Probably the last of Anne Breitenbach's photos.

I have just about come to the end of various photos from Anne to put up. If Bob ever recovers his and gets them to me, I will probablyput up a few, and I will look thru mine again as well. I hope you have enjoyed these and get the feeling of how wonderful and fun this trip really was! Thanks to all the participants for working together and helping make it successful.

Howard Du Bose



This is the ceiling of the Pantheon, the temple to all of the Roman Gods. (It is now also a church!) This is a cast concrete ceiling, as I was told, with the design laid in the concrete. Good work 2000 years ago. They supposiodly filled the whole building with dirt containing coins, used the dirt to support the casting, then had the Roman populace come in and dig out the dirt, keeping the coins that they found. If true, a very smart idea!



Here we are in Rome, and this is a photo of the inside of the Collisium, an image you do not often get to see. Of course, you get tio see it when you go there. This whole area was floored over, and there the battles and spectacles took place.



This is the Lago Alban, a lake that sits in the come of an ancient Volcano. The large buiding in the center on the opposite shore is the Pope's summer residence. This was just down the road from our Hotel, south of Rome.



This is the ancient Temple of minerva in Assisi, Italy. It is one of the oldest buildings in town, and is now being used as a church, Catholic, of course!

Some of Anne Breitenbach's photos from Paris

A look up the Eiffel tower as it is all lit up with the Millinnium "shimmer".



This is the base of the Eiffel Tower, all lit up, which gives you an idea of just how huge it really is. (Probably 2 football fields under and between the legs!)



The Church of Sacre Coure on the crest of the hill at Montmarte in Paris.



The Egyptian Obelisk that sits on the site of Le Guilotine in the Place Concord.



Paris traffic is world famous, but how about an example of resourceful Paris Parking?



The side of the colourful Pompedou Center in Paris.



A hidden courtyard garden in the Place de Voges that we all visited.



Then, here is an example of a formal French Garden, such as you might see at Versailles.



Here we have some garden "Art" in Paris, in the vicinity of the Paris City Hall.

More London Photos From Anne Breitenbach from Wisconsin

Some of the crowd at Trafalgar Square. It can get much bigger.



The main fountain at Trafalgar Square. Too bad we cannot swim in it!



Us meeting at the statue in the middle of Piccadilly Circus. Hard to miss..



Let us all call home from a London telephone box!



Another view of the clock tower and Parliament, this one taken from the London Eye, the world's biggest ferriswheel.



A good shot of the big closk by Parliament. The bell is called Big Ben, not the clock!

Random Photos by & from our other groups. Mostly taken by Anne Breitenbach.

Anne took 600 photos, and downloaded them to my computer before I left, so i will be able to share some more of them in the next few days, as well as some of mine.




Some very good chalk sidewalk art in Florence.



One of the many sidewalk mimes we came across, mostly in London.



Large theatre sign in the London Piccadilly Circus/Theatre District area.



So Whose nose is bigger? From Florence. one of the men from Amanda's group.



Interesting foto of a topiary chair and some guy we don't know, probably in Paris.



Our hand Models getting good photos of the changing of the Guard at Buck House in London. Wave to the Queen!



The Illinois group (Groupleader Bob Sear) standing next to their limo before the trip. Now that's an idea!

Day 9 & 10

Caitlin and her steel steed in the airport.

Day 9, Thursday 21 June, 07

This is our day in Rome, so we are up early, quick breakfast, and it is on to Roma and City Vaticana. Our Vatican guide is Adriana, and she uses one of those radio systems to talk with us, which is good, because the crowds are enormous. I estimate at least 2.73 million people, plus or minus a million were in the Vatican. I much prefer to be there in the spring. Even at Easter it is not this full of tourists.

We tried to beat the crowds by going to the Vatican first. They called ahead, but the pope was too busy to see us. It is a wonderful tour, with more art than any one place has any business having. The popes were great spenders during the classical and renaissance periods. We saw the Sistene Chapel, and St Peter's, but the art hanging in and painted on the corridors between them was breath-taking. Everyone should go, even if they are not Catholic or particularly religious.

we had a little time off for lunch, and while most folks stayed in the giftshop cafeteria, a couple of us managed to fine a nearby place to eat that was much more interesting, and had nuns and priests in it. Always good to go poking around off the beaten path.

After lunch, we wlked through the colluseum (Man, was it hot!), threw our coins in the Trevi Fountain (we will all be back in Rome again, soon), walked to the Pantheon (a really neat building that was built for the worship of all the gods during the roman time. It is now a christian chapel). from there we walked to the Piazza Navona for a little free time. I went to find an internet cafe, and then a beer, and others went shopping, or say at the SW cafes and watched the tourists and natives. I found one on a little side street that was not too expensive, and I was the only person there. Wonderful way to experience Rome.

From there, we went to our bus then on to our dinner, my group's last dinner in Rome, Europe, and on the trip. It was also our first official Pizza nite! It was definately not American Pizza, but it was good, and came with a good salad as well. The place was, as usual, packed with EF groups, then a bunch of Koreans came in as well. truly cosmopolitan.

Oh, well, it is time to go back to the Hotel and pack. 6 of us are leaving on fri for the States, and the rest are going on to Pompeii and points south. We will miss you... But, the evening of excitement is not over yet. Caitlin was trying to retrieve her shorts that had fallen off her balcony onto the lower roof, when she climbed down, and fell onto the roof, and sprained her ankle. Now she has to get thru miles of airports..Bummer. But the hotel folks were very helpful with ice for her and cardboard for me.

I cannot say enough about how nice these hotel folks were. I could only find 2 of them who spoke English, but they were very helpful. When I asked if they had wireless internet, they took me to their own computer! They were very busy, since this much have been the best restaurant in the area, since it was full of locals every night, but they still had time to help us. If you head for Rome, stay at the Monte Artesimus. You will be happy there!

Day 10, Friday 22 June, 07

We had to get up at 6:00 to catch our van into the Rome Airport (Leonardo Di Vinci Airport). Once there we had to get thru security, then toss Caitlin on a baggage cart for the long run to the departure gate. Unfortunately, the brace that she had borrowed for her ankle had metal in it, so she had to take it off each time we hit a security checkpoint in a new airport, and we went thru 4 airports: Rome, Frankfurt, Philadelphia, then RDU Poor girl! We finally stole a wheelchair to tote her with, and that got her some first class service once we got back in the states!

we flew into RDU mostly on time, but with lost luggage. Most of it was in Philadelphia. Luckily we had carried some on. Interestingly enough, of my 2 pieces, one made it on the plane, and one did not, and unluckily the one that did not is the one with the broken bottle on wine in it! Drat!

Well, except for the wine, I had a great triop, and I hope everyone else did as well. there will be photos on my next post. Thanks for reading this!

Howard

Day 8 and various photos

Here we are at the Neptune Fountain in the main square in Florence.



Our kids +1 at the Winged Victory of Samos in the Louvre.



Our gang, waiting by one of the most famous of the Jugensteil Metro entrances, next to the Lourve.



Josh and a Sphinx. Can you tell which is which?



The Clock Folks, a special exhibit in the Louvre in Paris.



Some of The Illinois group in Paris!


Day 8, Wednesday, 20 June 07

We left Florence and the Hotel Moderno, headed for Assisi and the Basicillica of St. Frances. On the way, we stopped at a Ceramic Factory (one of the EF visits-to-buy tours!) It was very interesting.

On to Assisi, where we started walking at the top of town, and ended up meeting the bus at the bottom of town, several hours later. Assisi is a small, beautiful, medieval hill town, all of which can be walked in several hours. Bruno gave us hours of free time, so we all dispersed. My little group bought Assisi sandwiches and drinks, and retired to one of the side street alleys to eat and watch.

We then walked down thru the town, visited the old temple of Minerva, one of the oldest buildings, which is now a church. We shopped for souviners and ice cream, and saw the sights. At the basicillia of St Frances, we saw the tomb of St Frances,toured the whole church, and ejoyed the cool of the Church.

it was a lovely visit. Then we left for Rome, and our next hotel. Our hotel near Rome was in the Alban Hills, just 15 miles south of Rome, near a very famous lake, Lago Alban, which is a water-filled ancient volcanic cone. The Hotel, Villa Artemis (Monte Artemisio) is a lovely hotel, probably the best of our trip. It is the one with a pool, as well. We ate dinner at the hotel, and it was a very good italian dinner. The folks were very friendly.

After dinner, many of our folks swam in the pool, while the rest of us watched and some folks drank wine and beer. This was a great evening of relaxation, after a couple of long days of traveling and being tourists in the warmth of italy. Tomorrow: Rome

More, miscellaneous photos

I think perhaps we wore them out on this trip!



Old and new statues in Trafalgar Square, London.



Slightly embarassed Lisa being serenaded in Versailles.



Bunch of ruffians hanging out in front of our Paris Hotel. Must be waiting for our girls!



Having a laugh with Josh on the London Eye. See, teachers are not all serious!



Seemingly endless stairs at our Paris Hotel. Some of us had to carry luggage up and down these!

Day 7, Tuesday 19 June, 07

After a long (14 hr), overnite trip from Paris to Florence (Firenze), we had a reasonablely early breakfast at de' Castellani Restautant in downtown Florence. We got to leave all our luggage on the bus, but we would not be able to get to the hotel until the evening. Some of us were really wanting showers and clean underwear! but a wonderful, long day in Florence lay ahead, and we went on to enjoy it to our best.

We had a very good walking tour of Florence with our guide Simone. We started just before it got hot. Italy was 10+ degrees warmer than Paris. We saw everything important, the Familia Palace (former home of the di Medici family, and the current city hall) The statue of David by Mike Angelo used to stand out front. Now a copy does. The uffitzi Gallery is next door. We visited the Duomo (Florence Cathedral), with the Giotto Belltower,and walked through the Plaza de la Republic, where the country of Italy was proclaimed. We walked across the Ponte Vecchio, the last remaining and most famous medieval bridge across the River Arno. It is now a gold "flea" market. Along the way, we spent some time at the Leonardo Leatherworks, where we watched leather articles being made, learned about leather quality, and had an opportunity to buy stuff. This was in a narrow street just up from the church of Santa Croche, where many famous Italian artists and politicians are buried or memorialized. (Rossinni, Dante, etc.) During free time, some of us toured this church, then ate lunch.

Everyone went their on way during our free time, then met again at 6:30 to eat dinner at the Trattoria Ponte Vecchio. They made us wait, so don't go there when you visit Florence. The best thing about it is that it is 1 block from the Uffitzi. There is an old olive tree nearby that commemorates (or protests) a car bombing in this famous, old neighborhood.

Our hotel, the Hotel Moderno was a ways outside of Forence, but was nice and quiet. The AC did not work, and the Bartender was surly! Oh, well, all we really needed was a shower and sleep. Sleep well, Assisi tomorrow!

Howard D.





They were all old enough to go inside, but we did not! Just down the hill from Montmarte!



Here is our bunch posing at the Trocadero, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower.

more photos from london

Day 6: Paris (Diary getting a little ahead of the photos, sorry!) Monday, 18 June, 07

We had a good little metro and walking tour of Paris, ending up at the Louvre. Bruno was in the lead. We had 2 hours in the Louvre, and my gang managed to see the Winged Victory of Samos, and the Moaning Lisa, but the Venus De Milo was under wraps, and could not be seen. We split up, promising to meet for lunch, and I enjoyed Hammurabi's Code Sthil, and some of the sculpture gardens, including the clock-face people.

We met, and except for Josh, who voted to stay in the Louvre, and later went by the Pompeidou Center, the rest of our Durham bunch found a not too expensive sidewalk sandwich shop (near some shopping) and had an outdoor lunch. We probably should have picnicked, but sitting, eating, and watching the people of Paris is great sport. Watching the other tourists is not bad, either!

We walked along the River Seine down to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which was, as usual, beautiful, and not too crowded. We also saw the Deportation Monument which is hidden behind the N.D. If you ever get there, please go see this, it is a somber monument to all the folks the Nazis deported from France to the camps, most of whom never returned.

On the way back to meet Bruno, we had a chance to shop at the little used book and print stalls along the river. I bought 2 very nice prtints for E5.00 each. It was a nice walk, even if we were rushed! After this, Bruno took us back to the Hotel to pick up our luggage so we could take the night train to Italy.

Ah, the night train to italy! Now there is an experience! 12 hours at night ending up in Florence for breakfast. We took the bus to the Gare de Bercy, a very small train station. EF had supper delivered. We rode 6 to a couchette, and our gang made up their beds early, while other folks in the rest of the group celebrated the Alps with wine, vodka, and rum! all we did was drink a bit of house red, talk a lot, and sleep the sleep of the innocent (at least I did!).

Day 7 and Florence, next time! Chao!




We decided to get lunch at Covent Garden, except Josh wanted to shop, shop, shop!



Trafalgar Square has a problem with "Pigeon People" who feed the birds illegally.



Here is our bunch in front of the New Globe Theatre right there on the Queen's walk by the Thames

London Photos

Chris, Josh, & Caitlin near Big ben



Melanie & Lisa in front of Big ben



Rhonda and Amanda from the Tenn group at the Eurostar Station, waiting for the train!

More trip diary, starting at Day 4-5

No photos this time, but a note on the last ones I posted: Starting at the top, the folks are: Melanie, Lisa, then Josh, Caitlin, and hidden a bit, Chris. Sorry Chris!

OK, day 4, Our hotel was the Hotel Avenir, which is a very nice older hotel in a great neighborhood. There is a french Supermarket right next door, a little produce and wine "7-11"-type store right around the corner, and across the street an excellent little cafe/bar/brassiere. On Sunday Morning, there is a farmer's market on the next block. the perfect way to visit Paris, instead of a Holiday Inn!

Dinner that night was at L Arlequin Cafe closer to downtown. Most of us went out to Montmarte after dinner, which is one of my favorite tourist areas. The Crepes are devine, you can go into to Sacre Coure, a lovely church, and you can by t-shirts, postcards, or get your portrait done up there. The views of Paris at night are almost as wonderful as from the top of Eiffel Tower.

Day 5- Sunday, 17 June, 07. Today we get a bus tour of Paris, but first I went thru the farmer's market on the nexy block. Our guide, Isabella Villog,and our bus took us all over Paris, seeing the usual things, Palaise le Invalides, the Trocadero (for a great view of the E.Tower), but also into places like Plaza de Voges, and the Plaza Royale for a look at Victgor Hugo's house.

In the afternoon, we went to Versailles, had lunch, then toured the palace, and some of the gardens. Rain shortened the gardens tour, drat! But the Chateau of Louis 14 thru 16 is still grand and beautiful. We headed back into town.

Our dinner was at a Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant, Chez Chao. They had the greatest rice, and the world's smallest bathroom, a one-holer that you can barely turn around in! After dinner, we headed to the Seine R. cruise and the Eiffel Tower climb. We were lucky, because of the rain and it being Sunday, and though versailles was crowded, the wait for the Eiffel Tower was very short. Back to the hotel for an almost early evening. (I had an early evening, I understand someone went out to the KFC down the block! All the way to Paris to eat bad American fast food!

More later,

Howard

We are back, Drat!

It should be obvious by now, that i was unable to post anything while we were on the trip. 3 of the 4 hotels did not have wireless, and at the one that did, it was broken. Ah technology!

On our last day in Rome, i did manage to get into an internet cafe, but I was obviously unable to master the Italian, and that, plus a power failure prevented my copious typing from being posted.

So I will shortly add a few photos, and type in our trip diary. The other 2 groups are flying home today, I believe, just as we flew home on friday. they went on to Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and Napoli. Should have been a fun trip, with more room on the bus!

if I can make it work, the next post should be some photos.

Computer problems

Malanie Layton



Maritza (Lisa) Santamaria



Josh Churchill



Chris Golden



Caitlin Millwell

Well, hopefully some of my following of thousands are wondering why there have been no more posts on the blog. Well--- this is the story. Only one of the 4 hotels we have stayed at have turned out to have wireless internet, and that was in London, and it was broken. I have tried poaching from non-passworded wireless, but I have been unable to get a good enough signal. It is not for lack of trying, nowever. I can only say sorry.

I have about 20 min in this wireless cafe, so, no photos until I get home, but here is a synopsis of the first 4 days of the trip.

Day 1- Mostly spent flying. We left in the afternoon, flew overnight, arrived in Frankfurt, then went on to London.

Day 2- It seems you gotta fly into the country of origin if you fly a foreign airline, and we flew Lufthansa. Glad we were not flying Pakistan air! Got to London Heathrow, were picked up, dropped things off at the hotel, then headed down town for a bit of a tour. We visited the New Globe theatre, the New Tate Modern Museum, and met our group at St. Paul's Cathedral. Dinner was fish and chips at a place called "Center Stage", which was near St. Paul's and the Millinium footbridge. We went back to the hotel (holiday inn, Croyden) by tube, and I spent 2 hours trying to get on line!

Day 3- We did a morning bus tour of London with a city guide, saw all the sites, including the changing of the guard at Buck House. We visited Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar square, then our part opf the group went shopping in Leichester square, had lunch in Covent Garden, and went on to the London Eye for a ride. At least 3 of us rode, the others whimped out and shopped! After the Eye we went back to Picadilly for dinner (in little Hong Kong), then back to Picadilly for our Play, The 39 Steps. It was great, a real wonderful lucky choice. A comedy version of the famous Alfred Hitchcock classic. We were back to the hotel by 11. Great navigating across town by tube. We are so good!

Day 4. Almost the whole day was spent getting to Paris on the EuroStar. Nice ride. We went to the hotel by bus, then out to dinner by metro.We had a nice older hotel in a nice neighborhood in south-west Paris, inside the ring road.

Well, about out of time, got to go meet the group for our last dinner in Rome, Pizza tonite! More from the airport if I can get signed on. Thanks for reading,
Howard