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January 2023
  • Tui Snider
  • Tui Snider

January 2023

Around the world (well, almost!) on the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship. Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 21, 2022
    Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler
    1

    Mourning Walks

    January 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 41 °F

    My dad died during our December visit to Washington State. This cast a pall over Christmas, but I’m so glad I was there to grieve with family.

    Our trip was a blur, but every morning, my sister and I hiked through the woods. My favorite paths are In Millersylvania State Park.

    Here are a few photos from those “mourning” strolls.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Larry’s Genes

    January 6, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    We hopped aboard the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship in Trieste. There was no time to explore this historic city, but we had to snap a quick selfie since Larry’s grandparents emigrated to America from this town!

    Perhaps another time we will be able to do some genealogical travel here on his behalf.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Old Town Dubrovnik

    January 7, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    We are so jet lagged! More so than usual. I blame lingering grief, although I know that wherever my dad is, he’d be happy to see me and Larry traveling.

    I read an article recently that pointed out that even when a loved one dies, our relationship to them continues. I always have Dad in the back of my mind when I travel because he loves to see all my photos.

    Even though he mainly lurked online, he would always tell me how much my photos and travelogues cheered him up. So I am comforted by that thought. I hope he is still lurking on my travel posts, wherever he may be.

    Today we wandered all over Old City Dubrovnik. Although it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s more widely known these days as the setting for Kings Landing in Game of Thrones.

    In fact, when we reached some stairs that were featured in the show, some other tourists began chanting, “Shame! Shame! Shame!” in reference to an infamous scene involving the queen being perp-walked there.

    It took some effort to get our weary selves off the ship, but I think the sun and sea air did us both some good.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Croatian Kitties

    January 7, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    I saw some handsome cats in Old Town Dubrovnik. They all seemed quite well-fed and content.

    As we strolled by the sea, I peered over the stone rail and was startled to see a cat curled up on the ledge! I couldn’t help but fret over its precarious position as it happily napped in the sun.Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Sicilian Sunrise

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F

    Catania, Sicily greeted us with brilliant hues and lenticular clouds forming over Mt Etna. I’ve never been here before and am excited to take a walking tour through the old town.

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Bellini’s Tomb

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    We saw Vincenzo Bellini’s tomb today in Catania, but for some reason, our guide told us very little about him. She promised to talk about him later, but it seems like she forgot.

    I know Bellini composed operas, but I was hoping for a little more insight.

    Ah, well! I still learned a lot today.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Mummy Saint

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    The body of cardinal Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet is in Catania’s cathedral. Dusmet died in 1894, but after his beatification in 1988, his body was placed here for public view. A silver death mask covers his face, but you can still see his bare hands.Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Breast Pastry

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    Sant Agata is Catania’s patron saint. She was martyred when Romans tortured her to death for refusing the advances of one of their men.

    One of the atrocities she endured was having her breasts removed with forceps! (See painting.)

    Throughout Catania, a pastry commemorating the martyrdom of this saint can be found in cafes and bars. The dessert is meant to resemble Sant Agata’s breasts, complete with a maraschino cherry on top.

    In fact, when a cafe employee saw me gazing into the pastry case, he casually asked (in Italian) if wanted a breast!

    The treat’s official name is Casoletta or Minne di Sant Agata. We gave one a try and while it was tasty, it was very sweet. I’m glad we tried it.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Elephant Palace

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    Catania’s city hall is called the Palazzo dei Elefanti. Elephants are a common theme throughout the town. The association dates back to a Byzantine magician who rode through town on one many centuries ago.

    The A above the elephant is another reference to Catania’s patron saint, Sant Agata.

    As for the carriage, it’s used every February for the citywide celebration of Sant Agata.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Merman, Dad!

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    Every time I see a merman, I’m reminded of that scene in Zoolander, where his father calls him a mermaid and he testily replies that he was a, “merman, Dad!”

    I saw these lovely mermen in Catania’s historic old town today.

    Much like the Copenhagen’s famous Little Mermaid, these guys seem to have separate legs. See what I mean?    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Witchy Brooms

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    I’m always intrigued by the old style brooms I see in Europe. They look so witchy! I’d love to try one sometime. Have you ever used one? I saw these in Catania today.

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Catania Fruit Stand

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    This colorful fruit stand is typical of many we saw today in Catania. That yellow fruit is called “cedro” and has a very unique flavor. I’ve never tasted it outside of Italy.

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Lamppost Legend

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Our guide told me this lamppost sculpture refers to a legend about a Catania’s woman who avoided being married to a foreign invader by jumping to her death down a chimney.

    “Don’t get the wrong idea.” she added with a chuckle, “We don’t do that anymore.”Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Veg, Meat & Fish

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    If I had to describe Catania’s open air markets in one word, it would be, “colorful.”

    I’m so curious what that purple cauliflower tastes like! As for those cuts of meat, I’m not sure what those dangling strips are, but the man in the red apron kindly explained that the dangling meat on the far left is goat.

    Must confess that I was shocked to turn a corner and see it hanging there. (I have no poker face.) Luckily, he was not offended and even invited me to take a photo.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Sant Agata Mural

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    If you read my entry called “Breast Pastry,” then you already know why this woman is carrying a tray with her own breasts upon it.

    The sticker next to this wall mural mimics a typical art gallery info plaque. In this case, it lists the artist as “TVboy” and says it’s from the “Museo della Strada,” aka “the Museum of the Street.”

    This is the first time I’ve come across TVboy, but it seems that he is a bit like Banksy. Here’s the info I found after following the QR code next to the mural:

    “Tvboy is a Contemporary Urban Artist based in Barcelona. Born in Palermo in 1980, he started painting in the streets of Milan in 1996. In 2004 he became known for the Tvboy character and moved to Barcelona, where he settled his art studio. He has displayed his artworks in many different countries worldwide both in the street or in gallery and museum exhibitions.”

    For more about TVboy, visit his website at : TVboy.it    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler
    1

    Catanian Street Food

    January 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    As part of our tour, we stopped for a typical Catanian handheld meal. Arancino is a fried rice ball that features meat, tomatoes and cheese. The shape is meant to represent Mt Etna. It was tasty and very filling, a true meal on the go.Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler
    1111

    Pompeii misc

    January 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 50 °F

    What a fun day we had exploring Pompeii! The first and last time I was here was 2011. Larry and I were here during our honeymoon.

    It amazes me to see tile work from 2000 years ago and have it in such good shape!Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Quiet Day in Pompeii

    January 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    Last time we visited Pompeii, the streets were bustling with tourists. This time, being off season, it was much different. I really enjoyed strolling these ancient ruins during such a quiet day. Makes it easier to imagine life in the past.Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler
    111

    Phalluses in Pompeii

    January 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    I’m always on the lookout for interesting architectural details. In Pompeii, a unique feature were all the penises!

    They do not all mean the same thing. Sometimes they are literally pointing the way to the nearest brothel, such as the last two in this post.

    Other times, they refer to the god Priapus. Our guide told us that the phallus over the baker’s oven is likely an appeal to Priapus for abundance.

    Also shown here are the mill stones for grinding flour, and another architectural detail. I’m not sure what it means exactly.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler
    12

    The Stabian Baths

    January 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    Here are some shots of the Stabian Baths. These were public baths in Pompeii featuring a frigidarium (cold water), tepidarium (medium heat), and calderium (hot water.)

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