Seattle and back again...

I had a very pleasant trip to Seattle this week, with only the minor irritant of getting rained on Tuesday night. But the rain in Seattle is refreshing...it carries the intoxicating smell of evergreen trees.

As loyal readers know, food is always a central theme of my work trips, and this visit to Seattle was no exception. From a scrumptious Ham and Gruyere Feuillette at Belle Epicurean for breakfast, to a just-right steak sandwich for lunch, capped off with an amazing flank steak and bread pudding from Majorie in Belltown. Oh yes, and on Thursday morning, I treated for donuts from Top Pot!!

For my hotel window of the week, I present my lovely view from the Seattle Westin. I arrived early from the airport, so I got an "available room", which was on a low low floor. Still, its no biggie...I like the variety...and it adds to the "suffering" theme my hotel series seems to be perpetuating. Oh, who needs a view of the Sound anyway?

And of course, once again, my flight home was plagued with delays. A little over two hours this time. I got a nice apology email from United and 5000 forgive-us miles. I like it when they kiss up. :)

It can't end well...

Walking to my gate in Seattle, I passed a couple deep in conversation. I only caught a snippet: "...well after we did our FIRST round of Jager shots..." I bet the story gets good from there!

Photos from Italy...day 8...

On a foggy Saturday in San Francisco, memories of a sunny Friday in Florence warmed my soul. Text is from Day 8.

Awoke to a brilliant sunny day. Met a charming British couple over breakfast...the husband a stone mason in London with a unique appreciation for the amazing stonework in Florence.

To get ahead of the surge of midday tourists, began our day with a climb to the top of the Duomo's signature dome...the very first Renaissance dome. Scaled 463 steps to the summit of Brunelleschi's masterpiece. Winding staircase straight up the walls of the Duomo, then along the inside rim of the dome past amazing stained glass windows and fantastic frescoes, and finally up narrow, slanting staircases until you're actually walking on top of the interior walls. Popped up (finally) through a floor panel. Met by cool breezes in the face and sweeping panoramas of Florence and the surrounding hills. Passed crowds on the way down...we chose the right time.










Simple pizza for lunch, then off to walk the gardens south of the Arno. Our first visit to the Giardino Bardini...with numerous flower gardens, winding hillside walkways, and high views of the river and the historic center beyond. A simple 17th-century villa sat perched at the top. The Duomo was warmly lit in the distance.





Our entrance ticket allowed us to continue into the adjoining Boboli Gardens...the famous gardens behind the grand Pitti Palace. Entered the Bobili after a quick tour of Forte Belvedere, an imposing fortification on the hilltop. The fort's ramparts and "ratholes" reminded of our trip to Germany...we know Keegan would have enjoyed this part.




Wound our way through the Boboli Gardens...tree lined paths leading to garden rooms with flowers or statues or fountains. At the rose garden at the top of the Boboli, we drank water from one of several continuous drinking fountains...this one saved us from dehydration on our last visit, a.k.a., the death march. Watched a heron fish for its dinner. Returned to the Pitti Palace to visit two galleries: the Galleria del Costume (our first visit to these ornate state apartments) and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna.





Dinner after a shower and much-needed respite. In the mood for pasta, so we returned to Baldovino. Fresh caprese and warm focaccia rabie. Two fine pasta dishes: spaghetti alla carbonara and gnocci with asparagus and bacon. Friday night drinks nearby. In one bar, watched the final 15 minutes of an American Idol type show but with Italian opera hopefuls. The Friday night crowds were out in force, and bars were full by 11. Pleasant temps outside; very warm inside...curiously, saw three people with heavy scarves...inside!! Cool Italian beers kept us refreshed.

Dallas ups and downs...

My trip to Dallas had all the trappings of a typical business trip...the good parts revolved around good food with close coworkers...the bad parts involved boring hotels and infuriating flying...I will leave them for a future rant...I am home and relaxed :)

One highlight was our dinner Wednesday night at a quirky, local fried chicken joint named Bubba's. Annette pointed out this Southern Living favorite, and we were not disappointed. Crispy fried chicken; sweet rolls; rich mashed potatoes and gravy; and perfect southern-style green beans my dad would be proud of. A big YUM.

Drinks that night at the new W hotel, and its trendy ghostbar lounge with 33rd-floor views of the city. I had a refreshing muddled mandarin orange drink.

The definition of "executive"...

I have this uncanny ability to visit hotels just prior to major renovations. Case in point...the Sheraton Dallas, where I am staying this week. When you step into the pink-and-teal carpeted lobby, or the cheap wood paneled elevators, you can tell this hotel is in need of an update. But my hopes were raised when the fake bronze/plastic sign on room read "Executive Suite"! What magic number had I drawn to get "upgraded"?

Well, I would hate to see the non-executive rooms. This plain room is severely dated with no signs of any modern conveniences. Oh wait, they did place a shaving kit--a cheap plastic shaving kit--in the bathroom. I suppose their research has shown that most executives don't travel with razors?

Ah well...I hear that they are starting a renovation soon. Great timing.

One irritating "convenience" that I hope is not the start of a trend. When I plugged my laptio into the room Internet connection, I had the option of paying $9.99 for their basic rate Internet, or getting two levels of higher speed access for an addition $5 or $10 on top of the base rate. Are you kidding...this is expensive enough for 24hours of access...of which I use about 2 hours.

Pooh. I'm heading to Starbucks. At least I get a yummy latte while I'm being gouged :)

Welcome to Dallas...

...my cab driver just farted :(

Revisiting Bayshore...

It has been several months since I last drove the quiet streets of Bayshore with my camera, but this morning's blue skies and sunshine inspired me. The sun-saturated colors particularly caught my eye today.



My favorite discovery, however, was this makeshift sign on a desolate Bayshore alley announcing a "Barbie Workshop". Well hey...the razor wire and scattered broken glass will certainly keep the kids from wandering off.

Photos from Italy...day 7...

More baby steps working with my Italy photos :) Day 7 consists of photos from our wandering route through lovely Florence.

Cool temps and a soft pillow made for a restful night. The slight overnight rain was finishing up as we awoke. Had a light breakfast of cereal and pastries at the B&B communal table. Met fellow travelers from Southern California and North Carolina. Shared tales of "where from's" and "where to's".

First stop of the day was the Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica. The historic home is being restored and transformed into a museum. For now, only two floors are open...but its free...no complaints :) The heavy stone architecture and wall mosaics are notable.

Walked past a who's who of Italian designers on our way to our next stop...the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. The building's facade was done in iconic white and green marble, like the nearby Duomo. The interior was impressive but restrained...with some very beautiful frescoes. Around the corner, visited the Farmacia di S.Maria Novella..."the oldest pharmacy in Florence" (maybe in all of Italy? I can't remember). The pharmacy had its roots from 1381 when Dominican friars made rose-scented water (supposedly to ward off the plague). The pharmacy itself opened in 1612 in its current location. The rooms smelled of roses.





Time for lunch. Tattoria Anita (another Suzanne recommendation) hit the spot with hearty Tuscan cuisine at reasonable prices. Our pasta dishes were simple and delicious. Jeff enjoyed his breaded chicken cutlet. My "mixed meat" platter was a bit more...adventurous? Tuscan style roasted potatoes on the side of both dishes. Due cappuccini, per favore.



Visited an underwhelming museum highlighting Leonardo Da Vinci"s scientific inventions. A couple of the video presentations were very well done, but the overall "museum" was poor...definitely overpriced at 5€.


In striking comparison, our next two stops cost nothing and were rich and captivating...two lesser known churches full of history.

First, the (relatively) small Basilica di San Lorezo, situated on a busy public square towards the Mercate Centrale. The church is in mid-renovation...more like early-renovation...so interior scaffolding obscured much of the ceiling. But the front altar and visible ceiling were colorful and grand. A gentle, elderly priest dressed in white greeted us, asked us where we were from, and told us about his travels to the U.S. before he was so gray (as he tugged on his short gray hair to accentuate the point). He said goodbye with a heartfelt "Viva America!". We gave a few euros towards the renovations.


Wandered next to the tucked-away Basilica della Santos Annunziata behind the Accademia. Entered through a glass-covered inner courtyard and then into an unexpectedly enormous church. In addition to the usual elaborate main altar, this church had more than a dozen side chapels...each one crammed full of shiny and/or colorful and/or chiseled object d'art. A secondary altar at the rear, was decked out in towering silver pillars and candles. Breathtaking.



Finished the daylight hours with a stroll along the Arno with the sun setting. Scullers practiced on the calm river. Sidewalks were full of fellow sun-worshipers.

Dinner was at yet another Suzanne recommendation...and a third winner in a row. The Coquinarius wine bar served up mouth-watering, creative fare. Our pastas were our best yet: a rich tagliatelli with a meaty rabbit sauce; large ravioli pillows of cheese and spinach topped with a ham sauce and stringed zucchini. Two fresh salads followed for the entrees. A bottle of Chianti Classico. Deserts of warm chocolate souffle and creamy cheesecake. Best meal so far.




Finished the evening with late drinks and music in the Santa Croce area which seems to be the young, hip place to be. Overall, Florence has a lot of late night energy to soak in.