Here are some of the books and movies I've been reading and watching in order to get in the mood for Italy.
"When In Rome" (2010, PG-13)
This was a lighthearted chick-flick with a view of the Trevi fountain in Rome. I enjoyed it about as much as eating cotton candy. There were a few laughs but nothing memorable to take away.
"Visions of Italy" (2001, documentary)
I watched this with my husband who up to this point has not been in the least interested in going to Italy. His comment was, "No one told me there was all that water!" He would love to tour Italy by boat (especially sailboat) but give all the art and cathedrals a wide berth. The views are spectacular, mostly shot from the air. It's what made me panicked about getting in shape. I knew that Italy had mountains -- I just didn't know it was ALL mountains. Very beautiful scenery set to very beautiful music. I highly recommend this set of DVD's.
"Angels & Demons" (2009 PG-13)
This was a whirlwind tour through many of the most famous sites in Rome. The Vatican, the Pantheon, Bernini's fountains, etc. However I found it way too gory to enjoy watching. Each of these places is the scene of a murder and the "good guys" are always just a few moments too late to prevent the tragedy. I picked out the "bad guy" from the very beginning even though Adele didn't believe me. So, "Ha!" Only watch it if you love suspense and don't mind the sight of blood.
"Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954 NR)
I enjoyed it even if it was pretty silly. It had a couple hilarious moments and it was set in Rome so the view was fine! If you enjoy old films you'll probably like this one.
"The Big Night" (1996 R)
A couple of brothers from Italy are trying to get a restaurant started in New York. Tony Shalhoub (of Monk fame) is one of the brothers so I really wanted to see this one. It is a strange movie but I really liked it. It left me feeling satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time. I keep thinking about it and what the layers of meaning were. Unfortunately there was a LOT of bad language. Except for that I highly recommend this movie. It is an exploration of the conflict between idealism and pragmatism and what is the meaning of art (in this case artfully prepared Italian food.) If you want something to chew on long after watching this is for you.
Banner of the Bull by Raphael Sabatini
Three stories revolving around the military conquests of Cesare Borgia in 15th century Italy.
The Shame of Motley by Raphael Sabatini
A longer story revolving around Cesare Borgia.
Eyewitness Travel ROME
One of our textbooks for the class. It is chock-full of wonderful photos, maps, and travel advice. If you've never thought of visiting Rome paging through this book will whet your appetite!
Art and Architecture in Italy 1600-1750 v. I&II by Rudolph Wittkower
Another of our textbooks. One of the leading texts on the Boroque period in Italy even though it was first printed in 1957. It is not light reading, but our main text for this class so that's to be expected.
Let me know what you think if you watch or read any of these. I'd love to hear your take on things. Or if you have suggestions of other books or movies for me, please share!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Simple Answers are Hard to Find
It was interesting to me to find out there is a dress code for this class. I didn't know this before but many major cathedrals have a dress code. A person is not allowed to enter unless they are covered down past their kneecaps and arms have to have at least short sleeves. Our instructor has seen cathedral guards stoop down to knee level to make sure the rule is being kept. A man in shorts must either not enter or buy a paper wrap provided for the purpose to fasten around himself like a skirt. Because the weather will be "warm to hot" during our stay in Rome, we were encouraged to feel free to wear sleeveless tops while we're walking around the city, but to bring along a light wrap or sweater to cover ourselves before entering a cathedral. (Thus the need for extra space in my handbag...)
This is just fascinating to me. I consider myself a modest person, although on several occasions I have been accused of dressing immodestly. I will have to adjust what I wear toward more modest by putting on a sweater when I enter a cathedral only to have my sensibilities affronted by looking at artwork depicting nude people. Because really, I am uncomfortable with public displays of nudity. Am I a prude? And what is the thinking behind the dress code? Does someone really think my kneecaps will be distracting in the presence of the greatness of Michelangelo?
The word "prude" has come to be used as a derogatory term toward someone who is excessively concerned with propriety and modesty in both attire and behavior. It originated from a word that meant "worthy and honorable woman." But there were those who desired to appear more worthy and honorable than they really were and their affectations and haughty critical attitude became synonymous with prudery.
I hope to live up to the origins of the word and to truly be a worthy and honorable woman. In that sense I would be honored to be a prude. I need to guard against a haughty and judgemental attitude toward those whose sensibilities are different from mine, understanding that I may not live up to someone elses standards. I seek to be willing to accept correction with humility and offer grace toward others in the knowledge that there is a Judge of the whole earth and I am not He.
This is just fascinating to me. I consider myself a modest person, although on several occasions I have been accused of dressing immodestly. I will have to adjust what I wear toward more modest by putting on a sweater when I enter a cathedral only to have my sensibilities affronted by looking at artwork depicting nude people. Because really, I am uncomfortable with public displays of nudity. Am I a prude? And what is the thinking behind the dress code? Does someone really think my kneecaps will be distracting in the presence of the greatness of Michelangelo?
The word "prude" has come to be used as a derogatory term toward someone who is excessively concerned with propriety and modesty in both attire and behavior. It originated from a word that meant "worthy and honorable woman." But there were those who desired to appear more worthy and honorable than they really were and their affectations and haughty critical attitude became synonymous with prudery.
I hope to live up to the origins of the word and to truly be a worthy and honorable woman. In that sense I would be honored to be a prude. I need to guard against a haughty and judgemental attitude toward those whose sensibilities are different from mine, understanding that I may not live up to someone elses standards. I seek to be willing to accept correction with humility and offer grace toward others in the knowledge that there is a Judge of the whole earth and I am not He.
Monday, April 25, 2011
It's In the Bag
Rome is notorious for pickpockets. I'm notorious for carrying an overstuffed handbag that won't even close. While that gives me quick and easy access to my credit card at a moment's notice in Target, say, it would be taken as a blatant invitation to being robbed overseas. The search is on for the perfect bag.
Purse shopping is right on up there with shoe shopping for pure fun! I mean, who doesn't like a good excuse to buy another purse -- aside from my sister, Tasha? Okay, the joys of searching for a new handbag may not be entirely universal so if you don't understand you'll just have to take my word for it. The rest of you know what I mean!
One of the best things about bags is that one size fits all! Or at least most...a cross body bag does actually have to go around one's body. I'm not quite that far gone, thank heaven, so I don't worry about that...much. And in fact, a cross body bag is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't want one that is too big because I'll be carrying it all day every day for over 3 weeks. But it should be big enough to hold a notebook (this is a class after all), a camera, my guidebook, and a light shawl or sweater (I'll explain this in a later post.) If there's room for a bottle of water that might be useful too.
I began my search at Herberger's. It's a great department store and usually has plenty of good stuff on clearance or on sale. I really didn't think it would take me long to find the perfect bag. I searched through the mountains of gorgeous purses, not allowing myself to get sidetracked (okay one or two other styles caught my eye but I was good and put them back!) It seems that the standard design for a crossbody bag is about 9"x9"x1" or smaller. Not quite big enough to fit a notebook (the old fashioned paper variety-- not the computer), and definitely not enough room for a light wrap let alone a bottle of water.
Hmm, this was more difficult than I imagined. I took the time to check out the specialty shops downtown. There are definitely a lot of cute handbags out there! But not a single one measuring around 9"x11"x3" which is roughly what I'd determined I needed. I even went into the consignment store. No luck on the cross body bag I was looking for...but...there was this one...it was black leather, with shiny buckles and only slightly larger than the overstuffed bag I currently carry. If I buy this one, maybe my everyday bag will actually close...hmm...good idea! Bought it. But still have to find the right one for my trip.
Someone told me to look at the Baggallini bags at Trumm Drug. I stopped in there one afternoon and I must say, I love Baggallini! They are designed to travel and have compartments for everything! Also, the zippers are oversize with charming metal zipper pulls. The clasps are very functional but very charming too. I admit. I'm a sucker for metal objects! Only one problem...the size was still on the small side. I pondered and fondled for quite awhile before I decided to take one home on approval. It just might work. But no. It did not. No matter how much I was in love, it still would not hold what I needed it to hold. So back to the store it went.
This is becoming ridiculous! Do I have to travel out of town to find a bag? It doesn't seem like my needs are extraordinary. Don't other people have to carry roughly the same stuff in roughly the same conditions? Surely someone has designed a bag for the purpose!
Purse shopping is right on up there with shoe shopping for pure fun! I mean, who doesn't like a good excuse to buy another purse -- aside from my sister, Tasha? Okay, the joys of searching for a new handbag may not be entirely universal so if you don't understand you'll just have to take my word for it. The rest of you know what I mean!
One of the best things about bags is that one size fits all! Or at least most...a cross body bag does actually have to go around one's body. I'm not quite that far gone, thank heaven, so I don't worry about that...much. And in fact, a cross body bag is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't want one that is too big because I'll be carrying it all day every day for over 3 weeks. But it should be big enough to hold a notebook (this is a class after all), a camera, my guidebook, and a light shawl or sweater (I'll explain this in a later post.) If there's room for a bottle of water that might be useful too.
I began my search at Herberger's. It's a great department store and usually has plenty of good stuff on clearance or on sale. I really didn't think it would take me long to find the perfect bag. I searched through the mountains of gorgeous purses, not allowing myself to get sidetracked (okay one or two other styles caught my eye but I was good and put them back!) It seems that the standard design for a crossbody bag is about 9"x9"x1" or smaller. Not quite big enough to fit a notebook (the old fashioned paper variety-- not the computer), and definitely not enough room for a light wrap let alone a bottle of water.
Hmm, this was more difficult than I imagined. I took the time to check out the specialty shops downtown. There are definitely a lot of cute handbags out there! But not a single one measuring around 9"x11"x3" which is roughly what I'd determined I needed. I even went into the consignment store. No luck on the cross body bag I was looking for...but...there was this one...it was black leather, with shiny buckles and only slightly larger than the overstuffed bag I currently carry. If I buy this one, maybe my everyday bag will actually close...hmm...good idea! Bought it. But still have to find the right one for my trip.
Someone told me to look at the Baggallini bags at Trumm Drug. I stopped in there one afternoon and I must say, I love Baggallini! They are designed to travel and have compartments for everything! Also, the zippers are oversize with charming metal zipper pulls. The clasps are very functional but very charming too. I admit. I'm a sucker for metal objects! Only one problem...the size was still on the small side. I pondered and fondled for quite awhile before I decided to take one home on approval. It just might work. But no. It did not. No matter how much I was in love, it still would not hold what I needed it to hold. So back to the store it went.
This is becoming ridiculous! Do I have to travel out of town to find a bag? It doesn't seem like my needs are extraordinary. Don't other people have to carry roughly the same stuff in roughly the same conditions? Surely someone has designed a bag for the purpose!
That's when I found out about ebags.com They literally do have every bag on the market! Plus you can sort them and search them by category, price, brand name and even color! I'm sure I looked at over 2000 bags! The great thing is that you can add them to a comparison chart in order to more closely compare features between the bags you like. I had about 10 bags in my comparison chart by the end of 2 hours of browsing. From there I was able to select two that I had shipped to my home. Between them, the cross body bag by Derek Alexander was the closest thing to what I had in mind. It is far less charming than the Baggallini *sigh* but it is basic, secure, and holds all I need with no room to spare. Not only that, return shipping was free on the one I sent back. Yay for ebags.com!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
If the Shoe Fits
The most important thing to bring with you on any trip (after a credit card of course) is a comfortable pair of shoes. There are plenty of shoes on the market that cradle one's feet perfectly, providing plenty of support and traction but can one feel comfortable wearing them with a skirt? or a pair of dress slacks? Definitely not! So this idea of comfort must be expanded to include psychological comfort as well as physical.
Therein lies the problem. Assuming the other axiom of smart travel called "traveling light" one has to look for a single pair of shoes that will carry you through all the exigencies of your trip (most of which are unknown to you, not having done it before) without causing blisters to your feet or wounds to your psyche. In order to avoid further complication let's settle on the color black. It goes with everything.
Shopping for the right shoes was pretty much the first thing I did after applying for my passport. It coincided with a trip to visit my sister in North Carolina. In fact, the only thing Nita and I like better than shoe shopping together is playing Scrabble. We did plenty of both! She took me to Off Broadway Shoes which apparently carries every shoe currently produced for retail sale.
Now the problem with shoe shopping with Nita is we wear the same size. My feet are slightly wider to my disadvantage, but I am willing to pay a little more so it tends to even out. All the same we both love a good bargain. Upon entering the store we make a beeline to the clearance racks and immediately begin to scan. She scoops up a shoe and tries it on. It's a keeper. It's a totally cute sandal of the BOC brand. And it's only $7.00! Do you think I can find another one? No way. Bummer! Oh well, it wouldn't have worked for my trip but at that price it would have been great for the rest of the summer when I'm back home. Nothing to do but to shake it off and move on.
I turn to the stacks of regular priced shoes and begin scanning. I'm looking for something black (as decided on earlier), no heel, classic lines, some cushion and arch support, not too bulky and accommodates a wide foot. I try on one candidate after another. No, that one pinches my toes. No, that one rubs my heel wrong. No, I can't even get this one on. On and on it goes for over an hour. Until finally my feet are feeling abused and I'm not sure I could even tell if a shoe did fit. But, there it is. Clarks brand, black leather, sleek looking Mary Jane style that definitely fits! So I buy them.
My friend Cassie kept asking me if I was wearing them yet. I was waiting for the 6" of mud to dry up on our driveway but the way this year has gone I'm glad I took her advice and began wearing them around the house. I went as far as to wear my old shoes through the mud and switch to my new ones in the car when I went places. So yes, Cassie, they will be well broken in before walking the streets of Rome. They feel great on my feet but are not as supportive as an athletic shoe would be...but I have the security of knowing they look classy with my travel wardrobe and that's comforting!
Therein lies the problem. Assuming the other axiom of smart travel called "traveling light" one has to look for a single pair of shoes that will carry you through all the exigencies of your trip (most of which are unknown to you, not having done it before) without causing blisters to your feet or wounds to your psyche. In order to avoid further complication let's settle on the color black. It goes with everything.
Shopping for the right shoes was pretty much the first thing I did after applying for my passport. It coincided with a trip to visit my sister in North Carolina. In fact, the only thing Nita and I like better than shoe shopping together is playing Scrabble. We did plenty of both! She took me to Off Broadway Shoes which apparently carries every shoe currently produced for retail sale.
Now the problem with shoe shopping with Nita is we wear the same size. My feet are slightly wider to my disadvantage, but I am willing to pay a little more so it tends to even out. All the same we both love a good bargain. Upon entering the store we make a beeline to the clearance racks and immediately begin to scan. She scoops up a shoe and tries it on. It's a keeper. It's a totally cute sandal of the BOC brand. And it's only $7.00! Do you think I can find another one? No way. Bummer! Oh well, it wouldn't have worked for my trip but at that price it would have been great for the rest of the summer when I'm back home. Nothing to do but to shake it off and move on.
I turn to the stacks of regular priced shoes and begin scanning. I'm looking for something black (as decided on earlier), no heel, classic lines, some cushion and arch support, not too bulky and accommodates a wide foot. I try on one candidate after another. No, that one pinches my toes. No, that one rubs my heel wrong. No, I can't even get this one on. On and on it goes for over an hour. Until finally my feet are feeling abused and I'm not sure I could even tell if a shoe did fit. But, there it is. Clarks brand, black leather, sleek looking Mary Jane style that definitely fits! So I buy them.
My friend Cassie kept asking me if I was wearing them yet. I was waiting for the 6" of mud to dry up on our driveway but the way this year has gone I'm glad I took her advice and began wearing them around the house. I went as far as to wear my old shoes through the mud and switch to my new ones in the car when I went places. So yes, Cassie, they will be well broken in before walking the streets of Rome. They feel great on my feet but are not as supportive as an athletic shoe would be...but I have the security of knowing they look classy with my travel wardrobe and that's comforting!
Friday, April 22, 2011
First Things First
By way of disclaimer I don't leave for Rome until May 17th. If you are reading this to get in on the highlights of my trip but have no interest in the pre-departure angst you might want to wait until mid-May to follow this blog!
As soon as I knew I was going to Rome there was one obvious thing I had to do. Get in shape! It's no secret that I'm overweight and out of shape. (How much over is the secret!) I decided I must start walking every day...a little bit at first and gradually work my way up to about an hour a day. With Rome as my goal surely that would be motivation enough!
With my elliptical trainer in front of my big screen TV I was all set -- even if the weather outside was frightful. At first it was all I could muster to do 10 min. a day. No matter, there's still plenty of time... After a week or so I was up to 20 min. at a time. Yeah! That's great progress. A couple weeks at that level and I decided I needed to push myself a little. Could I do 30 min? Yes. Barely.
Surely it will get easier soon, I thought. Just give it time. But here I am two months later, still struggling to get to the 30 min. mark. On the few nice spring days we've had I walk outside in our beautiful countryside. My lungs burn, my legs stiffen up, and I dread every minute of it. How am I ever going to keep up in Rome? It's discouraging enough to make me want to give up...but I know that won't serve me well in the end. I just have to keep struggling through.
As the time before departure gets shorter and shorter my goal has changed from "getting into shape" to "just not dying." The picture in the guidebook of the Spanish steps has gone from picturesque and charming to daunting and even menacing! I have visions of myself huffing and puffing at the tail end of our group, finally saying, "That's okay. You guys go ahead. I'll just wait here and eat some gelato. You can tell me all about it later!"
As soon as I knew I was going to Rome there was one obvious thing I had to do. Get in shape! It's no secret that I'm overweight and out of shape. (How much over is the secret!) I decided I must start walking every day...a little bit at first and gradually work my way up to about an hour a day. With Rome as my goal surely that would be motivation enough!
With my elliptical trainer in front of my big screen TV I was all set -- even if the weather outside was frightful. At first it was all I could muster to do 10 min. a day. No matter, there's still plenty of time... After a week or so I was up to 20 min. at a time. Yeah! That's great progress. A couple weeks at that level and I decided I needed to push myself a little. Could I do 30 min? Yes. Barely.
Surely it will get easier soon, I thought. Just give it time. But here I am two months later, still struggling to get to the 30 min. mark. On the few nice spring days we've had I walk outside in our beautiful countryside. My lungs burn, my legs stiffen up, and I dread every minute of it. How am I ever going to keep up in Rome? It's discouraging enough to make me want to give up...but I know that won't serve me well in the end. I just have to keep struggling through.
As the time before departure gets shorter and shorter my goal has changed from "getting into shape" to "just not dying." The picture in the guidebook of the Spanish steps has gone from picturesque and charming to daunting and even menacing! I have visions of myself huffing and puffing at the tail end of our group, finally saying, "That's okay. You guys go ahead. I'll just wait here and eat some gelato. You can tell me all about it later!"
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Getting Started...(whew, there's a lot to do!)
Well, here goes. I've always resisted writing in journals and diaries because they might be found and READ and found to be boring, lame and neurotic. Or I might go back and read them sometime and find it boring, lame and neurotic. But now, crazy as it sounds, I am embarking on a plan to publish for the WHOLE WORLD to see, my wandering commentary pertaining to an upcoming adventure -- namely a trip to Rome, Italy. Perhaps there will be something entertaining on occasion...at the very least you can use this as a sleep aid with few side effects!
The back story goes something like this:
I'm a 40 something woman with a husband and three daughters. The middle child is finishing up a music degree at the University of MN Morris and wanted to use her study abroad stipend before it was too late. She decided to look for opportunities in the May term following her final semester. Of the courses offered, the most intriguing one was "All Roads Lead to Rome: Art and Architecture of the Baroque Period." As she talked to me about it I found myself getting more excited about the idea and began to wonder if I might be able to do it too. My husband (who has to foot the bill) graciously consented to the idea and we began the application process.
We were a little late to the game. She went through the application online and gave me instructions on where to go to do the same. I waited until a convenient time and filled out the information, only to be informed that the course was full. She was number 2 on the waiting list and I was number 5. It didn't look promising. After dealing with the initial disappointment we began talking about a plan B. She needed the 4 credits toward graduation. "Maybe we could go somewhere else," she said. I had my heart set on studying art history in Rome. "You can go somewhere else" I said. "But I'm not going to."
Before she had seriously looked into something else, however, she got the call that she was in! There had been enough people dropping the class to move her up into place. What good news! If only there were a chance for me to go too. I was disappointed of course, but realized that it was likely God's way of telling me it was not my time to fulfill this lifelong dream of seeing Italy. After a long conversation with the instructor, it seemed even more unlikely that I'd go. I was still number 3 on the waiting list and in his experience that many people hadn't happened to drop the class at this late stage of the process.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I got the call just two days later! I was in! Thank you, God for this marvelous gift! Hurry and get a passport! Hurry and send in the paperwork! ROMA here we come!
The back story goes something like this:
I'm a 40 something woman with a husband and three daughters. The middle child is finishing up a music degree at the University of MN Morris and wanted to use her study abroad stipend before it was too late. She decided to look for opportunities in the May term following her final semester. Of the courses offered, the most intriguing one was "All Roads Lead to Rome: Art and Architecture of the Baroque Period." As she talked to me about it I found myself getting more excited about the idea and began to wonder if I might be able to do it too. My husband (who has to foot the bill) graciously consented to the idea and we began the application process.
We were a little late to the game. She went through the application online and gave me instructions on where to go to do the same. I waited until a convenient time and filled out the information, only to be informed that the course was full. She was number 2 on the waiting list and I was number 5. It didn't look promising. After dealing with the initial disappointment we began talking about a plan B. She needed the 4 credits toward graduation. "Maybe we could go somewhere else," she said. I had my heart set on studying art history in Rome. "You can go somewhere else" I said. "But I'm not going to."
Before she had seriously looked into something else, however, she got the call that she was in! There had been enough people dropping the class to move her up into place. What good news! If only there were a chance for me to go too. I was disappointed of course, but realized that it was likely God's way of telling me it was not my time to fulfill this lifelong dream of seeing Italy. After a long conversation with the instructor, it seemed even more unlikely that I'd go. I was still number 3 on the waiting list and in his experience that many people hadn't happened to drop the class at this late stage of the process.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I got the call just two days later! I was in! Thank you, God for this marvelous gift! Hurry and get a passport! Hurry and send in the paperwork! ROMA here we come!
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