Monday, September 3, 2012

Italians Celebrate after a Soccer Match Win against Germany

Italians celebrate in a big way when they will a national match against another country in football (called soccer in the US). We were staying in Sorrento, Italy, near the Amalfi coast. The Italians were playing the Germans that night. When the Italians won, they all streamed out of their homes and restaurants, hopped on their vespas, motorbikes, cars or on foot, and had a large celebration.

We filmed them having a good time. I am surprised they did not crash into each other in their cars and bikes, because there were so many people celebrating!

Enjoy!


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Tarot Gardens, Italy (Tarochi Garden)

Tarot Gardens

Located in the Tuscany region of Italy, these gardens were created to reflect the signs on a deck of Tarot cards. Each glass and ceramic group is a tarot card figure, and it is the artist's interpretation of each card that makes it interesting. The objects are larger than human size, and are very detailed. The artist is Niki de Saint Phalle. 









































Saturday, September 1, 2012

Civita Di Bagnoregio - Italian City Falling off a Cliff

Civita Di Bagnoregio

We visited Civita Di Bagnoregio near the Tuscany region of Italy to view a city that was slowly shrinking because the foundation of the city on a hill was slowly crumbling. The ground was made of volcanic rock, and under the rock layer was sand and clay. Not a good mix when it rains!

We hiked up a bridge to the city that looked simple enough, until we reached near the end of the bridge where it ascended to the city at a steep slope. We thought we were climbing a mountain!

The city was peaceful with a church in the center plaza. Small alleys snaked through the city, to the end  of the city, where a path led down around the sides of the hill. We could then see the buildings that were not so sturdy, precariously propped up by logs and bricks on the side of the cliff.





Entrance gate to the city

Entrance gate to the city

large arch inside the main entrance


Arts and crafts for sale


The other half of this castle is missing. It fell off and tumbled
down the hill. Notice the empty windows to the left.

The church in the center square

Inside the church - romanesque arches

detail of Romanesque arches


Cute alcoves with potted pants, rock walls and vines

This is the steep hill at the end of the city where we
could see the erosion of the buildings and the underlying
rock, clay and sand

Erosion on the side of the city

Would you buy a house that had rocks and a few boards supporting
it above the cliff? Notice the sandy cliff edges.

Alleyways and a medieval rock wall structure

looking down the side of the cliff to the forest below

Another view of the cliff

This is the edge of a cliff which is someones
garden

More medieval rock buildings

Garden in the middle of buildings

Arches build in the medieval time

A picture perfect view of Citta Di Bagnoregio

Church in the main town across the valley from the hill town

Inside the church

ornate altar

This was so unique, it looked like a postcard
picture. We just happened to be walking by

Looking through a gate into a garden which sits on
the edge of the cliff

The surrounding countryside

hills around the town. There is quick erosion happening
here

A house sitting near the edge of the city

Cap napping

This is an old olive mill in the city. The owners would
bring in a donkey to walk around the circle and the big
stone in the center would grind up olives to make
olive oil

Looking down over the edge

Is that a lion holding the head of a woman? This statue is
located at the entrance of the city