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10.14.2015 Departed San Diego airport and arrived at Milano Malpensa
Airport the next day in the a.m.. Then took the bus into the city, then
took a 3.5 hour train, to Venice. After walking around quite a bit I
finally found an affordable 2 star hotel for only 50E (artist discount).
Good for two days as someone had it reserved for the weekend, starting
Friday.
I was excited to be working here again, it's one of my
top locations worldwide to work at, for many reasons.
Venice - Murao - Burano
10.15-19.2015
Click photo to enlarge.
10.20.2015
Concrete jungle...
I'm working the old city center of Padova today. First thing I noticed is
city's have lots of noise in them. Yeah, we get used to it, so we don't
notice it much after awhile. But after walking around the relative silence
along canals for four days it was a bit over whelming, so I burrowed into
a friendly cafe, ordered a cappuccino and went online. Hi, how are you
doing? I'm fine, taking a break from the concrete jungle. Here are a few
snaps from yesterday, from the train ride to Venice, then to the water bus
to Burano, and a couple from there. The one of me holding the camera and
notepad show you what I do on 'down time', update my day book and delete
'not so perfect' photos.
10.22.2015
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In Orvieto, in Umbria in south central Italy. Picked up
my rental car at Venice Airport in the afternoon, and got here about
midnight. Being dark, I did not know so
much beauty surrounded the hotel (which I found out from the young night
caretaker) used to be a seminary. He showed me the 'hidden chapel. And
breakfast? All you can eat, included. Three star place, blessed with
getting it for just 39 euro ($43). Off to work, the vineyard are in fall
color, cool. See ya'll later. (my southern accent -Virginia- coming out,
huh?).
10.23.2015
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First day of weigh in, XI Black Bass World Championship,
Lake Bolsena, Italy — with Daniel Dalien Vignjević at Lake Bolsena.
Oct. 23rd, 24th and 25th.
10.25.2015
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The town of Orvieto is one of those special places you never
forget.
10.26.2015
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Mauro Salvagno took me out on his Triton boat.
A nice rig with a 200 HP Merc, if I recall. — at Lake Bolsena.
Hanging around for weigh in for all three days of the
World Bass Tournament had it's advantages. Met a doctor that was a boat
loaner/driver for my Croatia friends team. We became friends and the
tournament ended yesterday so he took me out for a half day of fishing.
Lake Bolsena, one of the top two bass fishing lakes in the country, is so
beautiful and about 10 miles long x 8 wide. Got good fishing last 15
min.of otherwise a slow day. Landed one of three bites. Italy won The
tournament, home lake advantage I'd say. They had terrible weather for 2.5
of the three days, winds so bad and waves so high one of the Russian teams
sank their boat!
Click photo to enlarge.
My new friend Chuy Morales, now a director but
past six time bass fishing team member for Mexico, poses with me and my
Croatian bass fishing buddy
Daniel Dalien Vignjević at last nights winners presentation dinner
held in a castle.
10.27.2015
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Headed into Orvieto today, been working all around this
wonderful town, but not up in it. Maybe this artist, Umberto Verdirosi,
will still be around, will have to show him this wonderful image of him
that was in the original Umbria series exhibition.
10.28.2015
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An abstract created around the Lesina Marina
https://www.facebook.com/100006482031734/videos/1922173891341993/
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10.29.2015
The first was for me, the second was for coffee friend
Sandy Rau.
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Me working an abstract, and the abstract itself.
Made three or four real strong ones today.
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In Siena, worked it till 10 pm. Long time since I'd been here.
11.1.2015 Freezing. Remember when Valerie
used to accompany me, don't know how she did it. I barely can handle it
and I'm the one creating. Thought about her as we both walked this town
together.
10.31.2015
Praise report...
I was changing counties I was working in, which meant having
to find a new place to sleep for a few nights. 2 and 3 star hotels have
been decently priced, at 30-40 euro ($35-$45 US), but four stars are out
of course. Saw a hotel 43km from Siena and drove in to check prices. When
I noticed it was a four star I started making a U turn and the Lord said
in his 'still, small voice' (like way back in your brain, hardly hear it),
NO, don't GO, check the price!
I said Lord, but I can't afford it, you know how high they are, like
probably E70 and up. He said 'Go' again. So I went in and told the lady I
knew it was out of my price range, but God told me to come in and check
the price, and I'd need a real good 'artist discount' to stay. She said
sure, prayer and asking never hurts, and said it'd be E69, and that's cash
only, CC they don't take/like, and would be more.
Oh, way out of my league, as I thought, 'see God'? I asked if there were
any nice 2 starts around, and she said "wait, I'll ask the boss". He came
out, spoke great English, and asked where I was from, and was very
friendly. We got down to business, he wrote on a piece of paper, E50
(pointing to guests nearby, not wanted them to know I'd get such a good
price by not saying it out loud). I thought to myself, wow, such a deal,
but said thanks, but I have to go now, and find a two star I could afford.
(I had it in my mind that it'd have to be what I'd been paying to stay,
40E, and with a credit card to boot, this would not work.
He started to write a new number, I knew it was going
to be E45, as it'd started with 4, and I said "ok, 40 and we have a deal."
and stuck out my hand to complete the deal with a handshake. He stood and
started for half a second, contemplating. "Ok" he said.
Click photo to enlarge.
Francisco and Andrea, owners of the wonderful 4
star Forum Hotel.
And then I though, Lord, your still not done, I have to
mention the cc aspect. I said, "oh, she said no credit card, but that's
all I have." He hesitated and then said "ok, no problem, and we will
include breakfast."
After he left, I raised my hands up and said out loud to God, and her,
"Thank you Lord!" The lady, come to find out his significant other, said
'I do believe in God and answered prayers too'." ;/)
Thank You Lord.
Here is the website of the Forum Hotel:
http://www.hotelforum.biz/index.php?lang=it
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Prices from back of hotel room door, told me how
much of a great deal the Lord worked out for me.
UPDATE: Actually
the story gets better, the interior room door, where they have to post the
prices by law (so they don't overcharge) says high season price is 190
Euro ($200 US) !! I decided to stay an extra two days later as the next
town, by Cinque Tierra, gets 40 Euro 'for places that you're warned to
stay away from' they're so bad), and up from there.
__________________________________
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View out the Cafe window, Rada in Chianti.
Nov. 4th, drove around the Chianti region, add a couple
of more images 'to the belt'.
https://www.facebook.com/100006482031734/videos/1925469924345723
Click photo to enlarge.
Nov. 5th
Had to shoot the Ponte Vecchio at dusk. Got at least three award
winners here today (the new and improved version, as in tweaked in
Photoshop), of this and other subjects.
Video of street vendor selling a unique 'blob like' toy:
https://www.facebook.com/100006482031734/videos/1925108004381915/
Update. These things have the property to
react like they do for about 1 day, and then they don't 'splat' and take a
long time re-forming. They reform instantly! Hey, for the price it was
still cool, and kids loved them back home.
to be cont.... |
