לק"י
Dear Family & Friends!
I have decided to type my blog in English in order to allow as many friends as possible to read it
without having to translate it.
Those of you who don't like reading English, you can enjoy the photos and read their titles just to
know where they were taken.
Ben Yishai, my dear husband was invited to perform a brit-milah (the Jewish circumcision ceremony)
in Modena, Northern Italy.
I said "Italy? I want to go there too!"
So once it was settled and both sets of grandparents were prepared to assist us in taking care
of our six children at home (with the assistance of a babysitter here and there) the plan was
set into action.
of our six children at home (with the assistance of a babysitter here and there) the plan was
set into action.
To make a long story short, Tuesday morning (7/4/13)
I had 5 unplanned hours to spend in Rome.
Post card stand at the airport in Rome
I had 5 unplanned hours to spend in Rome.
Post card stand at the airport in Rome
Instead of going to the large mall that the guy at the ticket desk had suggested,
I went to the tourist information desk and asked where I could go that would be close
enough to see interesting sites and still make it back on time for the flight to Florence.
I went to the tourist information desk and asked where I could go that would be close
enough to see interesting sites and still make it back on time for the flight to Florence.
I got a map, three suggestions and a train ticket and half an hour later I was standing by the
great walls of the coliseum.
great walls of the coliseum.
the coliseum
The lines to purchase tickets as well as to go in were impossibly long, so I stayed outside.
I searched for other attractions.
stuff to make tourists waste more money...
Horses and carriages to take tourists around
Among them, was this huge gate.
stuff to make tourists waste more money...
Horses and carriages to take tourists around
the big gate and me big gate from low angle.
Next, I started searching for the entrance to what seemed to be a great area of ancient ruins
On my way there, I saw this knight. Too bad he finished the cigarette before I got a shot of
him. I thought a smoking knight would be a more interesting item
to add to my blog...
the smoking knight
I did get a nice shot of his "gear"- the flag and helmet
impressive buildings in Rome 
It turned out that the ancient ruins were a museum of the old empire.
I bought the 12 euro ticket and went wandering around the old stones.
The proud seagull. a top of a pillar
ancient Roman ruins 
Roman columns 
Right before the exit, the gate victory rose before me I took a few photos
and before leaving the site, I said a psalm to praise G-d that the ancient Romans did
not demolish the people of Isreal. (chapter 95 verses 1-3). Am Yisrael Chai!
After this uplifting experience I was ready to go back to the airport and leave for Florence.
It took a little while but eventually, with the assistance of a few English speaking Italians
I found my relaxing Bed & Breakfast room.
I found my relaxing Bed & Breakfast room.
The next morning I set off to explore the "art strewn" city.
First I visited the "duomo." Here are photos of various parts of it.
It's impossible to grasp it all in one snap...
One of the bridges in Florence on the way to the Ufizi museum
my dear husband Ben Yishai in Modena.
The next morning the Rabbi of the Modena orthodox community had taken us to see their
synagogue.
It has two parts.
A small one
and a large one where said the prayer for the new month. (Rosh Hodesh).
synagogue.
It has two parts.
A small one
From Modena, we drove to the train station in Mestre, parked the car for the weekend and set off
for Shabbat in Venice. We went to see San Marco square as our "Shabbat walk".
It was quite a sight, but we couldn't take any photos so here are some I found on the net.
On Sunday though, we did take some photos...
Starting with the tour to old synagogues in Venice
And from the Jewish museum there as well. Guess what most fascinated our mohel?
We took a walk around the canals.
Next, we set off to Verona, passing some lovely views on the way.
Castelvecchio from the outside
First we went to the Arena. It was huge.
There's quite a view from the top.
And the acoustics are unbelievable.
Sorry for the quality. Had to shrink it in order to put it on line...
An American couple who heard Ben Yishai singing and happened to be Jewish, approached us.
We ended up going out together to search for the big synagogue of Verona. Well, we found it
just as it was beginning to rain but it was closed. So we went into a coffee shop and waited for it
to end while our new friends bought us hot drinks and we had a good chat. When the rain stopped
they went on their own way, and we went to the entrance of the synagogue where Ben Yishai
took a few minutes to pray Mincha. (The afternoon service).
On our way to the famous fortress called Castelvecchio, we encountered Roman Soldiers.
Castelvecchio from the outside
Castelvecchio from the inside.
From Verona, we drove towards Garda Lake and drove as much as we could before nightfall.
and drove as much as we could before nightfall.
The Hotel that seemed most appropriate for our needs and budget was this small place
which had the same name as our 4th daughter, so we stayed.
The hotel did not turn out to be the best choice to say the least,
but as compensation, this is the view we woke up to in the morning, right outside the window
or out on the porch.....
During the day, we continued our drive around the lake
Our next stop was Mt. Baldo, which was the best experience of the trip.
We went up by cable and saw a few types of view, all around. Just beautiful!
Our final destination before leaving Italy, was the half island sermione.
We had 20 minutes to enjoy it....
We got back into the car, drove to the airport and left Italy with a smile.
