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August 8, 2005
art doesn't have to be ugly to look clever...
I completely agree with Robert Louis Stevenson on his idea of travel. He once said, "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." My photographs are not simply for posterity. The great affair of photography is, for me, the idea of reminding myself of what I've seen, and have yet to see. So I wasn't able to squeeze everything in one entry without running the risk of being overzealous with uploading all the photographs of my adventures in Italy- the good news is, I'm not done with the pictures! We still have Florence, Siena, Ravenna, and Venice to go ;)
-florence-
Inside a cathedral in Florence.
The ceiling inside the Bapistery.
The scene at the Duomo, from the path to the dome.
The view of Florence from the top of the Duomo.
At the Ponte Vecchio (the most famous bridge in Florence).
-siena-
From Florence, we took a day trip to Siena, a town famous for its Piazza del Campo, and yet another Duomo, where Pisano's Pulpit currently resides.
A group of us at Siena- me, Drew, Arlinda, Tabitha and Charlotte.
-ravenna-
We returned to Florence from Siena, and then packed up and headed to Venice. On the way, we made a stop at the charming town of Ravenna, well-known for being home to an amazing variety of mosaics.
Mosaics in the church at Ravenna.
-venice-
After Ravenna, we disembarked at Venice, home of the most complicated canal system in the world. Complicated here translates to gorgeous- the town is definitely a must-see for any sojourner travelling through Italy.
The docks near the church of St. Marco (St. Mark).
Art doesn't have to be ugly to look clever.
Inside the St. Gregorio Church, where Megan's presentation took place.
A charming side canal near our hotel.
And so, our pictorial journey through Italy ends. I had a great time during those three weeks, and I learned about Italian history and art in general- more than I ever anticipated in my wildest dreams. My classmates and I were stuck with each other for three weeks, and we all made it through the course without any physical brawls, emergencies, or accidents. Mark Twain once said, "I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." Sure, there were a few squabbles- what field trip is complete without them?- but we emerged from our intensive course happy, tired, and ready to leave Italy so we could mull over what we absorbed during our time there.
In my subsequent travels of Eastern Europe, I realize that travelling has a lot to do with the people you travel with, and the people you meet along the way. I love the fact that travelling is the fourth most universal activity in the world- after breathing, eating and sleeping. There are some things you have to do while you're young, and backpacking through Europe without a tour guide is one of them. Some food for thought:
"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."
-jawaharal nehru
Posted by robyn at August 8, 2005 5:49 AM
