Italy

We were lucky enough to travel to Italy in Jan. Here we are in Pisa.

This is the Baptistry next to the Tower. The carving was amazing.

This is inside the Baptistry.

This is the font.

Think of all the people who have climbed these stairs through out history. A little spooky.

This is the Cathedral from behind while we were in the balcony of the Baptistry.

Ron climbed the Tower. It's purpose was as a bell tower-hence the bell.

No way was I climbing a tower that leaned. So this is me sitting on the steps on the left.

The ceiling inside the cathedral.

Our next excursion was to Rome. Here is a picture of inside St. Peter's Square across from St. Peter's Basilica.

I don't believe I had ever seen opulence until we were at Vatican City. This is just one of the alcoves.

A past pope's final resting place.

Scary, huh! They still have masses here and on Wednesday the Pope leads a mass and blesses tourists icons.

After all that we needed a pizza and some pasta. Now that's what Italy is all about. Food!

We then took a tour of the Colosseum. Talk about grusome. Over 700,000 people died in the "games" in it's hayday. They don't know how many animals. sorry Ron has his eyes closed but the photographer is an amateur. Shortly after this shot was taken we were on the streets of Rome when an anti-Israel protest was beginning. We should have hopped on the train right then but there was more we wanted to see. So we stayed and before long were in a crushing mob of people trying to get past the protests. Quite exciting. It was on the news that night!!! Another adventure!!!!

This is the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and Baptistry in Florence.

While in Florence we went to a number of museums. This is a view outside the Galleria degli Ultizi. This museum houses the Birth of Venus and more paintings from Catholic churches than one could have imagined existed. At another museum we saw the statue of David by Michelangelo.

Me again in front of a huge castle. I am on the Third of fourth story balcony of another building, so you can imagine how tall the castle is.

Ron and I are taking a break after hours of art appreciation. (Oh, look at that one, his nose is so big. Oh and this one needs a pair of pants! Another picture of the assention of Mary...enough already.)

This domed ceiling was in Santa Maria Cathedral in Florence.

Another view of the cathedral. I hope someday we can return.....