Post vacation stress disorder

Have you heard of this phenomenon? It is very common and if you have been away on a long vacation, it can be quite severe.... I have a good case of it! It is tough after a great time to get right back to work. I am having trouble really picking it up again. What to do but just diving in?!

The pictures do give me a lot of pleasure and I am happy to share my adventures with you.

The second day in Italy we went to Vatican City. Wow, what a highlight that was. It is truly stunning and we wandered through the museum, then the basilica, and then went to the top of the Cupola. The key picture is so funny. I don't think the guard had ever had anyone ask if she could take a picture. Which one is for the pope's apartment you think?  Check out the little dimensional piece. Isn't it stunning? The room with all the maps of the world painted instead of printed was so impressive. And what about the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, no pictures allowed....  Michelangelo was actually more a sculpturor than a painter and didn't want to paint the chapel. He spent years lying on his back. Can you imagine?! I love this sculpture. Aren't the Swiss Guards interesting? 

The papal graves and the tomb of St peter underneath the basilica was very interesting. Ara, here is the grave of Pope John Paul! (again, no pictures allowed, you'll have to say a prayer for me so I don't go to hell!) We walked out through the St Peter's square across the bridge of angels. Completely exhausted we did what all of you would do. That's right, not going  back to the apartment but walk some more....We ended up on the Spanish steps and then cris-crossed town to see the Colliseum by night. Not enough hours in the day, so much to see and experience.

  

Italy

From Holland we travelled on to Rome. We had booked an apartment close to the Colliseum and were able to walk just about anywhere. On the first day we scouted out the neighbourhood and visited several most amazing churches. It is an amazing site to see all these beautiful historical buildings. They are very strict about dress code and in several we were asked to cover up. Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore was 3 minutes from our apartment. As you can see taking confession is hard work!

Basilica di San  Giovanni in Laterna was not far by bus. From there we wandered over to the area of the Colliseum. So much history and so much beauty. Most of the time we were just in awe with everything we saw. The rest we were busy eating pizza and pasta. and drinking sangria. All this walking does make you tired.....

While in Holland

During our stay in Holland we met Peter, a new addition to our family! I am so happy to have met him, he is great! He showed us Maastricht and we got to know him a bit better. Maastricht is in the south of Holland and according to some the oldest city in Holland. Others say the second oldest.... It is just a beautiful place and I loved it there. I will for sure go back. One thing the south is famous for is Linburgse vlaaien.  It is great pie! And check out the hotel inside an old church. It is stunning!

We also had a great family reunion. Part of the reunion was a mini survivor expedition. We had to cross water 4 times, including swinging on a rope and crossing over a single cable, holding on to 1 or 2 other cables. Let's just way we all managed to stay dry. And of course lots of laughter!!!!

The first leg of our trip:Holland and Paris

The first part of our trip consisted of a visit with one of my brothers and his family and of travelling to Paris with Zoe, my friend and her daughter. What a good time we had. Lost of walking, lots of talking and above all lots of laughter. In Holland, we walked along the waterfront in the town where I lived, Nijmegen. A great way to spend time together and to catch up. We left for Paris right after the weekend and from the moment we arrived we walked, and walked and walked some more. The best way to see  a lot. I have been to Paris numerous times but Zoe had not, so we visited some of the tourist attractions and I still enjoy them. On my birthday we visited the Eifel tower by night and on the way back, a group was singing in the metro. So I was serenaded on the train since Ciele told them it was my birthday. So funny!! Aside from the tourist stuff we ate Nutella crepes, visited some fabric place right at the foot of Mont Martre, some neat little shops at the Forum des Halles and I bet this one can be a new addition to Carmi's Paris book. Of course no pictures allowed but that din't stop me. It is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission is my motto! We finished with a visit to my favourite museum: Musee Rodin. I just LOVE this sculpture... A memorable time with daughter and friends

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And then it is over..

Isn't it amazing that you can anticipate a vacation for so long and it seems to take for ever to start. Then when it starts it just flies by and here I am, back home after a fantastic trip with so many impressions I don't know where to begin. I will post just a few pictures now and will tell you more over the next few days!

I took Carmi's new book and used it to scout out Paris from a different angle. Here is the proof that it was there... And the family event was just great. See us all. How precious it is to be together.

On my way!!

Well, I made it. I literally had to throw stuff in my suitcase without using much discretion. Time was ticking away and I just had so much to do. Now I am in the Air Canada lounge and it feels weird to have no work to worry about. I will try to blog as i go but don't have a laptop and no blackberry, so..... I know! Going cold turkey, haha

Camping and me

Camping and me, not a good combination.... I used to be embarrassed to say I actually hate camping but figure that now I am old enough to not care about that anymore! if it is a big tent with airconditionimng, a clean kitchen and bathroom and a decent bed, I might be convinced. Ordering the sun to come up at 8 would be good too. Today I heard another reason why I won't camp. A woman was woken up by a bear who came into her tent and bit her. She survived by playing dead!! All I can say is that I am happy for her and that I won't be camping this weekend (or any other for that matter). Enjoy yourself this weekend what ever it is you are doing!

Upcoming show

Wow, so busy trying to get all my ducks in a row for the coming weeks. Fun but busy... And in between making some jewelry for the upcoming show at the distillery district this coming weekend.

If you didn't know, Periwinkle, the store where you can find some of my jewelry, will have a booth at this show. Go check it out! I do love the distillery district. Beautiful buildings and a great atmosphere, some good restaurants, you name it.

http://www.artisansatthedistillery.com/

 

More bronze and some copper

I am on a bronze streak. It just combines so well with copper and earth tone pearls and gems. The rose is a charm from Brass Bouquet

Bronze beauty

Remember the bronze pieces I made out of bronze clay?

 Well, here is the finished piece...