Arches with a Fountain

This photo is of the Palazzo della Ragione with the fountain in Piazza delle Erbe in front, in Padova (aka Padua). I spent a fun day there with my sister, on our tour of the Veneto in November. This town is full of arches, there are all of these covered arcade walkways along the streets. It was a sunny day when we were there, but I bet everyone is thankful for them when it rains.

I had an amazing realization about arches this morning... Of course it's not just me, there are lots of arches all over the place because it's part of Rennaisance architecture and Italy is where the Rennaisance happened. Whew. Glad I figured that one out.

But yesterday's post also made me realize that I do show a selective view of the places we visit in my photography. Do you notice graffiti in my photos very often? No, but there's lots of it here in Italy. Patrick mentioned it in his blog post yesterday. So the photographer does impose his or her preferences in the photographs. And, apparently, I prefer arches, with no graffiti!

Love Books

A children's book store in Padova.

I love books. I love to read all types of books (as evidenced by yesterday's post). I love libraries so I don't have to buy books! I still love bookstores and browsing. Even though I don't read Italian, I still wander into bookstores and look around.

Colorful and Crisp

It is a grey, cloudy, rainy day this morning and I just needed some thing with bright color to post! So here it is, a nice little fall market shot, from the market in Padua. Doesn't it just make you want to eat a crisp, juicy apple or pear?

First Photo a Day: Coffee as Art

Coffee is a passion in Italy. You can't go more than a block without running into another "bar" that serves caffe (coffee) and a wide variety of brioches (crispy croissants with some sweet filling). Cappucino is served here only in the morning as a breakfast drink, and the designs in the foam are an art form. You don't get a 12oz latte to go here! While I don't like coffee myself, I appreciate the beauty and ritual of it all. This cappucino is one that my sister got on our visit to Padua a couple of weeks ago. You can actually see her reflected in the spoon, how cool is that!

What's this "Photo a Day?"

In my online photo group, some folks try to take a photo a day. It's a wonderful way to see life in the everyday and keeps you in the photographic groove. I'm not up for taking a photo a day necessarily, it seems like "one more thing to do," but I've decided I'm going to try to POST a photo a day here to the blog. OK, I fully admit it might end up to be more like a few photos a week. :) I have taken so many wonderful pictures this year that I haven't edited and shared, that I thought this would be an easy way to share a few. And you'll also hear from me more often!