A number of unexpected windfalls in 2017 - a new higher paying job - tax return - and my new credit rating has allowed me to finally visit Paris and Florence! I have long yearned to visit Musée du Louvre and the Uffizi Gallery in Florenze and I CAN'T WAIT!!!
I remember as a 10 year old, playing in the dirt wondering... "What is the dirt like in Paris?" Needless to say I went on to major in Soils and Geomorphology at Griffith University some years later... but that is not the point I'm trying to make.
Both my parents were artists - my father was actually quite good, my mother painted things like... a shearer shearing a sheep. An old farmhouse with a wagon wheel. Corney bollocks like that. My maternal grandmother was actually a very good painter. I still have one of her paintings.
I love it - it reminds me of my happy childhood visits to Gran's... although they were often a bit surreal at times:
"If Granny doesn't take her tablets, she'll DIE"
I stare in shock
"and you don't even care."
Didn't know what to say... went into my room to read a book.
But back to Paris and Florence.
In the nineties I spent my last $20 on an entry ticket to see "The Italians" at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and when I saw my first Caravaggio, tears welled in my eyes. Over 300 years old and still vibrant and glowing with energy. Saw my first Leonardo Di Vinci - my childhood hero too.
I told my mother:
"I wish I could have met Leonardo di Vinci"
She replied:
"He wouldn't have liked you!"
Mum was not a romantic. Nor did did she like me much either.
Anyway - here's what's going to be featured in the "Lady Da Da goes La De Da" Blog between now and February.
I finish school on December 15th when I will go check out my VCE results and then fly to Singapore. After a few days lying by the pool, I'll head to Cairo against the advise of SmartTraveller. Gotta see the pyramids and go to Old Town and do the bazaars and museums.
THEN... to Paris for 8 nights. There I will spend Christmas eating. I have booked both the Dorchester for Christmas Eve and Le Train Bleu for Christmas Day. I will spend my entire time walking galleries and painting and drawing. I made an artist wrap to carry my watercolours and brushes.
Before I leave France I will visit Clos Luce, the final home of Leonardo di Vinci. There is a museum of all his scientific endeavours.. I'm so excited. I hope he won't mind I'm there... since he probably wouldn't have liked me much.
For New Year, however, I will be in Bruges. Mainly due to the movie In Bruges. Which is hilarious if you have not seen it. It also appears to be a lovely place to go at that time of the year. Also an opportunity to continue practicing my terrible French. I have been studying since May this year with the delightful Alison at CAE in Flinders Lane.
My original plan was to visit Zermatt in Switzerland, but at peak time - hotels will be boasting criminal booking fees - so I'll be flying straight to Florence!
OMG! I can't wait! I have booked a 6 day painting course at Leonardo Di Vinci Art School. I'll be there for 14 days in Florence. Plenty to do and see just hanging out at the Uffizi and Museo Galileo.
Not my idea, but I will spend about a week in Rome. S'pose I better check out that ceiling plaster job Michelangelo did. Have a coffee... stuff. Buy shoes.
Then on to Sri Lanka!!
Because? BEACH!
Then home... back to school!
2018.
Hope you enjoy my blogged journey with me... I aim to be entertaining.
I remember as a 10 year old, playing in the dirt wondering... "What is the dirt like in Paris?" Needless to say I went on to major in Soils and Geomorphology at Griffith University some years later... but that is not the point I'm trying to make.
Both my parents were artists - my father was actually quite good, my mother painted things like... a shearer shearing a sheep. An old farmhouse with a wagon wheel. Corney bollocks like that. My maternal grandmother was actually a very good painter. I still have one of her paintings.
"If Granny doesn't take her tablets, she'll DIE"
I stare in shock
"and you don't even care."
Didn't know what to say... went into my room to read a book.
But back to Paris and Florence.
In the nineties I spent my last $20 on an entry ticket to see "The Italians" at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and when I saw my first Caravaggio, tears welled in my eyes. Over 300 years old and still vibrant and glowing with energy. Saw my first Leonardo Di Vinci - my childhood hero too.
I told my mother:
"I wish I could have met Leonardo di Vinci"
She replied:
"He wouldn't have liked you!"
Mum was not a romantic. Nor did did she like me much either.
Anyway - here's what's going to be featured in the "Lady Da Da goes La De Da" Blog between now and February.
I finish school on December 15th when I will go check out my VCE results and then fly to Singapore. After a few days lying by the pool, I'll head to Cairo against the advise of SmartTraveller. Gotta see the pyramids and go to Old Town and do the bazaars and museums.
THEN... to Paris for 8 nights. There I will spend Christmas eating. I have booked both the Dorchester for Christmas Eve and Le Train Bleu for Christmas Day. I will spend my entire time walking galleries and painting and drawing. I made an artist wrap to carry my watercolours and brushes.
Before I leave France I will visit Clos Luce, the final home of Leonardo di Vinci. There is a museum of all his scientific endeavours.. I'm so excited. I hope he won't mind I'm there... since he probably wouldn't have liked me much.
For New Year, however, I will be in Bruges. Mainly due to the movie In Bruges. Which is hilarious if you have not seen it. It also appears to be a lovely place to go at that time of the year. Also an opportunity to continue practicing my terrible French. I have been studying since May this year with the delightful Alison at CAE in Flinders Lane.
My original plan was to visit Zermatt in Switzerland, but at peak time - hotels will be boasting criminal booking fees - so I'll be flying straight to Florence!
OMG! I can't wait! I have booked a 6 day painting course at Leonardo Di Vinci Art School. I'll be there for 14 days in Florence. Plenty to do and see just hanging out at the Uffizi and Museo Galileo.
Not my idea, but I will spend about a week in Rome. S'pose I better check out that ceiling plaster job Michelangelo did. Have a coffee... stuff. Buy shoes.
Then on to Sri Lanka!!
Because? BEACH!
Then home... back to school!
2018.
Hope you enjoy my blogged journey with me... I aim to be entertaining.
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