s640/blogger-image--36836605.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-9KZtsWoaXciX5cew0S90V5tMBL3fmiex5huDnTAFGWJSNCWx29a5I2ZS8FhFTYRpQyoojwtXR0tau7ud2kXJz0YcG__LicTyIKKz4lZJOF3H7vo2c_dzDLGIVYkW3YQiqHac54Ca4I/s640/blogger-image--546800268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-9KZtsWoaXciX5cew0S90V5tMBL3fmiex5huDnTAFGWJSNCWx29a5I2ZS8FhFTYRpQyoojwtXR0tau7ud2kXJz0YcG__LicTyIKKz4lZJOF3H7vo2c_dzDLGIVYkW3YQiqHac54Ca4I/s640/blogger-image--546800268.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Helmets and hairnets on...we were ready to roll! It was like a bunch of awesome auto shop dudes got together and made these carts out of leftover parts. I love me some auto shop dudes, but this was a little scary! haaaaaaa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXQjmZZ0mIpPldca72rFs91NohGUGac_V27VlcmVKrdagAzxWFvnT09kDDTbOY-sXXKq0MuTpD0BpbzPSqFzxKcDzA20s4Tgg2jlNCV7M-lY_HYWF2NUip7zH6ewYj_WR1uwecMvkpMo/s640/blogger-image--953133922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXQjmZZ0mIpPldca72rFs91NohGUGac_V27VlcmVKrdagAzxWFvnT09kDDTbOY-sXXKq0MuTpD0BpbzPSqFzxKcDzA20s4Tgg2jlNCV7M-lY_HYWF2NUip7zH6ewYj_WR1uwecMvkpMo/s640/blogger-image--953133922.jpg"></a></div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQzy7id0hLTxBb-beMiLKypSm-FG7D4moYnk2-hTapjLkRE95cWuzS8qnEhoWvf6_qK9eYorQmfKU3GJiXCsnj8JqWJAdN43GCD6vvIg83K3Iq90KDAMlqk4cM5Vda0nPpgNyRNcTxEY/s640/blogger-image-1058908183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQzy7id0hLTxBb-beMiLKypSm-FG7D4moYnk2-hTapjLkRE95cWuzS8qnEhoWvf6_qK9eYorQmfKU3GJiXCsnj8JqWJAdN43GCD6vvIg83K3Iq90KDAMlqk4cM5Vda0nPpgNyRNcTxEY/s640/blogger-image-1058908183.jpg"></a></font></div><div>The group that went before us came back splattered with mud, so we were a little bit worried about how this whole thing was going to go. B drove first.</div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp8PhJHE64wEM_jex7tlijRVTecYBDIF_vIi_qZnlZDz4HqH7WNRHy8xU5tezYyRfZHXCE26QsYYHWTSSrSHteJVT-9V1qg4WMvblVdu8cl3Atk5qQVXtuWilCjju10PnA6qy3d5c6bo/s640/blogger-image--1040054493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp8PhJHE64wEM_jex7tlijRVTecYBDIF_vIi_qZnlZDz4HqH7WNRHy8xU5tezYyRfZHXCE26QsYYHWTSSrSHteJVT-9V1qg4WMvblVdu8cl3Atk5qQVXtuWilCjju10PnA6qy3d5c6bo/s640/blogger-image--1040054493.jpg"></a></font></div><div>It was a nice trail, but very much a four-wheeling adventure kind of road. We bounced and jostled and laughed and it was awesome!</div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SShbMyUpmx3bwNxIwKvBdnTula9P6wcjAzI7-dknTNLYDdRrSlK6AzMb67lqimfd3pGe9ZdUQrGp96ALegxMNe439qqf_OZ0BubbqZrAgFIlOmKnf5JvopGNWnr1ZoH9uCOAvpamuj0/s640/blogger-image--1510608383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SShbMyUpmx3bwNxIwKvBdnTula9P6wcjAzI7-dknTNLYDdRrSlK6AzMb67lqimfd3pGe9ZdUQrGp96ALegxMNe439qqf_OZ0BubbqZrAgFIlOmKnf5JvopGNWnr1ZoH9uCOAvpamuj0/s640/blogger-image--1510608383.jpg"></a></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We stopped along the trail and explored this setting...a defensive position of the Croatian forces from the early '90s. There were markers for four fighters who died there during a Bosnian attack. Very surreal to know that I have friends who flew in or supported that conflict in all sorts of ways. I was actually stationed at Wright-Patterson during the Dayton talks.</span></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KEcqjGNvNJKI_CCVPFEwWSEUh7HUvs4FiMOFtdtAxxI2QWXJaeagKv_FMAE-Sio2U20RlGXEIPL05eAzSmDqeT67CZBDgw24sfMB0bNtprRff3t-F8TvVt1iVkke1a_Zkv8mqQfFCc4/s640/blogger-image--668419422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KEcqjGNvNJKI_CCVPFEwWSEUh7HUvs4FiMOFtdtAxxI2QWXJaeagKv_FMAE-Sio2U20RlGXEIPL05eAzSmDqeT67CZBDgw24sfMB0bNtprRff3t-F8TvVt1iVkke1a_Zkv8mqQfFCc4/s640/blogger-image--668419422.jpg"></a></font></div><div>Aside from standing in the middle of what was once a modern-day battleground, the view of the islands and of our cruise ship was fanstastic.</div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu3SfZOvCvyK5B6qA76Z4OEaYKjaiE7QsKZOKFx-nRtTch5EBk2-I8GN1unn0i0GKRZYcttvEVBfFjM0z8fqp_QZjgeAL0iX6O_oy3BUG-hHGN1m3prt058-dfJpOWAhy4yP64g1QRdY/s640/blogger-image--560870747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu3SfZOvCvyK5B6qA76Z4OEaYKjaiE7QsKZOKFx-nRtTch5EBk2-I8GN1unn0i0GKRZYcttvEVBfFjM0z8fqp_QZjgeAL0iX6O_oy3BUG-hHGN1m3prt058-dfJpOWAhy4yP64g1QRdY/s640/blogger-image--560870747.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We only had three buggies (plus the leader) in our group, and two of them actually broke down during our hour-long ride. Nice odds! haaaaaa Our battery died, eventually, but we quickly got a replacement and made it back to our starting point for another crazy bus ride back to the port and onto the boat.</div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaXyfMoj6YKnyFuyijXmemvTo6nkajT1BZmL-ZMx14TYzZfSqdh0oCGk83zdDG9lv7vPIm7ssM1SCGHYqfEz2lq3PHGzz1BknhHTUkbWECdDiXFX6EQ6HmE_4P_54wdm1f1gaaMKwUc0/s640/blogger-image-1450521001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaXyfMoj6YKnyFuyijXmemvTo6nkajT1BZmL-ZMx14TYzZfSqdh0oCGk83zdDG9lv7vPIm7ssM1SCGHYqfEz2lq3PHGzz1BknhHTUkbWECdDiXFX6EQ6HmE_4P_54wdm1f1gaaMKwUc0/s640/blogger-image-1450521001.jpg"></a></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Along the road, as the sun was setting on our day, I got this quick pic from the bus of a bridge that now connects the new city of Dubrovnik with places to the north without a more roundabout drive.<br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zP7tGzFYa-GP_T-T8IKCwVHOsRbjOdSN_2Fae7sdlT2osLA_3lQwm_2akAOnyLgrlE2WOedY6PJuXSyw8F0753NcqzYYPolkXMqAUl0pO0uYpKfdItrgtxSlwAWF2o0vbKfDasqBtoA/s640/blogger-image--1972621476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zP7tGzFYa-GP_T-T8IKCwVHOsRbjOdSN_2Fae7sdlT2osLA_3lQwm_2akAOnyLgrlE2WOedY6PJuXSyw8F0753NcqzYYPolkXMqAUl0pO0uYpKfdItrgtxSlwAWF2o0vbKfDasqBtoA/s640/blogger-image--1972621476.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we got back on the boat, I laughed at this sign...just struck me as funny since we all seem to be out of our heads in large, international crowds. haaaaaa</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF2oC8Uf7Lni9ppXYTlPPQOoQDqbBHWDF82lHDE00EY9f9KUFkdGs7iDnjFAhXNkpCV847YB427x2KFXX6P_k04aQChqKwwZR60oJuoWGazaqQeI92S_wK_Tc9OkvB19Ul52ISh0Fwss/s640/blogger-image-1187078906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF2oC8Uf7Lni9ppXYTlPPQOoQDqbBHWDF82lHDE00EY9f9KUFkdGs7iDnjFAhXNkpCV847YB427x2KFXX6P_k04aQChqKwwZR60oJuoWGazaqQeI92S_wK_Tc9OkvB19Ul52ISh0Fwss/s640/blogger-image-1187078906.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-22449671094465995432015-10-26T14:20:00.001-05:002015-10-27T01:25:29.338-05:00All Aboard in VeniceTime for the next phase of this odyssey! I took a quick (and super-early) flight from Paris on Saturday morning to Venice, Italy where I joined my bff, Brandee! Just a few months ago when this trip was still a bunch of crazy ideas swarming around in my head, I called her up and posed the question about joining me on a Mediterranean cruise. Luckily, her answer was an enthusiastic "yes!" B and I have been friends for a rather long time, when you consider we've been buds since kindergarten. We lived about three houses away from each other on Juliana Street for many, many years and then did a couple of years of college together before I wandered off on my Air Force path. We don't get to see each other nearly enough, so jamming ourselves into a tiny cabin for a week is apparently the right way to keep our connection lively! haaaaaaa<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YC6nJS7hx7TsDr8L9CRFl4vyw4D-_V0y_3LlXe6ZSBvm0M49bfp6WeptmWVRNtT4wRJly1isZAzoPxQTzWf3RRlplLiQ-23Cd2AUqX26fqby-QjTqgPZ8IbFhsHKw6mETsCGwroqRNE/s640/blogger-image--1319019225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YC6nJS7hx7TsDr8L9CRFl4vyw4D-_V0y_3LlXe6ZSBvm0M49bfp6WeptmWVRNtT4wRJly1isZAzoPxQTzWf3RRlplLiQ-23Cd2AUqX26fqby-QjTqgPZ8IbFhsHKw6mETsCGwroqRNE/s640/blogger-image--1319019225.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The early flight over to Italy allowed for some amazing views of the sun rising over the Alps. I think this was Switzerland (according to the crew's announcements).</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkZosrml1BpKJ-ATJJwfm19a6QIIN-2t12Z69tXfdCA-KKQCVyeiMkNtK-veCf_TyiNV0IaIguUs5I6EG3d1p2J_ZWJC9Obbl1OXQ5buiTpiOZgE1sWSmjNm3D-4V0GEvUPLgZH9OzHI/s640/blogger-image-324747165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkZosrml1BpKJ-ATJJwfm19a6QIIN-2t12Z69tXfdCA-KKQCVyeiMkNtK-veCf_TyiNV0IaIguUs5I6EG3d1p2J_ZWJC9Obbl1OXQ5buiTpiOZgE1sWSmjNm3D-4V0GEvUPLgZH9OzHI/s640/blogger-image-324747165.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B and I somehow managed to schedule flights that arrived in Venice within minutes--and they actually did. We found each other amidst the luggage carousels with our extraordinarily heavy suitcases. We then managed to manipulate and manhandle the bags out to the waterbus station to catch the Alilaguna bus over to the cruise ship terminal. Since we had a few hours til boarding, the two-hour ride around the isles of Venice seemed like a reasonable option.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VnJ42e6D5Sqtl0KMMJJP2krwVaM6xAnmsNiCxEubuum1hPZnT7jLaG4ZIJXk4yONy0X6tShg2YNDbOOPAYwa_7e1dGKgJQSGHOhgXJCm2NaT2CD_2C2CUtLyxdCpd-OaoIjDPNHT204/s640/blogger-image-1206761756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VnJ42e6D5Sqtl0KMMJJP2krwVaM6xAnmsNiCxEubuum1hPZnT7jLaG4ZIJXk4yONy0X6tShg2YNDbOOPAYwa_7e1dGKgJQSGHOhgXJCm2NaT2CD_2C2CUtLyxdCpd-OaoIjDPNHT204/s640/blogger-image-1206761756.jpg"></a></div>Plus, it was a gorgeous sunny day so we got to see a different view of the city skyline.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6o-JkBxsXQeoH6tAdSPpXNm2WGb7bDZZdbIbHTj3FZE6UN0-v0cO1oE4fQEVmyythE2O2ryL5pkfZEV8olnn96hM3VgG8LpdD3VEfLKbLjyjrlsedEwVV99SFubCiEZj0v9QtrWTjXw/s640/blogger-image--979888498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6o-JkBxsXQeoH6tAdSPpXNm2WGb7bDZZdbIbHTj3FZE6UN0-v0cO1oE4fQEVmyythE2O2ryL5pkfZEV8olnn96hM3VgG8LpdD3VEfLKbLjyjrlsedEwVV99SFubCiEZj0v9QtrWTjXw/s640/blogger-image--979888498.jpg"></a></div>The boat's windows were filthy, so there's a bit of a natural filter on all our pics, but with all the bus's stops, we got up close to several ports. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOsDX4BnQBHsIIWeghOd3onXdpx5POkeYNLMtk23BcbkNiXbn6XhZOpRmgc5uhNWokVsljSMLMCJB9jEX6pbSgNx9O55m8jwg_8C8BpmA9naB7Vfrfg0_tfMj6rnXfY7v3eeriD3g7qs/s640/blogger-image--392078390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOsDX4BnQBHsIIWeghOd3onXdpx5POkeYNLMtk23BcbkNiXbn6XhZOpRmgc5uhNWokVsljSMLMCJB9jEX6pbSgNx9O55m8jwg_8C8BpmA9naB7Vfrfg0_tfMj6rnXfY7v3eeriD3g7qs/s640/blogger-image--392078390.jpg"></a></div>Then, we finally got to the terminal and got the unique opportunity to manipulate heavy-ass luggage up a bouncing platform and up onto the walkway to the actual port. It was like a bad carnival game but we both came out winners with only mild bruising and soreness.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjR2zCbxXTXKnriAPrAPqqgxstDXhxvYo3gBiQW1hA0bo89pgRsOEw5sVMJQ7exLE9nHvEO9o5NotSOWWNIjaGndI1018M9Vm39634MOVq4WZ7BR9JGmzaCSutZzpiXvp9hcjY7s6pr0/s640/blogger-image-1449541982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjR2zCbxXTXKnriAPrAPqqgxstDXhxvYo3gBiQW1hA0bo89pgRsOEw5sVMJQ7exLE9nHvEO9o5NotSOWWNIjaGndI1018M9Vm39634MOVq4WZ7BR9JGmzaCSutZzpiXvp9hcjY7s6pr0/s640/blogger-image-1449541982.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We made it through the check-in process and got ourselves on-board this behemoth of a vessel, the Splendour of the Seas. Just a day before the cruise, there was an email notification from Royal Caribbean that there was a possibility of a delay due to some routine maintenance at the port. For whatever reason that prompted me to go to the Google and look up "Splendour of the Seas." Lo' and behold, there was an engine fire on the ship just a day prior. Nice. There haven't been any issues and there's no smell of smoke in here anywhere that we've wandered, so I think we're good to go. They had a great emergency muster prior to leaving port, so I'm actually pretty impressed with their emergency communication plan (says the officer in me.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We departed from Venice that evening and the upper decks were jammed with people enjoying the view and taking pictures...including me. Italian music in the background and a cool breeze blowing as we took off. It was lovely.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVnSvb3ZRx6mn3kwjcQHnLdItwzfQMr6OVmYtBHweQxzwB2pm5-EyI7hD7gThkvyRTG2P9W_HBUmnwk7XCYDYrk0Xi4z8nksFznpbAhyuo28U-OtoXx-eQWz5CKKFMrQOeiURbYbkhZA/s640/blogger-image-1148776070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVnSvb3ZRx6mn3kwjcQHnLdItwzfQMr6OVmYtBHweQxzwB2pm5-EyI7hD7gThkvyRTG2P9W_HBUmnwk7XCYDYrk0Xi4z8nksFznpbAhyuo28U-OtoXx-eQWz5CKKFMrQOeiURbYbkhZA/s640/blogger-image-1148776070.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyCPntdSJZqTTCUc-SuQWGdEdf5kK8mm5xQQaKSUBvoN5LV514wnDXYopVdQrC9Xkg0D8vtjbh8UKmYTm07nlNDeRu68QI6kGcaAQsgWEzyT_dTTw-IVNyzARTuDye3VWlzSAOmHoQGw/s640/blogger-image--1089940780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyCPntdSJZqTTCUc-SuQWGdEdf5kK8mm5xQQaKSUBvoN5LV514wnDXYopVdQrC9Xkg0D8vtjbh8UKmYTm07nlNDeRu68QI6kGcaAQsgWEzyT_dTTw-IVNyzARTuDye3VWlzSAOmHoQGw/s640/blogger-image--1089940780.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since we aren't experienced cruisers (this is a first for both of us), we didn't realize the whole meal situation needed to be dealt with early. Alas, we don't have our dinner seating until 8:30 p.m. Since this is right about the time I want to go to bed, it is going to be interesting. The first night, B was just took crushed from the flight and needed a nappity-nap and that ended up lasting through the evening. So, I ventured out to dinner in the big dining room on my own. Fancy Table 54 is our assignment and, apparently, all the other guests assigned that table went off to somewhere else, too, since I sat there alone! haaaaaaa Nice. I probably could've moved over to another table and joined some other folks, but a) I don't know the cruise etiquette for taking someone else's chair...what if they show up late? and b) the waiters took extra special care of me and I had my food and wine well before all the other tables. It gave me a chance to just relax and unwind and reflect on the awesome that is my life.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH36oXJVAKTm2XfH6LZYJdYyDeWabio0L_h5HmSURrNFJWAPbvAaBWz3SeLTDUHKxh833oAv8g0vXfy_KQ-dmtv0_-dI2_rh6kcjcws_ibZBqv1d_ZIfoibwgkdH83fmTNnfFvFAeJ424/s640/blogger-image-654519397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH36oXJVAKTm2XfH6LZYJdYyDeWabio0L_h5HmSURrNFJWAPbvAaBWz3SeLTDUHKxh833oAv8g0vXfy_KQ-dmtv0_-dI2_rh6kcjcws_ibZBqv1d_ZIfoibwgkdH83fmTNnfFvFAeJ424/s640/blogger-image-654519397.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All while I enjoyed this awesome piece of horseradish-crusted salmon, of course.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LFuK00irgrAi920SFKtGCfAoMSdMJeggE7hTKhdtTOyzDH-6n1n52r_yTX0B84g6MBmcyeTh5zbs9oZYxNbsfoajdG9DCEWyOn0u_xR29iFf7rZBS6AwJprI98jhEDs3wjl0XZnDm_E/s640/blogger-image-1985256220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LFuK00irgrAi920SFKtGCfAoMSdMJeggE7hTKhdtTOyzDH-6n1n52r_yTX0B84g6MBmcyeTh5zbs9oZYxNbsfoajdG9DCEWyOn0u_xR29iFf7rZBS6AwJprI98jhEDs3wjl0XZnDm_E/s640/blogger-image-1985256220.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cruise Day 1 in the books. Docking in Croatia on Day 2!</div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-24732630194461224972015-10-24T11:25:00.001-05:002015-10-25T04:10:56.145-05:00Au Revoir!Can't believe it's over! The week absolutely flew by. I know I'm still off continuing my vacation...actually sitting here on the ninth deck of the Splendour of the Seas sailing towards Croatia as I write this...but Paris was all that I wanted and more. I was stationed at Aviano Air Base from 2001 to 2004 and did lots of traveling, but also had lots of frustration with the culture clashes and the language barriers. I had a bit of that on my mind when planning this European adventure, but am delighted at the lack of issues I had this week. Somehow, the many lessons that Madam Bowman, my high school French teacher, planted in my brain created a more stable foundation for both my actual ability to read signs and menus as well as my perceived confidence in just figuring things out! It probably helps that I'm a little bit older and wiser. haaaaaaa Heck, I'm flipping retired! That's so crazy and awesome. I wake up thankful for new, fun opportunities everyday.<div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvqjNfoFvhrvkZvmzuAEJFB_xP46-xSwmxB2VeXIR9RMwuZWudCTkavnkphRCOmcGKnpQaEKnpAtUDcHwZ0qewGewV9WRDReQEZolAnPouVOjzDMkG7Hvr26tWS-dwNwRJhVOiETt2OI/s640/blogger-image-853016907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvqjNfoFvhrvkZvmzuAEJFB_xP46-xSwmxB2VeXIR9RMwuZWudCTkavnkphRCOmcGKnpQaEKnpAtUDcHwZ0qewGewV9WRDReQEZolAnPouVOjzDMkG7Hvr26tWS-dwNwRJhVOiETt2OI/s640/blogger-image-853016907.jpg"></a></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I spent my last day in Paris just touring--well, there was a little shopping since I needed a new piece of luggage to manage everything. I teamed up with my new friend from Australia, Sam, and we ventured out to several sights and got ourselves on one of those big open-topped tour buses. So fun!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99qsAqTRD1mj0-4YpfeOJMBAKdyVeuQZ01ncC8Vm2z4dO33UQpwZYg008BcAXaxDIs_7T2kFdHYWPsiLEvQMsTZKSZrv021O2LO2kOmUHTRr8yfyeXvzs9aLIPdu45k6DhmzsyDlHEwI/s640/blogger-image-1842696197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99qsAqTRD1mj0-4YpfeOJMBAKdyVeuQZ01ncC8Vm2z4dO33UQpwZYg008BcAXaxDIs_7T2kFdHYWPsiLEvQMsTZKSZrv021O2LO2kOmUHTRr8yfyeXvzs9aLIPdu45k6DhmzsyDlHEwI/s640/blogger-image-1842696197.jpg"></a></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We started our day at l'Arc de Triomphe in the center of the Place de l'Etoile. Such an iconic structure and a symbol of honour, it was an indescribable feeling to be there beneath it. The traffic that flows around it was absolutely crazy and it was interesting to see folks just going about their days, nearly crushing one another with no semblance of lanes while this monument stands proudly and calm.<br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsJ463wCvUNdCE1azRRTsQjMUvI-F7NSY09Iue7fqv8bRnJiV1A4_9lbPDRREhnxVO-yX0XLACX2VJ3a5AaLpUKi4bSJHm6DkpRtKL9_ZcNaUHV1njCB7SW-ou7oTae6wYUWCZgkvwSg/s640/blogger-image-2110799399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsJ463wCvUNdCE1azRRTsQjMUvI-F7NSY09Iue7fqv8bRnJiV1A4_9lbPDRREhnxVO-yX0XLACX2VJ3a5AaLpUKi4bSJHm6DkpRtKL9_ZcNaUHV1njCB7SW-ou7oTae6wYUWCZgkvwSg/s640/blogger-image-2110799399.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrI3PHANmd2f3uya_Def1WLSj72Mn13-7eXwUT9ilwbcncZ_PAjOjigb1-52ckSWHhELXdbQSBRGqW1RvEf2e1LJHZ943GiPjooWFERxYG6Udme1m31YPiyFyOsF6DsxZMb2DRkh0cZs/s640/blogger-image-1346332593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrI3PHANmd2f3uya_Def1WLSj72Mn13-7eXwUT9ilwbcncZ_PAjOjigb1-52ckSWHhELXdbQSBRGqW1RvEf2e1LJHZ943GiPjooWFERxYG6Udme1m31YPiyFyOsF6DsxZMb2DRkh0cZs/s640/blogger-image-1346332593.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-nQ5Ma0x7S7GLncJGpFcZ4rCgcQWl1M3UV33Le1JLhvTeWdU7CHlHZU1M_n9qCupsriifQYTsDIsgHmVtVedBrQ29bMNn2yL2Wil1KM8eggUQObAmr-i-SfcRDStLY2lLAvl6-WlCXA/s640/blogger-image--429981562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-nQ5Ma0x7S7GLncJGpFcZ4rCgcQWl1M3UV33Le1JLhvTeWdU7CHlHZU1M_n9qCupsriifQYTsDIsgHmVtVedBrQ29bMNn2yL2Wil1KM8eggUQObAmr-i-SfcRDStLY2lLAvl6-WlCXA/s640/blogger-image--429981562.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sam saw people up at the top of the momument and just looked at me with a "what do you say" kind of look. I'm not a big fan of heights, but figured it's something we just had to do. So, we ended up in a nice short line, paid our fee, and started up 284 steps. I really needed a toilette, and wasn't sure I'd be able to spend much more than a minute up there before wandering back down to find one, but, to my amazement, about two-thirds of the way up, there's an exhibit space with shop and some nice WCs. Whew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every step was worthwhile to see this breathtaking view. I immediately got tears in my eyes, and not from the chilly breeze blowing. Just so amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoSB4dZ1pOm76HXh9f28-h5BslFZdVT1dZBAKz9FbcgVEw4HvUPKcPpfdgeJkfwE7BZigt_pzZzpP7brQ_A27l0bQAXhOGacKrXzBwbeREW2cnLqfh5IhiLnmcCi5gjw1pHd-hro519c/s640/blogger-image-1214389564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoSB4dZ1pOm76HXh9f28-h5BslFZdVT1dZBAKz9FbcgVEw4HvUPKcPpfdgeJkfwE7BZigt_pzZzpP7brQ_A27l0bQAXhOGacKrXzBwbeREW2cnLqfh5IhiLnmcCi5gjw1pHd-hro519c/s640/blogger-image-1214389564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Although my fear of heights kept me from spending too much time near the edge, I still managed to get a couple of great pics.</div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXW05XgIWPE_M1foEYqi9FW2tZBd5bovKe6iCxIc4p_l5OyyyVnfg3JZYz5UlOqQ0DuBV4CVEqbVgJq6CUWGRR6Cl97r76A06LLbJbxL8G1xWUx-EMR4dJweoaaKT2iB339_uGCV54kB8/s640/blogger-image-705988761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXW05XgIWPE_M1foEYqi9FW2tZBd5bovKe6iCxIc4p_l5OyyyVnfg3JZYz5UlOqQ0DuBV4CVEqbVgJq6CUWGRR6Cl97r76A06LLbJbxL8G1xWUx-EMR4dJweoaaKT2iB339_uGCV54kB8/s640/blogger-image-705988761.jpg"></a></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Got a little panoramic action going...just love it.<br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVyOhpnxr4ggNbfCQj545HJnbbELluPMbVLNQSk5mtvK44oxlzSo6sP9BXFWCVmoNC80cTG5ysikxaS7HgNtUdWoU9FpOcuZLIVfKqmgeXvKgfBjwT6hFSIlKvF9GaXoU_a7a9VwDeRY/s640/blogger-image--1611617328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVyOhpnxr4ggNbfCQj545HJnbbELluPMbVLNQSk5mtvK44oxlzSo6sP9BXFWCVmoNC80cTG5ysikxaS7HgNtUdWoU9FpOcuZLIVfKqmgeXvKgfBjwT6hFSIlKvF9GaXoU_a7a9VwDeRY/s640/blogger-image--1611617328.jpg"></a></div>As we rode the bus along and around their various routes, I declared that I would never drive a car in this city. Too crazy. But, although traffic was a constant, I still enjoyed seeing various corners and buildings and skylines and wrought iron accents that I hope will all find their way into my work...<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXx9SJP6Rg5OSaWB14Qq2_t25lspyXk6Oi1F2ES7hWuEMqzwHOMrFbD_gHbsw4tmbYGkKSGGOXn_rFA8GZ0mYUBa6A27OOKZeU00iMvKiJpOfe8TwyKnQw-hy-xu7UWrgKFwnm3SYLUw/s640/blogger-image--1221304213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXx9SJP6Rg5OSaWB14Qq2_t25lspyXk6Oi1F2ES7hWuEMqzwHOMrFbD_gHbsw4tmbYGkKSGGOXn_rFA8GZ0mYUBa6A27OOKZeU00iMvKiJpOfe8TwyKnQw-hy-xu7UWrgKFwnm3SYLUw/s640/blogger-image--1221304213.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We jumped off the bus at the Trocadero to get a closer look at the Eiffel Tower from below it. I broke out my Hipstamatic app on the phone and started playing a bit to really highlight the perspective.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYeUN1qY9ptYljY6fZ6VPs8xRxUP5jta_LEjaRu_PaJ_JLGAcBjB-JRSckZlLXDhUymH8IXTEk3VUHEs1VHP1sPa44Hu8TetRiNGbkbfIpbxr3QiS5KAkg5cGtfgjqXbQXGzx4wv4R8E/s640/blogger-image--524760070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYeUN1qY9ptYljY6fZ6VPs8xRxUP5jta_LEjaRu_PaJ_JLGAcBjB-JRSckZlLXDhUymH8IXTEk3VUHEs1VHP1sPa44Hu8TetRiNGbkbfIpbxr3QiS5KAkg5cGtfgjqXbQXGzx4wv4R8E/s640/blogger-image--524760070.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbJWtmm54Jq62ADor86WVZ6ba1aMrnTOMuwLSGTpWOtsFmkrnDGV8gi07rDe1_zZeDA6V0NI0J9g-DkwrSCE3-q4ZCfWhL14PbMNOW8FW-hYHNN7ooqZqV2r0oLdQPoqjDNKXZuLgwp4/s640/blogger-image-2066072300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbJWtmm54Jq62ADor86WVZ6ba1aMrnTOMuwLSGTpWOtsFmkrnDGV8gi07rDe1_zZeDA6V0NI0J9g-DkwrSCE3-q4ZCfWhL14PbMNOW8FW-hYHNN7ooqZqV2r0oLdQPoqjDNKXZuLgwp4/s640/blogger-image-2066072300.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Foy6OzmFIO23TQ9GJR1RtNYiin7ac1OAGV7E0j6UMHg_Yn9TrGezzlCJ8JFTleDzL-qHJZdtxd-s6Xq6KncvZVvreknwqYFZQ8wXv_WZFHsNpOeuoLlKFdzBjOyIN-IBjInkjBn6E8/s640/blogger-image-853509215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Foy6OzmFIO23TQ9GJR1RtNYiin7ac1OAGV7E0j6UMHg_Yn9TrGezzlCJ8JFTleDzL-qHJZdtxd-s6Xq6KncvZVvreknwqYFZQ8wXv_WZFHsNpOeuoLlKFdzBjOyIN-IBjInkjBn6E8/s640/blogger-image-853509215.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back on the bus, we passed the Church of the Dome, which we recognized from earlier in the week...more fun with filters on the camera.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguXmQQZMaBufi_SxWzvbJLbgLelJDURUBXpksgbPRg0UsMjSzqtlvuiMmtNwgKoRedRWOHsOHkaghszVUf26jR_me2FeJzRFwD7fn2D7qa9oCAoP9lIFKNUQ9F03IrdVWGP-mgxbSw-o/s640/blogger-image--13062705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguXmQQZMaBufi_SxWzvbJLbgLelJDURUBXpksgbPRg0UsMjSzqtlvuiMmtNwgKoRedRWOHsOHkaghszVUf26jR_me2FeJzRFwD7fn2D7qa9oCAoP9lIFKNUQ9F03IrdVWGP-mgxbSw-o/s640/blogger-image--13062705.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL5KniTXT_gHq0yqQbkWGQMhYX_5-l0783KCSKCvBqanPaNSzqcxewwsf8Lu8r-HwejNl1fFlbYF_lhfKQ84alPJ2iCTs4VBlSAybo-g96FqyZ_QrZLdilIN1UaS2VAOUflDKjxsl7Ew/s640/blogger-image-558857867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL5KniTXT_gHq0yqQbkWGQMhYX_5-l0783KCSKCvBqanPaNSzqcxewwsf8Lu8r-HwejNl1fFlbYF_lhfKQ84alPJ2iCTs4VBlSAybo-g96FqyZ_QrZLdilIN1UaS2VAOUflDKjxsl7Ew/s640/blogger-image-558857867.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also drove across the Pont du Neuf on our roundabout route to Notre Dame, where we got off to get some lunch, shop the booksellers along the riverbank, and take some photos of the cathedral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimImDvzVRkt5MofroZTzt6BKSBybL7o2cjC_J6cEvLieZQ375fX7FVhyphenhyphentnl6GZuEg_QmkEF3bDfS-0Bs5TcSXQVTqvM6-TRzaCXX0Q0NbZW2xm5iHi_l5Qj5DGkZOg5iXBsB1FzpvDE9Q/s640/blogger-image-1375960949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimImDvzVRkt5MofroZTzt6BKSBybL7o2cjC_J6cEvLieZQ375fX7FVhyphenhyphentnl6GZuEg_QmkEF3bDfS-0Bs5TcSXQVTqvM6-TRzaCXX0Q0NbZW2xm5iHi_l5Qj5DGkZOg5iXBsB1FzpvDE9Q/s640/blogger-image-1375960949.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We just picked the bistro right on the corner with a view of the cathedral and the river...it was tourist-focused and postively delicious! I had a stewy, yummy beef bourguignon that was perfect to warm up since it got a little chilly riding up on top of the bus.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqsHYERXTc-cyiLGbUpJTGo0ezKXI6TXwlNfIZ-eNaZAxSzP8sUkHtog9WqNwugWGmVvg-lIZS52ggB3Ca8PFUnFAgbZeiNwn0M5uyI9EbIqTr29GSwuxB3p_Rn4QBgPz0gGveT1QWrw/s640/blogger-image-478583227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqsHYERXTc-cyiLGbUpJTGo0ezKXI6TXwlNfIZ-eNaZAxSzP8sUkHtog9WqNwugWGmVvg-lIZS52ggB3Ca8PFUnFAgbZeiNwn0M5uyI9EbIqTr29GSwuxB3p_Rn4QBgPz0gGveT1QWrw/s640/blogger-image-478583227.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo5PyJbdzQ6sbxT2ytNG4kWsc52pnW7wTevQxhCf5hR4XHjZXzW6GyJ912xnha3v3iEb9xU6t_8IwZfcltFMXl_jNHBBcAedU8FZ2CyaHfb77G4R0pNqKPKvjOajIMNL6ye-_9og7Seo/s640/blogger-image--234299303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo5PyJbdzQ6sbxT2ytNG4kWsc52pnW7wTevQxhCf5hR4XHjZXzW6GyJ912xnha3v3iEb9xU6t_8IwZfcltFMXl_jNHBBcAedU8FZ2CyaHfb77G4R0pNqKPKvjOajIMNL6ye-_9og7Seo/s640/blogger-image--234299303.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's just one of the many pics I took at Notre Dame. This one is from across the Seine.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3m4VI2sVxrsg-UUrzdOl1pc3D52D94Roo0AMVdVVSE6K-N4IUZJ0I0RDuzYKH2bDxONHGLWrlUO4oOQuDuakY47DBLg7RSWpIxx1_O8gAqX4JEwhSQeyCrV531xfC20aG2S93GeUCMU/s640/blogger-image--1611994295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3m4VI2sVxrsg-UUrzdOl1pc3D52D94Roo0AMVdVVSE6K-N4IUZJ0I0RDuzYKH2bDxONHGLWrlUO4oOQuDuakY47DBLg7RSWpIxx1_O8gAqX4JEwhSQeyCrV531xfC20aG2S93GeUCMU/s640/blogger-image--1611994295.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Needed a little sweet snack after lunch, so had one of these giant chocolate meringues. Perfectly sticky and yummy.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABU0BcUMDB0l7dAjBkMDaHMOrjGK-SOogvJoJFfxPA973OyW_k2Rrg0EmKSdn-t-LLeSZx4DGWbAQmw-AeuHTkGuFhXJuNCt_fprrHm9MHJK1fFOsQWxO2BHrtrDcq2QBsNIdBbUTkNA/s640/blogger-image-244956762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABU0BcUMDB0l7dAjBkMDaHMOrjGK-SOogvJoJFfxPA973OyW_k2Rrg0EmKSdn-t-LLeSZx4DGWbAQmw-AeuHTkGuFhXJuNCt_fprrHm9MHJK1fFOsQWxO2BHrtrDcq2QBsNIdBbUTkNA/s640/blogger-image-244956762.jpg"></a></div></div>Spent the evening in a not-so-dramatic way doing some laundry at a little coin-operated place down the street and then had Thai food at a place just across the way. The fact that we were able to figure out how to get the machine to work--and even get some soap in it, was a true victory! So, it ended up being a suitable way for me to finish off the week. After jamming everything into my two suitcases (up from one at the start of the trip) I was ready for my 0400 wakeup the next day. And, then on to new adventures...like now I need to get ready to go on a dune buggy ride in Dubrovnik! haaaaaaaa<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-49047204323669167522015-10-24T11:02:00.001-05:002015-10-25T03:11:30.684-05:00Once Upon a Time on the Rue de LyonThere was a room full of women creating beauty and fun and whimsy and serenity with watercolors, pencils and pens. <div>They came together from Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. to be inspired and learn a bit from their fearless leader, Jane Davenport. </div><div>They drew turned faces without a lot of erases...since every line has a purpose.</div><div>They spent only one week in this room, but their art will be forever changed with hints of Impressionists or bright Daniel Smith watercolors.</div><div><br></div><div>Man, what a week. Thursday was our last day in Paris with Jane. I tried hard to make it count! Here's my final but of art from the week...unicornicopia of awesome. I've never tried to draw a horse before, as far as I can recall, but I used a reference photo from our day's adventure and it seems to have worked!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGndtQjGUEtdcjHyv08bGE0J4UuBBCUkIkFHzn9JW-ME9hdnnCPhNNMMhX7_dR2-mGnfcswe3_nWfhAQpjsNOPu1FEPOnPE933wIpihMzN6OBsfBdCtZofQMOTPrZ2w34AQJFd1fjz1E/s640/blogger-image-716903877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGndtQjGUEtdcjHyv08bGE0J4UuBBCUkIkFHzn9JW-ME9hdnnCPhNNMMhX7_dR2-mGnfcswe3_nWfhAQpjsNOPu1FEPOnPE933wIpihMzN6OBsfBdCtZofQMOTPrZ2w34AQJFd1fjz1E/s640/blogger-image-716903877.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jane and Angus put together a wonderful treat for our morning: we took the metro to Bercy and were treated to a tour at Le Musee des Arts Forain. I just love that it's on Rue Lhuereux, which sort of translates to "happy street."</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfL6i1ZlcJcw51mCgmARV2R5GrphaOWD-6J2gOXXBy6qi_wPYWCbAJH9YDYE02-2sr1pt5XBH3D6L7LZUCgovl8HPyyby0AZ1ZUG1kuZUACI0Zac2TMenHj5Bn1qyGss9LTdmDt7KShXk/s640/blogger-image-1878499493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfL6i1ZlcJcw51mCgmARV2R5GrphaOWD-6J2gOXXBy6qi_wPYWCbAJH9YDYE02-2sr1pt5XBH3D6L7LZUCgovl8HPyyby0AZ1ZUG1kuZUACI0Zac2TMenHj5Bn1qyGss9LTdmDt7KShXk/s640/blogger-image-1878499493.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The property is a hidden gem amongst regular office and apartment buildings; it was originally built as a storage area for wine and, according to our tour guide, was rather key in the wine distribution and growth of wine culture in Paris. Apparently, Louis Pasteur was a local and so wine was described as a "hygienic beverage" since the alcohol would help clear the bacteria from water. Why drink dirty water when wine is available? haaaaaaa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4y65c6BskEz3ltYq60UmHnGDvmGPOQDJpCda-9BKelj7QZLqXFX9bFjuuIqXJQmVX0JElXWfrrQTw_AHUOFz17ag1wvw_2__5RwUae3D4g8RBkgkYcSdEI-xWFTfyamPGymJikVMLRU/s640/blogger-image-1431259728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4y65c6BskEz3ltYq60UmHnGDvmGPOQDJpCda-9BKelj7QZLqXFX9bFjuuIqXJQmVX0JElXWfrrQTw_AHUOFz17ag1wvw_2__5RwUae3D4g8RBkgkYcSdEI-xWFTfyamPGymJikVMLRU/s640/blogger-image-1431259728.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The wine storage barns and rails have been transformed to house the private collection of M. Jean-Paul Favand--an extraordinary eclectic collection of amusements and toys and games from fairs and carnivals and shows dating back to the mid-1800's. Absolutely unbelievable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a wonderland of delights in every direction...just look at this view complete with chandeliers dangling from tree limbs:</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvonn65kS3r5XtiPAA4cXTJsEPJxQ3QFFo8giPkWgmOcv-iRY8GrlZcmyNavTTUNXJQBL5aHoUFkLzq6XhgRz6k6KbKSAJGwlB59K8G9VFL0wGnDzGCSJCe_hAgNvJhR7Z4-JJM-Q_zEc/s640/blogger-image-431301005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvonn65kS3r5XtiPAA4cXTJsEPJxQ3QFFo8giPkWgmOcv-iRY8GrlZcmyNavTTUNXJQBL5aHoUFkLzq6XhgRz6k6KbKSAJGwlB59K8G9VFL0wGnDzGCSJCe_hAgNvJhR7Z4-JJM-Q_zEc/s640/blogger-image-431301005.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The museum supports itself with private tours and reception rentals. Can you imagine your party guests riding a 150-year-old carousel? We actually got to ride a lovely carousel, spin on a crazy bicycle ride, hear a traveling carnival organ, and play some games. I took too many photos for inspiration later, so here's a small sampling...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKew6FE2jgnp3bcmXiFlre4oNOJ9mFXlayImj14gim-ogmzBvVvLk1ykUgQr1l6c2LiUF9sCz4tPSUON1b5RKFAnH_iZi51B4qjtdpeTJJw0bTqSyw4MBeMgE-aFOajjDgYoHbvlOV_ng/s640/blogger-image-143992085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKew6FE2jgnp3bcmXiFlre4oNOJ9mFXlayImj14gim-ogmzBvVvLk1ykUgQr1l6c2LiUF9sCz4tPSUON1b5RKFAnH_iZi51B4qjtdpeTJJw0bTqSyw4MBeMgE-aFOajjDgYoHbvlOV_ng/s640/blogger-image-143992085.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>After the museum, several of us stopped for a delightful lunch at St.M cafee, near the metro stop at Bercy. We took far longer than expected, but I enjoyed every bite of that dejeuner.</div><div><br></div><div>Once back in the workroom, Jane continued the fanciful theme of the day with a lesson on mermaids. We've been working on our faces so diligently all week that it was time to expand...but not so far as to require a full body workup, thank goodness! Here's my spread from the afternoon starting with a sketched head on an already-collaged page start:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp1qH0u7Oupwd94dYzxNFooTs9n3X1K2zhVq13g0Dyx59Eg1CufBH8zNYfc4JjZMyfY7FDJSIKFcJ9I4Mtsn2rdM4Q_9z5BSjY6A71SVDhEaN13UJX57KFAH1-WywlFimRPwUUnkmsiw/s640/blogger-image--1324439196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp1qH0u7Oupwd94dYzxNFooTs9n3X1K2zhVq13g0Dyx59Eg1CufBH8zNYfc4JjZMyfY7FDJSIKFcJ9I4Mtsn2rdM4Q_9z5BSjY6A71SVDhEaN13UJX57KFAH1-WywlFimRPwUUnkmsiw/s640/blogger-image--1324439196.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since the non-hand looked so crazy I gave her some macroons to eat! Theyy have been a favorite snack this week. Love the little pastel bites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's a shot of the workroom...you can see we were well into creating and generally gave up on keeping the tables tidy. I know I work big and messy, normally, so it was a challenge to keep it even this clean!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzjDS6d88jF1MNrrFndhnSic3KMSbruKoWuBJkf2I9Z003YV8zwjwzT_gcorZv0iJmp8SvTiBwitqhzdZoszrUtS0xDCTigZqvpzmVSG05z0KUDGbikOBsgdjP9QGzGs5wQUEEZunYOs/s640/blogger-image--1506961614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzjDS6d88jF1MNrrFndhnSic3KMSbruKoWuBJkf2I9Z003YV8zwjwzT_gcorZv0iJmp8SvTiBwitqhzdZoszrUtS0xDCTigZqvpzmVSG05z0KUDGbikOBsgdjP9QGzGs5wQUEEZunYOs/s640/blogger-image--1506961614.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After it all got cleaned up in the afternoon, though, we called the class "closed" and spent a bit of time sharing our work from the week. It was awesome because each of us came to the class from such varied backgrounds with different skillsets and motivation, but all felt the inspiration of Paris and took tons of lessons and tricks and tips from Jane. It was a really positive experience to be able to create in a time-space-place like this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our final group activity involved food...crepes, to be exact. We all strolled down the street to a tiny little creperie and enjoyed both savory and sweet options. This was my final crepe view. Thank goodness for Nutella. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjgcFDCgkZG_MmGFc7IQrYhhXPgJxk2-S2r4Sy-fR7lTQSdtXK66f1ZsxHpFcRa1oGQYIpXiRt2E-Cnje4K0Rzj9x_dEmUy_qc_kqmNWgdEJyey0RDC5H-pqmyk72P_xKVCQyBK_b_iw/s640/blogger-image--1861481692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjgcFDCgkZG_MmGFc7IQrYhhXPgJxk2-S2r4Sy-fR7lTQSdtXK66f1ZsxHpFcRa1oGQYIpXiRt2E-Cnje4K0Rzj9x_dEmUy_qc_kqmNWgdEJyey0RDC5H-pqmyk72P_xKVCQyBK_b_iw/s640/blogger-image--1861481692.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I went to sleep Thursday night with a fully belly, a happy creative brain, and dreams of returning to Paris to explore some more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xsxRkc8t002qKdjWFhY0YSDyhIx-n_1PZIaw1cvH-74PTaL9_AyG6qrCuPpwD1iCE12V2FPTmdPWOVgeO_UMNb7_LgOQ8BtOmcpwEBGPhdotnr_z3tu9aXNxpkSYYrrO-XBaYxZgDMk/s640/blogger-image-381854920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xsxRkc8t002qKdjWFhY0YSDyhIx-n_1PZIaw1cvH-74PTaL9_AyG6qrCuPpwD1iCE12V2FPTmdPWOVgeO_UMNb7_LgOQ8BtOmcpwEBGPhdotnr_z3tu9aXNxpkSYYrrO-XBaYxZgDMk/s640/blogger-image-381854920.jpg"></a></div></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-72859166520334886042015-10-21T13:50:00.001-05:002015-10-22T01:42:08.657-05:00Workroom Bliss in Paris<div>Wednesday was a work day. We spent hours and hours with our books taking all the fantastic inspiration from around the city and the fabulous lessons from our divine instructor, Jane Davenport. There are only ten of us, and we've been together doing things all week, so we've become fairly intimate with our creative processes and the results all around the room have been amazing. Positive energy and persistence were key for me. I tend towards the prolific when I'm working because I like moving around to various pieces in progress as things dry or I take new looks at them, so I finished quite a few pages in spite of the breaks I had to take due to crazy profile frustration or wet-on-wet destruction. Here are my offerings from the day...</div><div><br></div><div>This little diva started with a face that I actually copied from a piece I drew in Starbucks a few months ago in Mt. Pleasant, SC. I love that I can see that same face but she's become a Parisian. I experimented with several different watercolor brands and came back to the Peerless palette because the color was just too lovely (and it's now familiar to me!) The monkeys are from an old French children's book that I picked up at the flea market over the weekend.</div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXH1L3xFwm-7CJnYngJt9Rj0ttFSjOJXfXo7LIolg0CHBb5KAXwyZ9H9o4a8mxEEh7kgGRhfaNfu05dqgw3lvwjR-WQzgrLTo4qkT6YbPFxjqGIPXvoRDtunkwNOgspsfZp1AkEe3zwk/s640/blogger-image-99047839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXH1L3xFwm-7CJnYngJt9Rj0ttFSjOJXfXo7LIolg0CHBb5KAXwyZ9H9o4a8mxEEh7kgGRhfaNfu05dqgw3lvwjR-WQzgrLTo4qkT6YbPFxjqGIPXvoRDtunkwNOgspsfZp1AkEe3zwk/s640/blogger-image-99047839.jpg"></a></font><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Here's a little pre-color/post-color share...<br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedhrOrQHFpeaePp3nli5ucdoZTR61Q8fnKmZAKlJgb57Izv38_jhpgaXAx3TjM0Fu5Y7sappLyq8hV8ngd9bBQpaPQeSZ8o5WlJpaz09SUuzIrJtFM2Dwp8Ox6OUCvga2YhPghA7Prsw/s640/blogger-image-852677197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedhrOrQHFpeaePp3nli5ucdoZTR61Q8fnKmZAKlJgb57Izv38_jhpgaXAx3TjM0Fu5Y7sappLyq8hV8ngd9bBQpaPQeSZ8o5WlJpaz09SUuzIrJtFM2Dwp8Ox6OUCvga2YhPghA7Prsw/s640/blogger-image-852677197.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While at Monet's Garden on Monday, I did this quick contour sketch on an already painted background (that I did with leftover paint during a class at Art & Soul a couple of weeks ago). I just caught the basics of the bridge and the weeping willows that will turn into a dream for this girl. The pic shows an earlier sketch of her on top and then a more complete face with a collage of serviettes that came from the Garden's gift shop featuring Monet's work. This one's still a work in progress because every time I work on it, I get transported back to the side of the pond where I stood to sketch and it's a wonderful escape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeHOP7jSKClr6eW7ESBlSys321fC9eU6qxWuQmkT370Lrx6l0TyEqeaWbpDoWBoik96NxTiqiFUOeq6BPF7NjnWyIWHcGXTJPB0xU9582IJcvVkjIqG3jTHIOESp6yYi6-sXu9puiZYU/s640/blogger-image--1443003831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeHOP7jSKClr6eW7ESBlSys321fC9eU6qxWuQmkT370Lrx6l0TyEqeaWbpDoWBoik96NxTiqiFUOeq6BPF7NjnWyIWHcGXTJPB0xU9582IJcvVkjIqG3jTHIOESp6yYi6-sXu9puiZYU/s640/blogger-image--1443003831.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This little bit of crazy got worked on a page I collaged the first day we were here with a bunch of tissue serviettes that were shared by others from the class. So, as she looks up dreamily she's seeing the contributions of everyone from around the room. I used a water-soluble pen (only sort of on purpose) so I had to work with the shading as I applied acrylic and pencil...learned a lot on this one.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMLSMJZSt_cfBhlYiDzeE9c_nEqi72m16J3x9m9bE07trs1kZewp-B3wOwWlGmLmJlxsGdW6SYO1u1GCv5WLNmKSET6w-V-cQOm8YCzfBP0div4Z1z-GpjUxqzc3pgm7uHmxG9m-wTac/s640/blogger-image--2029772864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMLSMJZSt_cfBhlYiDzeE9c_nEqi72m16J3x9m9bE07trs1kZewp-B3wOwWlGmLmJlxsGdW6SYO1u1GCv5WLNmKSET6w-V-cQOm8YCzfBP0div4Z1z-GpjUxqzc3pgm7uHmxG9m-wTac/s640/blogger-image--2029772864.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mean girl, here, ended up in the front of one book. She needs some bigger lips. I started her out on a background of drippage from a bigger painting I worked on at home months ago. What to do with a big stack of dad's old folders? I spread them out under my easel while working so they catch the scraps and become fodder for something new later, like a Paris diva.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGNm0_wPJ3uI238PG1xvY4pK_t_N9QObUXGTB4vzxMm_pLUkIN4RbsjSV5ibzxrqdbr-EAbOPOLpQU8MzsmopDliEdrLIliCAvEwWdzoW_SOKX_dqgqcoWvg6mgZNEaPic_wXlQ84Jk8/s640/blogger-image-594154870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGNm0_wPJ3uI238PG1xvY4pK_t_N9QObUXGTB4vzxMm_pLUkIN4RbsjSV5ibzxrqdbr-EAbOPOLpQU8MzsmopDliEdrLIliCAvEwWdzoW_SOKX_dqgqcoWvg6mgZNEaPic_wXlQ84Jk8/s640/blogger-image-594154870.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I brought it back to center after some frustration with a tilted face sketch and added short hair...since short hair rocks, obviously. I've been wearing my itchy orange beret everywhere, so this little pixie got to wear it for a while, too.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOayspqHKKHMF6ne73Y1Zu_IUZA141wPWGSZ4VG3kgsXkVMmz1dQAvmLq5eG7Q0xL35uzQY7WAZYdxI_AuJ4MIOYjuegMIjPGbDjdr83DZjXTwBCuDsVqu2VfCGU8JulKHLORPfir4_lk/s640/blogger-image-97861175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOayspqHKKHMF6ne73Y1Zu_IUZA141wPWGSZ4VG3kgsXkVMmz1dQAvmLq5eG7Q0xL35uzQY7WAZYdxI_AuJ4MIOYjuegMIjPGbDjdr83DZjXTwBCuDsVqu2VfCGU8JulKHLORPfir4_lk/s640/blogger-image-97861175.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My favorite from the day, if I can actually have a fave, is this crazy one that I did over a collage featuring a Paris metro map serviette. I put a little sampling of the progress on this one because I started out with Buzz Lightyear by accident and thought it was hilarious. I drew the face on another piece of paper, cut it out, and glued it in. I included the top of the head, though, so it looked like a bit of a bald cap...even when I had hair added across the top. Luckily, Jane was able to mentor me through that one and helped change up the hairline and highlight the flow of the hair. She has a "fleshy-toned" paint marker that she uses like an eraser...hilarious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMyXaUvhnbZtLpYYlzG-_7lpbcv-RDEdGfriWLktRj3stUgcLrbmm9-Ast13xphauVsYL5dWLww5PailIGVjbddhWr7euvKi_7QZkvnmfFTWrxNtOURHMplyjbs2_oc0ucnI63ZE492U/s640/blogger-image--1694322159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMyXaUvhnbZtLpYYlzG-_7lpbcv-RDEdGfriWLktRj3stUgcLrbmm9-Ast13xphauVsYL5dWLww5PailIGVjbddhWr7euvKi_7QZkvnmfFTWrxNtOURHMplyjbs2_oc0ucnI63ZE492U/s640/blogger-image--1694322159.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And, last but not least, we worked on some actual figure drawings after a lesson from Jane. Very challenging. Jane added her lines and joy to my work and we ended up with this little collaborative piece that I just love...especially because I worked through the frustration of jacked up face proportions! I'm motivated, now, to sign up for Jane's on-line class that specifically deals with figures based on her training and years of experience as a fashion illustrator. So excited.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCHk4CcnnVTbFywVV8DD5eTeRI9cWZndEAHLqs85xV65WgoovhsRNWgFSua1bGqpM0Bct0dVOd-Y_WQl05acS6KiH547j3_dF3TldvcWD5_yR1aBHP_s6V32MdEzYWq-FMvWA8pYFNog/s640/blogger-image--1040843382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCHk4CcnnVTbFywVV8DD5eTeRI9cWZndEAHLqs85xV65WgoovhsRNWgFSua1bGqpM0Bct0dVOd-Y_WQl05acS6KiH547j3_dF3TldvcWD5_yR1aBHP_s6V32MdEzYWq-FMvWA8pYFNog/s640/blogger-image--1040843382.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I relaxed all evening with a walk around our neighborhood here near the Gare de Lyon. Dreamily (but with plenty of situational awareness...haaaaa) I spent time imagining living in one of these little apartments and walking through the park on the Viaduc des Arts on my way home from class or a student internship at a gallery or museum. Last thing in my google search? "College of Charleston Study Abroad Programs."</div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-76851808441700367142015-10-21T11:42:00.000-05:002015-10-21T14:42:49.719-05:00Il etait Mardi en ParisStarted out our Tuesday in the workroom and got this face going, turned and all. I put it on a background with an old European travel map that I actually got at an antique shop in Summerville, South Carolina! I got the map for the cover of the book there, too. I've been working in a set of two books that I made specifically for this trip using a couple different weights of watercolor paper and a whole bunch of my dad's old manila folders. When I saw boxes of them at my parents' house ages ago, they were destined to be recycled via the big blue bin. Instead, I've upcycled them into these journals using coptic binding that my friend, Bette, taught me. The quality of the surface isn't fantastic for watercolor, but a little gesso or matte medium and it's wonderful! I've been using all sorts of markers and paint on them to experiment and haven't been disappointed at all, even though some work takes more layers than others.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDVtE7DcmC-JQwQQCZsNcc26s_6hwyUaewgRjhEKFcTaEy4nXP_m0ck574leTQ19KasMN58tc8bfoxbB7Vmr3LLJ2ODu5d5KQ_ykYeIrf7CSwMU2tJ57QuXono0erFRdFHtrotnFT5z4/s640/blogger-image--901486855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDVtE7DcmC-JQwQQCZsNcc26s_6hwyUaewgRjhEKFcTaEy4nXP_m0ck574leTQ19KasMN58tc8bfoxbB7Vmr3LLJ2ODu5d5KQ_ykYeIrf7CSwMU2tJ57QuXono0erFRdFHtrotnFT5z4/s640/blogger-image--901486855.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Anyway, back to Paris...where we walked and walked and walked to check out several shops for art supplies. I took this picture just to capture the skyline so I can play with it later. It's a view down the Seine and we were near Notre Dame, but we were walking quickly and I didn't record in my brain exactly where I was looking. I'll have to check the google later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtjhkkQNEo1p_Z1HTCfxWMN4V4hjBZ15_K0ljpDeLZu97Bk4tvsw7bmFHkIXG5XYuQLQZrO6fbEg279YtQa8MDhRKrjiQtOb5ck7qR1cUA_jPbYTp4sU3sbEeuOZ5pVZ8HFceJN3GvR8/s640/blogger-image-1240312786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtjhkkQNEo1p_Z1HTCfxWMN4V4hjBZ15_K0ljpDeLZu97Bk4tvsw7bmFHkIXG5XYuQLQZrO6fbEg279YtQa8MDhRKrjiQtOb5ck7qR1cUA_jPbYTp4sU3sbEeuOZ5pVZ8HFceJN3GvR8/s640/blogger-image-1240312786.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A quickie Notre Dame selfie, just because.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX___4qliDQGBiWSKoOHt8tRv2tqTaQ34vDZ0CTjmWx7lM71QXZj5Cx5hydIKIvXmPdpa1EXXLI0jKhyphenhyphenFK10E2ziiU7kvEWKVlvI1SDp379kvKmV9hdCRWaVH2icaKY-wJRsuHTs9eXg/s640/blogger-image--539835219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX___4qliDQGBiWSKoOHt8tRv2tqTaQ34vDZ0CTjmWx7lM71QXZj5Cx5hydIKIvXmPdpa1EXXLI0jKhyphenhyphenFK10E2ziiU7kvEWKVlvI1SDp379kvKmV9hdCRWaVH2icaKY-wJRsuHTs9eXg/s640/blogger-image--539835219.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Our first shopping stop of the day was actually a department store, but it was unlike any I've ever been in and the selection of art and craft and stationary goods was amazing! We definitely left our mark (or our euro, I should say! haaaaaa) at the Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville, aka BHV. At the end of that stop, my backpack was full of bits and bobs that will be perfect for collage and other projects. As heavily laden as we all were, we walked (and walked and walked and walked...at least that's how it felt to my feet!) down the left bank to Magasin Sennelier. This is a pic of the tiniest art supply store I've ever experienced. Sennelier is noted as the creator of the colors and pigments and pastels that the impressionists used in the late 1800's. The business is still family owned and operated.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2eGXMzPkd_gbxJkwC-ZKRGwNnbrnes_NhqM45MGsyYvBTTLP3O2WQtphvlB_N5IOejORfvjo733VFvwaEompmnCtdOtRn_f9naGA9KZTF6a7sLsMfUbTJK3lJdjhwo8FLZVPekrVoLE/s640/blogger-image-888987024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2eGXMzPkd_gbxJkwC-ZKRGwNnbrnes_NhqM45MGsyYvBTTLP3O2WQtphvlB_N5IOejORfvjo733VFvwaEompmnCtdOtRn_f9naGA9KZTF6a7sLsMfUbTJK3lJdjhwo8FLZVPekrVoLE/s640/blogger-image-888987024.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My friend, Robyn, took this shot of the pastels...oh so beautiful! However, I was dressed for the walk (aka warm) and had a giant backpack on, so this tiny store was just about more than I could handle. I left with a few new Prismacolor pencils and that's about it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkGRlni62jEKQoMIc8JkBipPhRqE1dw-a9NbcX7SPT1_1Z7roJatp3pav88qfnn6qYwgFb_x2I1ZUpUHjtq_7_vY3kvKnww8-ONNJVNIbiPzEW_g5I3H9PfRXNYvXjpB8UTdB1Op9GCE/s640/blogger-image-22857383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkGRlni62jEKQoMIc8JkBipPhRqE1dw-a9NbcX7SPT1_1Z7roJatp3pav88qfnn6qYwgFb_x2I1ZUpUHjtq_7_vY3kvKnww8-ONNJVNIbiPzEW_g5I3H9PfRXNYvXjpB8UTdB1Op9GCE/s640/blogger-image-22857383.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I felt sheer relief I felt at being released from the shop back onto the cooler street. I met up with my friend, Sam, and we continued down the street to the Musee d'Orsay. We had a bit of a wait in line, but it was only about thirty minutes before we were able to get in and soak in the goodness. She went to the Monets and I went to Van Gogh. We only had an hour before we needed to meet back up and get back to the hotel for dinner plans, but I tried to make that hour count. I did a quick sketch to capture one of the many sculptures on the second floor along with some of the architectural detail of this museam that was once a train station. This is another place that I believe/hope will play a part in my art education with a return trip someday.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcfMx59QgDFrAifGSXFj_SWq2UyhZxWfD4FTeHhK9rS1dxLopFcACpaiPVYeiC-pqw8mOiV9EqiAfGb0eo9XL5bP6MPtsLBlEuh1DuavKJZyl-_rodpwBmgc78WSJVxqddnwjM81vpMs/s640/blogger-image-406927840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcfMx59QgDFrAifGSXFj_SWq2UyhZxWfD4FTeHhK9rS1dxLopFcACpaiPVYeiC-pqw8mOiV9EqiAfGb0eo9XL5bP6MPtsLBlEuh1DuavKJZyl-_rodpwBmgc78WSJVxqddnwjM81vpMs/s640/blogger-image-406927840.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Sam and I found our way back via train and metro to our stop near the Bastille. Now that we've been here a few days, I feel pretty comfortable reading the maps and navigating from point a to point b (via two other points, sometimes!)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T4r6peWEei8S6P0t70EVsjo8oAwvGvZVAteTMtKeybp_7rbRBGQwc8VdWaF2VAui_qElYQUYmBsgjU2jZ-jCdA7qDXds5L7iVFRP2szT1ROEcqqhr5wVjqVjj-gZvIz7SWD65-7zEEg/s640/blogger-image--614505647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T4r6peWEei8S6P0t70EVsjo8oAwvGvZVAteTMtKeybp_7rbRBGQwc8VdWaF2VAui_qElYQUYmBsgjU2jZ-jCdA7qDXds5L7iVFRP2szT1ROEcqqhr5wVjqVjj-gZvIz7SWD65-7zEEg/s640/blogger-image--614505647.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A small group of us went out to eat dinner at a lovely place called Dersou with a prix fixe menu for five courses with cocktail pairings. It was fabulous! Most of my meals have consisted of baguette, croissant, cheese, fruit, yogurt or crepes, which is not a bad thing since they're all deliciously French. Anyway, the Dersou meal was fantastic--a bit of an Asian influence with French at the core. Since I know my mom is going to want to know what we had, I wrote all the courses down as we went, but now that I'm looking for that little slip of paper, it's nowhere to be found! haaaaaaa From memory, though, we started with a vegetable broth soup with tofu and coriander that seemed to have a hint of truffle and butter. Then, oysters with a cabbage salad and finely grated cheese...all very tangy. Next came a pasta with two creamy sauces and bits of lobster. The cocktail from that course was delicious and was served in a glass coated on the side with hazelnuts. The third course was my favorite: seared white tuna with leek and cabbage. The meat course was pork with roasted apples and jalapeno peppers. The pork seemed raw, which went against all the food safety I learned in seventh grade, but it was delicious. Rounded it all out with a roast pear and some sort of other creamy deliciousness that shall remain nameless. haaaaaaa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-13395944963969010902015-10-21T00:51:00.001-05:002015-10-21T01:35:24.759-05:00Lundi a GivernyMany Parisians were on the train Monday morning headed to work during the crazy rush hour, but we were headed to Gare de Paris Saint-Lazare to catch our 45-minute ride to Vernon. We met our Fat Tire Tour guide, Thomas, at platform 22 and he gave us a lovely talk on Monet and the impressionist school as we traveled the rails on the way to Monet's home and gardens at Giverny. During the trip, I had my book out and worked a bit taking some notes and playing with a turned face and some Peerless watercolors. (There's some gesso texture on the page from a stencil, in case you're wondering what's on her cheek.)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjUjEgGTsfexGo3KBT-Wf8IHNpPWy6ZTE0o-Vvl_k4GnRoXlG5JL56G84M1RdwP9-ML5VmTq4qVx7NdFWNVT3g_19a4tcei994gKlXnOPA1vEPtjUAEp8JYeEy3aD9oVaIip7OT4mmCs/s640/blogger-image-1988493140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjUjEgGTsfexGo3KBT-Wf8IHNpPWy6ZTE0o-Vvl_k4GnRoXlG5JL56G84M1RdwP9-ML5VmTq4qVx7NdFWNVT3g_19a4tcei994gKlXnOPA1vEPtjUAEp8JYeEy3aD9oVaIip7OT4mmCs/s640/blogger-image-1988493140.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At Vernon, we shopped a bit for picnic snacks before Thomas issued our bicycles for the ride to Giverny. We all saddled up and got our "pedal feet" together before leaving the parking lot. Angus asked if I wanted a photo and he caught this gem as I goofed and laughed. So funny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jxQSlpSHDR1gkKdjx5d5rK8Teo_hMn9sUALSsM0nmxZFpHXs-SdxFId1wVkS5micCIWvhARtEacJjWSql5aa1Azu2j2eTod7FnAJB-LNT6VmBVL0iSnn8BK-2q9SI6gjGCwuVkHDnpk/s640/blogger-image-1101461473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jxQSlpSHDR1gkKdjx5d5rK8Teo_hMn9sUALSsM0nmxZFpHXs-SdxFId1wVkS5micCIWvhARtEacJjWSql5aa1Azu2j2eTod7FnAJB-LNT6VmBVL0iSnn8BK-2q9SI6gjGCwuVkHDnpk/s640/blogger-image-1101461473.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We set off through the small town of Vernon by "dominating" as a group of bikers in the street. Most of the stores and small businesses were closed since it was Monday, so the traffic was easy to manage. We stopped at the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame to admire the medieval architecture and spent a few minutes inside. The contemporary windows are so unique and unexpected! They are mid-to-late 20th century replacements for windows destroyed during World War II. This is just a little collage to show the shapes and colors...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4dFazX1u9Y9nr-85BMfv5uXZgX9WiI8KAua6e_uXn-fsO85huyBRsq6c7zjA8GZBioIFIWlO9lr5fy-XggqLWzuJspPLeaVl4rwiaiUn8aDWVO3QPqJOLnBdLJac5QqI9uCR0ln61Vk/s640/blogger-image--715838223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4dFazX1u9Y9nr-85BMfv5uXZgX9WiI8KAua6e_uXn-fsO85huyBRsq6c7zjA8GZBioIFIWlO9lr5fy-XggqLWzuJspPLeaVl4rwiaiUn8aDWVO3QPqJOLnBdLJac5QqI9uCR0ln61Vk/s640/blogger-image--715838223.jpg"></font></a><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We pedaled on over the Seine across a lovely bridge with a nice wide bike path and then landed in a small park where Thomas set up our picnic area. There were dozens of ducks surrounding us, as they clearly know what's going on when a tarp comes out of a bag and people park their bikes. I had a yummy baguette with roast beef and egg along with a delightful little lemon tart. We shared some of the area's best hard cider--some sweet and some more dry. We saw a couple of swans and I was surprised to hear my Australian friend, Sam, exclaim in delight that they were white. Apparently, they only have black swans in her area near Brisbane. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Grabbed the book for some quick sketching while Thomas, the guide, continued his chat. We had this sweet little cabin next to our picnic so I used a randomly printed page (the blue background) in the book to make a quick sketch with pen and colored pencil.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5hmur0oOE_hgH35sr0YAY0u4xehXBXgM8E7vrIKOtIfLsLMLapQhbSZbMUxlMSWCuhjWQ3cZdz4TXtQCRxdrelVr7d7ujEq_PUTWk7UIQDl7Ndud_wWFcet2pi5prTtQMx-XxeyDpyg/s640/blogger-image--2032800557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5hmur0oOE_hgH35sr0YAY0u4xehXBXgM8E7vrIKOtIfLsLMLapQhbSZbMUxlMSWCuhjWQ3cZdz4TXtQCRxdrelVr7d7ujEq_PUTWk7UIQDl7Ndud_wWFcet2pi5prTtQMx-XxeyDpyg/s640/blogger-image--2032800557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After an absolutely lovely bike ride on an easy trail (which seemed easy at the time...later my knees did not delight after the hills!) and up the Rue Claude Monet through Giverny, we arrived at Monet's Garden to enjoy several hours of inspiration and relaxing with the light and scenery.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEHCAhroIqf7MjppFd8toANco_6QtBA7J_roMFfWUz5AM2K8GvxR6XFKlGtDSakiq22xug6XTgf__ggmVPS9VqxUE59QEeb1SY-otwIAKgbaIDGEAt8k2zGOd3UtEuzO0TXBReI_mmS0/s640/blogger-image-843649243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEHCAhroIqf7MjppFd8toANco_6QtBA7J_roMFfWUz5AM2K8GvxR6XFKlGtDSakiq22xug6XTgf__ggmVPS9VqxUE59QEeb1SY-otwIAKgbaIDGEAt8k2zGOd3UtEuzO0TXBReI_mmS0/s640/blogger-image-843649243.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The riot of color and variety of shapes and sizes of the flora was amazing! It was like walking into a wildflower jungle that just flowed from oranges and yellows to pinks and purples and reds and on and on. Of course I spent a few minutes doing a quick sketch of the water garden where Monet captured his waterlilies, but my favorite part was back by the house.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjERNAQ19zYYUPQ7YrWE1tMF_wb7t35qcVU7cwCNGT7TLsoWjB0iGoVZand4WYC-p36TPatiZsgsk1oicvrwleUNbXx4iXOffXlvXlys4saoIxVgNhWigZH9KqBohj_PPrxxvdzWqZaRE/s640/blogger-image--934173643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjERNAQ19zYYUPQ7YrWE1tMF_wb7t35qcVU7cwCNGT7TLsoWjB0iGoVZand4WYC-p36TPatiZsgsk1oicvrwleUNbXx4iXOffXlvXlys4saoIxVgNhWigZH9KqBohj_PPrxxvdzWqZaRE/s640/blogger-image--934173643.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My Aunt Sara visted the garden just a couple of months ago and raved about them, so I thought of her and my mom as I wandered through and enjoyed the variety. I know there were zinnia and daisies but beyond that, the shapes and sizes didn't really matter as they were all completely delightful! I found a bench and used that cacophany to inspire this little flower girl portrait. Every one of the individual flowers was actually something I could see from my vantage point. <font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVzVohb5-FnMAxeHaMhoaWwTFEEmWYilfjYUikj35x-1ejH_1LTCdXO1FlLtZi0ncOJJhH7g-RaHN5_Nv7LN6RZuE5lYe7P1JXsZnpzwqv4hDOQNboIHk86F1dYco8r2kr3ZnUPDdO9M/s640/blogger-image--1897968093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVzVohb5-FnMAxeHaMhoaWwTFEEmWYilfjYUikj35x-1ejH_1LTCdXO1FlLtZi0ncOJJhH7g-RaHN5_Nv7LN6RZuE5lYe7P1JXsZnpzwqv4hDOQNboIHk86F1dYco8r2kr3ZnUPDdO9M/s640/blogger-image--1897968093.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You have to imagine smelling roses and lavendar and hearing a bee covered in pollen buzzing slowly between flowers...sweet and delightful. </span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-88672543913777281502015-10-20T05:00:00.000-05:002015-10-20T01:34:09.182-05:00Paris Sights de Seg!On Sunday morning, we beat the crowds with an early start via metro over to Fat Tire Tours. Our guides, Alan & Louis issued us helmets and got us started on our Segways. It was hilarious. Only a couple of folks from the group had even done it before, so we wove and wiggled all around the lot while practicing. I was a little tentative, but only took a few minutes to get my balance sorted out and then didn't want to stop! We all jetted out in a line and headed out in the 7th arrondissement towards Paris' most iconic sights.<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We were all chilly again, but it was hard to complain when you looked up and saw the Eiffel Tower. (We still complained, but then we ooohed and aaaahed to warm ourselves!) </span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVOszOsXQHDokTi3uoCKAMmmYL23rZSNdQj-VTh-jYdN42RGKyZaGoVEEjs_GyxBjFVAiRDkOzHhRadf6i-heMqmLZE8ydlUNf-I9lE33XJvUBliB_GU2d91zWWkz7m1j2KPi3kjRFVk/s640/blogger-image-2040556731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVOszOsXQHDokTi3uoCKAMmmYL23rZSNdQj-VTh-jYdN42RGKyZaGoVEEjs_GyxBjFVAiRDkOzHhRadf6i-heMqmLZE8ydlUNf-I9lE33XJvUBliB_GU2d91zWWkz7m1j2KPi3kjRFVk/s640/blogger-image-2040556731.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The tour took us past l'Ecole Militaire with a long view of la Tour Eiffel and then towards l'Eglise du Dome with it's shimmering gilded dome above the tomb of Napolean. Even on an overcast day, the gold is stunning. Our tour guides touched on just a few historical notes and kept us laughing the entire trip. Although it's historical fiction and not an actual account, I'd recommend the book "Paris" by Edward Rutherford. I read it about a year ago, and it helped me put some of the history bits and the locations together in my brain. Plus, it's just a good read as a story. </span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdwdwF9FKoJmi9A-8c_q-GbM5NPN2qxoXnlvuihObdtZaO1lZ-AT7Pcdgvzvm0twFObA1ntX1SYh6cGpMqLXJEhi6uUFphVbAs5UrW_oI0r84juwJ8Qf2xrtn55S8bmwe5VOAwcMH55g/s640/blogger-image-2099626684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdwdwF9FKoJmi9A-8c_q-GbM5NPN2qxoXnlvuihObdtZaO1lZ-AT7Pcdgvzvm0twFObA1ntX1SYh6cGpMqLXJEhi6uUFphVbAs5UrW_oI0r84juwJ8Qf2xrtn55S8bmwe5VOAwcMH55g/s640/blogger-image-2099626684.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Still on our two-wheel wonders, we buzzed up to the top of the Pont Alexandre III and stopped to admire the fabulous view across the Seine and over to the Eiffel Tower or towards the Grand Palais. Had to take off the gloves for a while to capture a few shots to keep for later. It was exhilarating not just because of the cool air blowing into my face, but also because the colors, structures, design, and extravagance is all so inspiring. Makes me so happy!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L4SLO99l0WiKH5kv2WZbnMQqjLWt0flY4dQwdBOypvVDXgU9W7Kz3JVTkvGCHd4aA3I0Exm8-njwR00nMxFTuqnCWiF3QXiebfKto-bIbEfrnq6oVDCpZKeRkEezjLBB_LKkoUec2jY/s640/blogger-image--1882053255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L4SLO99l0WiKH5kv2WZbnMQqjLWt0flY4dQwdBOypvVDXgU9W7Kz3JVTkvGCHd4aA3I0Exm8-njwR00nMxFTuqnCWiF3QXiebfKto-bIbEfrnq6oVDCpZKeRkEezjLBB_LKkoUec2jY/s640/blogger-image--1882053255.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLcfPy38ZwaBSrZD0WOmSaU5lLzJ8L96jl03qFTbqxSAdMJWsFnXJ8j8d7_58d3N21EEgFmvidQ1-K76pT8MMnYtJak9NWzIIWlOoQ9g83JOyH6g5v1tMkpr5pru2ZDOxXdYd822yqPc/s640/blogger-image-1394865715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLcfPy38ZwaBSrZD0WOmSaU5lLzJ8L96jl03qFTbqxSAdMJWsFnXJ8j8d7_58d3N21EEgFmvidQ1-K76pT8MMnYtJak9NWzIIWlOoQ9g83JOyH6g5v1tMkpr5pru2ZDOxXdYd822yqPc/s640/blogger-image-1394865715.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Jane & Angus worked with the Fat Tire folks for a very special surprise for us at our last stop and it was fabulous. As we approached the grounds near the Eiffel Tower, there was a little cafe table piled with Starbucks bags and a huge box of hot coffee. I, for one, was near tears at the sight of a warm beverage as I was simultaneously struck with the sheer magnificence of the tower. A perfect moment!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL0cyeuVnLSMAkyU6MtsbK3Dn07jgBX4JIG9m9OmOBs338-xgvZTryNspi_qkc9GzZgsn90ETGxGW9jNHguT36USi4nWqrVMm0P20Saw3RncC9K5ptfEFNssdvCiSsqdRCMuACQFeLQg/s640/blogger-image-1719769235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmL0cyeuVnLSMAkyU6MtsbK3Dn07jgBX4JIG9m9OmOBs338-xgvZTryNspi_qkc9GzZgsn90ETGxGW9jNHguT36USi4nWqrVMm0P20Saw3RncC9K5ptfEFNssdvCiSsqdRCMuACQFeLQg/s640/blogger-image-1719769235.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After getting sufficiently warmed up, I got my book and pen out to capture that moment...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizBUwzLRtMHLGmcWdRmL77ejm-o-DbWp83OX-va_J-TxHNy-V8dzT7z_FfJl1E4qxi4EpFj10GNIuHMMIEDtmsIsjrMbp7HCGdmWgpGslJW9JzPUAPILhxcYAL3zo-RfjXamysmeknIs/s640/blogger-image-1645346959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizBUwzLRtMHLGmcWdRmL77ejm-o-DbWp83OX-va_J-TxHNy-V8dzT7z_FfJl1E4qxi4EpFj10GNIuHMMIEDtmsIsjrMbp7HCGdmWgpGslJW9JzPUAPILhxcYAL3zo-RfjXamysmeknIs/s640/blogger-image-1645346959.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm240G3pHbcTW4Qa-SjbvWHGnfDASsNBtco7Vg2icu3otGgDhqFXT0DtiilaUmfHaogFdfhKx8naaChqpTZt1C1hjhbFZoARr8H5WrFLsf7aR44BZeg0HhyphenhyphenJxf3ANBe0Btb5SWADOvsmk/s640/blogger-image--1035685744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm240G3pHbcTW4Qa-SjbvWHGnfDASsNBtco7Vg2icu3otGgDhqFXT0DtiilaUmfHaogFdfhKx8naaChqpTZt1C1hjhbFZoARr8H5WrFLsf7aR44BZeg0HhyphenhyphenJxf3ANBe0Btb5SWADOvsmk/s640/blogger-image--1035685744.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I wish I had more experience with quick travel sketching, but I guess this is how I get that experience, right? haaaaaaa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF0_OS24jfhYjfV0hzDhS_vuWohq96HKI-LJkxc16EPEHdZkXznOkf6h4ADkpb8g0-fdH46MIKIbZvMDzFvyZsrxMNWtJ5FuV4L5tlw3QTKDXTfuJdAiuNnGh8kO-JYRiLt994Bxsbdc/s640/blogger-image-1240091843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF0_OS24jfhYjfV0hzDhS_vuWohq96HKI-LJkxc16EPEHdZkXznOkf6h4ADkpb8g0-fdH46MIKIbZvMDzFvyZsrxMNWtJ5FuV4L5tlw3QTKDXTfuJdAiuNnGh8kO-JYRiLt994Bxsbdc/s640/blogger-image-1240091843.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After parking the Segways and finishing up the tour, we wandered back to our Rue de Lyon home and found a market near the Bastille, just up the street. Picked up a cheesy delicious crepe snack and a few foodie picks of the fresh bread, fruits and charcuterie...lovely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxKolPFLumc77nOOKh90UrZBFbgQyMzn603Wi_fzdD6-FhUpxwpgC1uCzW4qYm2x3X6SeJQOnIZ_Lyro_1tU2GZwTUf8SuDzEWzFR9GsX5r1CeKv8jzwBI6KlsvGz7mUGuRTzfOmjKTA/s640/blogger-image-433399322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxKolPFLumc77nOOKh90UrZBFbgQyMzn603Wi_fzdD6-FhUpxwpgC1uCzW4qYm2x3X6SeJQOnIZ_Lyro_1tU2GZwTUf8SuDzEWzFR9GsX5r1CeKv8jzwBI6KlsvGz7mUGuRTzfOmjKTA/s640/blogger-image-433399322.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Back in the classroom, I continued working on my non-forward-facing girls under Jane's tutelage. She gave us a watercolor lesson using some lovely colors that she gave to us in our kits. Here's a start...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncB2NUjwo5IgUBkfUU3FNVJXmk8W3_vNHzm0FJ3vLvKmeO9knrqAWn1CaQ84pHqbNIYFs_8tY-QapVDu02JRVJCn6NNAw4CpM50Nw1Gq5QuRqmjJsH6Lk9Kpibdjdr7scSwB3gPzwwG0/s640/blogger-image--2031937932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncB2NUjwo5IgUBkfUU3FNVJXmk8W3_vNHzm0FJ3vLvKmeO9knrqAWn1CaQ84pHqbNIYFs_8tY-QapVDu02JRVJCn6NNAw4CpM50Nw1Gq5QuRqmjJsH6Lk9Kpibdjdr7scSwB3gPzwwG0/s640/blogger-image--2031937932.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And a work in progress with some color. She's a bit of a diva with those eyes, but I love the choppy color (even though I know it's not exactly proper! haaaaa) The little guy on the right side of the page is a sketch my brother added to the book before I left so I like this piece as a family collaboration!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39ojEkiEijbd5NUIDgzhWZuJ9wirieHDcVmhkaKLv2BoqPCi6vckuBEbZDbpk-_yIDanSHRccgky5bgIs-sRg-purJYPae53FByH3o-WUhWCNSRlb1mdqRNuUjdSh1HmvzC2yiUcCd-c/s640/blogger-image-954586261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39ojEkiEijbd5NUIDgzhWZuJ9wirieHDcVmhkaKLv2BoqPCi6vckuBEbZDbpk-_yIDanSHRccgky5bgIs-sRg-purJYPae53FByH3o-WUhWCNSRlb1mdqRNuUjdSh1HmvzC2yiUcCd-c/s640/blogger-image-954586261.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm blessed to have Tamara Laporte across the table, so I've been chatting back and forth with her as we both learn things from Jane during her wonderful lessons. I'll share more on Tam later!</div>
</div>
</div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-44799047943664179112015-10-19T01:04:00.001-05:002015-10-19T01:07:26.726-05:00Les Marches en ParisOn Saturday we had a leisurely morning before heading off to shop at some of the best flea markets in Paris. I'm used to American markets that start early and you have to be there at the crack of dawn to get the best picks, but here we didn't start out until around 9:30 with our croissants and cafe to get to the markets that open up around 11:00. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The whole group of us found our way, like experts, obviously, on our second day, on the metro. Our destination: the Marche (yes, I know it's missing the accent to make it look and sound French, but I'm typing this on my iPad and it's too hard to figure that one out right now) aux Puces de St-Ouen off the rue de Rosiers. We had to wander through some "normal" markets filled with Italian leather, jeans, scarves, watches, and junk to get to the real "tresor"...streets jammed with stalls of antiques. Furniture, housewares, and general awesomeness was all around. I'm not good at shopping with other people because I like picking at my own pace. Sam, one of the girls here from Australia, is actually of similar mind and was searching for the same goods, so we ended up together quite a bit during our hours there at le marche.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRaEDQs7gT_QLuwt9RcyHGGwcPFN165ArOya7yjUZHkeT_x1qTvBzXVbabMfjxkVf3b3PT7VHAXAfia1O6iSEwFemrqdzE5TMW_x86ShtaZ-zJTksI7gYhJtm_rbgdi9nill7tUMUfWc/s640/blogger-image-1230296501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRaEDQs7gT_QLuwt9RcyHGGwcPFN165ArOya7yjUZHkeT_x1qTvBzXVbabMfjxkVf3b3PT7VHAXAfia1O6iSEwFemrqdzE5TMW_x86ShtaZ-zJTksI7gYhJtm_rbgdi9nill7tUMUfWc/s640/blogger-image-1230296501.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Yes, found myself a few Parisian kitties along the way. But, more importantly, we found some nice ephemera to use in our collage works this week. The point of our shopping trip was to look for materials to add texture and unique spirit to our artwork. This doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but the best finds I got for the day were the ones in boxes deep in the stalls that I had to dig through and get my hands dirty. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5nSC57yk7XaZ4XsaotBO5z-N84XRd8hW8DTODTC5s5hmngBt1Ek7Oz3i6autwcaq2Mfra6tAlfTF-7wTFRRjhPnD6oho1nmNniNpO2dsBK_KJfg8aPjP1hLf1K7-CNg-1FhTKaIdQko/s640/blogger-image-1775942590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5nSC57yk7XaZ4XsaotBO5z-N84XRd8hW8DTODTC5s5hmngBt1Ek7Oz3i6autwcaq2Mfra6tAlfTF-7wTFRRjhPnD6oho1nmNniNpO2dsBK_KJfg8aPjP1hLf1K7-CNg-1FhTKaIdQko/s640/blogger-image-1775942590.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Old papers with handwriting are always a huge score in English, but in French they are a real prize! I found a small journal that appears to have handwritten songs in it. I want to translate it a bit and see if they are hymns or original poetry before I tear it up and start coating it with glue. I'll share more about that in another post once I figure it out a bit. Here's an example of one of the pictures from an old French storybook that will get some additional treatment on it later with paint, pencils, and whatever I feel like at the time!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkywvGRxvvPlF0SRZk4hXQHsBbYwLTlIYfNoSHXdHBZomQ6DqGPflwhS0ymJTTzGSdP3FDgoyu2VPWxbaWTXzpHjxJUl4uGyOuYT3OXGww7olt7kBgChtvWflkBDYeeQsNUajRUoJA2_s/s640/blogger-image--2134266703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkywvGRxvvPlF0SRZk4hXQHsBbYwLTlIYfNoSHXdHBZomQ6DqGPflwhS0ymJTTzGSdP3FDgoyu2VPWxbaWTXzpHjxJUl4uGyOuYT3OXGww7olt7kBgChtvWflkBDYeeQsNUajRUoJA2_s/s640/blogger-image--2134266703.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
In the meantime, here are a couple of pics from around the market:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNc1ybNdGS2RrGkS4gT4YEOdkIDMeYSSDnD5m3KoMvQSGmVQzdD05pon-R_SDZpBcZLCLJ7ie32byWjnHzj47dfTYI_B9ggFDIaJ4hANwWPQGqhI5mjaXy_pf7GuxtQI6X1zgxg2-JUo/s640/blogger-image--177480894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNc1ybNdGS2RrGkS4gT4YEOdkIDMeYSSDnD5m3KoMvQSGmVQzdD05pon-R_SDZpBcZLCLJ7ie32byWjnHzj47dfTYI_B9ggFDIaJ4hANwWPQGqhI5mjaXy_pf7GuxtQI6X1zgxg2-JUo/s640/blogger-image--177480894.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiPVzw13YKIuhgI3199mXra42JLOaZ94Md-cw4xIrcpfynIn6o7qAT1wbDcBDedlLcPv42YAj19OP-4rgznKmK3Z7KqGNsa3gWxlX3re83WV30UbnmkCUigMxvcOGdJjspXDtAtiHuag/s640/blogger-image-1055771024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiPVzw13YKIuhgI3199mXra42JLOaZ94Md-cw4xIrcpfynIn6o7qAT1wbDcBDedlLcPv42YAj19OP-4rgznKmK3Z7KqGNsa3gWxlX3re83WV30UbnmkCUigMxvcOGdJjspXDtAtiHuag/s640/blogger-image-1055771024.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
A stall jammed with old tools. With so many tool-hoarding friends, I laughed out loud when I saw this one. If only I had more suitcase space!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC0t0xBjP_7HLaiFdJrooL2UfNc8raHmvIZtIKjov9JKlSM3as9Tz70gsOJ4Srk33g3yAkdYbIU9hLcG6nEhAVMwaGJrxs4nlnulS30Q7wucGixbX1RcMylVLeVU7taHL5XkvNdIbhyphenhyphens/s640/blogger-image--1196006920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC0t0xBjP_7HLaiFdJrooL2UfNc8raHmvIZtIKjov9JKlSM3as9Tz70gsOJ4Srk33g3yAkdYbIU9hLcG6nEhAVMwaGJrxs4nlnulS30Q7wucGixbX1RcMylVLeVU7taHL5XkvNdIbhyphenhyphens/s640/blogger-image--1196006920.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The hours passed quickly, and before I realized it, I was starving. Luckily, some of the girls had gotten that idea earlier and I ran into them in a cafe near our meeting spot. They shared their crisps and chicken (which wasn't all that yummy), and I finished it off with a little bit of heaven: crepe nutella. No napkins, of course, so I looked like a crazy toddler who just finished off the best snack. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNBHb_GoeSxviXYSma4k2QM1CRmIUxxYNMNxD-RnZ09NIAzLot3erjenHGzdO0QRLlTSd-mAF0yO9KoYUswiFz9cp-I-PaEsAzaP8cQVydqGvQJovGo0kE6hJciZ0wUU0E48nNNWVYX4/s640/blogger-image-247094399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNBHb_GoeSxviXYSma4k2QM1CRmIUxxYNMNxD-RnZ09NIAzLot3erjenHGzdO0QRLlTSd-mAF0yO9KoYUswiFz9cp-I-PaEsAzaP8cQVydqGvQJovGo0kE6hJciZ0wUU0E48nNNWVYX4/s640/blogger-image-247094399.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We got back to our hotel on the Rue de Lyon early in the evening and spent some time in the classroom working on our books and drawing a bit. Jane gave us a lesson on a face turned sideways, and we've all been working diligently to keep our chins from disappearing and our necks turned in some natural way. I'll share some shots of that later on when they get some paint on them and you can't see the crazy chins and weird neck angles. haaaaaaaa</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ2WFoLtrVi_y2blosax1FWx78bHHYYh0Qi33bfEGbYP9FuqQJGIkXmEV7OSSQCF2Cp8W3U5fPlltrqx4AHN2EES0yioU_RzV3Pt9RNynL9ptfrtQkViTWsdac49eSF9AU_zkY5sjE_E/s640/blogger-image--400431956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ2WFoLtrVi_y2blosax1FWx78bHHYYh0Qi33bfEGbYP9FuqQJGIkXmEV7OSSQCF2Cp8W3U5fPlltrqx4AHN2EES0yioU_RzV3Pt9RNynL9ptfrtQkViTWsdac49eSF9AU_zkY5sjE_E/s640/blogger-image--400431956.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I've been surprisingly comfortable reading signs and dealing with merchants and locals. I think the vocabulary that has been buried in my brain for so many years is actually coming to the surface, plus I really enjoy that I'm just a visitor here and don't have to deal with the day-to-day frustrations of trying to set up a home in a different country. When I was stationed in Italy, I came to dread going out on the town and dealing with folks in the market or on the street. It was just so painful. I remember one particular cold day when there was a vendor selling roasted chestnuts in our square. I got sideways looks from folks and never did end up getting to the table in front because I wasn't aggressive enough, apparently. I just gave up and went home. I don't get that sensation here at all and that's a huge relief. I know I've only been here a few days, but the overall feeling I get is so positive and exciting that I already have ideas swirling in my head about coming back as an art student!</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-32140559493293055552015-10-17T01:41:00.001-05:002015-10-18T00:12:28.322-05:00Inspired in ParisJe suis arrive! I forecasted this trip over 25 years ago in my high school yearbook, senior year. I had taken lots of French and was ready to go. Alas, even with a military career that included a European assignment in Italy, I never made it to France. Until now, that is! With my retirement looming, a few months ago I decided it was probably time, and went to the Google with "art retreat France" in the search block. I struck gold with an Artist Escape in Paris with Jane Davenport--a week of inspiration and fun in this amazing city. I'm joining ten women, along with Jane, to see the best sites in fun ways while journaling, drawing and painting!<div><br></div><div>It was an easy train ride from Kaiserslautern into La Gare de l'Est and then I caught a bus to our little boutique bed and breakfast near the Bastille.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbtGMw-ApCf9T3iokovzOx6NysldQMBEf4u4zq3ysI_dhyHW4QQ8EsiYGAmLyH9tp9cYIKOgrQzodtNOo7mHBHGJByUOOLIHA53M-yRQZwvyTqq0McCTdcAw7ELtKkbVb4UW4fKXyuf8/s640/blogger-image--1010419416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbtGMw-ApCf9T3iokovzOx6NysldQMBEf4u4zq3ysI_dhyHW4QQ8EsiYGAmLyH9tp9cYIKOgrQzodtNOo7mHBHGJByUOOLIHA53M-yRQZwvyTqq0McCTdcAw7ELtKkbVb4UW4fKXyuf8/s640/blogger-image--1010419416.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The bus was definitely a better choice than the metro. Even though it was a little rainy and still cold, I was treated to whirlwind views during the quick trip. Chez Jenny. That's right!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-00p1neoOe96MmmLjtcZo1V4od7mY7pBNZPdgkROathX_twPcJt8Ua-ywsSr6E-UDTl4QOca_6WinIUFYHhNv9o0EZZL1VCV2NZCG05X1y30R5AVA5h0qQHvOP3x3v_tRN4fN9-gl_k/s640/blogger-image-747874541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-00p1neoOe96MmmLjtcZo1V4od7mY7pBNZPdgkROathX_twPcJt8Ua-ywsSr6E-UDTl4QOca_6WinIUFYHhNv9o0EZZL1VCV2NZCG05X1y30R5AVA5h0qQHvOP3x3v_tRN4fN9-gl_k/s640/blogger-image-747874541.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This little inn is off the street in a peaceful courtyard that makes it hard to believe we're in a busy metropolitan area just down the street from trains, metro and bus stops. It's called My Open Paris, and it's designed to be a relaxing haven--even the pillows smell good! The day starts out with a basket full of breakfast goodness. My first croissant was a life-changing experience. The girls and I all laughed about how we picked up every crumb off the plate to ensure we didn't waste a single shred of buttery goodness! And, I have a handy little Nespresso machine in the room that I love! Normally, I'm a Keurig girl (with my big, dark Community Coffee) so I'm loving the European spin with a nice dark little shot of goodness. Here's a little view out the window from Studio Papillon (aka my room!) Can you see the koi pond? In Paris? Haaaaaa How amazing!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBDS3zPf-P-fy2SM2Xg_uEMXEKWXmAupCy-vuclR1dZYZXFdhtFHuucsHjZKtH1xTxyn3kBDQkyci7xi-KqBI0PhK8LzF_FtXrlqoqIDJa4pdKw7wIF_mFHbDlMPJiA0WESbINESozMw/s640/blogger-image-694527023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBDS3zPf-P-fy2SM2Xg_uEMXEKWXmAupCy-vuclR1dZYZXFdhtFHuucsHjZKtH1xTxyn3kBDQkyci7xi-KqBI0PhK8LzF_FtXrlqoqIDJa4pdKw7wIF_mFHbDlMPJiA0WESbINESozMw/s640/blogger-image-694527023.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speaking of amazing, after a quick meet and greet with the other girls on Friday night, we set off on the metro, which is an adventure in and of itself, to the Louvre. Seriously, I just took a jaunt to what is probably the world's most famous art museum. We went in the evening and, apparently, the crowds are completely manageable. A quick two hour visit let us see a ton of amazing history and inspiration, but I'm already considering how to explore more when I come back someday as an art student. The potential is just so exciting!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1s2cJKPUF-PjNsSRXN4mCKY7j03XOWeOD13rnz8l18T0HPxvTpvoEOPVtjJm7wYNpdOU-N1uQozVYXYpGvhdkfou5MDINGfwFuefCdN-TfW8CfVy5O9MjOyxyZG4w853LdGByofFr2E/s640/blogger-image-1260214539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1s2cJKPUF-PjNsSRXN4mCKY7j03XOWeOD13rnz8l18T0HPxvTpvoEOPVtjJm7wYNpdOU-N1uQozVYXYpGvhdkfou5MDINGfwFuefCdN-TfW8CfVy5O9MjOyxyZG4w853LdGByofFr2E/s640/blogger-image-1260214539.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway, back to savoring the moments of THIS trip...Jane took us to some of the works that inspire her the most. Think beautiful women with the most expressive, yet serene, faces. Botticelli comes to mind even before we got to the pieces up the steps near the massive Winged Victory statue. Such warm colors and interesting proportions. Incroyable.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfv8vtdHiE7Sljq9znZuiVl8a3TZjUepaE7AzDwDzuRU4ju4gNQrO1FTKaK_GD0YBMSaiw7bnP6r7Sp8YaLcGxklEHbcsdWUqqlntl0cCmJjnVozuBc2icdi-QhnFbYzl9S_w9K8fDmk/s640/blogger-image--981941232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfv8vtdHiE7Sljq9znZuiVl8a3TZjUepaE7AzDwDzuRU4ju4gNQrO1FTKaK_GD0YBMSaiw7bnP6r7Sp8YaLcGxklEHbcsdWUqqlntl0cCmJjnVozuBc2icdi-QhnFbYzl9S_w9K8fDmk/s640/blogger-image--981941232.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As delightfully overwhelming as the guilded halls and giant paintings quickly became, I stayed focused on the light and the ladies to capture a few inspirational shots to work with later once we get into the paints and pens and paper. Here's a bit of Tintoret from Venice in the 1500's.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX6Lti8wmcZ5Yj3jO7I8mRCRJBjL4PQ90THkYo0qwxJNJteC6RiNFU6FBSv8Jx-rFJdhPgEM_5EognzkzKTmvSOcIN_Nl7JFiTQrHtam9stoTPVRPVgOR0bWLC5jOPClPGbyTfoCSEV0/s640/blogger-image--1748618496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAX6Lti8wmcZ5Yj3jO7I8mRCRJBjL4PQ90THkYo0qwxJNJteC6RiNFU6FBSv8Jx-rFJdhPgEM_5EognzkzKTmvSOcIN_Nl7JFiTQrHtam9stoTPVRPVgOR0bWLC5jOPClPGbyTfoCSEV0/s640/blogger-image--1748618496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a stare from a piece down the hall. I failed to write down the artist...guess I'll have to go back and explore a bit more. haaaaaaa</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPj8jcTcKiWxlT734Env-npeeHrPK207GosUHsfjegYagGglFS6Wgu0xMQdwWYYnS8IK2TNZgESn2GUqQoiDAsur8N-qmessWvzvxoa9lgatmPSn8JV6NnyvprL6SgDPIYoo8xioQm84/s640/blogger-image-2137162737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPj8jcTcKiWxlT734Env-npeeHrPK207GosUHsfjegYagGglFS6Wgu0xMQdwWYYnS8IK2TNZgESn2GUqQoiDAsur8N-qmessWvzvxoa9lgatmPSn8JV6NnyvprL6SgDPIYoo8xioQm84/s640/blogger-image-2137162737.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got some time to just explore on our own and I wandered with two other girls around some of the ancient art and relics. There were hardly any people around, so it felt like we were part of some "night at the museum" adventure. Heck, I guess we were! </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgDqU8z-nMx_1TLo_i718VgC0YE4dkLObovKVExWhcDyHPigBPNxMZ2ns7aSnuGPJnsNdxNSdFh35x_pKHi7Zme65WyYTVjHeL5LZk8bZC4lHw_fQrV_1VwZD6vIUvKBqablxsu-SkKg/s640/blogger-image-646897075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgDqU8z-nMx_1TLo_i718VgC0YE4dkLObovKVExWhcDyHPigBPNxMZ2ns7aSnuGPJnsNdxNSdFh35x_pKHi7Zme65WyYTVjHeL5LZk8bZC4lHw_fQrV_1VwZD6vIUvKBqablxsu-SkKg/s640/blogger-image-646897075.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4omV0v5hrU0OXy-XP9auAcxwmycx020wooEbvwbJvAny7fGS0OhTZIj2xSSe4OxEuQOl2Yx4gUWNyn2_FcqNYLKiWT5p4ewoV-_0r2LrXdHcWQ3w0wSOlRMlTJt7kvBL6uBAxDJJzBA/s640/blogger-image--255794228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4omV0v5hrU0OXy-XP9auAcxwmycx020wooEbvwbJvAny7fGS0OhTZIj2xSSe4OxEuQOl2Yx4gUWNyn2_FcqNYLKiWT5p4ewoV-_0r2LrXdHcWQ3w0wSOlRMlTJt7kvBL6uBAxDJJzBA/s640/blogger-image--255794228.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know...of all the things in the Louvre and I pick "Homme chevauchant un coq." I thought it was funny. There's a tiny sculpture of a man riding a chicken from 499 (that's the year, not the room number! haaaaaaa)</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4uyFb0yDRcWvtTpubL-qPwW7OV-fTOZ2aUSF9HZgpREPAFCw7krDgT9c3gS5Wi1Vo2bwByh_s9PdfVBd3Mf_YqijKndzFYRE19B9-K-uJzZSAR6EjOT2zJd1SfY3ZvrxaLRbACozn7E/s640/blogger-image--524688333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4uyFb0yDRcWvtTpubL-qPwW7OV-fTOZ2aUSF9HZgpREPAFCw7krDgT9c3gS5Wi1Vo2bwByh_s9PdfVBd3Mf_YqijKndzFYRE19B9-K-uJzZSAR6EjOT2zJd1SfY3ZvrxaLRbACozn7E/s640/blogger-image--524688333.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of course, cat lady has to capture some Egyptian feline sculpture goodness. I imagine this god staring at his pharoah in the morning wondering if he'll get fresh fish or last night's leftovers.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7iE3k3Y_-pBlf9vEWPI4ELK_ccP8_BfDpc12u2GWkimFr9Ly9fLVnIiW3i1UkHX348llkRJGJhfoahskqfhT_CVHJfvJW_TBN6W5rJkToR5WKXccusdf7lDoTovn-eSJ-sTykMktGbI/s640/blogger-image--371095922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7iE3k3Y_-pBlf9vEWPI4ELK_ccP8_BfDpc12u2GWkimFr9Ly9fLVnIiW3i1UkHX348llkRJGJhfoahskqfhT_CVHJfvJW_TBN6W5rJkToR5WKXccusdf7lDoTovn-eSJ-sTykMktGbI/s640/blogger-image--371095922.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Much of my art and journaling involves lettering and mark-making, much of which has been influenced by ancient alphabets (even if I don't realize it). The heiroglyphs on so many surfaces are both beautiful and purposeful. I could wander in the Egyptian hall for days and never stop seeing new details. We studied King Tut back in third grade and that has always been one of my favorite history lessons: papier-mache death mask? Yes, please!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcCADF2-5Xc4xcEEF_OMQD2jAK31vhsn1DQhbkvtgTrmffsnHhrp-Au8jlnT_HcHCLJBJs4ZST7k33y73MYm4GU4GmOXC4HLkPGvpjHb9_rSgv5qM2KIT7fMAq9m4BPdWZu58y2mDCro/s640/blogger-image-1456555790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcCADF2-5Xc4xcEEF_OMQD2jAK31vhsn1DQhbkvtgTrmffsnHhrp-Au8jlnT_HcHCLJBJs4ZST7k33y73MYm4GU4GmOXC4HLkPGvpjHb9_rSgv5qM2KIT7fMAq9m4BPdWZu58y2mDCro/s640/blogger-image-1456555790.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This Etruscan pottery pattern was too beautiful. Look at those lines! I'd like to imagine it's a rather simple ewer in an upper class home. This kind of beauty on purposeful items as a way of life.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp4NdhHI22SswryzcQSYQVaytzHXLQi__5UZCE0wcDDsAnYT9_LN4OyS6Ep8IUnxsQNXLOIZgcX_Tb1CAtgTik72Ro86rRJi5r01N0nFsVOsiTrFYxAtT5WcoX5ShdwokKo-YEk8VoLU/s640/blogger-image-2102139957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp4NdhHI22SswryzcQSYQVaytzHXLQi__5UZCE0wcDDsAnYT9_LN4OyS6Ep8IUnxsQNXLOIZgcX_Tb1CAtgTik72Ro86rRJi5r01N0nFsVOsiTrFYxAtT5WcoX5ShdwokKo-YEk8VoLU/s640/blogger-image-2102139957.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We left the museum, filled with ideas and excitement, to head back to the hotel...jet lag hitting folks at various rates. On the way to the station, a small group of us decided to stop at the very fancy Hotel Regina for a cocktail. A cushy guilded lounge with wildly expensive drinks was the perfect way to both warm up from the cold street and chill out our post-museum excitement. We were all dying of thirst, so the water went quickly and our champagne and fruitty drinks soon followed. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o8B-PRrcMdqt7HPz7FkCz-Rk8bb_lY4j4NCtOAF0aKsB0WuOXeGAUotomDRYyFwFpYgqFKD2M17GX5NdH7N8tfBIEa_AX56bhyRHtostlDpI0OvbQPF7obPZyhwR5mmgXWJ81ThSNQA/s640/blogger-image--1115221954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o8B-PRrcMdqt7HPz7FkCz-Rk8bb_lY4j4NCtOAF0aKsB0WuOXeGAUotomDRYyFwFpYgqFKD2M17GX5NdH7N8tfBIEa_AX56bhyRHtostlDpI0OvbQPF7obPZyhwR5mmgXWJ81ThSNQA/s640/blogger-image--1115221954.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We caught the metro home. I just love this haven of a room, so I snuggled in and fell asleep quickly to happy dreams anticipating the next day!! More adventures!</div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-81739842297717806772015-10-15T08:59:00.001-05:002015-10-16T08:49:26.919-05:00Castle Climb in LandstuhlIt was another cool day in Germany yesterday, but I was still able to get out and be inspired by some of the shapes, textures, and scenery. The handy GPS helped me find Burg Nanstein, the castle that overlooks Landstuhl, a town very close to Ramstein. I didn't do much climbing on the trails, but I was able to pay a couple of euro and wander through the castle ruins enjoying a very peaceful adventure way above the town.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje51z4qXWQ9Q0f0PgTW0YF8FCH6jKtNB8z_Nh7rdiuarFBgOsw9dHbXBLdrejki7uQfQ9X9ffN1sot8JSSUnw7kPFbhQGdoljz6dQ4GKTLOn_RkmW-3SJn-eU01fVopbFOTt2vHrU0-vU/s640/blogger-image-1999013186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje51z4qXWQ9Q0f0PgTW0YF8FCH6jKtNB8z_Nh7rdiuarFBgOsw9dHbXBLdrejki7uQfQ9X9ffN1sot8JSSUnw7kPFbhQGdoljz6dQ4GKTLOn_RkmW-3SJn-eU01fVopbFOTt2vHrU0-vU/s640/blogger-image-1999013186.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the way up the hill, I passed the Schloss Hotel and stopped there on the way back down to get a little warm up in their cafe. A sweet macchiato was the perfect partner with my sketchbook as I used one of the photos to inspire some drawing in my art journal.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI30lgGnNPquYmcuRfx4epl9s6qjZ4KFpTm4XZAMm9DZK0nF16BZMUZXPSPGfia4MAx66NRfle6w76sIqxfduwOKDiYz2BW0uiYFStX_iEw1l5gp4dWHDIkYtqlX3oxuhBWzLJWFd6oyE/s640/blogger-image-920823493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI30lgGnNPquYmcuRfx4epl9s6qjZ4KFpTm4XZAMm9DZK0nF16BZMUZXPSPGfia4MAx66NRfle6w76sIqxfduwOKDiYz2BW0uiYFStX_iEw1l5gp4dWHDIkYtqlX3oxuhBWzLJWFd6oyE/s640/blogger-image-920823493.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a grey day, but I painted it a little brighter. Why? Just because I can! haaaaaa It's my book!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5-stR6GbgOCnoe2WkseCRhfosWC5CjoEQaEV5l5o2gJ1gU64qI7V1ctsj_VC7axLnyO1GDCW8xM-d1mCYwhP6hoLU0Tu50XPuWl2_DUIVdeMDW_JR1muKxmIZMyXdJzMYHiDPkkZu-o/s640/blogger-image-418968426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5-stR6GbgOCnoe2WkseCRhfosWC5CjoEQaEV5l5o2gJ1gU64qI7V1ctsj_VC7axLnyO1GDCW8xM-d1mCYwhP6hoLU0Tu50XPuWl2_DUIVdeMDW_JR1muKxmIZMyXdJzMYHiDPkkZu-o/s640/blogger-image-418968426.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am getting a little tired of wearing all the same clothes every day because I've been layering all the "fall" clothes I bought not anticipating the cool weather. But, Paris will bring some new items, I'm sure.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBad-QUtA4RkB6OjxGMve81_wDmGLswiASDFHc6FfGI7N4QJNgF61de1RzIBmi0GpqVNj3vl3D9JUk9VeaUQUehOMjrjikmbyvtS5aNE2nReTx4UtXUs9jja1L8C36rqzmclA9ZAadeY/s640/blogger-image-368280262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBad-QUtA4RkB6OjxGMve81_wDmGLswiASDFHc6FfGI7N4QJNgF61de1RzIBmi0GpqVNj3vl3D9JUk9VeaUQUehOMjrjikmbyvtS5aNE2nReTx4UtXUs9jja1L8C36rqzmclA9ZAadeY/s640/blogger-image-368280262.jpg"></a></div>Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-86261749752464792812015-10-15T03:36:00.000-05:002015-10-15T03:45:03.683-05:00Laughs in Riechenbach-SteegenI made it to Germany! A couple of days ago, I didn't think I'd be saying that! Monday was a stressful day as I tried my hand at the Air Force's "Space-A" travel process. Basically, as a retiree, I sign up on a list (up to 60 days in advance) and then show up at the port (i.e. the Air Mobility Command terminal at BWI) and then wait to see if I make it high enough on "the list" to get an open seat on one of the "rotator" flights to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The highs and lows of watching the list with fingers crossed hoping that you'll get a seat gave me heartburn and had me wandering through Travelocity sites looking for other options. As it turned out, after I'd called my friend, Melanie to come up and get me because the situation wasn't looking favorable, I made it to the counter after the 11:00 p.m. roll call, paid my $17.70, checked my bag, and got a seat. Melanie had more faith than I did in the process and got there just in time to bid me farewell on my big adventure (instead of taking me, griping all the way, back to her house!). We took off early in the morning and I made to Ramstein the next afternoon! I'm so thankful for Air Force friends like Melanie who would drive all around DC just to make sure I'd get out of town. <br>
<br>
And speaking of Air Force friends, I'm thankful for Beth and her family for hosting me here in Riechenbach-Steegen! This is the view from their porch...<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr29C8jlxQjkCboZ_413dKS46H3KBm8sPR6G8AGx4y5CQwNeY2FvsURImdF4qSUXKNecIyd_7YaTKf2hx353Vq9fSnFflCCWoZK_ZadbxUwIGBbflSmN7LLA8l2jY85b6dxVgtJS-oXc/s640/blogger-image--197337840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr29C8jlxQjkCboZ_413dKS46H3KBm8sPR6G8AGx4y5CQwNeY2FvsURImdF4qSUXKNecIyd_7YaTKf2hx353Vq9fSnFflCCWoZK_ZadbxUwIGBbflSmN7LLA8l2jY85b6dxVgtJS-oXc/s640/blogger-image--197337840.jpg"></span></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
They've been having a typical whirlwind week with work, class, school, soccer, scounts, homework, flu shots...it may be another country but it's still a familiar lifestyle. I got to tag along and get to know the kids and see the local sights. Even got to catch up with other friends at the soccer match and dinner!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Yesterday I took a walk around town in the afternoon. Found uniqueness in the narrow streets and interesting patterns...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUquWM38NMPFdllpVxycBfnrMgmJ4M2GOqjv9eDLggqM-3nrWVY0yQuY1j8qv1ZNFrpVPFys8tMLclgUhqOd1hLnHYRqKmKMhi8-u4W2hbPffvnY53MQMg0fnriyCyJhqN_lMXjadBjk/s640/blogger-image-1307641070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUquWM38NMPFdllpVxycBfnrMgmJ4M2GOqjv9eDLggqM-3nrWVY0yQuY1j8qv1ZNFrpVPFys8tMLclgUhqOd1hLnHYRqKmKMhi8-u4W2hbPffvnY53MQMg0fnriyCyJhqN_lMXjadBjk/s640/blogger-image-1307641070.jpg"></a></div>
<span id="goog_2070893314"></span><span id="goog_2070893315"></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecHYS0HBFqgycb6S3Mct1F4wU4cQB9PC0lJHNFOhe1T2J0ABD0bbKKQwef3UpMVYp56KmO04_zCOYtrXfgnbhR_KyuI9Eisum15dUBII7XX33G-F2_Q418Ug-ERIoRrXgTzZyLsER8hw/s640/blogger-image--1988318282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecHYS0HBFqgycb6S3Mct1F4wU4cQB9PC0lJHNFOhe1T2J0ABD0bbKKQwef3UpMVYp56KmO04_zCOYtrXfgnbhR_KyuI9Eisum15dUBII7XX33G-F2_Q418Ug-ERIoRrXgTzZyLsER8hw/s640/blogger-image--1988318282.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjkdsi6UJNiEV6dtgi_g-yovoU-HCvK8cWTNFjUPUa-Pqucf1W1FunQe7C9qxctj9lpj75-GrTgun0cVbvVdFcUOviqtV2vLr5hPF3VdoB352F5ZGTItkTVZtXaJnZ1MWA3c_P21XnQ0/s640/blogger-image--1235253899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjkdsi6UJNiEV6dtgi_g-yovoU-HCvK8cWTNFjUPUa-Pqucf1W1FunQe7C9qxctj9lpj75-GrTgun0cVbvVdFcUOviqtV2vLr5hPF3VdoB352F5ZGTItkTVZtXaJnZ1MWA3c_P21XnQ0/s640/blogger-image--1235253899.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkHnLC6Fq7iVn2MCeUKEK6hREztgrNnvHWydxNFyufC5kNUR08CCZ2l28lbTC715Kj6Y9bUZlpM2cPNbeEO1UN_FtQkMEHHouAn7SHWA2U_IZVQLqO0tU_oounhWR2aYn6_MxeIRpDAM/s640/blogger-image-1744765776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkHnLC6Fq7iVn2MCeUKEK6hREztgrNnvHWydxNFyufC5kNUR08CCZ2l28lbTC715Kj6Y9bUZlpM2cPNbeEO1UN_FtQkMEHHouAn7SHWA2U_IZVQLqO0tU_oounhWR2aYn6_MxeIRpDAM/s640/blogger-image-1744765776.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrI0ZRYqmKzP-IwXwODCQSblfYk9EMpf3hfmJMesriiLOFG2nLKBgTMYlQgpTZL0xYpMYDCMTSCTcbCIHaBSoWYPCdQ8r5H6zXu9KJPFBmbLM1iEADKaYEnIynvp3pvcz3iiNduMlbHY/s640/blogger-image--1889458580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrI0ZRYqmKzP-IwXwODCQSblfYk9EMpf3hfmJMesriiLOFG2nLKBgTMYlQgpTZL0xYpMYDCMTSCTcbCIHaBSoWYPCdQ8r5H6zXu9KJPFBmbLM1iEADKaYEnIynvp3pvcz3iiNduMlbHY/s640/blogger-image--1889458580.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHTBR1L5JFqXtRwEZ6elNlx14kElge8TB6bVLy2r4NzmYSsQUJwN5wvct5uhFjidJO1wKbKSMu3UsQzjFnPI-d5yKC5Slx2wRCz5cMrnTutDOUuZ72IQw5H4YAIqx8UK83YTGvzGB3lo/s640/blogger-image--1610129094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHTBR1L5JFqXtRwEZ6elNlx14kElge8TB6bVLy2r4NzmYSsQUJwN5wvct5uhFjidJO1wKbKSMu3UsQzjFnPI-d5yKC5Slx2wRCz5cMrnTutDOUuZ72IQw5H4YAIqx8UK83YTGvzGB3lo/s640/blogger-image--1610129094.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0TdLUuXeujhyphenhyphenR4d6DTcMppxgsBOx7KN65hDUNHPW0RAvlDv0z7TmcxmkwYvic5dRJmVOF1cBReveQ2fVNAGsY3PhdEsilDxEkBZP_qOmLlhUilK9CnfARg8bHRo_V4s37TK0ezUg8EI/s640/blogger-image--583346884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0TdLUuXeujhyphenhyphenR4d6DTcMppxgsBOx7KN65hDUNHPW0RAvlDv0z7TmcxmkwYvic5dRJmVOF1cBReveQ2fVNAGsY3PhdEsilDxEkBZP_qOmLlhUilK9CnfARg8bHRo_V4s37TK0ezUg8EI/s640/blogger-image--583346884.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMrpqJdoM37nEu4LntX2wjTA03SQztZaOzGs7j7iyIngDpNHtPgL8DA3WuQ9zTdpmEUZarkKmb3-I-NZcUPOhZ2Nl06dRJIZipBSM6ObXV1j_fIVmo3GK2AjmE5ulPcqt6GNBBfMQB9k/s640/blogger-image-121545777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMrpqJdoM37nEu4LntX2wjTA03SQztZaOzGs7j7iyIngDpNHtPgL8DA3WuQ9zTdpmEUZarkKmb3-I-NZcUPOhZ2Nl06dRJIZipBSM6ObXV1j_fIVmo3GK2AjmE5ulPcqt6GNBBfMQB9k/s640/blogger-image-121545777.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wrVK-PeBhs1OkHo5v5zzOaZQ_AftvkLyLSdvQbsYeXqQz5tAnr_B4bA5oLe3iyjYT8jOfoSfkkQB7R0SmvBa7C1BzbFd-a4NQt3sd37-J2AYp8Go4mlF91ShAyFxyc_atV3ZXab5uy0/s640/blogger-image-1018369753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wrVK-PeBhs1OkHo5v5zzOaZQ_AftvkLyLSdvQbsYeXqQz5tAnr_B4bA5oLe3iyjYT8jOfoSfkkQB7R0SmvBa7C1BzbFd-a4NQt3sd37-J2AYp8Go4mlF91ShAyFxyc_atV3ZXab5uy0/s640/blogger-image-1018369753.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And, of course, I had to get a shot of this lovely graphic advising against doggie poo.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucnDDQt9YFFfypqo49LcjIjKS3LVKPBTck5CUjBnt-t41V-G3R6O0ztW6a1Rgcj5RApFFzmVYrA0Pmakx7_xu5YC67MSQizL6GFA4wcYtH-ZPaF2gJOp0-5kPp0d49YXnApK1VHAIqaA/s640/blogger-image--285631270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucnDDQt9YFFfypqo49LcjIjKS3LVKPBTck5CUjBnt-t41V-G3R6O0ztW6a1Rgcj5RApFFzmVYrA0Pmakx7_xu5YC67MSQizL6GFA4wcYtH-ZPaF2gJOp0-5kPp0d49YXnApK1VHAIqaA/s640/blogger-image--285631270.jpg"></a><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKVTvZ-2t2mg9kvUX-9bLrbtS1aMn4d7amJtVLBOZopWY_vsOQlOhxiTp7j3M56yS5wdXe1T5kvRCg9GkPoRgbg5uZvY0ZZQ3XkSpyxzZeNNx_G0oq7TuTYPsoI3vv1HNQ2AOsKacG_8/s640/blogger-image-540157277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKVTvZ-2t2mg9kvUX-9bLrbtS1aMn4d7amJtVLBOZopWY_vsOQlOhxiTp7j3M56yS5wdXe1T5kvRCg9GkPoRgbg5uZvY0ZZQ3XkSpyxzZeNNx_G0oq7TuTYPsoI3vv1HNQ2AOsKacG_8/s640/blogger-image-540157277.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I ventured out to Globus, which is sort of like a German Wal-Mart with all sorts of wares available. I loved the cheese counter. Cheese is awesome. Since this area has a large American armed forces population, it's easier to get away with speaking English and actually getting the message across. I was able to order a "bratwurst mit brochen" and a Fanta without any pain and enjoyed lunch there in the little food court. My art supply hoarding friends will appreciate that I found fountain pens there that have been on my Amazon wishlist for a while!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHXkP3qX2CNdNUX9mssxM3qc5B7uZOdkBFMu28E-JAWB7t01ka9YcWeUml7_rhh2ZN1wEo5EVAmGY2xeybgxGTdcPEdc7iH15eL-p9cPCXd9jWaKY3xpg6q6oqA_tDUI5ye0DLYGMeuM/s640/blogger-image-424535211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHXkP3qX2CNdNUX9mssxM3qc5B7uZOdkBFMu28E-JAWB7t01ka9YcWeUml7_rhh2ZN1wEo5EVAmGY2xeybgxGTdcPEdc7iH15eL-p9cPCXd9jWaKY3xpg6q6oqA_tDUI5ye0DLYGMeuM/s640/blogger-image-424535211.jpg"></a></div>
<div><br></div><div>Beth and I finished up the day enjoying a nice German red and lots of stories. We've known each other since our young lieutenant days and although months or years may pass between visits, the laughter never changes. </div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHLatsGhskjIz22geM5gVEvuI5Su89Xy12oRtDApcl1vEQdxEIhUgytkMvNRNVzg9mVhTH0DIYP32qJ2BIOzHwH2U1IUPPGrpCtYSOj_ToWN1UjuQG4PAf2ww24sIJ0TmK9Hj5_HpWXU/s640/blogger-image--591576077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHLatsGhskjIz22geM5gVEvuI5Su89Xy12oRtDApcl1vEQdxEIhUgytkMvNRNVzg9mVhTH0DIYP32qJ2BIOzHwH2U1IUPPGrpCtYSOj_ToWN1UjuQG4PAf2ww24sIJ0TmK9Hj5_HpWXU/s640/blogger-image--591576077.jpg"></a></div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-66905465831298751712015-10-12T12:58:00.000-05:002015-10-12T12:58:27.843-05:00The Odyssey Begins...in Bedford<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the day I set off on my personal odyssey! As an artist/retiree/student/aunt, I've been having all kinds of good adventure, but today I actually get on a plane and head to Europe! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I go to far down that path, I've been enjoying the last week in my hometown, Bedford, Pennsylvania. I realized early on in the visit that this is where I'll eventually settle down. All that European travel and South Carolina schooling is going to be fun, but sitting here at my parents' kitchen table in their amazing old house is the best. October is my favorite time of year here...just check out the morning temperature. It's sweatshirt and slippers to start out the day with a cup of coffee but it easily moves into short sleeves and sandals once the sun comes out and lights up the autumn trees.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb6-rG_1wjryAtlFYWzpsFYwqSrefKaAeo_d26lWfCrrwQx7PN6YJmxvRUkaI-mKYopLjJDkdQNv6VodqfsZAum8V_LwnHtW4H8PMikA6xz8D-rRtpsecHgp5RQTTliyQ2kke8VN-0IM/s640/blogger-image--1889340976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb6-rG_1wjryAtlFYWzpsFYwqSrefKaAeo_d26lWfCrrwQx7PN6YJmxvRUkaI-mKYopLjJDkdQNv6VodqfsZAum8V_LwnHtW4H8PMikA6xz8D-rRtpsecHgp5RQTTliyQ2kke8VN-0IM/s640/blogger-image--1889340976.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have some cutie nephews that spent the weekend with us while awaiting the birth of their little sister. My first niece, Isabelle, joined the family on Saturday afternoon, the day before her biggest brother turned eight! I don't have kids of my own so it is always a shock how loud and sticky they can be. We walked a couple of blocks and enjoyed the Fall Foliage Festival downtown and then spent the afternoon carving jack-o-lanterns. They did a great job getting the pumpkin gunk out and saving the seeds for Grammy to roast as a snack.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyrgPgZBUH6Jrd6hfi2xwTbTXyyu54DuKlHfwyq5e7Z5gS4PsDweXzB3Bbqb6UfMqokVApoaqX5ax9XYxcoxDAc2Ir5nChKzJAUA_Hb7PPLr61aBVmg0tvdPZ7TFPKitg1yrTSElcbLk/s640/blogger-image--1372929140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyrgPgZBUH6Jrd6hfi2xwTbTXyyu54DuKlHfwyq5e7Z5gS4PsDweXzB3Bbqb6UfMqokVApoaqX5ax9XYxcoxDAc2Ir5nChKzJAUA_Hb7PPLr61aBVmg0tvdPZ7TFPKitg1yrTSElcbLk/s640/blogger-image--1372929140.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since I'm going to spend all winter here at home, I brought the cats up from South Carolina with me last month. I was worried that they'd be out of sorts for a while, but they love the big huge house and race up and down the hallway. I should say a couple of them do, Brando, the big white one, has taken up various sleeping positions in the living room or in the sun in the kitchen. This is Grammy's chair and they are happy campers. They take after their mom since our family loves to nap. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QaAKtIZd_yFOmt952xA7RyPvEsuK2PnJ5EITLKaT7NjLhihA4vyDEKWN9gA8WhVmHHtRS2g4hkNxSixnVq630rLpKPrMj_0arGyZDGBZ6XJ1dHvZhhUgTd0vE_z4hIihFAmtzPlwi_8/s640/blogger-image-1930808158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QaAKtIZd_yFOmt952xA7RyPvEsuK2PnJ5EITLKaT7NjLhihA4vyDEKWN9gA8WhVmHHtRS2g4hkNxSixnVq630rLpKPrMj_0arGyZDGBZ6XJ1dHvZhhUgTd0vE_z4hIihFAmtzPlwi_8/s640/blogger-image-1930808158.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I captured one of Brando's many sleepy moments in my art journal:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SgXQ1igF7dQq7tF6yKD9osxI_g0GFlE8HRcJvKpXBeVCouesp6u1mo0eiixbE-4MXaMX1JKLdRWJh-pOARt5oKqGr6midEqUNne8xCKqVFxU41EwQ92GxB-_9bTdiIE4QxMQI35ag6o/s640/blogger-image-1742865932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SgXQ1igF7dQq7tF6yKD9osxI_g0GFlE8HRcJvKpXBeVCouesp6u1mo0eiixbE-4MXaMX1JKLdRWJh-pOARt5oKqGr6midEqUNne8xCKqVFxU41EwQ92GxB-_9bTdiIE4QxMQI35ag6o/s640/blogger-image-1742865932.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There won't be many naps in the coming weeks for me, though, since I'll be hitting the ground running in Germany (hopefully!) tomorrow! I made these plans months ago to celebrate my retirement and I can't believe the day is actually here. If all goes the way I hope it will, I'll be taking advantage of military space-available travel and landing at Ramstein Air Base in the morning to visit with friends for a few days before I head over to Paris! I haven't been to France before, even though over 25 years ago I speculated in my senior high yearbook that I would study French and then go to France. Better late than never, I suppose. I'm hoping some of that French I worked on so many years ago comes back! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While looking for the perfect trip, I found an artist retreat in Paris with <a href="http://janedavenport.com/">Jane Davenport</a>. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://janedavenport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://janedavenport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/paris.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd heard of her through some of my mixed media art buds and her classes/books came highly recommended. So, I'll be joining a small group of ladies for a week of inspiration, drawing, painting, touring, and fun. After that, I figured that since I'm already going to be in Europe, I might as well make the most of it, so then I'll be meeting a dear childhood friend in Venice for a little cruise around the Mediterranean! Neither of us have been on a cruise or been to Greece, so it's the perfect trip!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After being in the peace of home and autumn, this trip is going to be a whirlwind and I'm ready! </span><br />
<br />Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-39944710427228987702015-05-30T17:12:00.000-05:002015-05-30T17:12:08.003-05:00Potential is Huge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's official. I have an awesome studio.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sure, it's tiny, but the potential is huge.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like to think that's kind of like my life right now...the potential is huge. I am in the midst of some massive transitions, so keeping the focus on all the right things is challenging. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just yesterday, I was part of a formal ceremony at work called a Change of Command. It's a military formation that involves the transition of power and responsibility in command of a unit from one person to another. I am very proud to say that after two years, I am the one handing over the flag to someone new. On a personal level, though, it has been very emotional as I experience the loss of my normal day-to-day existence and my squadron family. There was no crying on stage yesterday--I had to screw my face up a few times, but made it through my remarks with all eyeliner intact. I've shed a few tears at home alone since then in honor of those losses, but I'm trying to focus all that emotional energy on setting up what will be my new day-to-day existence.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's hard, and I've crashed into the nap zone a couple of times already today, but we're getting there. I went to the beach this morning and got some sun and sketched a bit. When I think of the seeds that sketchbook can possibly generate in the studio I get excited. Now, I just need to get up off the couch and go to the studio and work!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYA6jjITvCFUs-nBnE-z0nCgCN_VAUKBkqvDs8s3WmOUM2tnR7hfh-cPAnvYvXahQH9Hv5C8NACuZF7UKMD-oaW4Eb_DPt2q3ypr9QN5mFh_7HNU8LOpbJwiOC6brn_QDRxIZH6mVfFE/s1600/IMG_8596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYA6jjITvCFUs-nBnE-z0nCgCN_VAUKBkqvDs8s3WmOUM2tnR7hfh-cPAnvYvXahQH9Hv5C8NACuZF7UKMD-oaW4Eb_DPt2q3ypr9QN5mFh_7HNU8LOpbJwiOC6brn_QDRxIZH6mVfFE/s640/IMG_8596.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shelby loves the big backdoor with the view of the deck. She has to dig through a zillion half-finished ideas, but it works. We planted a few flowers last weekend to carry the bright color and energetic feeling through to the outside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOL2qlhcrqyuJDlorKqZhC5kBkHzK_-RNBsNu2H70mCOx-tvMiwKPmUwkRAFWPNf365GxdkloPx4SrcTrEZ2XhpU-Im71ZkZU8ienFUGgcFR5X2R4mW4kKZw3itEO270hYrwH0VH701w/s1600/IMG_8595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOL2qlhcrqyuJDlorKqZhC5kBkHzK_-RNBsNu2H70mCOx-tvMiwKPmUwkRAFWPNf365GxdkloPx4SrcTrEZ2XhpU-Im71ZkZU8ienFUGgcFR5X2R4mW4kKZw3itEO270hYrwH0VH701w/s640/IMG_8595.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even in the evening, as the great light from outside dims, we can still make a nice mess inside. Tonight, for instance, might be a good time to get on the six-pack of 12X12 wooden substrates that I have sitting in the middle of the table and start some collage work. I need to capture the feelings of this weekend and since the cat's aren't very chatty, some fun glue time might be just the ticket!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JuWDazm4aY7w9zhDVQJkKQxcJEzv_L5Yqk1joJTdJT_-EzeCqKQhQrLGBTWAa2FCOrO2I7i_3YcGZ0gaE5MoJcnDGhJqSLlgMsqGBDULtANYoLHlWVwLjvcz2r_itCPxr-CO4yc4fUU/s1600/IMG_8575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JuWDazm4aY7w9zhDVQJkKQxcJEzv_L5Yqk1joJTdJT_-EzeCqKQhQrLGBTWAa2FCOrO2I7i_3YcGZ0gaE5MoJcnDGhJqSLlgMsqGBDULtANYoLHlWVwLjvcz2r_itCPxr-CO4yc4fUU/s640/IMG_8575.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's time for me to exploit the potential of this space and the raw materials within. That's what I want my new existence to look like, so I guess I just need to get up off the couch and make it happen!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3630233666525501651.post-91828583922402930732015-03-03T19:33:00.000-06:002015-03-03T19:33:00.878-06:00Palm Trees or Palmettos. Whatever.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm just enjoying this Tuesday evening on the couch with my crazy cat, Brando, and a whole lot of craigslist browsing. I'm trying to figure out exactly where I'm going to move next here in the Charleston area. This is sort of a new experience for me since I don't actually have someone telling me where I need to live. This one's on me. I feel like I need to make the most of it since I'm here close to the beach and all the amazing life that Charleston has to offer, so I'm trying to slow myself down instead of just taking the option of the first one that seems okay. I'm not a big fan of lots of options...give me one COA (that's an acronym for Course of Action that we use all the time at work) and let me go.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That being said, I'm going for something a little closer to the beaches and to downtown. My house up in the Summerville suburbs is fantastic and has given me all kinds of room to create, but I'm ready to go someplace new. Wouldn't it be cool to live in a place where everyday could include a sketchbook, some watercolors and a cold beer? Hmmmmmm. So soon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lv-Lo5remulbBvEUzHFn61jcmt9PSjNk1l-LjJUUaOhyBFsUGj_Kzgus7uC5zlV7X20Ci6ZqATX1BSnmDKGCuh5UJmVOed9yVMFuDJ5mcF1cptJ-lexZVp3GUi-R1cZgOGXSV7tQtlY/s640/blogger-image--1528373257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lv-Lo5remulbBvEUzHFn61jcmt9PSjNk1l-LjJUUaOhyBFsUGj_Kzgus7uC5zlV7X20Ci6ZqATX1BSnmDKGCuh5UJmVOed9yVMFuDJ5mcF1cptJ-lexZVp3GUi-R1cZgOGXSV7tQtlY/s640/blogger-image--1528373257.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This pic is actually from a trip up to Myrtle Beach. My dear friend Bette and her husband Brian go there every year to celebrate their anniversary. Luckily for me, they had an extra room to spare in their condo and allowed me to celebrate a few days with them. The weather wasn't all that lovely, but just getting to spend time laughing, shopping, eating, and doing a little creating was perfect. I look forward to many more days like that soon. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's going to be a hard transition from the workaday regimen I have now to that of student-artist-part-time-job girl, but as I take steps like finding the right place to live it starts to become more and more real. On that note, I'm going to savor the joy of this little palm tree picture, think about trimming the palmettos in the yard, and dream about creating...for a living. Wow.</span></div>
Jen Juddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095850447720521341noreply@blogger.com2