Petting The Pig in Florence

In Verona you need to fondle Juliet's right breast. It is tradition.

In Edinburgh you have to pet the Greyfriars Bobby (dog).

In Munich it is some nameless young woman in the street market.

However:

In Florence Italy it is the pig (really a boar)  just off the Plaza República.

The lines are long. If you pet the pig, put money in its mouth, you are not only blessed you make sure of a return to Florence.

Now:

There is a secret. During the day the line is long and folks are bringing coins to put in its mouth. If the coin is washed out the luck is good. My hint for you is that following dinner go for a walk in the Plaza. There is a Merry-Go-Round and lover's walking, and lights dancing off the walls.

And then there is the bronze wild boar called "The Pig". No one is around. The shops are closed and there is no line. You don't have to put money in its mouth or pet it. You can just enjoy the myth.

 

Tea Break On The Botswana Savanah

Most safaris start early in the morning. There are two reasons. One: it can get hot in the afternoon. Two: the animals are smart enough to use those cooler morning hours for activity. Besides wine hour in the camp, a fun part of some safaris is a stop in mid-morning for tea, biscuits, and small sandwiches. No alcohol at this point. You have to be on your guard for animals who want to share.

Duncan and his wife were our guides and we traveled in specially converted Toyota trucks which, in four-wheel-drive, were better suited than Landrovers.  

 

In A Scottish Country Garden

 

While Peter Rabbit's home was in the Garden District of England, one might expect him here. There is something well-organized and relaxed about gardens in Scotland. These gardens are an extension of the manor house or castle -- and even the small homes around.  Maybe it is that many days are a little gray and flowers and living thing brighten the day. For whatever reason they are a pleasant place.

Always Turn Around

From the highest point in Paris you can visit Sacre-Coeur Basilica. WOW. 

From the steps of Sacre-Coeur turn around and see Paris.

 

QUICK ... Faster .... We are being followed .....

A number of years ago while driving in the Dolomites of Northern Italy

I looked in the mirror of our rental car and saw this.

I tried to see if there was a logo on the side of the vehicle but no luck.

To this day, I am not sure of what I saw or if I saw it.

 

Paris Baking Class for the Young and ...

        Took our granddaughter to Paris and asked her to plan something special for herself. Other grandkids have chosen other adventures, but this grandchild chose a backing class. It was in English, but in the art of French cooking. I posted a photo of this after the class and my cellphone went off. I good friend from our hometown in the US sent a text to say that they, as I family, had taken the same class. It is a small world. As for me, I can cook Top Ramen, but I did enjoy watching the kids while sipping some French wine

The Transit Station in Seville: The art of getting lost

    Seville is one of Spain's great cities. It is very walkable to see the sights and visit with locals. We, being bold, often just go for walks. What is the most that can happen? In the narrow winding back streets you can get lost or you can discover something wonderful. This is the Transit Station. You cannot see the scale here, but it is over several stories high. After sitting in the shade (Seville is warm in the summer) we used our seasoned sense of direction to get hopelessly lost. In a narrow walkway we saw someone to ask how to get back. Our best Spanish at the ready, we asked him. Turns out that he was an English Ex-pat and served as a shepherd. Without him we might still be there.