It's been a while...

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So it has been a while since I have assaulted your email boxes. But I think it is about time that I fill you in on what has been going on. As usual, life in Rome is great, and I am having a good time. This email will include pictures from our 1st class trip to Toscana. We went to 3 cities: Siena, Arezzo, and Firenze. I decided to just put in some good pictures instead of just writing about it all!

for more pictures go to photos.yahoo.com/fiat153

miss you!

Jonathan

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Photos

Siena
This is the main Piazza and city center in Sienna. Every year they have a horse race here. The city is divided into sections and whichever section wins, that part of town gets to hang thier flags throughout the city! This year the section with the mascot of a jungle won!
PS...that little boy is cute!

Siena
That boy was still cute! Water in Italy is amazingly avaliable and sanitary. Thank you Romans!

Siena
This is the cathdral in Sienna. I love the Renaissance facade. We also went to a neat museum in Sienna where we saw the goverment buildings of Sienna which played a major role in the Renaissance and eventual reunification of Italy. They also have one of the first bank in the world here!

Siena
Beautiful inside of the Cathedral.

Siena
The house and chapel of St. Catherine....of Siena.

Siena
Chapel of St. Domanic in Siena where St. Catherine's head remains. Gotta love the Catholic respect and belief in the dignity of the body.

Arezzo
Two of my favoite things about Italy: cornetto's and capiuccino...nice detail by the server to add the heart on the foam!

Arezzo
Random band outside of the Cathedral in Arezzo.

Arezzo
That cheese looked SO good!

Wine Tasting in Toscana
The view from the former Potzzi/Medici estate.

Wine Tasting in Toscana
Friends socializing in the castle with the crest of the Pozzi family made by Donatello behind them.

Wine Tasting in Toscana
The cellar of the castle...loving the wine!

Wine Tasting in Toscana
The point of attack before we got into the wine. We had a white, light Chianti, heavy Chianti, and a dessert wine all made there. The specialty of Toscana is Chianti using mostly San Giovanni grapes.

Wine Tasting in Toscana
CUA students wining

Wine Tasting in Toscana
Me and some Loyola Md. kids

Wine Tasting in Toscana
Sign of oil and wine both mdae there. To the left is the guest hose that they rent out!

Firenze
Cool houses looking out over the Arno river in Firenze.

Firenze
The inside of the Santa Croche. At the back and side of the church some of the most important people in the history of Florence are entombed including: Michaelangeolo, Donatello, Machiavelli, and Galileo.

Firenze
The Annunciation by Donatello

Firenze
In a museum bext to the church is the origional painting of the cross by Giotto. It was damaged in one of the many floods in Florence. It is my favorite image of the cross!

Firenze
A hint of The Duomo in Florence (Duomo=Cathedral in italiano)

Comments

[Maggie]

Finally
=0) So, I live vicariously through you now days =0) Glad to see you are still surrounded with beauty. Is it cold there yet? Freezing here! I cannot wait to see you in a few months. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers- Maggie

[diana]

For every season Turn TURN
Cool photos. Churches, food, and wine: it seems like a Jewel-paradise. I totally forgot how good looking you are. Try to lube up and slip-and-slide down the middle of one of those bling bling churches. I think I used to play softball with that girl Jessie in some of you pictures. Say hi to her for me.

[Jaegs]

Man-purse??
Is that a man purse i see you sporting (in the pic with Amy and Jessie)??? (When in Rome...as they say.)

[roper]

family
hey jonathan, saw nathan, susan and little mary stella today at my house. only mary stella isn't so little anymore. she is movin' and groovin'. nathan dropped a "www dot something dot com" in front of my mom and was she ever confused. hope you are doing well and enjoying this beautiful day dedicated to our beautiful mother.