Minimal (Zero) Waste Challenge

Monday: The Beginning

Today was a pretty easy day, since I’ve been working from home. I haven’t purchased anything, and have been eating in. Conveniently, my leftovers were in a recyclable container, so there’s that. Starbucks has been calling (though I secretly long for a tea from Coffee Bean), but truth be told, I’m too comfortable to go. Plus, they end up tossing a cup anyway since they always measure in the plastic cups, with few exceptions. I normally get Youthberry tea, and when I take a jar, just have them fill it with room temperature water.

Tuesday: Oh, How I’m Failing

Okay, so today was a letdown of epic proportions. I had to purchase some mouth wash because I ran out, and it only comes in a plastic bottle. Before heading to the city I stopped at Starbucks for some tea, and had them just put some water in my jar along with the tea. By the time I got to the city it had done its cold brew thing, and I was all set. Lunch was a salad in a recyclable container, and for a sweet treat I put some M&Ms in a small glass jar. I had originally packed lunch in a tote I received while working a summer camp. That all flew out the window because I had an impromptu lunch with my best friend. I got a salad that came in a recyclable container, but it came with plastic utensils. Of course, I forgot to bring my own. Not only that, but the drinks normally come in a mason jar. . . if you dine in. Since we ordered online, there was no way to change the drink, and it came in a plastic cup. I was able to pour it into my jar, but having the cup defeated the purpose. Here’s hoping that dinner proves less challenging.

A side note: The one issue I know I will have will be at the grocery store. I buy most items in bulk, and they have the plastic bags there. While the thought of taking a reusable bag for bulk items is nice, I can see why they are not generally allowed. California is very strict when it comes to food safety. All it takes is one instance of cross-contamination to mess things up for everyone. Even though people wash the reusable bulk bags, and they may be clean by most standards, it is one more thing for the other consumers and retailers to be worried about. I have seen people stick their hands in bulk bins (always wash the products before you use them!), which is something markets and consumers have to deal with, along with a plethora of other possible issues. Reusable bulk item bags add another needle to that haystack. That being said, I will be taking my reusable shopping bags with me, and will reuse the bulk plastic bags until they fall apart. Maybe I can repurpose them. . . I’ll see what I can come up with.

Wednesday: Hump Day

Today is the first day we are out of town. I have packed a snack bag using jars—they weigh so much more than using small plastic snack bags, but it’s part of the challenge, right? I also brought along some empty jars in case we run into Coffee Bean or Starbucks. I have found that I prefer taking the jar for drinks, because I can pop the lid on and put it in my bag without the worry of it spilling. I just wish the stainless steel straw came with a pouch. We went to eat lunch, and I got a kid’s meal because it came with a lunch box! Is it plastic? Yes. Am I keeping it? No. I will be sending it off as part of a care parcel. The box is specifically for my friend’s grandson. It also was one of the only ways to get Gardein tenders, which I LOVE! Dinner was amazing, and I ended up with leftovers. I took a stainless steel lunchbox, since we have a cooler in the room, and put my leftovers in it. It will be lunch for tomorrow (I love being able to save in multiple ways).

Thursday: A New Day

Every day is a new day; a chance for a fresh start and a new beginning. This is the only full day of our trip, and I planned out what will happen during the day in terms of trash. I have my reusable items, and lunch is covered. I don’t normally eat in the morning because it makes me sick, so one less mealtime to worry about. Dinner will be at a restaurant, so I can put leftovers in my tin after I wash it out from lunch, and drinks will go in the jar. I suppose the jars are also a plus because it forces me to drink more water. I normally use my Kor or Camelbak, but I forgot them (>.<) If we choose to grab a pastry or something later in the evening, I will simply ask them to place it in my alternate tin. It will save from having to toss the paper and bag. Here’s hoping all of this pans out. At least there is a plan.

Friday: Workin’ for the Weekend

We are packed up to leave. First we will have lunch, and then it’s back to the “bump & grind”. We came back, and I put a load of clothes in. After that, I continued on a PowerPoint for an upcoming presentation. Tomorrow will be the day I work on finishing up an application that is required prior to site approval for my dissertation, followed by some product reviews. Tonight there was a surprise. It was a trip to a themed dinner! It was so exciting to get dinner and a show. I bought a drink in a glass souvenir cup and made sure that the bartender didn’t put a stir stick in it. Some of my dinner was left over, so I put it in the jar I normally use for drinks. They didn’t have takeaway utensils, which was a plus. Two more days of trying out this zero-waste thing. . . and it’s not as hard as I thought it would be.

Saturday: No
t Enough Hours in the Day

Today I am going to the store, and taking reusable bags. I won’t be buying from the bulk bins (see Tuesday’s bit for why), but I am going to get some produce and other goodies. The dairy alternative that I use is recyclable, and the CRV is refundable, which is why I don’t mind buying it. The plastic bottle gets recycled, and I get a little bit of change back. I also have to stop by the mall—Teavana has a few things I want to get with the Starbucks rewards that have been earned. I also want to stop by LUSH since I have a gift card. After all of this gets done in the morning, it’s off to Starbucks I go to get working on everything I listed yesterday. My goal is to complete: the application, at least 80% of the PowerPoint, and the product reviews.

Sunday: The End

Well, I made it. There were some trying times, but I managed to keep my trash to a minimum. I think I will continue this for another week just to see how I do. If nothing else, I learned that I was spending so much on “stuff” that I really didn’t need. In fact, I had buyer’s remorse after purchasing an organizer that I can’t really use. The idea was there, but when I received the item, it wasn’t as functional as I had hoped. Eh, such is life. I also learned that that less really can be more. I wasn’t able to get to the mall like I had planned, so I suppose I will do that in the next couple of days. I plan on getting some loose-leaf tea, bulk shampoo, and some soap samples.

Day 7a: Milan to Lake Maggiore

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The BEST pizza flavored snack EVER!

On our way to Milan (Milano) we made a pitstop, and I picked up some of these crispy, pizza-flavored bread squares. They were the best snack item I have had in a long time. Why did I choose them? Well, I figured if the Italians couldn’t get pizza flavored snacks down, nobody could. They tasted of tomato, cheese, and basil, yet contained no cheese/milk products! Yes, they were…are…vegan. Anyway, if you ever see them, give them a try.

An old shopping center across from La Scala.

The first Prada Store.

We continued on to an old shopping center (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan), which houses the first Prada store ever established (1913). Our local guide was so fun! She had a story about the families who controlled the area, and even got our group involved. After the shopping center we had some free time. We went into Duomo di Milano, then had lunch before heading to La Scala. The weather was cool and overcast. As we exited the galleria it began to rain…and then it began to pour…oh, and did I mention the wind?! It broke a couple of umbrellas, but it was still amazing.

The inside of the duomo.

Sumo di Milano.

The duomo is huge. It cost 2 euro, and took about an hour to really get through it. We stopped to take photos and look around because there was so much to see. Stained glass lined the walls, and there were crypts below with coffins and bodies of clergy long since passed. We finished at the duomo and went to grab some food at the galleria. I got a ravioli dish and split a meat sampler. The pesto ravioli was, by far, the worst thing I ate during free time. Little did I know they had a salad section behind another wall, with more than just arugula and tomatoes! Well, there’s always next time.

Cant’ even see the pasta…

Meat!

We had to quickly finish lunch in order to make it back to the meeting spot on time. Our local guide took us on a tour of Teatro all Scala. It was amazing! The acoustics in the building are something else. Several costumes were on display, and there were rooms with tobacco boxes, busts, and paintings from those who had performed there, or were prominent figureheads. I always want to know what it was like when these places were first built…what the language, dress, and atmosphere were like. Oh, to be able to travel back in time!

So excited to see inside La Scala!

After our tour of La Scala, we made another stop at a castle. I can’t remember the name, but it was extraordinary. It is so hard to comprehend that so many structures are hundreds to thousands of years old. They have withstood so much. This castle had a huge courtyard area with beautiful flowers. There were cats roaming around, and so much to see. If those walls could talk… The inside of the castle resembles a museum. Artifacts, artwork, a chapel, and so much more filled the castle. I wonder what was in the castle prior.

An outside look.

Another section of the castle.

Beautiful flowers were everywhere.

I LOVE cats!!!

LUSH: New Avocado Co-Wash & Queen Bee Updated

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LUSH Cosmetics recently launched new hair care. There are more solid conditioners to choose from, as well as a new solid shampoo and a solid leave-in conditioner. When I was last in the shop I purchased a piece of Avocado Co-Wash (3.5oz/$15.95) and Queen Bee (3.5oz/$16.95). The shampoo is quite soft and pliable– much like the old version of Big Conditioner. You can either pinch a small piece off ands it, or use a whole chunk. I find that using a larger piece is far easier. It has a sweet, fruity (almost like Froot Loops or Trix), vinegar smell, but the smell once it is rinsed out is light and slightly sweet. My hair was left soft, hydrated (not oily), and shiny. I will definitely repurchase this. Since it’s in the shower and contains a lot of oils/butters, it might melt. It may also not last as long because of the same reason. I suggest keeping it in a container and pinching off a small portion. Lather it up in your hands and apply. It does not lather like their other solid & liquid shampoos. I used more than I needed to because I was looking for that signature shampoo lather. Oh, remember to remove the red wax (there is also wax on the outside of Queen Bee), otherwise it will just break apart and fall down the drain.

Avocado Co-Wash (wax removed).

I used Queen Bee after the gym: shampooed, rinsed, and rubbed the bar over my hair. I love that it is a leave-in, and being a solid means more room in my liquids bag when I travel. The scent is similar to a fake almond with other medicinal, floral, and sweet notes. It’s hard to describe, and while it’s not my favorite, it’s not the worst scent. Make sure to remove all of the wax, otherwise you’ll have bits in your hair. This is one product I will not purchase again. It left my hair very oily, and I had the same results as when I just used coconut oil. If you are going for a “wet hair” look, this will definitely give that.

For easier use, pinch off a small amount, let it melt (it melts pretty quickly), and rub it through my hair. Since my scalp gets quite oily, I only apply leave-in conditioners from about the base of my skull, down. The same applies to conditioners that rinse out.

**I tried using the product as a balm, and it did help with the little fly-aways, but it’s still not my favorite. I prefer a pomade or flexible mousse.**

Queen Bee.

My hair is completely dry,
but the oils make it look wet.

As you can see, there are tons of oils and butters in the products. My fingertips are shiny, and I only held the bars for a few seconds to take the pictures, and film one small clip to show how soft the shampoo is. I filmed twice, and neither saved.

So shiny!

Have you tried any of the new hair product line? Let me know what your hits & misses are.

Stay beautiful!

Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles, 2016

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My best friend and I now have annual things we go to. One of them is Renegade Craft Fair in LA. This past weekend was the summer show, so we went on Saturday. After having brunch at Crossroads Kitchen (it was pricey, but really good!), we grabbed some tea at Alfred’s and headed over.

Renegade is a neat spot where local, small businesses can showcase their wares. They have everything from home decor to food, jewelry, clothes, etc. Most everything is handmade, or at least partly handmade. I love supporting local, small businesses, so I got a couple of things. I bought a deodorant spray and solid from Cee Cee & Bee, a cold brew bottled coffee from Knight Owl Coffee, washable face pads from Facekins (you can read my review here), and some Health-Ade kombucha because I like the taste. It was hot (of course it was; it’s SoCal in July), but not as bad as last year. The prices for the products can be a bit astronomical, in my opinion. For instance, ~$180.00 for a canvas tote bag seems a bit excessive, but there are some pretty great finds.

The fair is located at the Grand Park, past the fountain and splash area. There are several tents, food trucks, and bathrooms/port-o-privies (thank goodness!), which means there is plenty to see.

This door is a unicorn riding a bike!

Tea & Water

“Cheese” plate w/dried fruit,
nuts, and bread

“Chicken” and waffles w/spicy
maple syrup.

Benedict (our least favorite).

This sign in the bathroom…

Potatoes!

Mint tea w/soy milk & boba.

Lollipops w/plantable sticks!

The fair is located at the Grand Park, past the fountain and splash area. There are several tents, food trucks, and bathrooms/port-o-privies (thank goodness!), which means there is plenty to see.

My purchases for the day. Sorry for the crappy photo!

A view of the fair.

T-we Tea

Some fun jewelry

Frost’D

More Frost’d

I think my cat was the
inspiration for this card!

Oh, Hello Friend

After we finished at Renegade, we went to see the Lotus Festival, and then grabbed some dinner at Sage. It was so good! The first time we tried to go there the kitchen had closed. This time, they were open. We split nachos and each got a bowl. The jackfruit “carnitas” nachos came piled high with pickled jalapeño cabbage, jackfruit “carnitas”, cashew nacho “cheese”, pico de gallo, and black beans. I got the Brazilian Bowl, which had plantains, kale, pico
de gallo, guacamole, fried leeks & jalapeño, mushrooms, and a rice/quinoa combo. A raw, sweet, spicy, sauce was served on the side. My BFF got the Bowl of Soul, which contained a fried “mac & cheese” ball (the breading was made with almond flour, and really delicious), biscuit & gravy, sweet potato, grilled corn, black beans, quinoa, kale, and pickled jalapeño cabbage. We also had KindKreme after, which was yummy. Many of the flavors are less creamy than traditional ice cream, so I would suggest a chocolate flavor. They have a far less icy texture & flavor than the other flavors.

So many booths and people!

Lake view 1.

Lake view 2.

Jackfruit “carnitas” nachos.

Brazilian Bowl w/plantains.

The Bowl of Soul.

The sunset over Los Angeles.

Italy, Day 6: Venice, Part II

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Day 6: Venice, Part II

For a few euro, you can take a photo with them.

It was raining on the boat, but I got the angle.

So much graffiti!

The second day in Venice was filled with walking. First, we stopped at a Murano glass company where we watched a demo, followed by a walking tour with a local specialist. It was overcast and drizzling for a better part of the day, but nobody minded. Venice, especially, is not for people who have a difficult time walking. Because Venice is comprised of several small islands, there are tons of bridges and stairs. It’s not that they are steep. They are very abundant and uneven. The steps have warped from centuries of people walking on them. Anyway, our local specialist was this adorable older woman, who grew up in Venezia. She pointed out how much has changed since in the time she has been there. The water level keeps rising, but the government isn’t really doing anything to fix it. So people do not live on the first floor because the water at high tide comes in. You can see the wood rot and algae from the years of water damage. She showed us several wells, gardens, and passageways. In one courtyard there was a pulley system. As the residents age, they are no longer able to climb up and down the stairs in their homes, so they stay in the living areas. People bring them groceries and other necessities, which are then hoisted up by the pulley. At the end of our tour we were able to walk around on our own. We stopped at St. Mark’s Basilica, and grabbed a dessert.

Duomo

St. Mark’s.

Dessert.

Everyone met back at the docks so we could head to our next stop: Burano. Burano is an old fishing village known for its colorful houses and handmade lace. It is such a fun place to go. The dinner for the night consisted of seafood dishes that were special to the area. Normally I am not a fish eater (unless it’s not fishy tasting). Our tour director asked me what I would prefer, because the place also offered meat courses. I opted to stick with the local catch. The courses were: creamy shrimp risotto, calamari and shrimp fritti, spaghetti with clams, and white fish with arugula salad. Desserts were local special cookies (to be dipped in wine) and almond brittle, paired with an amaretto shot. After dinner we had time to explore the island and peek in the shops. Many of them sold lace and dry foods (mostly pasta). One of the shops had a lace museum with a lace-only dress from the 1800s.

An old, lace dress.

The main street in Burnao.

Table settings.

Shrimp risotto.

Spaghetti with clams.

Fritti!

Fish with salad.

Cookies & brittle.

After the short stroll through Burano it was time to get back on the boat. We went to the hotel and packed up for the next day. It was going to be a long ride to our next destination, so we packed as soon as we got back. Until we meet again, Venice!

So long, Burano!

Italy, Day 5: Assisi to Venice, Plus: GONDOLAS!

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Day 5: Assisi to Venice & Gondolas

Street performance.

Giulietta.

The famous balcony.

Venice (Venezia) is home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Giulietta). Yes, the people did exist, but their story is that of fantasy, as far as we know. The famed balcony where Juliet begins with, “Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” is quite an attraction. You can enter the balcony, but I believe they charge. At the archway to the balcony, on a wall opposite the arch, and within the small courtyard, people have written and posted love notes or the initials of whom they are with. In hindsight I wish I had done that. I may never get another opportunity. Anyway there is a statue of Juliet near the balcony. Part of the statue is far more shiny than others. Why? Well, for some reason (and nobody really knows why), those who take a photo with the statue often fondle her breasts.

Kissing bridge.

Canal.

Duomo.

One of many beautiful buildings.

We saw a mini version of the Colosseum. I forget the name, but it was just like a scaled-down version. Part of the outer wall still stands. The actual Colosseum used to have an outer wall just like this one, but it has since been destroyed. In the square there were street performers, and many, many tourists. We had some free time for lunch, so we stopped at this random caffé. I just found the name: Caffè Paganotto. Others from our tour were passing by and decided to join us. I got a toast lunch set which included a ricotta and prosciutto toast (it was enough for two), mixed fresh fruit (macedonia), and a drink for 10 euro. I always got acqua frizzante (sparkling water) because it helped to settle my stomach. They had a variety of toasts, pizzas, and pasta dishes, as well as meal sets.

A mini Colosseum.

Macedonia (mixed fruit).

Prosciutto & Ricotta toast.

Did you say, “Gondola ride?” Well, don’t mind if I do. We took a boat through the main canal to get to our gondolas. There are so many boats; it’s amazing how there aren’t more accidents! On the way to our stop we went under a bridge. The rule is that, if it is your first time going under the bridge, you have to kiss someone. Kind of awkward if you’re on a boat with random people, but we made it work. There are so many fantastic mansions in Venice. It’s a shame that it will someday be under water. After the initial boat ride we stopped and walked over to the gondola area. We learned so much about the gondoliers. They do not sing like the movies would have you believe, and many own their own boats. There are musicians available for a price, and the gondoliers have patrons enter in a certain order for even weight distribution. Otherwise, the boat is liable to tip over!

One of many alleyways.

A little ornament on the gondola.

Some of the wonderful people on our tour.

After the gondolas we headed to the hotel on Lido, which was ornately decorated on the outside. There was a nice outdoor seating area with a bar, and a few gelato stands just down to road. Everyone went to his or her rooms to unwind and get ready for dinner. The dinner was a green risotto, followed by pork with a carrot mash and peas. Dessert was a thick mousse-like lemon cream topped with nuts. It was okay. Not the best, but not the worst either. After dinner a few of us took a walk down to the beach, and on the way back to the room, grabbed some gelato.

Risotto.

Pork dinner.

Dessert.

Giving Back

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Soon, I will be embarking on a new venture. For years I have wanted to give back. There are so many things out there that need change. Without going into too much detail right now, let’s just say I have figured out a small way to make a difference. There is so much I would like to accomplish. When I was younger, it seemed as though life was never-ending. Now, I realize how we are just a “blip on the radar” of what we call existence. I will post more information as soon as I can.

All it takes is one act of kindness to turn someone’s life around. It may seem insignificant, but it could be the catalyst to something wonderful.

Italy, Day 4: The War Cemetery and Assisi

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Day 4: War Cemetery & Assisi

The War Cemetery and fountain.

There are few things more sobering than visiting war cemeteries. They are a reminder of casualties of war. Most of the graves were those of people who were no more than 30. Many never saw it past 18-19. Our tour director bought roses, in red and white, for each of us to place on the grave of a headstone of our choosing.

Those who know me know I am NOT a crier. There are rare exceptions. This was one of them. Its’ not like I was balling my eyes out, but I did tear up. It just seems so senseless. If only we would take a step back and really see what we, as humans, are doing to each other (and the planet, but that’s a rant for another time).

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

After the war cemetery we went to Assisi. Saint Francis, who believed in living simply and loving & respecting each other and all that the world contains, resided in Assisi. There is a beautiful cathedral. The local specialist, Giuseppe (hopefully I spelled his name correctly), was one of my favorites. He had so much information on the cathedral, St. Francis, Assisi, and the surrounding area. I wish I had taken notes. Anyway, the cathedral there was something else. It was one of the most ornate holy structures we had entered. It took ages to complete, and the intricacy shows that. They did not allow photos, which is why you won’t see any of the interior, unless I am able to find some. The paintings on the walls date back centuries. They contain precious metals and minerals were mixed in to get the various colors of the paint, such as lapis lazuli and real gold flake. Because of the rarity and value of paint ingredients, people scratched the walls just to get enough dust to mix it with a medium. They would use it for their own financial gain. Thus, some of the murals are difficult to decipher. I am not religious by any means, but there was something about that structure, as if it were alive. You could feel the religiosity and centuries of faith. Everyone on our tour had mentioned that.

Driving up to the basilica.

The courtyard of the basilica.

Once the site of executions.
It is now a beautiful, green hill.

The house of the largest
meringue is also a deli
w/cured, hanging meat.

My birthday scarf and necklace
from our tour director.

My little monk cup.

The meringue was bigger than my face!
I am holding it a little bit down,
but right in front of my face.

During our free time we were able to wander the shops, even though there was not much time. I went into a pastry shop with the largest meringue cookie I had ever seen! Of course I had to buy it. I split it with three people and there was still some leftover. I will post a photo of that. we saw a man who was haggard and barefoot, carrying a backpack, and speaking to a priest. We assumed he was on a pilgrimage, but still don’t know for sure. My friend and I grabbed some gelato, and we were back to the bus. At the hotel dinner was served, and included a starter, main course, and dessert. I had the vegetable soup, which was okay. The other starter was penne pasta in some sort of cream sauce with beef (I think). It was far better. Then we were given a stuffed pork loin with potatoes, and dessert was ice cream; that ice cream was amazing. After dinner we packed up, as it was time to go to Venice.

The table setting.

Whitest. Butter. Ever.

Ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Vegetable soup appetizer.

Pork and potatoes.

Italy, Days 3-4: Pompeii, Sorrento, & Capri

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 Days 3-4: Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri

Some recovered artifacts and a plaster cast of one of the residents.

On our way to Sorrento we stopped at Pompeii. It was definitely not as I had imagined. The city was considerably larger, and they continue to excavate.

It takes years just to uncover a small space. I wonder how long it will be before the whole area is revealed. According to our guide the inhabitants of Pompeii died from carbon monoxide poisoning and suffocation from the falling ash and debris. Due to the way the city fell much more was preserved than originally thought. We got to see the bathhouse, “red-light district”, and so much more. The places where houses and businesses once stood are mostly in ruins, but the brothel (ironically) was quite well-preserved. There were even paintings on the walls, not as pornography, but drawn so anyone who entered could point to the position they wanted and could be charged accordingly. The rooms, no bigger than a walk-in closet, had built-in stone beds in order to speed up the process. I am amazed at how much could be accomplished and built considering they had no modern conveniences. . . and things lasted.

One of the amphetheaters.

Part of a shop

A view from the top

This guy…the first thing that came to mind was, “FOR SPARTA!”

Gnocchi with fresh basil.

Not sure what this was, but it was tasty.

After Pompeii it was time get to Sorrento. It is such a beautiful area. Our group went to Positano and Capri. They are quintessential Italy. The only thing we have to compare Italy to are films, and we all know that films don’t often accurately represent an area. While I knew it wasn’t all built on hills, when I initially thought of Italy, what I saw in Position and Capri were what I had imagined. First, Positano. Positano is a coastal town built in the hills. It is absolutely stunning. The streets are narrow, some with steep grades, and lined with wisteria and other plant life. Most of the shops are geared for the tourists (of course), and since many of them sell the same thing, it is a good idea to browse different locations for the best price. Positano is apparently known for its Limoncello and its lemons in general, which is why lemons are so prominently featured. After taking a stroll and meandering through the shops, we stopped for a dessert and coffee/tea.

Lemons everywhere.
Some the size of footballs!

One of the local shops.

A coffee dessert from La Zagara in Positano.

And, tea.

Next up was the isle of Capri. Capri is similar to Positano in that it was built in the hills. We took a boat to the isle where we were greeted by a tour guide after taking a car (similar to Angel’s Flight in Los Angeles) up the hill to where our guide was. He told us all about the history of the area and about the Carthusian monks who were known for their parfum. Oh, we also had the opportunity to try granites (sp). I had a blood orange & lemon mix. It was amazing! Light, refreshing, and just sweet enough to not make one sick. I am a bit sad. I’ve only just realized that some of the photos I took either (1) didn’t actually take or (2) were deleted somehow. I have been uploading (over 3,000) pictures, and haven’t noticed until just now, about a week in (no, I’m not posting these on the days they happen), that some photos are missing. Well, I guess I will just have to come back some day. Where was I? Oh yes. After the beverage we walked, with the guide, through the streets of Capri. The tour ended at a garden overlooking the water, and then it was free time. We took a walk, and had lunch at a hotel. After our time was up we took the car back down the hill, and took the ferry back.

A view from the hotel courtyard.

Another angel as the sun set.

The water was so beautiful!

Did someone say, “Granita”?

The view from the end of
the tour around Capri.

Capri.

This cat was roaming around
the garden in Capri.

We finished off our time in Sorrento with a trip to a wood inlay factory. There was a demonstration, and the speaker discussed the process of making each piece by hand. There is so much work involved. . . no wonder the pieces are so pricey. I opted for a few coasters since they were what I would probably use the most, and they were the least expensive. The entire process to make the pieces can take days or longer, depending on the intricacy of the item. They had a table that didn’t look like much more than an average table, until he opened it up. The underside of the tabletop was a game board. Under that was a house of games including, but not limited to: Checkers, backgammon, roulette (complete with a wheel), etc. It was thousands of dollars, but included free shipping. There was a little bit of free time left, so we explored the street. The main square was a busy intersection of cars, buses, motorbikes, and bicycles. Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the bus.

The name of the wood inlay factory.

A demonstration.

I love cats!

Somewhere below is a watermill.

It was full of gaming surpri
ses!

The table I mentioned.

At night we had dinner on a farm. Yes; it, too, was located in the hills. There were some animals (cows & geese), fruit trees, and other edible plants. We learned how mozzarella cheese is made as well as how to make pizza. Not all of us got to participate in the pizza-making, and that was okay. It was quite an entertaining moment. After the demos it was time for dinner. There were so many wonderful things: olives, various meats, caprese salad, fresh ricotta with red pepper flakes and oregano, bread, and pizza (of course!). That was followed by a cake drizzled with Limoncello & a lemon cream plus two small squares topped with a lemon marmalade and an orange marmalade.

Fresh cheese!

Fresh bread.

Asstd. meats, fresh cheese, and tomatoes.

More pizza!

Dessert.

The only negative was the hotel room. There was hot water for maybe 5 minutes, and that’s being generous. The tile and colors reminded me of the Mediterranean. Was it clean? Yes. Was it as nice as the previous hotel? No. I will say that the view out the back was indescribable. You could see the isles, and the sunset was spectacular. If only the hotel lived up to the view. Did I mention that it was my birthday? Our tour director gave me a card and beautiful scarf on behalf of the tour company and our group, which was amazing and unexpected. To add to it, our tour director told the people at dinner. They brought me a special dessert and everyone sang. What a special birthday it was!

Cannelloni.

Meat & potatoes.

Pistachio dessert for my birthday!

Italy, Days 2-3: Rome, The Vatican City, & Other Sights

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Days 2 & 3: Rome, The Vatican City & Other Roman Sights

Managed to find a Korean restaurant
within the first 24 hours of being there…

There are so many things to see and do that you could be in Roma itself for two weeks, and it wouldn’t be long enough. The architecture, history, food, and culture are remarkable. If only the locals could appreciate as much as the visitors do. But I guess it’s the same anywhere. I don’t see the fascination with Los Angeles, and as much as I love Disneyland I often forget why the tourists are so awed. Since we live around these things, we really take them for granted. Okay, rant over. Each building has a story to tell. Many of the homes owned by the wealthy have been converted into apartments or government buildings. You can tell which time periods the buildings were constructed by the architectural style.

Ticket to the museum.

A fountain.

A view of the grounds.

Overlooking Rome

A view of the ramp leading to
another part of the museum.

We headed to the Vatican City, which is a country
of its own, in case you didn’t know.  The Vatican City is well guarded, and you have to have a ticket to enter.  We went through the bag check and the metal detector, and then headed up the stairs.  After going through the doors, we were outside in a courtyard of the Vatican City.  Our guide, Silvana (hopefully I spelled that correctly), was wonderful.  She was a fountain of information about the Vatican City, its buildings, and everything contained within its walls.  There is no photography or talking once inside the Sistine Chapel, so she told us all about it while we were in the courtyard.  The inside is magnificent.  Partly painted by a group of artists and most notably painted by Michelangelo, there are no words to describe how it looks.  Before it was restored the walls and ceiling was covered in soot form years of candles being lit as well as neglect.  There are patches left untouched in order to compare the work prior to it being restored.

We continued around the grounds.  I was able to take some photos inside of different works of art as well as the landscaping.  It’s amazing, to me, that areas, paintings, statues, etc. have lasted as long as they have.  I imagine what the people were doing, what the language and mannerisms were, the clothing, and the atmosphere.  Imagining a world with less pollution, no traffic noise (at least not as we know it today), and relatively no light noise.  All modern conveniences aside, it must have been incredible.  As we walked the halls, each room had different art pieces from different time periods.  Renaissance, Baroque, you name it.  Where else can you go
and experience centuries in such a fluid manner?

One of many ornate ceilings.

Ladles and cups thousands of years old.

Afterwards we went to the Colosseum. It is really magnificent. It would have been a wonderful sight to see it being built, even though it was used for less that humane “entertainment”. The stairs are steep, tall, and uneven. It was a real workout getting to the upper floor. They had put in an elevator, but we didn’t bother with it. The second floor had a small gift shop, but I didn’t find anything eye-catching. Part of the floor of the Colosseum was removed to show the various cells and halls that housed the people and animals. Prior to those being placed, it was filled with water. We had about an hour on our own, and then it was time to meet up with the tour for a group photo.

The Colosseum.

Interior view of the Colosseum
from another angle.

Interior view of the Colosseum.

The Pantheon was the last well-known sight we saw. The pictures do not even do it justice. Silvana showed us some of the surrounding area before we entered the Pantheon. It may not look like much from the outside, but it is a sight to behold. I will probably sound like a broken record, but I really wonder what it was like when the building was being constructed, and when it was completed. To think that things last for thousands of years is mind-boggling. The inside looks so new! While there have been new additions, such as statues, the structure itself is well preserved. The arches in the dome are what support the dome itself. If only there was a virtual reality tour.

Inside the Pantheon.

The Pantheon.

We left the Pantheon and headed to the piazza where we met up with our tour director. He recommended a place to eat, and that’s where we went. I got the pizza, which came with an arugula and tomato salad, and fruit cup. After dinner we went for a tartufo, which was a ball of rich, thick, dark chocolate ganache-like ice cream with cherry, then covered in dark chocolate and chocolate shavings. It was decorated with whipped cream and two different wafer cookies. Three of us split one that was about the size of a baseball, and couldn’t finish it. But it was pretty tasty.