Prisoner of Hopes

Tag: connection

  • Empathy: Educating for Sanity

    Empathy: Educating for Sanity

    It has been a hard ten days. The turmoil in this country, the barrage of executive orders, the anger and accusation is exhausting. To be clear, I reject bigotry of all forms. I am saddened by the targeted attacks on public servants and the incivility on display by government officials. Most of all, I am…

  • All Good Things Must Come To An End: Travel Goals Italy

    All Good Things Must Come To An End: Travel Goals Italy

    The end of a trip…sadness of leaving a new favorite corner of the world….happiness to be heading home. Despite the fact that I hate air travel (to be specific, I hate the hoops you have to go through at the airport), travel day is always exciting. We leave Lesa early in the morning and make…

  • Last Day Is Always Bittersweet: Travel Goals Italy

    Last Day Is Always Bittersweet: Travel Goals Italy

    Our last day in Italy. Where did the time go? We decide to stay fairly close to home as we need to pack and prepare for a morning flight. Although we had connected trains in the town of Domodossola, we have yet to properly visit. It seems like a great destination. The town sits next…

  • Pavia, A Study In Honoring Tradition: Travel Goals Italy

    Pavia, A Study In Honoring Tradition: Travel Goals Italy

    Today we venture to the Italian city of Pavia. Home to one of the world’s oldest universities, final resting place of St. Augustine, the Southern seat of the Dukes of Milan; Pavia has a long and interesting history. The Castello Visconteo di Pavia is our first stop. Built in 1360 by the Lord of Milan,…

  • Regroup: Travel Goals Italy

    Regroup: Travel Goals Italy

    The only thing stranger than receiving company while traveling abroad is sending them off while you remain. After our whirlwind week together with the extended family, we are exhausted. Everyone (except me) sleeps late. We start the day slowly, sharing coffee and pastries. And we reluctantly say our goodbyes. The siblings are headed to Milan…

  • In search of the Shroud: Travel Goals Italy

    In search of the Shroud: Travel Goals Italy

    You can’t visit Turin without wondering about the mysterious shroud of Turin. The shroud first appeared in France in the 1300’s and was claimed to be the shroud that wrapped the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. While a bishop in the late 1300’s and dozens of scientists have called it a fake, the faithful…

  • Grand Torino: Travel Goals Italy

    Grand Torino: Travel Goals Italy

    With only one more day to spend with the siblings in Italy, we decide to head to Turin (Torino). This often overlooked town was the capitol of the Northern Roman Empire and the domain of the Savoy dynasty. There are more palaces in and around Turin than you will find in entire countries. The Palazzo…

  • Retracing Our Footsteps: Travel Goals Italy

    Retracing Our Footsteps: Travel Goals Italy

    Sometimes you encounter a place you can’t wait to share. I was captivated by Orta San Guilio and couldn’t wait to share it with my family. After excitedly sharing the virtues of a visit, we drove over on a bright Monday morning. The destination did not disappoint. First we trekked up the mountain to visit…

  • Rainy Retail Therapy: Travel Goals Italy

    Rainy Retail Therapy: Travel Goals Italy

    It is set to rain all day and all night…..again. I search the map for anyplace within three hours that might be deluge free. I find nothing. My next search is for indoor places to spend time. Neither of us want to walk all day in heavy rainfall. My shoes are still wet from yesterday.…

  • Rainy Days Are Still Beautiful: Travel Goals Italy

    Rainy Days Are Still Beautiful: Travel Goals Italy

    Sunny, magical days have to be interrupted occasionally. And so the rain sets in for a multi-day period of grey clouds and damp pavement. Since we are in Italy to experience Italy, we set off for a wet drive around the lake to Cannobio on Lake Maggiore (….not to be confused with Cernobbio on Lake…