Travels in the 2nd half

  When you walk around a city you have the opportunity to see the small things that make it special. What you see might be something iconic or run of the mill. It might show the interaction of people and place. If you take your time, slow down, and look around, you can find the really special sights that define a place. Some restaurants offer experiences to tourists The Prati neighborhood is the area north of Castel Sant’Angelo along the west bank of the Tiber River. It is a residential area, and was the working home for the class I was taking. Scooters are a major mode of transportation in Rome Fountains are everywhere Just south of Sant’Angelo is the Hospital Santo Spirito in Sassia. The hospital is the oldest in Europe, first built in 1198 by Pope Innocent III. Santo Spirito was destroyed by fire in 1471 and rebuilt at that time. While there are several interesting historic things, including a museum of “sanitary arts”, what caught my eye was outside, at the rear of the building...

Friends near the Castel Sant'Angelo   Traveling to a new place offers a lot of new experiences. Sometimes I am entranced by the difference in architecture. Sometimes it is the museums that grab me, with art pulling me in ahead of everything else. But on my trip to Rome this spring I spent time people watching, and using my camera to record what I observed. A Meeting of Minds   From Sant'Angelo to the Parthenon to Piazza Navona, I was often surrounded by people, both local and visitors, who offer a fascinating look into life and time spent is this European capital.   At Castel Sant'Angelo  Sometimes, you just have to enjoy the view Shore leave selfie Getting that photo for social media Okay, where are we again?  At The Pantheon and Piazza Navona Looking to Make some Magic    Taking selfies together Changing of the guard at the Italian Senate Jazz in the Piazza Not part of the crowd  At the Trevi Fountain The Crowd at the Trevi Fountain Comparing ph...

  I have visited the city of Florence more times than any other in Italy. I have spent many days exploring its museums and streets. So, when mt photography class had the city on its itinerary, I wasn’t sure what I would focus on. But our instructor gave us a clear mandate - Take pictures of the people we encounter. We started our day at the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, and then the Piazza della Republica. Santa Maria Novella Church Of course, no day of people watching would be complete without visits to two of Florence’s busiest and most crowded spaces, the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Not even a steady rain kept the crowds away.   Out final stop of the day was at the Ponte Vecchio, with its jewelry stores casting light into the very wet evening. Spending a day looking at people, not places, was a new experience for me, one I plan on repeating often.