What can I say about Michelangelo’s masterpiece? I was 10 when I first saw David, and it was truly a life-changing experience (as was visiting Florence).
That was, however, many moons ago, when tourists crowds were less, and queues did not stretch along the length of a street and around corners. Some 2 million people visit the Accademia yearly, yet it is still possible to see this masterpiece and not be overwhelmed simply getting there.
There are times when pictures say it all. Especially when a gondolier makes a valiant attempt at a three point turn in a gondola.
The temple was bedecked with lanterns for Buddha’s birthday (a date which varies with the lunar calendar, and also between countries).
A brass band pounded its way through Rüdesheim. The town only has a few streets, and the sound of oom-pah-pah filled every one of them as the band made its way down the Drosselgasse (a narrow alley about 10 feet wide, which by this time was elbow to elbow of people enjoying the shops and bars).
Up in the hills, however, I found nothing but peace. Wine has been grown here since Roman times, and I looked over rows of vineyards which stretched down to the Rhine. On the other side of the river is Bingen, where St. Hildegard was born in the 12th C.
Strolling along the banks of the Danube in Regensburg, I felt as if I’d left the troubles of the world far behind. In true fairy tale style the water sparkled under the sunshine. Birds were all a twitter, trees offered shady places to sit, and I walked past gardens heavy with bloom. Had I stopped to listen, I’m sure I’d have heard some very contented bees.
Regensburg is a town of picture-perfect alleyways and old buildings. Like so much of Bavaria, it seems better suited to the romance of forgotten times than the practicalities of the modern world. Few cars are allowed in the centre of the town, adding to the charm.
I’m standing at my window in Prague, looking over the rooftops. I’m not sure what the time is. I think it must be tomorrow. A flight from Australia always takes forever. Add in a few connections (since a direct flight from Sydney to Prague doesn’t exist) and it takes forever and a day.