France 2011 Inside St Michel

Even upon entrance, the whole magnificent scene belongs to some set of make believe and stories from our youth.





Surprisingly, what looks like a storybook castles, around the bend reveals narrow streets, markets, and much evidence of everyday living in this village held secretly inside.





As quickly as you are in the market, you are out again with choices of lookouts, stairs, and unsure passageways. These are the type of places that require a meeting place and time for a group to reconnect as we straggle our own separate ways, lured by look outs and our own imagination.




The variety of windows, cut glass patterns, and architectural detail are varied here, as each section was added and there are not enough photos or time to truly capture all the rooms.




It is easy to get lost and confused on location as you go in and out of an area, unsure of backtracking or moving forward. Many rooms lead to what appear as dead end hallways only to reveal another element or room worth viewing.




Towards the end, my camera might capture a few picture, but most are now too fogged with the mist to be visibly acceptable.

France 2011 Mont St Michel

I was unaware of what we were heading towards. We were told to exit the bus for pictures. I saw nothing but silt and water and was unsure of the photographic opportunities in stopping the bus. This was the place to see and be. It was the setting of stories you read and where your imagination visited on long dark windy evenings. Rising out of the mist, our group is talking of Vincent Price needed to complete the picture .

France 2011 Gold Statues of Versailles

I had heard of the hall of mirrors, not realizing the mirrors were really minor compared not just to the artistic elements of the walls and ceilings, but the chandeliers and gold statues that ran the full length. Many of these statues looked similiar. The real difference was the perspectives as you walk though the hall. They make for great subject matter for my artist friends. I am hoping for some quiet time to draw from these myself, paper and ink.

france 2011 Inside the Palace of Versailles

Tapestries were facinating in that they often had areas and elements that appeared three dimensional, a skill that has become a lost aspect of the art. Many forms of figures grace every corner of every room.

While you may attempt to view each room as a whole, small elements, details, and such cannot be completely viewed walking through. I desired to take 30 or so photos per room, had their been time and others who would become impatient with me, trying to view the same.

A lions head graced the upper corners of each side of a fireplace mantel in one of the rooms.

I cannot imagine the number of artist and craftsmen employed for such grandeur.

Another fireplace. Note even behind the burning logs, an artistic relief is framed by the mantel.

The ceiling were more ornate than most any other aspect of these rooms. Most rooms had multiple murals on the ceilings, ceiling corners, even small elements between. No space was wasted, including the framing of each.

This room towards the end of the tour facinated me, in that there were some elements that appeared three dimensional on the ceilings, yet I was never completely sure what was dimensional and what was talent.

France 2011 Statues at the Palace of Versailles

I am facinated with statues, as I am astounded that these figures are held inside until released in such wonderful proportions, drapped gracefully, and larger than life.

Statues linger over us, watching. Some are in places where they are rarely noticed except by the artist and God.

Gargoyles are so common they seem harmless, as this one where the functional downspout is more obvious.

These oversized settings crown the gate post upon entry or exit. Every few feet walking around them poses a new perspective to the eye, and thought to the mind.

France 2011 Surrounding our Hotel

Surrounding sites around our hotel all within a couple of blocks.

The picture above and below down another cobblestone pathway.

The scene below is across from the Bayeux Cathedral and the local restaurant where we ate.

France 2011 Bayeux Cathedral

Home of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which is now in a museum close by. We passed by every night on our way to a local restaurant that had a tavern style to it. Again, great service where ever we go. This is also called the Notre Dame of Bayeux.

France 2011 Arriving in France

This trip was a study tour, focused on highschool students. While I went along for the opportunity to view another country, I learned an extreme amount of information, and gained an appreciation for things I had known of, but failed to truly appreciate, especially historically.

Our first hotel in France, Hotel Churchhill was located in Bayeux, France. This is coming in from the back side and still charming! The parking is very limited and the front side faces out onto a tiny cobblestone street.

This fits a very sweet stereotype of the European Charm. The front desk was nestled in a small room with a personable staff. We each went our separate ways into little nooks, spiral stairways and such to quaint little rooms. The service was very personable and accomodating.

The picture below of an established vinyard section looks very rural, but is actually just a few yards away from the hotel on our walk to the tour bus.

Travel Tips for Picking Luggage

While most people like choosing black to blend in, when traveling, I find bright or unusual luggage provides other comforts.

There are 3 main issues of luggage visually. Will yours be chosen for theft or other crimes? Will your luggage fall off the cart on the tarmac? Will someone else mistake your luggage for theirs? Unusual luggage draws attention, which a person of crime is avoiding. When your luggage falls off or gets left behind, unusual or bright colors catch attention for recovery. And finally watch people at baggage claim reading tags of dark luggage as they all look the same. Many are unsure.

I love to stand at baggage claim when using my vintage samsonite of pink and orange. It comes up the ramp and I can spot it immediately! Then as it passes along on the carousel, people easily back up as they are sure it is not theirs, some even afraid of the colors, backing up allowing me to retrieve my belongings.

While there can be many efforts and concerns for blending in and avoiding the tourist trap, luggage is primarily seen at airports and hotels, where everyone is traveling and is rarely used during the sight seeing aspect of the trip.

Travel Tips for Packing Med

There are very specific regulations on liquids to be followed. Check and verify these guidelines for changes. Liquids should be small amounts of no more than 3oz in a container. Do not put 3 oz in a 6 oz container and consider that okay as it is not securities job to measure oz as such. Using a quart plastic bag, place these containers inside and zip. If it does not zip, you have too much. The bag should be removed for security, so keep packed as easy access. If you are not carrying these items on, the size limit does not apply, but still pack in a plastic bag. In some cases these can be busted, and the bag can catch the mess and keep away from your clothes and other items. When carrying meds, keep them in their original bottle. Also check with your airline for any concerns or changes. It is also good to keep these in a seperate bag for secuirty. There is sometimes concerns as to what qualifys as a liquid, concerning creams. I still treat and count these as a liquid. Keep in mind the purpose of checking these items are for safety reasons and avoiding conflicts. If you are carrying children's meds, make sure to include a mouth syringe or tube spoon for measuring convenience. If you have seriously needed meds, consider bringing a doctor's statement/prescription in case of emergency or loss of medications.

Travel Tips - Flight Planning

There are so many flight options, flight times, airline companies, airline searches, and such, that if you look for an extended period of time, you may have a tendency to grab the first convenience just to avoid the ongoing search. Before searching, set your own guidelines.

Determine first the possible cost. Some sites offer info as to the time of year prices drop or off seasons. Also verify how holidays, not just in your location, but the destination effect cost. Once you have a general idea, determine when you can afford to go. Many people can afford to go anytime, but in our economy seek to save the monies when possible. Once you determine the cost you are willing to pay set a calendar as to when is the soonest you will buy and the latest at which to have tickets.

Let me say you can often wait and occassionally find those last minute deals, but real life also happens, and I once experienced prices dropping dramatically, until a disaster struck and volunteers began flying out to help, only to raise the prices. I ended up paying more than I intended.

Also the peace of mind has a value, meaning sometimes you pay for the ticket and be done about it, so you may focus on another aspect of the trip.

When looking at the flights on line, consider surrounding airports, which sometimes have lower, or extremely lower rates. Do not forget whether this can have a downside in car travel or other arrangements for picking you up.

When dealing with layovers, I prefer a couple of hours, least an hour and a half. Any less has risk for connecting with your flight. These issues can include flight arriving late, long distances between gates, unfamiliarity with the airport layout, baggage re-check (international), and occassionally a flight will be loaded and not allow late passengers even if the plane is still in. The exception is the obvious small airport with limited gates.

If you don't mind, longer layovers are great for exploring, grabbing a bite, coffee, magazine, or uncramped bathroom breaks, and just the stress free of catching the next flight. Do not assume you can leave for a quick site see. It is rarely possible on most layovers.

Once you have your flight chosen, you may have choices on seating, special health needs for meals (when served), and such. Be sure to address these now. Also, if you are a first time flyer or sending a child or have disability needs or elderly, you can receive special attention to help you through the experience. Don't be afraid to ask.

Once your flight is purchased, make sure you have the e-tickets emailed to you and at least one other person for emergency. The ticket for yourself should be printed multiple times. I keep one for traveling, with ID and such. I post one on my fridge for reference as time draws near and the house sitter can see it, and then another I tuck away in another area of luggage, in case mine is lost. Keep in mind, you can always print or reference the ticket on your email account if you save it.

Now relax, the rest is less stressful than choosing a ticket!

Israel 2010 Post Script

I never realized how much TV I watched, until returning home, too much. I miss Israel already. I miss the evidence of life, interaction of people who are strangers, but don't seem so as there are not all the social physical boundaries. I definitely miss the food. I can't say I have not refrained from the junk after a few days home, but definitely conscious of it. I am amazed at ALL the walking we did, only to return home and scoff once again at walking to our coffee shop here only 3 or 4 blocks away. I am way to spoiled by the convenience of a car, and I am dedicated to overcoming it somehow. I missed our pets, and glad to be home with them. They were nervous a few days, each time we left, not knowing if or when we would return. I have way too much junk here at home, must have a game plan for releasing much of this. There was much ado seeing the kids again, but even more so with the grand babies! How is it such yearning to just hug little tiny people and the world be so complete in that moment? I missed my yard, even though it needs much work come Spring, I love it's invitation to participate. I miss the food of Israel and we are currently cooking Israeli food weekly, both from experience and cookbooks. So there are aspects both here and there to miss.....

Israel 2010/2011

This is my last night here in Israel. There are so many things I did not share, while you were still overwhelmed with what I did post.

In reviewing, I have found blunders, mispellings, tired thoughts, and excitement gone awry. I offer no excuse other than late night ramblings waiting for my turn on the internet, only to have to post some 3 or 4 times, before succeeding with out being bumped. Oh yes, and sometime during all the blogging the year changed, I did not notice.

I have also learned things of myself. Please pray for me that these things stay in my heart upon returning stateside.

Packing was an ordeal. I know I must go through security, so I have to consider security issues, safety, fragile items, art relics and more. I have brought home a huge collection of plastic bags with Hebrew writing for a special project. They are bubbling out the zipper. If security checks me, I am sure the officer will give me looks as he tries desperately to see what might be inside each bag. Feel free to ask me in a month or so how that project is coming along....

In the end I know there are still things to share, so I will post only once more of those things. Know that my daughter and I will return tired and sad from leaving my husband and Israel. I do not cry much, but as I get older and reality has had its time with me, I know that tears will come. I will also rejoice in seeing the rest of family that I have missed so much.

So goodbye for now, see most of you soon enough, keep us in prayer, mostly my husband. And pray for the land of Israel. I hope you will visit or make Aliyah soon!

Israel 2010 Coming into Jerusalem

We have barely left the Negev before beautiful green appears.

Coming into the city.

So many things have changed since our last trip. This bridge is modern marvel. I would like to spend more time understanding and viewing it. Not only is it spectacular visually, but extreme in function. There is a huge banding of light that runs underneath it. It also has a secured and seperated walk way, wide enough that it also allows bicycles.

So much is changing fast, new buildings everywhere. They are relatively in keeping with the past, but as you can see progressing rapidly.

A city is still a city.

Israel 2010 Find

My husband had found this hiking. The glass is a color not found in my bottle collection, plus it has Hebrew writing on the bottom.

2010 Israel Jerusalem

Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives from a distance.

At the base of the cemetary area.

Peeping through a hole in a temporary wall, excavation at another site.

The city at dusk.

A neighborhood, Arab I believe.

Israel 2010 Dung Gate

Israel 2010 Crowding in Jerusalem

Towards the Western wall. The people crowd to say prayers, touch the wall, and place prayers in the creavices.

It is interesting, that while this is not necessarily tourist season, people arrive during the holidays to walk where our Jewish Messiah walked.

There were many barely able to walk, or hear, but have made the journey.

Israel 2010 Scribe

I so wanted to stop here, but our time was crucial, getting to the archaeological project and just passing through. On my itinerary next time.

A Torah usually takes a year to hand write by a scribe. The Word is commonly written on Lamb, and when complete is hung on the Trees of Life. It is rolled and treated with the utmost respect and when the Torah is walked through the crowd, we reach and touch The Word. And the Word was G-d.

Israel 2010 Temple Dig Recovery

During the Muslim escavation of Solomon's Stables, many antiquities, artifacts, and unknown finds were basically dumped. Due to one young man's perserverance, a program is now in place to salvage the piles and allow archaeologist to review them. This operation is ran through the ity City of David.
,

This is a larger example of what was thrown away. Keep in mind that most of the temple mount was not allowed excavation at any time due to the area being Holy. With that, remember many different time periods are layered here with different rulership, influences, and cultures.

This project not only sifts through all the dirt and rubble, but they verify knowledge they currently have and also gain new knowledge as each area is sort and sifted. This is extra work as the usual layers have been mixed together, so many different time periods may be found in one bucket of rubble.

Although our guide/teacher here is quite efficient as an archaeologist, it is like playing with puzzles, except the puzzles pieces from many different boxes and styles have been thrown together.

For a small fee visitors can participate. It was more our advantage than theirs, as we learned history, identification of pieces, how to sort, and the relevance of each item. They also take volunteers for daily, weekly, monthly, etc time periods to help with the project.

In our search through three trays we found Byzantine pottery, mosaic tiles, a Muslim glass tile with gold leaf, many other pottery pieces, Roman glass, plaster, metal, shells, bones, some pieces so very small and others quite nice in size. Our eyes are not trained to find the details or spot all the pieces, and so in the end our work is checked and verified, and we learn a bit more.