photography – Page 54 – Snapping The Globe

Palacio Real de Madrid

Sad and disappointed at having been turned away at the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, finding an alternative way to occupy my afternoon was now a priority.

Having been in Madrid many times, I knew that both the Opera House or Teatro Real and the Royal Palace were a short walk from my location. Heading first to the Teatro Real and remembering once having to return for the tour, as it is conducted at predetermined times, I decided bypass this attraction. Continuing my walk, I ventured through the Plaza de Oriente to the Palacio Real de Madrid.

Standing on the site of the former Alcazar of Madrid, a medieval fortress transformed into a lavish palace by John II, Charles V and Phillip II, who in 1561 made it the official residence of the Spanish Monarchy, the current building’s construction began in 1738. With the completion in 1751, Charles III was the first ruler to install his court within the palace in 1764. Although, now presently the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in the city of Madrid, the palace is only used for state ceremonies. King Felipe VI and the Royal Family choose to reside in the Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid.

After entering the security checkpoint and purchasing your ticket, you enter the Plaza de la Armeria. Standing in this vast courtyard, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the palace and the Catedral de la Almudena directly across and outside the palace gates.

Upon entering the palace, a turn to the right encounters the Grand Staircase, composed of a single piece of San Agustin marble and graced by two lions on the landing. Glancing upward, the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling, by Corrado Giaquinto, and depicting the Religion Protected by Spain takes one’s breath away. Before climbing the stairway, take a minute to glace back at the statue of Charles III in Romantoga.

“Religion Protected by Spain”, ceiling frescoe by Corrado Giaquinto

The tour is self-guided and takes you through many elaborately embellished chambers, including King Charles III’s Apartments, the Queen’s Apartment’s and Banqueting hall, Apartments of Infante Luis, including the Musical Instruments Room, The Royal Chapel and the Crown Room.

Apartments of Luis Infante, Musical Instruments Room

Photos are allowed when entering and on the Grand Staircase, however, are not allowed throughout the first floor and is strictly enforced. Having mastered the art of sneaking a few shots, I was able to get a few photos within some of the rooms using my iPhone.

After your tour of the main palace is complete, walk out to the back of the palace and gaze upon the Campo del Moro Gardens and the exquisite view beyond. The gardens here are so named because in 1109, during an attempted reconquest of Madrid, Muslim leader Ali ben Yusuf, allegedly camped here with his troops.

Continue walking to the front right corner of the premises, while facing Catedral de la Almudena, and enter the Real Armeria or the Royal Armory. The armory is considered one of the world’s best, housing pieces from as early as the 13th century. Tournament pieces made for Charles V and Philip II and full armor and weapons that Emperor Charles V used in the Battle of Muhlberg are the highlights of the collection.

Quite glad that I noticed the small Royal Armory sign before I left the palace, I had curiously ventured over to this corner of the Plaza de la Armeria. Worth taking the time to enter, it was something that my son and I had missed a couple of years ago. Again, pictures are not allowed in these quarters and it is an extreme shame, as there are a vast number of beautiful pieces.

The Palacio de Real Madrid is an historic part of the city and certainly a must-see on a visit to Madrid. Combine it with a visit to the Teatro Real, the Monastery de las Descalzas or the Catedral de Almudena, all within the same area. Take a few minutes to wander through the adjacent Plaza de Oriente, admiring the fountain and the many statues nestles within the gardens. And lastly, combine it with a nice meal at the many restaurants located in the area or at the nearby Plaza Mayor, maybe stopping to browse at some of the local’s artwork that line the street. All in all, much history and culture can be experienced in this one area of the city.

Metro stop nearest to Teatro Real and Palace

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Palacio de Real Madrid

http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/real-sitio/palacios/6039
Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain
Hours: Royal Palace, October-March, 10:00-18:00, April-September, 10:00-20:00. Ticket office closes and last entry one hour prior to posted closing.
Hours: Campo Del Moro, October-March, 10:00-18:00, April-September, 10:00-20:00
Admission: €10, children under 5 years, free
Metro: Lines 5 and 2, Opera Station.

No Senora! Es Completo!

“Mom, can you sign this paper, quick, before you leave?” (as I walk out the door hurriedly to make a flight for which I am already running behind)

“Mom, I need a poster for a project tomorrow!” (while stores are closing in 10 minutes)

We’ve all been there…moms and dads. Our children all seem to catch us at the last minute, while we have about thirty things going on, when what they are asking for should have and could have been taken care of previously when we had more time to do it.

The night before my Madrid trip, there were about ten things on my list that needed to be taken care of…planning my visit to the Monastery de las Descalzas Reales during my Madrid layover, packing, cooking dinner, finishing up a blog post, ordering new uniforms…just to name a few. I am accustomed to my children accosting me with these requests, but here was my husband…

“I need a head and shoulders shot done for tomorrow.” Sensing that he was asking me to do it for him, I actually pretended not to hear since I was in the middle of simultaneously ordering uniform pieces and cooking dinner.

After dinner, sitting behind my computer upstairs (where I had gone to hide and finish up some work), my husband came into the office and said once again, “I need a head and shoulders shot done for tomorrow.” Me. “I really don’t have time right now.” Him. “It will only take two minutes.” Me. “Nothing takes two minutes.” Him. “Fine, I’ll take a selfie!” Me. “What exactly is this for?” Him. “My company’s website. Never mind. I’ll do it myself.” (as he storms off)

Frustrated, I went to get my camera, which required unpacking everything in my tote bag (which was all packed for work the next day). Trying out a few backgrounds, we began to have a difficult time with lighting. Finally, after we thought that we had a picture that would be appropriate, he flippantly said, “Okay, just send that wirelessly from your camera to my phone.” Well, in theory, that would have been the way to go, but in actuality, I haven’t had the time to figure out that function yet. So, in order to get to his picture, I was going to have to insert the SD card into my computer, which would then begin to download approximately 1500 photos, which I really hadn’t wanted to do. So, by now, you’ve probably guessed, we are way beyond two minutes.

He then suggests, while the 1500 photos are being downloaded to my computer, that we try a couple of photos on his iPhone. So, after another ten minutes, this is completed and I’ve edited them to his liking. Wouldn’t you know…”I think I’ll use one of these from the iPhone…I like these better.” (while my computer is still downloading photos…hrmph!)

Off I go, to repack my camera and everything else back into my tote bag.

Arriving in Madrid, I found the weather to be not optimum. A little rainy and dreary, but always having an umbrella, I decided that the Monastery was still on my to do list for that day. As I would be visiting, I would be inside, after all.

Navigating my way through the subway system, I finally arrived at the Sol metro stop. Making a pit stop at the Pandora store, I then glanced at my map and turned the corner, knowing that I was heading in the right direction for the monastery. As I turned the next corner, I stopped to take a quick picture of a doorway and statues that caught my eye and with a quick glance to the right, I noticed people lining up to another doorway. Oh! The Monastery…that was easy. Glancing at my watch, I noticed that it did not open for 20 minutes. I snapped a few pictures and then took a look at my camera screen to see what I had captured…no pictures! Gasp! I realized that my SD card was still sitting in my computer…at home!

Frantically, I glanced around, looking for a store that might sell SD cards. I ran back to Calle de Preciados, remembering a FNAC on the corner near the Pandora store. Instructed by an associate to go to the bottom level, I found an SD card, paid for it and ran back to Monastery de las Descalzas Reales and took my place in the line, breathing a sigh of relief. It was exactly four o’clock and the monastery was just opening.

The line began to move forward and suddenly, I had a thought. What if there is a capacity limit? Oh, no, there aren’t that many people here in this line, I thought, but the idea implanted itself in my head and I began to worry (possibly because in my research I had read this tidbit of information?). The line continued to move forward and I began to get excited for my visit. After a couple more minutes, I noticed the two people that had just stepped into the doorway, exit and walk down the sidewalk. The next two people did the same. Oh no! The couple in front of me was turned away as well. Realizing what was happening, I hoped that maybe since I was a party of one, I could talk my way in.

Mustering my courage, I stepped into the doorway and was told that the capacity for the afternoon had been reached. “Not even for one person?” I almost begged. “No senora, es completo. Come back tomorrow.”

I cannot write the names that I called my husband that minute! Had he not asked me to take those picture for him, I would have never taken the SD card out of my camera, I would have been in the line 20 minutes sooner and would have currently been inside of the Monastery, admiring religious artifacts. Finally, I calmed down, took a breath and realized that it is me and only me who is responsible for my camera equipment. Next time, I will check (and double check) that batteries are charged and SD cards are present!

As I sat on the little stone wall, I took a moment, and glanced around realizing that the rain had stopped and the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. I admired the architecture of the monastery and the beauty of the plaza around me. Reaching into the bag, I pulled out my map and moved on to plan B. I may have not had a SD card, but when it comes to sightseeing, I always have Plan B…and Plan C…and sometimes Plan D!!!

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/real-sitio/monasterios/8291
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:30, Sundays and public holidays: 10:00-15:00, closed Mondays
Admission: €6
Address: Plaza de las Descalzas, s/n, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Line 3, 25, 39 and 148 Station: Ópera. Lines 2, 5 and Ramal Ópera-Príncipe Pío

Zip! Zip! Hooray!

Enjoying our resort and the much needed relaxation was the main objective on our Punta Cana vacation. After a couple of days, however, we realized that there were some amazing zip line locations nearby and it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity.

My children and I had zip lined while in Belize a few years ago. It was a extremely fun experience racing down the cables through the jungle. A couple of summers ago, I zip lined through the Nevada desert, going from mountain top to mountain top. It was a completely different experience than the first, but exciting nonetheless. My husband, had not been with us in Belize and had been working while I went off on my excursion in the Las Vegas desert, so he was new to this type of adventure. Very apprehensive about heights, I was not sure how he would approach the whole thing, but I knew we needed to get him out there.

Since we had not booked the excursion before we arrived in Punta Cana, I assumed that we could do so through the concierge. After our arrival, I realized that no concierge was available, so I inquired with the dinner reservations desk on whom we could book with. I was directed to both a travel agency located within the resort as well as an office with many tour companies. Deciding on the latter, I encountered Shirley who assisted me with the booking.

Wanting to leave first thing in the morning so that we would have the remainder of the day available to us, we decided on an 8:00am pickup time the next day. Since our phone was not working, I came back to the room later that day to find a note from Shirley explaining that the zip lining office had contacted her and 8:00am time slot was not available. She had rebooked us for that same afternoon for a 2:00pm departure, but instructed me to come to her office first thing in the morning if this was not to our liking. After much discussion, we decided that we would still prefer the early morning departure and would wait until the following day. A quick visit to Shirley at the opening of her office made the appropriate changes…she even called the zip line office to ensure that space was available.

The next day, after waking early and having breakfast, we were out front with many other people who were also awaiting their pickup vehicles.

A few minutes later, a vehicle arrived which looked as though it was the one described to me. As I inquired with the driver and showed him my confirmation slip, he appeared to be a bit confused. He promptly made a call and began speaking to someone on the other end. Another person standing nearby, explained that this was not the company that was supposed to pick us up but this gentleman worked with them as well. It seemed that although we had a confirmation number, the office did not show us as having a booking and therefore, no one was on their way to pick us up. It was explained that a representative from the company was in the area and on his way to speak with us. Naturally, we were very frustrated.

Shirley’s office had not quite opened yet, but a short time later, arriving for here workday, she noticed us still in front of the Barcelo. She promptly came over to see why we were still waiting. Making a phone call to the office, they explained what had happened on their end and offered the 11:00am and 2:00pm options. Although this was not quite what we wanted, we were leaving the next day and all that we could do. The company first offered us a bottle of rum as an apology, but we declined, explaining that it would be more of an issue having to check our luggage to accommodate it. Finally, it was agreed that the pictures taken of the customers while zip lining and offered for sale would be offered to us complimentary.

By this time, almost 9:00, it was too late to really do much but wait.

Around 11:00, our van arrived and since almost full, we filed into the seats remaining in the back row. With no other pickups, we were soon on our way. During a long and very bumpy ride, we soon realized that the 30-40 minute ride that we were expecting was really about an hour through countryside and local villages. Wishing that I had brought my large camera to document Dominican Republic local life, I captured the townsfolk and buildings with my Iphone.

We soon arrived at the Bavaro Runners Adventures. Not much instruction was given to us and we were left to mill about, wondering when we would be outfitted with our equipment to get started. After a lengthy wait, we were told that we were waiting on another group. More time passed and finally, an introductory speech was given by one of the workers.

After a few more minutes, we were finally outfitted and then directed to a courtyard just outside, where we were instructed on the basics of zip lining…how to slow down, how to stop and how to get to the platform if you did not make it all the way.

A short walk to the first platform and we were soon on our way to experience the 18 platforms and 12 zip lines, among them, the longest in the Caribbean and the lengthiest in the Dominican Republic, on Anamuya Mountain.

Attached with climbing gear to the double line cables, we were soon zipping along from the first platform to the next…one to two, 358 feet, and from two to three, 209 feet, where our pictures were snapped. Disembarking from platform three, we ascended the stairs to platform four where we zipped across 203 feet and then from four to five, 213 feet. The next lines, five, six, seven and eight averaged between 344 and 682 feet. Walking between platforms eight and nine and ascending an extremely tall tower had us flying across a river for our longest ride yet, 2296 feet. After reaching platform thirteen and journeying on foot again to fourteen, riding 360 feet to platform fifteen, we were then ready for the longest journey, back over the river and through the trees, 2624 feet. What a ride! Finally, our last cable was a short 377 feet to the end of the line.

With the seemingly unorganized start at Bavaro Runners Adventures, we were pleased to find that the staff was very friendly and helpful while on the course. The platforms and cables were well maintained and the views spectacular! Even my husband, with his fear of heights, loved the thrill of it all!

As promised, our pictures were readied for us and given free of charge, a forty dollar value, and upon the return of our equipment, we were offered fruit and soda before being loaded up on the buses for our return to our resorts.

Bavaro Runners Adventures offers other options at this location. One particular alternative was to complete eight cables and then interact with the squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland. While on one of the trails, we noticed torches lining the pathway and discovered that these were present for night time zip lining. One thing I would like to point out however, is that a weight limit is in effect. A sign hangs in the outfitting area stating that individuals weighing more than 285 pounds are not permitted to ride. Since there was a gentleman on our bus expecting to ride and then not allowed, it seems that the information may not have been communicated during the booking process. Hopefully, his payment was refunded.

Having paid more per person for our Belize and my Vegas zip lining trips, I would say that Bavaro Runners Adventures offers a fair deal. At $90 per person, with transportation provided and 12 zip lines, more than the Belize and Vegas locations, it was a great way to spend a few hours off of the resort. Aside from the problem with our booking and the unorganization experienced upon our arrival, everyone had a great time and now have great memories!

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Bavaro Runners Adventures

https://www.runnersadventures.com
Phone: 1-809-455-1135
Departures: 8:00am, 11:00am and 2:00pm, Monday thru Saturday
Adults, $90, Children $45, add additional $29 per person for Monkeyland option
Nighttime zip lines: $99 per person for groups of 15 or more, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Meandering Thru Mainz

One of my favorite things to do in a city is take a walk with a loosely based plan just to see what I find….architecture, sculpture, landscapes, places to eat…

Mainz is a quaint city, with old world charm and impressive architecture. During World War II eighty percent of the buildings in Mainz were destroyed by allied bombings, however, many remain, some dating back to the 12th century and medieval times, and the new construction has been designed to compliment the existing.

Sunday is a wonderful day to meander thru Mainz as most businesses are closed and there is not much traffic navigating the streets. Taking in the allure of the city on an uncrowded sidewalk allows for full appreciation of the artistry of the city.

If loosely wandering is not to your liking, try downloading a walking tour app such as GPSmyCity which allows you to choose many different walking tours or even customize your own. But even when trying out a structured tour, keep yourself open to other things you may discover, as there are many…

Things you might encounter near your hotel…

Things you might encounter while on your way to other places…

Things you might encounter while lost…and sometimes those are the best!

Next time in a new city or even one you are familiar with, take the time to slow down…look up…look down…look all around. Take in everything around you!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.com.

http://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/mainz-architecture-4726.html

Grand Dom

As you walk through the heart of Mainz, you encounter an impressive collection of beautifully decorated buildings and sculptures in the Domplatz (or Marktplatz). Among these structures, the 1000 year old Roman Catholic cathedral still stands even after eighty percent of the city was destroyed during World War II.

St. Martin’s Cathedral (also known as the Mainzer Dom or The Dom), of which construction began in 975 AD, was continually rebuilt and restored, finally reaching its present configuration mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries. Predominantly Romanesque in style and modeled at St. Peter’s in Rome, it has survived seven fires and endured many exterior additions over many centuries that have resulted in the appearance of various architectural influences seen today.

The cathedral features a “High” altar and sanctuary at the East end dedicated to St. Stephen and a choir, presbytery and main altar for Mass at the West end. All pews face west. There is also a small double tiered Roman chapel, once the Bishop’s private chapel, on the southwest corner which is set aside for private prayer. The interior of the cathedral houses tombs and funerary monuments of former powerful electoral-prince-archbishops of the diocese and contains many ancient religious works of art.

Many of the supporting pillars along the aisles of the nave are decorated with carved and painted statues of German and French saints. Among the most impressive furnishings in the sanctuary are rococo choir stalls and an early 14th century pewter baptismal font. Because the interior of the cathedral was constructed from the local red sandstone, it can be a little dark, which may motivate the spiritually moved to light one of the many votive candles available for prayer intentions.

After exploring the interior of the cathedral, take a few minutes to experience the tranquility of the courtyard which contains statues of Saint Boniface and The Madonna. If time allows, visit the cathedral’s Diocesan Museum which houses a collection of religious art and exhibitions of reliquaries and medieval sculpture.

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St. Martin’s Cathedral (Mainz Cathedral)

http://www.mainz-dom.de/
Address: Markt 10, 55116 Mainz, Germany
Hours: March-October, Monday-Friday, 9:00-18:30, Saturday, 9:00-16:00, Sunday, 12:45-15:00 and 16:00-18:30. November-February, Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00, Saturday, 9:00-15:30, Sunday, 12:45-15:00 and 16:00-17:00
Admission: free, donations accepted
Services: High Mass, Sundays, 10:00. Vesper service, 15:00. Additional masses on Sundays, 7:00, 8:00, 11:30. Weekdays, 6:25, 7:30, 8:15 and 16:45.

Diocesan Museum

Museum Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9:00-17:00
Museum Admission: Adults, € 5,00, Children, € 3,50

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Museum Time in Mainz

If you ever find yourself in Mainz, Germany on a Sunday, you may ask yourself, “How on earth will I occupy myself today?” Yes, everything is pretty much closed on Sundays throughout much of Germany. Well, not everything…

After a little bit of googling, it was uncovered that the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz is open on most Sundays and can be quite entertaining for a few hours. The history of printing, writing and books is showcased in a three story volunteer-run modern institution.

Located in the heart of the old part of Mainz near the cathedral, it is one of the oldest museums of books and printing in the world. Founded in 1900, it was dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, who in the 15th century ushered in the information age by perfecting movable type.

Most notable in the gallery are the extremely rare and valuable examples of Gutenberg’s original 42-line bible, kept in a walk-in vault. Another main attraction is a reconstruction of Gutenberg’s workshop. Museum visitors are shown on the hour (at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00) how printing was done during the time of Johannes Gutenberg.

Printing presses spanning a period of several centuries are on display. Detailed information of European and non-European printing technology and books in the course of centuries as well as the history of paper and writing, the history of newspapers and magazines and bookbinding are also presented.

One section that I found most interesting was the section on the history of printing beginning with the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans. Very fascinating to see was the Chinese wood blocks used for printing as well as writing on tortoise shells and bone. The Chinese invented movable type long before Gutenberg, but the thousands of characters required to create written Chinese made the invention impractical. A table, on display in the museum, which contains thousands of Chinese characters in movable type, is most impressive.

In the museum’s Druckladen (print shop) you can try out Gutenberg’s technology yourself, with instruction on the art of hand-setting type…backwards, of course. Nearby, master craftsmen produce elegant posters, cards and certificates using the labor-intensive technologies of the past.

Either before or after your visit, take some time to see the statue of Johannes Gutenberg outside of the museum as well as the unique printing block sculptures.

The tour is self-guided and most exhibits are in English. If you care for more information, an audio tour can be purchased for €3.50.

.For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Gutenberg Museum

http://www.gutenberg-museum.de/index.php?id=29&L=1
Address: Liebfrauenplatz 5, 55116 Mainz
Admission: Adults, € 5,00, Children (ages 8-18) € 2,00, Children (under 8) free, Family ticket (parents with own children up to 15 years): € 10.00. Reduced Fee: € 3.00 applicable for students from 19 years onward; trainees; disabled persons; recipients of Social Security benefits; seniors from 63 years onward; pensioners; conscripts / conscientious objectors undergoing civilian service – corresponding documentation is necessary.
Hours: Exhibition Building, Tuesday to Saturday: 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m., Sunday: 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Closed on Mondays and on public holidays.
Self-guided Audio tour (German, English, French): € 3.50
Getting there: Bus routes 54-57-60-65 and 71 from the central station to the Höfchen bus stop or bus routes 64, 71 from the south central station (Römisches Theater) to the Höfchen bus stop

Cathedral of Lima

The Cathedral of Lima, dedicated to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, presides on the eastern side of the Plaza de Armas and is truly a magnificent work of art, a far cry from its modest beginnings.

It has been told that in January 18, 1535, the Spanish conquistador and founder of Lima, Francisco Pizarro placed the first stone, taken from an Inca temple located on this site, and carried over his shoulders the first log used in the construction of the Cathedral.

Over the years, many earthquakes have necessitated the repairs and reconstruction of the Cathedral, most notably the earthquakes of 1746 and 1940. Still retaining its colonial structure and facade, it is important to note when entering the structure, the three large doorways, which are in keeping with the majority of cathedrals. The main or central doorway is called the Portada del Perdon or the “door of forgiveness”. Above the doorways is the Peruvian seal and the phrase “Plus Ultra” rather than Lima’s coat of arms.

Carved in stone and ornamented with exquisite details and decorations, the front of the cathedral is flanked by the two high towers with spires of slate which were added around 1800.

After entering the cathedral and paying the entry fee of 10 sols, you are free to wander throughout the cathedral and the Religious Art Museum which is housed within the cathedral. A guided tour may be taken or one can self-guide through the Cathedral using the pamphlet dispersed with the ticket.

Due to the reparations stemming from the earthquakes, the interior is a sight to behold displaying a mix of late Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassic elements. Beautiful vaulted ceilings, checkerboard flooring, a gold plated main altar and intricately carved choir stalls are most notable, however, taking the time to inspect each of the fourteen chapels is highly recommended. A map is handed out to each guest, with your paid admission, detailing the side chapels. One of the chapels, opens on to Calle de Judios (Street of the Jews) and another on to the Patio de los Naranjos (Square of the Orange Trees), which is connected to the Cathedral.

The first chapel in the left aisle, holds the ancient baptistery. Ancient pictures found recently in this chapel, have been restored and are on display for the public. This chapel is followed by the Capilla de la Sagrada Familia (Chapel of the Holy Family) featuring figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I highly recommend spending a few minutes admiring each chapel’s unique qualities.

As you make your way to rear of the Cathedral, you will find your way to the Religious Art Museum within the old sacristy. The museum displays a large collection of historical objects including painting, sculptures, furniture, jewelry, sacred vessels and religious vestments and robes of former archbishops.

Also at the rear of the Cathedral is a large crypt. Many remains can be seen here, including a display of skulls in a glass-fronted niche. Another oddity, a glass case situated in the floor, contains about a dozen or so extremely small coffins.

The tomb of Francisco Pizarro also is housed within the Cathedral as you walk in on the right hand side. A most interesting story, the mummified remains of the conquistador were on display in a glass casket in the Cathedral of Lima for almost a century. The remains were visited by Catholic and Spanish pilgrims and studied by historians. Imagine the shock when in 1977, workers uncovered a casket engraved with the words, “Here is the skull of the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro who discovered and won Peru and placed it under the crown of Castile.”

Another unique find within the Cathedral is a tea shop opened a couple of years ago. When visiting La Teteria, visitors can choose from a menu of teas and nutritious baked pastries and breads. While the tea shop is housed within the Cathedral, it can be visited independently by simply asking at the main doors of the church.

Although I found the San Francisco Church to be much more impressive and beautiful, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Cathedral. For the history buff and the architecturally obsessed, it is a must-see on your trip to Lima.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.com

Cathedral of Lima

Address: Jirón Carabaya, Lima 15001, Peru
Admission: 10 sols (about $3) includes admission to cathedral and museum. Combination ticket of 30 sols (about $9) includes the Archbishops Palace and the Cathedral, including museum
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00, Saturday, 10:00-13:00, Sunday, 13:00-17:00

Peruvian Past

One of the things I wanted most to experience while visiting the historic center of Lima was the San Francisco Church, one of the best preserved colonial churches in the city, which also houses a monastery, museum and catacombs.

Construction of the Spanish baroque-style church, which pays tribute to Saint Jude the Apostle, was begun in 1673, but was not completed until 1774. Having survived many earthquakes in its early years with little damage, a tremor in 1970 caused extensive destruction. The entire complex, consisting of the church, the monastery, museum and catacombs was listed in 1991 as part of the Historic Centre of Lima.

As your enter the gates and gaze upon the bright yellow facade of the church, you’ll be greeted by the swarms of pigeons in the courtyard as well as many vendors selling bags of seeds, which keeps the birds present, and other wares.

Having about thirty minutes before the next tour would begin for the catacombs and monastery, I decided to visit the church first. A very fascinating structure, I was most taken with the beautifully carved entrance and the colossal wooden doorway. Once inside, you cannot but be enthralled with the red and white intricately latticed dome, its ornately gilded side altars and the Spanish influence throughout. Most notable was the head altar which is fully carved out of wood.

After my visit was complete, a few steps out of the church through the courtyard brought me to the entrance of the Museum, Monastery and Catacombs. As tours begin on the hour, I only had a few minutes to wait before our guide greeted us and prepared us for our circuit. Her first instructions…something it seems that lately I have been hearing quite frequently…no photos! Ugh!

The first part of our visit brought us through the museum and monastery. A large collection of ancient religious texts, some brought over by the first wave of Spanish priests after the conquest of the Incas is exceptionally notable. While I was tempted to sneak a few pictures of the prominent library, filled with 25,000 texts, including the first Spanish dictionary and a Holy Bible from 1571, I noticed the surveillance cameras throughout the room as well as two workers intent on preserving ancient texts. As much as I would have loved to capture the beauty of this room, with my camera, it was not to be. Sadly, this amazing room would have to be remembered from a postcard purchased in the gift shop.

The monastery contains many religious works of art and you can also visit the choir stalls where you see the large choir songbooks displayed on floor stands. Before exiting the monastery, you will pass through a series of beautiful courtyards full of plants, walkways and private little nooks where the monks most assuredly passed their time meditating.

Before long, you are entering the maze of passageways which were actually part of Lima’s original cemeteries. An estimated 75,000 bodies are buried under San Francisco alone and many of the remains are exposed and stacked in strange patterns in circular stone pits. As you walk through the semicircular archways and vaulted ceilings, you can distinguish skulls, tibiae, femurs and fibulae of the bodies that were place here to decompose.

Many famous Peruvians from the colonial era were buried within the old church including the remains of Friar Juan Gomez, a 16th Century doctor and “miracle worker” who worked at the church hospital for 40 years. According to Franciscan chronicles, Friar Gomez saved the life of a man who fell off his horse by simply reciting three prayers for the man. The man, thought to be dead, rose to his feet and walked away as if he’d never fallen from the horse.

Having been through many catacombs in France and Italy, it was interesting to note the difference in how the bones were laid to rest and displayed. Since no surveillance cameras were noted, I was able to turn off my flash and snap a few photos of the macabre exhibit.

After the tour’s completion, we were allowed to make our way through the monastery and museum toward the exit. Again, a few photos were able to be taken quickly with no one noticing.

Thoroughly having enjoyed my visit to the San Francisco Church, Museum, Monastery and Catacombs, I highly recommend a visit to anyone in the historic city center of Lima. Take the time to absorb and appreciate each unique part of this significant landmark.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe, and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Church, Museum and Catacombs of San Francisco

Address: Jirón Lampa y Ancash, Lima, Peru
Admission: Church, free admission
Admission: Museum and Catacombs, 10 sols (about $3)
Hours: Church, daily 7:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00
Hours: Museum and Catacombs, daily 9:00-20:15

Lovely Lima

On my quest to check off as many countries as possible from my bucket list, I try to get many done on my company’s clock. Of course, I love to travel on my own time, but there’s nothing like getting paid to see another area of our globe while making a buck or two.

Recently, I found my schedule short a few hours. Since I work my schedule around my husband’s, I usually work weekends. Not seeing any trips to pick up that fit the bill, I decided to check other base’s swap boards to see if there was anything that I might like. My base, NYC, only flies to the South American cities of Sao Paulo and Bogota, so it’s wonderful when the Atlanta base has some South American trips available. A couple of years ago, I was able to work trips to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile and really loved what these cities had to offer. Lima had been on my to-do list, but I just had not seemed to have the space on my schedule…until now. As I checked the swap board, there it was…available for out-of-base pickup and on the exact day that I needed it!

Always suffering a bit of anxiety before I go anywhere new, I did quite a bit of research before the day of departure arrived. There was not one thing that I wanted to miss out on!

Arriving at the hotel after midnight, there wasn’t a concierge on duty to assist me. I knew from my research that there was a double-decker tour bus that departed from the nearby Parque Kennedy at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. with the tour lasting 3 1/2 hours. Aware that it ran through the Plaza de Armas and visited the Cathedral on the morning tour and the Catacombs during the afternoon tour, it seemed like a good option, but the problem was that I did not want to just ride on a bus and see things. I wanted to have time to walk around and see each building and more importantly, I wanted to see BOTH, the Cathedral and the Catacombs. One of the front desk employees suggested a private tour company, but, after a bit of questioning, I found that other tourists would be on the tour as well. I really did not want to be on anyone’s schedule but my own.

Finally, I decided that although my Spanish is quite rusty…actually, almost non-existent…I was going to take a cab. Getting the cab to the city center from my hotel wouldn’t be a problem…getting one back to the hotel, might be though, if I wasn’t able to communicate properly. Well, I finally decided that I would give it a try. Certainly, I figured, I should be able to find a hotel and enlist their assistance.

The next morning, I was up early and ready to tackle this new adventure. After a delicious breakfast, I had one of the hotel clerks call the cab for me. Before long, I was ensconced in a decent cab with the driver having been instructed to bring me to Plaza de Armas. From our hotel in Miraflores, it was about a 30 minute somewhat scenic ride ride in which I entertained myself with a bit of people watching.

Before long, I was deposited at the foot of the Cathedral of Lima looking out on the beautiful Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor. Plaza de Armas, is the name for the main square in many Hispanic American cities. While some large cities have both a Plaza de Armas and a Plaza Mayor, in most cities those are two names for the same place. Here in Lima, both names are used for this locale, the birthplace of Lima. The square is flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, the Municpal Palace and the Palace of the Union.

Leaving the square, I headed toward the Peruvian House of Literature, which is Lima’s old train station. Restored by the government, in 2009, it was turned into a reading room of Peruvian works and it open to the public. As picturesque as it was, and as tempting to visit, I had another destination in mind.

Turning right, I headed over to the baroque-style Church of San Francisco. The tours of the catacombs begin on the hour, so I decided to wisely make use of my time and visit the church prior to joining the tour.

After my visit to San Francisco Church and Catacombs was complete, I wandered through a few of the souvenir shops while making my way back to the Plaza de Armas. The sound of music greeted me as I made my way into the Plaza and I noticed a crowd gathered in front of the Presidential Palace, the official residence and office of Peru’s president. Sitting on the banks of the Rimac River, the French-inspired mansion, constructed in the 1930’s, showcases the changing of the guard ceremony every day at noon. Since the crowd was not extremely large, I was able to make my way to the front of the pack…great brass band, beautiful uniforms, lots of pomp and circumstance…not to be missed!

Next on my agenda was the Cathedral of Lima. Dedicated to St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, it is also home to the tomb of Francisco Pizarro. The cathedral is quite impressive with its many chapels. The old sacristy and the adjoining rooms house the Religious Art Museum of the Cathedral of Lima. The museum displays religious paintings, sculptures and countless liturgical objects and is fascinating to visit.

Departing the Plaza de Armas, I made my way down to Plaza San Martín, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Located within the Historic Centre of Lima, it is one of the most representative public spaces of Lima and the meeting place of many Peruvians. A wonderful place to observe the local residents relaxing and traversing the plaza, time should also be take to absorb the impressive architecture. Surrounding the plaza, the many historic buildings…the Colón Theater, The Hotel Bolivar, The Zela and Pumacahua arcades, Club Nacional, the Cine Metro, Fénix, Boza and Sudamérica buildings, were built in the Neocolonial style. There are four water fountains, bronze streetlamps and flower-filled gardens and the central monument pays homage to Peru’s liberator, Jose de San Martín.

Finally, the time had come to arrange for my transportation back to my hotel in Miraflores. Despite my unfortunate Spanish language skills. I was lucky enough to find a cabbie that spoke a bit of English. My ride to Plaza de Armas had only cost 20 sols (about $6) and I had given the driver a 10 sols tip ($3) because I did not have any change. Expecting the same fare, I was shocked when the cabbie that I approached, looked at the business card from my hotel and offered $50 sols! He spoke a bit of English and tried to explain that it was very far. I stood my ground and finally got him to agree to 30 sols. Success! Happy that I overcame the hurdle to return to my part of town, I was soon on my way!

My plan for the afternoon was to explore the area near my hotel. Hearing of wonderful shopping at Polvos Azules (Blue Market), I had hoped to visit, however, other shopping near the hotel caught my attention. The pilots on my crew informed me that a store near our hotel offered a brand of clothing that my children were particularly impressed with…at an extremely good price. Wandering the streets for a while, I thought that I had been misdirected. Up Avenida Larco and down again, over to the next street and back down…maybe because I wasn’t sure of what I was looking for, I must have passed by the store I was looking for a few times. Finally…I found it. Tables everywhere were piled with clothes…I finally completely understood why my crew members nicknamed it “The Dig”. As I glanced around at the chaos that was LaQuinta, I thought that I would never find what I was looking for. Thankfully, I had had the hindsight to save a picture of one of the shirts from the brand I was looking for. When I showed it to one of the clerks, she took me straight to a table, teeming with piles of shirts, so nicely folded and divided by size. I thought I was in heaven! After selecting and purchasing so many pieces, it was time to stop at Manolo’s for a snack…Churro filled with dulce-de-leche…head back to the hotel to deposit my wares and make my way over to the Indian Market.

Located one block from the roundabout near Parque Kennedy is Avenue Petit Thouars. The market contains many artisan markets selling everything Peruvian craftsmanship has to offer. Beautiful jewelry, silverware, artisan craftworks, clothing made from alpaca wool, pottery, paintings and more, from all over Peru, are offered for sale. After doing some heavy duty negotiating and finally securing a couple pieces of jewelry, an Incan mask and an Incan chess set for my son, I was ready to sample some local fare for my dinner and head back to somehow find space in my suitcase for my many purchases!

Lima was an incredible place…one that I will return to in the near future. Maybe I will let my company pay my way once again, but most definitely, I will return on my own time so that I can explore…maybe solo…maybe with my family…on my own schedule.

Check out more pictures of Lima on my Facebook page, Snapping the Globe and on Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Church, Museum and Catacombs of San Francisco

Address: Jirón Lampa y Ancash, Lima, Peru
Admission: Church, free admission
Admission: Museum and Catacombs, 10 sols (about $3)
Hours: Church, daily 7:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00
Hours: Museum and Catacombs, daily 9:00-20:15

Cathedral of Lima

Address: Jirón Carabaya, Lima 15001, Peru
Admission: 10 sols (about $3) includes admission to cathedral and museum. Combination ticket of 30 sols (about $9) includes the Archbishops Palace and the Cathedral, including museum
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00, Saturday, 10:00-13:00, Sunday, 13:00-17:00

Indian Market

Address: Petit Thouars 5321, Lima, Peru
Hours: daily 10:00-19:00
Prices negotiable

Manolo’s-Churreria, Cafeteria, Heladeria, Snack Bar, Restaurante

Address: Av Jose Larco 608, Miraflores Lima 18, Peru
Hours: Monday-Thursday 07:00-01:00, Friday, 07:15-02:00, Saturday, 08:15-02:00, Sunday, 08:15-01:00
Try the dulce-de-leche or chocolate filled churros! 5 sols each (about $1.50) Delicious!

A Utrecht Stopover

After our visit to the opulent De Haar Castle, the return to Amsterdam was taking us back again through Utrecht. Seeing an opportunity to circumnavigate the ancient city center, albeit quickly, we decided to hop off of the train and make quick work of seeing a few landmarks.

Finally exiting the train station, after wandering aimlessly through the adjacent shopping center, a quick stop was made for soup and a sandwich. Realizing that the day was drawing to a close, I wanted to show my friend, Leianne, a few of the things that I had appreciated on a prior visit.

While at the castle, we had learned of the destruction that had been caused by a hurricane in 1674. The same storm had torn through the city and destroyed the nave of St. Martin’s Cathedral, or the Dom Church as it is more commonly known. The Church and the Dom Tower still stand separated by the non-existent nave, now the Domplein, a square with trees. Once the Netherlands’ largest church, dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, it was also the cathedral of the Diocese of Utrecht during the Middle Ages. The tower, the hallmark of the city, is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Standing at 367 feet high, it is on the spot where the city of Utrecht originated almost 2,000 years ago.

As we walked up the street toward these two magnificent structures we passed underneath the Dom Tower. Exiting on the church side, it was easy to imagine the hurricane force winds that caused the destruction many years ago. The wind was blowing so hard that we were almost unable to put one foot in front of the other.

Although we did not have time to do so on this day, climbing the Dom Tower can be a wonderful opportunity to see Utrecht from a higher vantage point. On a prior trip, I climbed the 465 steps to the top, stopping halfway to view the historic bells and the 17th century Hemony carillon.

Once we completed our visit of St. Martin’s Cathedral, we ducked into the Pandhof (courtyard) which is located between St. Martin’s Cathedral and the University Hall at Domplein. The Pandhof is a peaceful and picturesque monastery garden, where ornamental plants and herbs bloom. In the center of the garden is a fountain with a bronze statue of the 14th century priest Hugo Wstinc. One of the most beautiful enclosed gardens in Holland, it is worthy of a few minutes to step inside…and if you are lucky, there will be someone utilizing the magnificent acoustics and playing music for your enjoyment (or for a euro or two!)

Musician utilizing the acoustics at Pandhof

As the day ended, we walked around a bit more, just checking out the beautiful architecture and relaxed atmosphere that Utrecht has to offer, before making our return to Amsterdam. Having previously visited Utrecht, I know all that the city extends to visitors. Hopefully, despite the short time here, my friend gained some insight in to what a great place it is to spend time and she will return to inspect it further!

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Utrecht

Getting there: Amsterdam Central to Utrecht, approximately 25 minutes, 5-6 departures per hour, approximtely 17€ roundtrip

Dom Tower

http://www.domtoren.nl/en
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00-17:00, Sunday and Monday, 12:00-17:00
Admission: Adults, 9€, Children (ages 4-12) 5€, Students/+65, 7,50€

St. Martin’s Cathedral

http://www.domkerk.nl/
Admission: Donations accepted
Daily, May-September 10:00-17:00, October-April 11:00-16:00, Saturday 10:00/11:00-15:30, Sunday 12:30-16:00