Venetian Glass Factory

We all wished we had....oh, a couple of thousand more dollars so we could buy some of the gorgeous glass!

St. Mark's Square, Venice

VENEZIA!

What an incredible day we have had! I am pretty sure I am speaking for everyone when I say today was magical! We were on the bus by 7:45 for an 8:15 boat ride across the Laguna to Venice. We approached the Piazza San Marco, disembarked and had a one and a half hour walking tour of Venice.
We walked across little bridges and canals, around various campos (squares) and marveled at the architecture, while listening to Carlo speak to us. We had whispers around our necks, little headsets that hooked us up to the guide up front, so he didn't have to shout. We will be using those all week. Most of us went on a Gondola ride after lunch, which lasted about half an hour and actually went out onto the Grand Canal for a little bit, enabling passengers to see the Rialto Bridge.

We had some free time which most people used for souvenir shopping or visiting St. Marks Cathedral. Then at 4 we met back up with our guide Carolina and she took us to the Doges Palace, which was fascinating. We saw the incredible meeting room where up to 2000 people once met to discuss Venetian affairs. We also saw the prison and the Bridge of Sighs, the last little bit of fresh air prisoners would breathe as they headed to the prison.

Finally, a lovely boat ride back to the Lido, the resort area we are at, in the blazing hot sun. Kim and Tracy and Tori and I went into the sea for a little bit....it was a bit cold so we only went in up to our bums, but now we can say we have been in the Adriatic!

Dinner was delicious again, and now the kids have some free time before their curfew. Tomorrow morning we are driving on a 4 hour drive to Florence, so I know I will be updating my travel journal then!

I have to add photos from my iPhone, which I am having a hard time charging. (Long story....) I will do that later. I love how well things are going, everyone is so excited and grateful to be hear. I have already heard quite a few people asking about the Greece trip next year. You may have unleashed some travel-loving addicts!

Ciao from Bell' Italia!

Sara

All 18 have made it on to their flight, Aubrey made it to Atlanta and Alec and I are in Dulles waiting to board our flight to Frankfurt. Hopefully we will all meet up safely in Milan tomorrow morning! Aubrey just made it to Atlanta safely! Off we go- more tomorrow from Italia!

Sent from my iPhone
S. Gant

Blue Skies..........

Off we go on our grand adventure! The main group has made it to DC safely after a very early morning! Alec and Aubrey and I had lunch at RDU and Alec watched Paraguay beat Japan in PK's. Waiting to board this plane to Dulles, then on to Frankfurt. Aubrey is flying to ATL then directly to Milan. She had my favorite saying of the day so far- we were plugging in our iPods and phones to recharge. She looked around at the charging stations and said "I love the future!".

Camera Obscura

I'm in Raleigh working on a video editing online course for next year. I have just found some of my favorite clips from David Hockney's Secret Knowledge book promotion. I bought the book when it came out- it makes some very convincing arguments that the Renaissance artists used a camera obscura when they worked, to obtain the truly realistic and breathtaking work that they did.


Click here! David Hockney

Getting Ready!

I leave for Italy, France and England in less than two weeks so I am
updating and consolidating my blog. I bought a new Canon the other
day, and think I willbreak down and get an ipad this weekend. I will
be teaching two classes when I am gone, so I need to be able to keep
up with e-mail and grading. I also want to be able to post photos,
thoughts, and artful (hopefully!) observations!

I read a great post today by an old friend that I went to school with
in Belgium. I think his comments about the hunger and need to create
are spot on. Thanks Brian!

Http://lomimonk.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/the-drive-toward-creativity