Our First Day In London

We were off once again.

While we had booked the trip months earlier, and it had seemed so far away, suddenly the day to leave was upon us. Our bags packed, our good friend Frank drove us to the airport.

What a pleasure it is to fly direct. What a pleasure it is not to have to fly into the US along with the US custom controls. We checked in online, dropped off our bags, and flew through customs.

Montreal to London is a relatively short flight, but they still managed to squeeze in a supper and a breakfast. A movie, a futile attempt to nap, and we were landing in London.

Prior to leaving, we had called via Skype to book up a private cab to pick us up at a fairly reasonable price. Tired, we spotted our name on a card, and he drove us to our new home for the next 2 weeks.

It is an adorable charming little basement apartment in a very lovely neighborhood. The layout is compact and efficient with a hide a way bed. Stepping outside, is a darling little garden.

As we walked about the neighborhood, we were struck how lush everything is. A variety of flowers perfumed the air, as we noted bamboo and palm trees growing in some gardens.

Staying awake the first day is of prime importance. The day is hard, and feels excessively long, but it is the only way to quickly adapt to the time change. While it is only 5 pm now, Hera and I are struggling a bit to stay awake.

One of my big goals for this first day was to be sure I got a local SIM card, and that I could unlock my phone.

I recently purchased the Samsung Galaxy S2, a wonderful smart phone, but roaming charges from our Canadian providors are exhorbitant, and after hearing stories of how some people came home with astronomical charges, I almost did not bring my phone.

I was under the impression that the CRTC had ordered the phone companies to provide unlocking services, but I had to fight tooth and nail to get the unlocking code for my phone. They were claiming they could only unlock the phone after 30 days, at which time I would be back. I argued that such a claim made no sense if I had a 3 year contract, and that neither the contract I signed nor their web site mentioned such a 30 day delay. Finally the gave me the code.

To put things in perspective, my roaming charges would cost me $15 to $25 per megabyte. With a local UK SIM card, for about $16 dollars I have 500 megabytes. 500 times cheaper!

With my phone happy with a new local SIM card, we were off to accomplish our last goal for the day.

We entered an Underground station to get our 7 day travel cards. 2 weeks of unlimited travel costed each of us 60 pounds! Expensive yes, but well worth it.

So often I had said that to really know a city, you need to ride its transit system. There is no city like London that drives this point home. The Underground IS part of what London is all about. Along with its double decker buses too of course!

Getting our travel cards is only the first step. Over the next few days we will have to learn how to use the Underground and the buses effectively.

With our goals accomplished, we were free to do as we pleased. I had noted on the map that Portobello Market was not too far off our route, and we could have hit it first. But I new we might dally. Strolling the bustling street after we did our day's work allowed us to enjoy the street market at our leisure, albeit in a fatigued state.

Street vendors sell the various wares, food merchants sell their produce, and a variety of ethnic stalls delights the nose. We had already grabbed a bite earlier, and were nolonger hungry, but I would not be surpirsed if we end up there soon enough.

We did pick up some produce, and spying a spice store made a bee line to it to buy some spices.

Without the energy of Portobello Market, the last leg home was a long and arduous twenty minute walk. We most definitely need to learn the transit system.

Walking in, and walking home, we came across of line of bikes that reminded us of the Bixi Bikes of Montreal. Actually, they are from Montreal!

It will be an early day for us. But we did manage to stay awake and accomplish the important tasks.

For a light meal, Hera made tapas out of an Indian hot pickled egg plant spread we picked up at the Spice Shop. We opened a bottle of the chilled Australian Chardonnay that our hosts provided, along with a few other welcome home goodies.

Photographer's note: All images today were shot with Lumix GH2 and a 20mm Lumix f/1.7 lens. Except the first and last shot. Samsung Galaxy SII smart phone was used for these two shots.

Cheers,

Hera & Anthony

Magical San Gimignano & Ciao A Tutti

Today we were off to San Gimignano.

While it is very easily accessible with a car, it is also very easy to get there with the bus, even though you have to transfer midway at Poggibonsi.

Midway between Florence and Siena, perched on a hill, it was a perfect stop over for pilgrims of the time, and tourists for today.

San Gimignano was once a fiercely independant town. A walled village gave safe refuge to the farmers, and the 60 odd towers within the town gave refuge to the warring families within the town. This was the time of Romeo and Juliette.

But the plague hit the town hard. Of the 13 000 citizens, less than 4 000 remained, and it soon fell into the political orbit of Florence, which ordered many of its towers to be torn down.

No longer a power onto its own, if not outright impoverished, it was frozen in time. A Medieval town, with its winding streets and remaining towers.

While there are sights to be seen inside the town, the real site to see is the town itself. Walking the streets, following a small alley here or there, and then climbing onto some of the remaining walls is the real attraction of San Gimignano.

The Tuscan country side is wonderfully seen from Rocca e Parco di Montestaffoli, the rolling hills and various estates.

Is San Gimignano touristy? Yes it is, and it knows it.

But it is well worth the visit.

So close to Florence, and it transports us to an era that is simply magical.

Photographer's note:  As I mentioned before I came to this trip with a Panasonic Lumix G1, my travel lenses are a Lumix 20mm 1.7, Lumix 14mm-45mm and a 45mm200mm Lumix. I brought two 16 gig Ultra fast SDH cards, I only used one at all times. 3 batteries, but one was enough to shoot with every day. I brought my carbon fiber Gitzo tripod, I used it ONLY once. I have a portable computer, plus a tiny external hard drive as back up. I usually shoot in both RAW and high res jpg. with Lumix. I only use the jpg files to re-size for the Blog shots.


I travel with this fabulous soft leather bag. It is fantastic. Italian made off course. It hangs just across my body. Holds all my camera gear and plus,(including my little shopping escapades, sunglasses, except the tripod). No one knows that it has camera gear in it. I go everywhere with it. Including when I travel in planes.

My tripod goes always in my luggage.


This trip was very magical. I hope you all liked following our adventures. My other daily photograpy Blog  http://www.myphotoramblings.com// will start back Monday October 11th. 2010. Thank you for all your support.

Ciao,

Anthony & Hera

Eating Well, Visiting Sites... La Vita E Bella In Florence

Today promised to be another gorgeous day.

Needing some basic staples, we did some shopping at the local super market, but for lunch, we were headed of to see Pino once again. This time at his food store Verdi.

Around the corner from his wine shop, Pino has a food counter, where the excellent meats we had savoured the night before came from.  It is called Salumeria Verdi, at Via Verdi 36 red. (http://www.salumeriaverdi.it/)

The place was very busy, but Pino smiling, called out "HeraBell" as he served a customer. We each had a sandwich, and a small glass of wine. As we ate, Hera said it was the best sandwich she has ever had, and I have to agree. Pricewise, it was very inexpensive.

This is defintely another place that anyone visiting Florence must stop by.

In addition to his sandwiches, he has other plates of food. Several different plates of pasta was offered for today's lunch, and he mentioned that on Fridays, fish and seafood are offered.

Pino was too busy with the crowds of customers at the moment, so we dropped by later in the day to pick up some of the delicious meats we had eaten the night before.

We walked about the now familiar streets.

While we often passed close by, we did not yet really see Orsanmichele Church.

The site had in the eight century, a very small oratory where miracles had occured. A merchant area was built around it, and became a grain market. After the plague that killed off half of Florence, the arches were filled in, and it became a Church, while grain was still stored above.

Niches surrounding the church were filled by various artists, commissioned by the guilds of Florence. Walking around the Church, one can see the change in sculptures from Gothic to Renaissance.

Inside, the church is spectacular. The painted ceilings and walls, and the intricately carved marble tabernacle that holds Bernardo Daddi' Madonna delle Grazie are wonderful sights to behold.

It had been a few days since Hera had a gelato, but today, it was time for one. Finding a Gelato shop is one of the easiest things to do in Florence, and soon Hera had her Gelato.

We wandered around, crossed the Duoma once again. In the brilliant sun, I find it is way too bright. I think the Duomo looks best at night, lit by lights. The intricacies of the art work are highlighted, the shadows add character, and the square feels much more romantic.

Florence is small, and easily walked, but today, we decided to take a taxi to San Miniato Church. Located south of the Arno, up the hill, behind Piazzale Michelangelo.

St. Minias, was King of Armenia, and gave up his crown to the heavenly king. According to legend, he was beheaded on the banks of the Arno. Picking up his head, he walked up the hill, where he died, and was buried.

An old church, it is a beauty. From the painted wooden ceilings, to wall paintings, to the sumptous Chapel of Cardinal Jacobo. Walking up a few steps, one enters the sacristy, and we are faced with a stunning fresco, while down below is an intimate crypt where a group sang Vespers in Gregorian chant.

We walked down a bit to Piazzale Michelangelo and gazed across the picturesque city. Hera took photos, as the sun was setting, capturing the different light and moods of the city.

As we arrived home, across the street from our apartment, an event was being held at the private club. Dressed as a Florentine guard, he exchanged pleasantries with us, as we took out our keys, and entered our building.

Florence is charming, day or night.

Cheers,

Anthony & Hera