Crypt In Downtown Florence Italy

As one can imagine, I am attracted to  the strange.

In the middle of the busy area of Florence you will find this crypt.

I suspect it was there and the city grew around it.

Notice the strong fence. The locks on gates were huge.

This all caused me to wonder if they were trying to keep people out or in.

 

Mike McLellan's Postcards: 2,367,614 page views as of today for this blog. 

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Things to remember

  

    There are some hints if you are new to travel. 1) Check to see if your credit card charges a fee to convert US money to those overseas. Get one that doesn't. You can save on transaction fees. (We carry a Chase Preferred). Call the card company and tell them  where you are going and when.

2) Remember if you want local cash to take your debit card. Your credit card will not work in most ATMs. 3) Before you leave think about trip insurance. Our credit card includes it, but we buy it anyway because it does not include medical costs. 4) Take along a list of medicines you need. Name of drug, doctor, RX. Even better carry the bottles. 5) Copy everything: passports, itinerary, reservations and keep copies separate in case you lose a suitcase or other bag. 6) Give your itinerary to a friend before you go. 7) Don't forget to leave your pocket knife in checked baggage or at home. (TSA will take it from your carry-on or pocket - I know) 8) Tell your cellphone company you are leaving and where you are going. I ask for International Roaming and my carrier gives me a lower rate. 9) Pack a week in advance and then each day take something out, Travel light. You can actually wear the same shirt the whole time if you are not seeing the same people. 10) Wear broken-in shoes.

 

Norway in a wheelchair

In the midst of the fjords September 2026

When we announced  that we were going to take a small ship (which they call a ferry, but is just one 10th the size of a cruise ship) people tried to talk us out of it.

The ship is nearly brand new with elevators between decks.

A wheelchair works well.

The voyage was 12 days from Bergen north to the Russian boarder.

While there were excursions, there was no buffet or entertainment. 

Meals were prepared by on board cooks and the scenery was the entertainment.

The only trouble I had was slowing my life to relax and take in all in.

The Fenice is the Opera House in Venice.

I read the book "City of Falling Angels" in which the Fenice Opera House fire and destruction is central. When we got to Venice it was at the top of my list to see the rebuilt building along with the glass factories on the island of Murano.

We entered the great opera house and went to an upper floor. There was the only open box to see the stage. While we were watching a man came out and began tuning the piano. To see if it was done, he played some great works.

A surprise and note the sign at left...

Due to coloring, if he wasn't so tall you would miss him.

In a reserve in South Africa we spent several amazing days tracking the animals. 

As the grass was brown, it occurred to me this may be why so many animals are brown. The cheetahs with their spots certainly blend in.

The lions are not easy to see unless they are moving.

Giraffe are the same color except they are hard to hide in the tall grass.  

This does not apply to zebra. Maybe I am wrong. 

 

France is for lovers

Top: Famous "Sailor Returning Home" (after WWII) Caen, France..

Bottom: Two Lovers on the Pont Neuf (New Bridge) Paris, France