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Several Germans were sitting behind me during mass and they wouldn't shut up. They just kept talking and talking throughout the entire procession. It was quite aggravating. Here I am, the rude American, respecting what is going around me and two Germans are being rude. But even worse, part way through the mass a gaggle of tourists emerged and began taking pictures using their flash. Pictures of frescoes. Using their flash. My eyebrow twitched as I noticed that they weren't ordinary tourists... they were all nuns! I couldn't believe it. Anyway, I don't feel a great amount of respect for the Catholic church, but I'll at least act decently. if an atheist can do that, a German can and a nun can.
The view from the path up to the church.
The cloister you step into as you enter.
The steps leading up to the church. There's a lot of build up to it.
A garden on the way to the church doors. I guess now would be a good time to admit that I didn't get any actual pictures of the church itself. Oops.
A book inside the church. This looks like one of those old hymns they would sing. Notice how simplistic the musical language was in the middle ages.
This was a surprise. A Botticelli of the nativity scene. How lovely!
Before leaving I picked up some grappa made at Monte Cassino. Grappa is a potent alcohol that kind of tastes like a cross between rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover. But supposedly this is the best place to get it. So I did.
By the time we were done in Monte Cassino the weather had become too ugly to continue, so we returned back to Orvieto. I only have one more trip left, and it's a day trip to Rome. We're hitting one museum and ten left free for the afternoon. The remaining days will be in class in Orvieto. Then Jenn comes up and the adventure truly begins. I can't wait. Hopefully she'll help me with the grappa.
Anonymous
October 28 2007, 17:04:29 UTC 4 years ago
Beautiful, once again !
It sounds a bit redundant to keep saying the pictures are beautiful but they are.Capri looks awesome. Hard to find words for the rugged beauty there. I've always been a bit fascinated with Pompeii. Once a thriving community wiped out in seconds. There is a message there I suppose. Perhaps "Follow Your Bliss" as Joseph Campbell says. Because you don't know what may come. Whatever it is, I understand feeling a reverence for a place like that.
And the Greek ruins are always awesome. Love the comment on Greek Gods. I wonder if one day, centuries from now, people will interpret our celebrity gossip stuff as a religion. Boy they would think we are messed up. Or junkyards of old refrigerators and cars and miles of CDs and stuff. What is this? The "art" of our times? Will that all be on display one day?
Which brings us to the "art" in Naples or is it just porn? We may never know. It could be some fertility stuff or a more casual view of, well, er, the male stuff going on there. Or they could have just discovered some stuff from an ancient X rated store.
Anyway. Hoping you are having a good time. I know Jenn will be there soon. Please keep posting tho! I am wondering what you two will choose to see together!
Yes, I do wish I could could join you there. I would love to see all that too! Would love to see you too! I know I will tho. If not on Thanksgiving, than perhaps Christmas. At least we can talk over the phone.
Loving this huge new addition of pictures and stories! It's been wonderful to be able to keep up on what you are doing and seeing!
Love Mom
October 29 2007, 16:39:52 UTC 4 years ago
Re: Beautiful, once again !
Our art won't survive nearly as long as theirs does. Our stuff degrades so quickly that if we don't carefully log what is going on, we'll lose trace of all modern crap before Pompeii finishes disintegrating. I do wonder what future civilizations will consider art, though.The Naples museum had art from all over Pompeii. The erotic room contained images that were openly displayed in public areas. It was just normal. Did you see the wind chime? That would be sitting in front of a residence. I got other equally erotic pictures while I was at Pompeii. It's probably a good thing I couldn't read the ancient Latin graffiti.
It certainly was a nice contrast from our trip to the monastery. =)
Anonymous
October 31 2007, 01:45:08 UTC 4 years ago
Re: Beautiful, once again !
Well, I could use some wind chimes.(wicked laugh)I live right next to the model apartment so I don't think a wind chime such as that would go completely unnoticed. But it could.
However I was thinking maybe butterflies, fairies or kittens. Something cute.
Ah, but I really like St Francis of Assisi. I think of him as one of the truly enlightened of Christians. I would have loved to go there. Unless they made it tacky commercial.
Sounds like you are getting a whole mess of contrasting experiences. Like life only in concentrated form. Like Haiku.