Commercial Freedom Abounds in Svalbard

Longyearbyen Valley

Thanks to the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920, citizens of the US, along with all of the signatories, may enjoy free access to the Northern paradise of Svalbard.  Svalbard, home to the Northern most town in the world, was first discovered in the 11th century by the Norse.   The Medieval Icelandic book Landnamabok (The Book of Settlment) makes the first mention of "Cold Shores," Svalbard.  Curiously, the prologue to the Landnamabok begins with a reference to the De Temporum Ratione by Venerable Bede in which an island where the sun does not set in the summer is identified as Tili (Iceland). 

Landnamabok

Since the first discovery of Svalbard,  no one has wanted to claim the islands as their own.  The Spitsbergen Treaty gave full ownership of the island to Norway, but allowed any signatory of the treaty the right to become a resident and reap the commercial bounty of the archipelago.  Before moving there, you should become acquainted with Norwegian law which governs criminal, civil and commercial disputes. 

Although over 500 miles from the nearest city, Longyearbyen has modest accommodations for the arctic adventure tourist.  There is a nightclub, a cinema, and a variety of restaurants.  If you decide to explore the surrounding countryside, make sure that you are armed, it is the law.  Whenever leaving the settlement, you must carry a firearm.  Don't worry if you left your Browning at home, the local bakery rents guns. Why must you carry a weapon?  Polar bears.  You will need a gun to protect yourself from polar bears wandering the valley.  But, keep in mind that it is illegal to shoot a polar bear.  Happy Travels!

Tax Day Again, This is Just Cruel

The real deadline for taxes this year is today.  Friday, apparently, was just a warm-up.

Texas, Lake Kiowa

Brazil, Ilha do Japao

If you have a sizable return coming, or you primarily bank offshore, you might consider buying as island to cheer yourself up.  In Texas, you can pick up a private island in Lake Kiowa for about $350,000.00.  The benefit of lake islands is that you don't have to worry about rising ocean levels as the polar caps melt.  But, for the traditionalist island purchaser on a budget, there are a handful of islands under $70k.  You can pick up a .7 acre island off Panama for $30k.  If you want trees and a house in place, you can buy Ilha do Japao, off the coast of Brazil for a cool $4 mil.  On the 9 acre island are 5 houses, a garage (? no ferries to the island ?) and a ranch (? of tapir ?).

Panama

Back under the big Texas sky

Venice at the Edge

I expected to like Venice more.  It is a beautiful city, but Venice is so crowded.  Then add the fact that the streets are typically 8-10 feet wide.  I said to a colleague, "It makes you miss San Antonio."  On the other hand, Venice has the "beauty" thing in spades.  For dinner, we found some tasty squid in squid ink and octopus.  I have to admit that after watching the NOVA episode on how smart octopi are, I had slight reservation dipping their tender tentacles into the tasty sauce.

Ravenna and Bone Transport

We visited the churches and mausoleums in Ravenna, including the burial place of Dante.  One colleague asked how bodies were transported from one city to another to be buried.  Another colleague who specializes in the history of anatomical illustrations and feminism explained that the bodies were boiled to remove skin and flesh and then the bones were transported.  The practice of bone-boiling was outlawed in the Renaissance.

Basilica di Sant'Appolinare in Classe

Interior of San Vitale, Ravenna

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

San Vitale, Ravenna

Ravenna - who is in control?

Ravenna has had a tumultuous past, yet some of the oldest mosaics are here. Ravenna moves at a slower pace than Florence or Milan.

St. Francis and St. Clair

Assisi is beautiful, but very hilly town.  My legs are beginning to protest.  The Upper Basilica of San Francesco his one of the most beautiful churches I have visited.  The interior walls are frescos painted by Giotto depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi.  A group of 60 high school kids entered the church.  The guard about had a stroke.  He kept announcing over the speaker system "SILENCIO."  He scolded the group leader and then scolded the students saying, "There is only one voice in this church; It is the voice of God."

Arno and Ponte Vecchio

Santa Croce

Florence

San Francesco at Assisi

Lucca & Florence in 1 Day....

The legs are about to give out.  We did Pisa last night: Lucca and Florence today.  Thank goodness, there is not much to see in Florence.  Here are some photos.

Lucca

Arno in Florence

Duomo in Florence

Milan... check

Fast trip through Milan.  Saw Duomo, Galleria, Basilica S. Ambrosio.

The surprise was the baptistry where S. Ambrose baptized S. Augustine.

Edge of Consciousness

Somewhere over the Atlantic

The instant coffee is fending off the persistent daze of jet lag.  After a very long day of travel, including delayed planes and lost bags, we have awakened in Milan.  Despite it being a nice day in Madrid, my luggage was found and delivered (promptly) to our hotel in Milan.  The hotel is modern, comfortable and nowhere near the center of town.

Madrid airport

This will be a whirlwind tour of Italy.  Half day in Milan, then a 4 hour drive to Pisa.  We will be staying overnight in Pisa, then drive on to Florence.

Castello Sforzesco

Made it to Milan

Saw the Last Supper of de Vinci.  Far better than the post cards.