Castles and Chessgames and Fireworks - OH MY . .

Friday night we had the chance to visit the castle of Marostica, the birthplace of chess. Every other year they celebrate that birthright by having a grand festival that tells the story of a princess being fought over by two princes - we've seen it and heard that before right?! This story turns you for a loop - instead of the usual duel to the death that comes with these kinds of stories, the King decided that no one should die but instead they would duel for the hand of the eldest daughter by playing a match of chess. This chess game wasn't the usual one, however, it was a live chess game with real people playing the parts. The loser would gain the consolation prize of the younger daughter and all would live (really) happily ever after. This original battle of the geek allstars (I kid, I kid - I love chess) took place in 1454 when the city of Marostica was under the Venetian Republic and I have to say I am lucky that this year happened to be the year in which the reenactment was to take place - it was wonderful, fun and a bit long but what celebration isn't right:)

The castle that sits on the mountain - dates back to Venecian Republic days - 1400's - so cool!
A close up of those old castle walls - right before I took this picture I took a charging leap onto the wall and was brought down only by 10 or 20 Italian police officers - I don't know what came over me, it was a Braveheart moment!
The flags lining the entrance - I like to think that this flag also dates back to the 1400's and that is why they decided on honoring the ladder - not what you would typically think belongs on a flag, right?!
A few of the castle walls up close - it was a beautiful night, perfect weather not to hot or cold with a slight breeze every so often.
Me and the girls waiting for Cele, who had gone to get the tickets (Wendy - Cristina loved her headband so much that she wears it everyday, all day - you will see it again:)
This, if you can't tell, is Mia trying to play around with I-photo editing - so cool - I antiqued the bookstore picture and put black edging around it:)
The bookstore, that man was weirded out that I took this picture and looked up just as the flash went off:)
Sitting in our seats, wating for it to start - doesn't the kid in the background look like a creppy Edward?
Cristina and I, again waiting. There was a lot of that taking place but it was fun all the same.
When they finally came out - there was jokers and fire breathers and all sorts of fun medieval things - That is your first view of where the "to the death" chess game will take place:)
One of the castles that was part of the show - all of the actors, sorry - I mean all of the people from the 1400's that had traveled forward in time, came out of the castle and onto the drawbridge:)
Another view of that castle
It was late and we were all a little tired and it was a little longer than expected - they had a lot of pageantry - walking out, flag running and throwing - that the chess game came at the way end and only lasted like 20 minutes
Finally! The game is to begin - that stupid light was in my way or that could have been a cooler shot:)
The black side! (Hope I'm not spoiling anything for you but THEY win!)
That is where the two princes are sitting and will play the chess game and the moves will be announced by that gentleman on the stairs.
Critical point in the match - -- - - - The black queen is on the move but not if the white can help it!
So poised, so elegant . . .
Here we have the the white king and queen with a knight in the far top corner and here at the bottom I can't remember what piece these guys are representing - I thought it was the bishop but - No, that's wrong - help me out here, will ya!?
The highlight of the night - fireworks lit by a bow and arrow from the ground!
Here is where it really gets crazy!!!:)
Blinding brilliance!
And last but never least - - - - - - the cascading waterfall of color and mystery!

That was our night filled with intrigue and oldworldness - stay tuned for tomorrow when I post about out trip to Verona - the city of Romeo and Juliet, the city of love, the city where green traffic lights don't really mean go and we almost get into a wreck . . . . .

ARRIVEDERCI!!!!!!

DId you know . . .

In italy - - - -

- It is against the law to honk your horn:)

- People are crazy drivers and Mercedes Benz are for Italians like Hondas are for Americans

- To take a driver's test you need to pay 2000 euros - just for the test

- Mia just got back from a medieval festival and is on her way to bed - fun pictures to come tomorrow . . .

Gelato to die for - - - - - i'm hooked!

Come along with me . . .

I feel as if I have already experienced so much and it's only been a few days. I want to capture everything but I know that pictures don't do the real thing justice. Life is so wrapped up in sounds, smells, feelings and everything else that without those things sometimes pictures don't tell the whole story. For now, however, I have to be content in you seeing only part of the story, part of the adventure . . .

I had Cristina turn around and let me take a picture of her shirt so that you would all know just where I am - Vicenza, Italy.
This is me, FINALLY on the plane in SLC - I went to the airport waaaayyyy early so I was excited to finally be on my way.
And that is my "finally face".
Wow - my hair and face looked good in those first two pictures, what could have happened? Oh yeah, I know - 8 hours with a screaming baby and a chatty Kathy next to me who wouldn't let me sleep on the OVERNIGHT flight - it was alright however because foreign airlines ROCK! I have to say that a little of my patriotism went out the window when fresh hot towels, nice flight attendants and Toblerone's (best chocolate in the world for those who don't know) became routine - gotta love Lufthansa air! This is Frankfurt, Germany, by the way!
Nice shot, right? The lady next to me was a little interested as I stretched my arm over her for this little bit of self photography - I will sacrifice anything for my art, even a little self respect:)
Somewhere over Germany.
Now what you can see above is the beginnings of Venice - so cool!
Here is a better shot of the city as we flew over to land at the airport.
Love the water and the greeness of it all!
That's my "finally here" face as I am in the car with Celeste and the girls on our way home:)
Yup - that's Italy. Beautiful.
Now would I really be visiting Italy if I didn't make an apperance at a pizza joint my first night? I think not, so this is where Der Platz comes in - such an awesome place, unfortuantly they don't really all walk around playing accordians and singing:)
Such. Good. Pizza. I may never come home:) JK, but it really is that good - oh yeah, and each pizza is meant for just one person - crazy! We did share however, there was a mushroom with artichoke and prosutto, another with french fries and sausage (very good by the way) and the last had spinach and ricotta cheese:)
This is the street that I can call home for the next few months - Via Uvo Foscolo
This is Lisa - Celeste and Johnathon's youngest and such a doll - notice the cute headband made my Wendy! They loved them!
Cele, also clad in a stylish headband as we wait for Cristina to come back from school.
Just four good lookin gals off for an Italian adventure . . . we were going to walk around their town - San Pietro In Gu!
Cele's street
Road leading into the center of town - - -
There is ptetty much the center - the church, a small store and not pictured but across the street - the municipal building.
Cool chrurch, right? "Domvs Dei" acorrding to google means, "God's Lord"
The entrance to the cemetary.
Beautiful headstones with photos on almost every one.
The walls are lined with vaults that are wonderfully kept up.
This is Cele's house, and Cele's van, I love that it's pink - most of the homes are cool different colors - reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, etc.

Again, you will see a lot of these faces because they are just way too cute - Cristina in red and little Lisa:)
Yeah - those are lucious cakes that are at the ice cream shop - before I leave I have to try one!

Me and my cone - sooooooo good! It was like a vanilla flavor that had chocolate covered pistachios in it, seriously!

The shop and us enjoying a little slice of Italian heaven!

Here is the biggest church in Vecenia - it's at the top of a large hill that overlooks that town that is located about 10 minutes from Cele's house.
The view from the top- - - - -
I was going for an artistic interpretation of the view from the top, did it work?
Me in front of the map of the city.
Cool carving that was on the church - - - -
That whole passageway belongs to the church and there are doors that lead into other buildings or beautiful courtyards.
The passageway
Just a little thirsty . . .
Another view -check out those clouds.
Ending with the best - so beautiful. It had been so great and I can't wait for more but right now it's 12:30 in the morning and I need some rest so . . . . . . arrivederci!

Arrivederci . . .

See you in Europe . . .

The old art . . .

. . . of Postcard writing. I think the last time I heard from someone by that form of communication, he was a sailor in the Navy and I was like 10. I think it is such a wonderful way to keep in touch with people and so I am planning on doing a lot of PCW (us writers in the know call it that:) while I am in Europe. I'd love to write to YOU! Leave me your address in the comments or send me an email - mianchard@gmail.com - and you'll be a hearin' from me:)