I'll split the trip into two cities per each post, so the photos + commentary won't be too laborious.
Please indulge me in this precursory comment: I really dislike all of the photos taken of me during this trip (or any time in recent months). But alas, I am pregnant, and I am larger (everywhere) than I've ever been in my entire life. I know that sacrificing your vanity is just part of carrying a child. This doesn't mean I have to like these photos. But this is my blog, so I get to say my piece if I want to. Also...you can safely assume that the good, high-resolution photos were taken by Jonathan.
We left Memphis Saturday around 10: 30 in the morning, flew to Atlanta, then flew to New York. We left New York around 7:30 pm ET, and got to Venice around 11 a.m. their time on Sunday morning.
We took a water bus into town from the airport... it was fun to see this storied city built on the water with my own two eyes. And thus began the mind-blowing that happens when you realize how old everything is.
{not far from where we saw a local teenage couple TOTALLY MAKING OUT in one of these doorways, oblivious to the world. Our baptism into seeing public makeout sessions all over the place.}
So, what I learned in Venice: maps are useless. Any sort of strong directional sense is largely futile. You WILL get lost and you WILL have no clue where you're going. And yes, we did make a circle once or twice. But, it was fun wandering around, and we managed to stay awake all day until about 8:30 Sunday night.
We went to St. Mark's Square (the "big" thing there, right?), where part of the front facade was under scaffolding.

{those little boys in the green jackets were trying to get pigeons to sit on their head and arms and stuff. gross.}
Jonny making a pigeon-face (and you can see the beautiful church and scaffolding):

So, we meandered around, had some not-so-great/touristy pizza (better pizza was to come) and went to sleep. Funny, we both woke up around 2:30 am and realized the other was awake. We ate snacks, and went back to sleep until 8 am.
That morning, I got this best gelato pic (grapefruit...MMM!):

And then we packed up and headed to the train station for FIRENZE!
Jonathan downloaded this new app slash toy, Autostitch, and had fun playing with it.
Here's the Duomo in Florence (which is so jammed into the city, it's hard to get a comprehensive picture while you're standing next to it):
Inside:
Those famous "Gates of Paradise" on the Baptistry doors, (so beautiful in person, even on a grey day!):

While in Florence, we were SO graciously hosted by our friends Laura & Ryan Stephens, who are participating in mission work through Avanti Italia.
Here's the 4 of us from the Piazza di Michelangelo (a wonderful view of the city and a better idea of the size of the Duomo):
Ryan & Laura's apartment was so cozy and comfortable, and we got to enjoy some of Laura's Italian-refined culinary skills. They also took us to visit two of their artisan friends they've met while there, one makes intricate jewelry and detailed metal accoutrements, and one works mainly in watercolor...we bought 3 small watercolors of his (two for the baby's room!).
THANK YOU so much, Stephens, for hosting us! We had such a great time with you both.
Also in Florence, Laura took us to Harding University's Villa where Jonathan spent a summer in college. We ate a delicious lunch, and I got to meet Robbie, the longtime famous program director:
We finished off our trip to Florence with visits to the Uffizi Art Gallery and the Accademia, where I got this illegal phone pic of the David:

So formidable and so much larger in person than I expected. We walked into the gallery where he stands, and I just said, "Whoa!" Completely beautiful. We also liked seeing Michelangelo's "unfinished" slave sculptures there.
Of course, before getting on the train to Cinque Terre, one more stop at J's favorite gelato place from his college days, FESTIVAL!
Next we go to Vernazza (Cinque Terre) and Roma! Stay tuned!
Italy through gelato! What a treat!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I feel you on the preggo pics. I still do not think any of mine are cute at ALL. Moving forward love all the pics, especially the baptistry doors and david (he is huge and not in a pun sort of way). Looking forward toward your next post.
ReplyDeletelove the pics, Leslie. Especially the gelato. Way to go Jonny!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got to see the Villa and can't wait to see your CT pictures!
oh, and you looked great in these pictures! But I feel you, Im trying to embrace it, too :)
Thanks for the tour! That gelato looks delicious. You look wonderful. I am sorry you feel blue about your body changes. It's difficult to go through all these changes and symptoms, isn't it? Will you think bad thoughts of me if I remind you that it is indeed temporary? You'll get your body back soon and you'll have a sweet baby girl to love on for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your trip with us! Looking forward to the next installment. I think you look great in all the pictures! I have top secret ones to show you, when you need cheering up. . . and I can promise you that every pound is worth it!! Re: illegal pics of David? Have they changed the rules? I have bunches from our visit. . . legal. The sculpture IS AMAZING. We were in awe of all of the artwork surrounding us. But can I say, I'm glad you guys are home?? Love you both!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about Venice...getting lost is the rule rather than the exception! And you summarized the David perfectly...I'll never forget the moment of coming around that corner and having my breath taken away by its massiveness!
ReplyDelete20150624meiqing
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton
michael kors outlet
celine
red timberland boots
michael kors
coach outlet
tory burch outlet
chanel handbags
hollister
oakley sunglasses sale
fitflop shoes
chanel handbags
michael kors purse
prada
ralph lauren outlet
mont blanc pen
insanity workout dvd
coach outlet
tods outlet store
coach outlet store online
michael kors outlet
marc jacobs handbags
toms shoes
beats by dr dre
kobe bryant shoes
oakley sunglasses
jordan 11s
true religion
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors
michael kors outlet online
air jordan retro
pandora charms
hollister co
ray ban sunglasses
abercrombie & fitch new york
jordan 6
hollister kids
ray ban sunglasses
ReplyDeletereplica watches
abercrombie and fitch
links of london
burberry outlet online
san antonio spurs jerseys
nike roshe run
atlanta falcons jersey
abercrombie and fitch
celine outlet online
asics running shoes
ray-ban sunglasses, http://www.ray-bansunglassess.in.net
nike running shoes
cheap football shirts
the north face outlet
michael kors outlet store, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
cleveland cavaliers jersey
ghd
kobe shoes
cheap snapbacks
true religion canada, http://www.truereligionjeanscanada.com
valentino outlet
thomas sabo
cheap nhl jerseys
michael kors factory online, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutletonline.com
coach outlet
cartier watches
michael kors uk outlet
babyliss
miami heat jersey
cai2015812
chenlina20150918
ReplyDeletecheap uggs
canada goose jackets
nike roshe runs
ugg boots
oakley sunglasses
insanity workout
ghd
nike tn
longchamp handbags
longchamp outlet
kobe bryant shoes
louis vuitton outlet
abercrombie and fitch
nike roshe run
kate spade uk
lebron james shoes
adidas original trainers
adidas shoes
belstaff
christian louboutin outlet
hollister uk
canada goose uk
michael kors
fake oakleys
oakley sunglasses wholesale
cheap jordans
ralph lauren outlet
mcm handbags
michael kors outlet
tory burch outlet
nike huarache trainers
mont blanc pens
toms wedges
hollister
hermes belt
fake oakley sunglasses
uggs boots on sale
cheap oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglases cheap
coach factory outlet
as
crx123
ReplyDeleteabercrombie oakley outlet tommy hilfiger online shop results michael kors outlet online ferragamo shoes thomas sabo uk moncler jackets sale oakley sunglasses cheap adidas sneakers into oakley true religion outlet toms shoes outlet pandora juicy couture outlet knockoff handbags context. oakley sunglasses cheap nike factory store pandora prada outlet bcbg max azria michael kors outlet online sale mizuno wave star wars vans shoes beats by dr dre nike roshe run hermes birkin omega watches beats by dr dre coach outlet store swarovski canada prom dresses north face outlet gucci outlet northface coach factory louis vuitton outlet online rayban nike outlet store hilfiger outlet mercurial superfly coach outlet store hollisterco abercrombie and fitch oakley sunglasses cheap polo ralph polo ralph lauren outlet online pandora raybans.com timberland outlet
michael kors outlet online,michael kors,kors outlet,michael kors outlet,michael kors handbags,michael kors outlet online sale,michael kors handbags clearance,michael kors purses,michaelkors.com,michael kors bags,michael kors shoes,michaelkors,cheap michael kors
ReplyDeleteugg boots
ray ban sale
philadelphia eagles
pittsburgh steelers
arizona cardinals
celine outlet online
michael kors factory store,michael kors outlet online sale,michael kors,kors outlet,michael kors outlet,michael kors handbags,michael kors outlet online,michael kors handbags clearance,michael kors purses,michaelkors.com,michael kors bags,michael kors shoes,michaelkors,cheap michael kors
canada goose outlet
the north face
michael kors factory sale
atlanta falcons
ralph lauren,ralph lauren uk,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren polo
instyler ionic styler,instyler,instyler ionic styler pro
barbour clothing
air jordan 4 free shipping
true religion jeans
new york knicks
tods shoes,tods shoes sale,tods sale,tods outlet online,tods outlet store,tods factory outlet
coach outlet store
ddd1028
20160324libinralph lauren outlet
ReplyDeletelongchamp outlet
longchamp handbags
toms shoes
ray ban sunglasses
true religion jeans
jordan pas cher
ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton handbags outlet
michael kors handbags
michael kors bags
nike air max 90
lebron shoes
nike air huarache
mlb jerseys
cheap jordans
rolex watches
hermes outlet
swarovski jewelry
ray-ban sunglasses
michael kors outlet online
burberry outlet online
air max 2015
longchamp pliage
soccer jerseys
nfl jersey wholesale
coach outlet store
kobe shoes
mont blanc pens
discount michael kors handbags
nba jerseys
nhl jerseys
longchamp solde
swarovski outlet
coach outlet online
zhengjx20160402
ReplyDeletecanada goose sale
toms outlet
adidas trainers
coach outlet
white converse
designer handbags wholesale
louboutin
reebok shoes
christian louboutin outlet
coach factory outlet online
louis vuitton pas cher
michael kors handbags
jordan pas cher
reebok outlet store
cartier love ring
coach outlet online
burberry bags
gucci outlet online
ray ban sunglasses outlet
stephen curry shoes
coach outlet
ecco outlet
valentino bags
true religion
cheap ray bans
coach factory
air max 90
toms shoes
fitflop uk
nike cortez shoes
cheap oakley sunglasses
converse outlet
timberland boots
coach outlet online
cartier
ugg sale
nike free runs
michael kors handbags
asics running shoes
pandora jewelry
ralph lauren online,cheap ralph lauren
ReplyDeletecheap jerseys from china
kobe shoes
ugg outlet
nfl jerseys
oakley sunglasses wholesale
discount sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses outlet
fitflop sandals
michael jordan shoes
tiffany jewelry
mlb jerseys authentic
http://www.cheapbasketballshoes.us.com
Cheap Jordans For Sale
cheap true religion jeans
cheap jordans
michael kors handbags
toms outlet store
http://www.uggoutlet.uk
ReplyDeletetoms outlet store
fitflop sandals
tiffany online
tiffany and co uk
Michael Kors Online Outlet
chrome hearts wholesale
oakley sunglasses
http://www.raybanglasses.in.net
michael kors factory outlet
http://www.cheapairjordan.us
tiffany and co jewelry
tiffany and co jewellery
michael kors outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
washington redskins jerseys
ReplyDeletephiladelphia eagles jerseys
san francisco 49ers jerseys
instyler ionic styler
houston texans jerseys
falcons jersey
abercrombie and fitch
new england patriots jerseys
puma outlet
nike free running
minnesota vikings jerseys
jacksonville jaguars jersey
kansas city chiefs jerseys
san diego chargers jerseys
green bay packers jersey
abercrombie outlet
pittsburgh steelers jerseys
minnesota vikings jersey
carolina panthers jerseys
kobe 9
golden state warriors
los angeles clippers jersey
vans outlet
fred perry polo shirts
arizona cardinals jersey
cardinals jersey
giuseppe zanotti outlet
new york jets jerseys
chicago bears jersey
los angeles lakers
buffalo bills jersey
tods shoes
mac cosmetics
fred perry polo
golden state warriors jersey
16.5.7huangqing
2016-5-23 leilei
ReplyDeletepolo ralph lauren outlet
cheap jordan shoes
ray ban sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
gucci handbags
coach outlet clearance
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors handbags
oakley sunglasses
supra shoes
louis vuitton borse
cheap jordans
sac longchamp
north face jackets
burberry outlet
coach factory outlet
instyler max
burberry outlet
hollister uk
jimmy choo shoes
nike store uk
nike air max
michael kors outlet
timberlands
louis vuitton outlet
fitflops sale
adidas gazelle
timberland boots
ralph lauren outlet
ray ban outlet
babyliss flat iron
discount nike shoes
the north face
michael kors outlet
true religion jeans
rolex watches uk
skechers outlet
jordan shoes
ray ban sunglasses
ReplyDeletecoach factory outlet
christian louboutin outlet
jordan 4
michael kors outlet clearance
timberland shoes
jordan retro 3
christian louboutin outlet
coach factory outlet
cheap jerseys
coach factory outlet
true religion jeans
louis vuitton
coach outlet online
jordan 6
longchamp bags
gucci handbags
nike roshe run
toms shoes
air jordans
coach outlet
kobe 9
ralph lauren polo
nike basketball shoes
ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
coach factory outlet
christian louboutin outlet
jordan 4
michael kors outlet clearance
timberland shoes
jordan retro 3
christian louboutin outlet
coach factory outlet
cheap jerseys
louboutin pas cher
cheap jordan shoes
michael kors canada outlet
michael kors
nike roshe flyknit
20167.8chenjinyan
hermes belt
ReplyDeletenfl jerseys from china
oakley sunglasses,oakley outlet sunglasses
coach outlet online
michael kors handbags
lacoste polo shirts
retro jordans
christian louboutin outlet
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet
nmd adidas store
adidas stan smith uk
jordans for cheap
tiffany and co outlet
nike roshe run
adidas yeezy boost
true religion jeans wholesale
basketball shoes
nike roshe run
tiffany and co outlet online
michael kors handbags clearance
michael kors handbags
adidas nmd
tiffany and co jewellery
cheap basketball shoes
michael kors outlet
ReplyDeleteray ban sunglasses
adidas nmd
fitflops shoes
ghd flat iron
nike store
michael kors handbags
polo ralph lauren
michael kors handbags sale
michael kors handbags outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
ReplyDeletenike flyknit
yeezy shoes
kate spade bags
authentic louis vuitton handbags
adidas nmd r1
ray bans
ugg outlet
ugg canada sale
ray ban glasses
louis vuitton borse
yeezy shoes
coach outlet online
Replica Rolex
polo ralph lauren outlet
hollister co
polo ralph lauren
hejiexia20161104
armani exchange
ReplyDeletemichael kors
canada goose outlet
christian louboutin outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
ed hardy uk
carolina jerseys
polo ralph lauren
gucci outlet
pandora jewelry