Quite a Year

'Twas a fantastic year, to say the least. We as family had a great time this 2011, upping levels of expectations in various activities, especially in education, social and spiritual aspects.

In  homeschool, the kids had a very productive year: revalidas for all of them were essentially better than last year's (that's according to their teacher-coordinators themselves), and their activities (and outputs) were way better this year. This may have something to do with the fact that the previous school year was the second in our homeschooling activities, and that kinks in the initial year of homeschooling were ironed out (and perfected?) in the 2011 edition of our homeschool. Aside from the kids having more outputs in their portfolio, we were also able to connect more family activities in homeschool. The kids also showed improved skills in studying, as well as preparing for their periodical interviews.

Still in homeschool, more 'social' activities were incorporated for kids' studies: they attended several art classes (basic drawing, ceramic painting, etc) and also attended cooking, baking and other food lessons. These enable them to mingle with children of different nationalities and allowed them to get more socialization time which was lacking in the previous year's study.

It was an amazingly fantastic year for the family's travel activities as well.

Our first venture to Europe (as a family) happened in the summer of 2011, and even though we have to endure high temperatures in some areas, we still were able to achieve that family bonding that can only be attained by being together and doing family activities day in and day out. And we've successfully done it for more than two weeks!

The family enjoyed the sights and attractions (and sometimes even the nice summer weather) of Paris and Versailles in France, the Vatican City, and the cities of Rome, Florence and Pisa in Italy. We visited and climbed the Tour Eiffel, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saint Chapelle, and cruised along the River Seine; we explored the Colosseum and the Romano Foro, visited Castel Sant Angelo, the Pantheon and Fontana de Trevi; we sat along the Spanish Steps (as most tourists do); and most importantly, we marveled at the grandness of Basilica San Pietro and the square in front of it, and had a serene experience, while gawking at the marvelous works of art inside the Sistine Chapel. The experience we had, and the spiritual renewal that went with it, while visiting basilicas, cathedrals and churches - Saint Germain de Prez, Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Croce, Florence's Duomo, the Pisa Cathedral to name a few, was a memory the family will keep for a long time. Our visits to numerous parks provided welcome relief to our aching feet (from walking here and there), as well as time for light banter when the family starts getting grumpy for hours of walking. Exploring new places, understanding new culture, and learning new things become more meaningful when you do it with your loved ones.

And our adventures in traveling continued in 2011.

On the local front, we visited, and took a more in-depth look, at previously visited places: forts and castles, mosques and water fronts, ridges and mountain tops. We also had a short off-road activity (after two years of not doing it) and climbed the highest peak in the Arab region, the Grand Canyon of Arabia. Of course, we did not forget to visit our favorite park and spend some lazy afternoons there.

Towards the end of the year, we decided to head back to Europe to experience 'real' autumn. Munich and the Bavarian countryside were sights to behold. We had a grand time roaming around the Marienplatz area, as well as other notable areas such as the Stachus, Karlsplatz, the Nymphenburg, the Olympic Area and the English Garden. Ludwig II's castles in Neuschwanstein and Linderhof are grand and of course, fairytale-like, and the German countryside (through the town of Oberammergau) on the foot of the Alps gave us a feel of rural Europe which we loved.

Our short visit to Austria (Salzburg) and its thousands-year old structures was also both educational and entertaining to the family.

And of course, there is again, the visit to several churches, most notable of which was in St. Peter's (and the climb to the top, which will show you arguably the best view of 'real' Europe, in my opinion).

We also made strides in deepening our faith.

Aside from our 'panata' of attending the Filipino mass every 1st and 3rd Sundays, we also did a month-long Advent preparation activity in December. This enabled us to renew our faith more, and for the kids to re-visit theirs, by reading more scriptures. I hope this will continue to a deeper understanding of our religion and our faith, and more family activities towards this end.

'Twas a great year. We're looking forward to another great year ahead.

'Under the Tuscan Sun'

Days of summer in Florence, the Renaissance City.

Florence panorama atop Piazzale Michelangelo

We arrived after about two hours of travelling in one of Italy’s fastest, the AltaVelocita Freccioargento. The afternoon ride introduced us to Tuscany’s beautiful countryside with lots of gold and green farmlands, in particular the rolling hills where Florence is perched. We haven’t really started our ‘formal’ exploration of Florence yet, the scene however, is already worth the visit. I silently thanked God for giving us this journey.

Palazzo Vecchio, now a museum

Hotel Pendini and Piazza della Repubblica

After a quick drop off at the Sta. Maria Novella Station (the Tren Italia AV9418, afterall, continues its journey towards Venezia), we hailed a taxi just opposite the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, which dropped us off at our hotel, Hotel Pendini, at the center of the small city, near the ever-crowded Piazza dela Repubblica. Aside from the vast piazza just beside the hotel, the view from the hotel room shows the top of Florence’s Duomo. Not bad.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

Capella di Medici

 Florence is a small city. On our first night, we visited the Florence Cathedral, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (locally known as the Duomo, the tallest structure in the city), and marvel at its gothic design (marbled panel in green and pink). We learned later that it was consecrated during the 1400s and it was built by three different designers/engineers starting in late 1200s. The Duomo complex is comprised of three magnificent structures: the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower or the Campanile, and the Baptistery. Later in the night, we visited the Capella di Medici, particularly the Sagrestia Nuova, or the mortuary chapel for the Medici family. It’s interesting to see a blend of old and new in this area, as we see lots of pizzerias and small hotels dotting this area of the city.

Ponte Vecchio at the back

Santa Trinita

Like any other typical European city, Florence’s streets are narrow, and its lanes, cobbled. Walking early to cover more areas, we felt a slight chill, not unlike that when we were in Paris. Autumn is now slowly making its way towards the continent. Alice had a grand time exploring the city’s streets. With all the branded stores just a stone's throw away from the hotel, and Florence’s other small shops selling authentic Italian leather bags and shoes, what more can a wife wish? Anyways, on our second day, we set our path towards Ponte Vecchio ("The Old Bridge"), and after just about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, reached the Arno River, near the Ponte Santa Trinita. We first visited the Church of Santa Trinita and admired such works as Madonna and Saints and Annunciation, which are housed there. We then moved towards Ponte Vecchio.

Santa Croce

After taking several photos of the family at the Ponte Vecchio, we proceeded to the Basilica di Santa Croce. Although the church is being reconstructed inside, there’s no denying the beauty of its pure gothic structure, with its porticos and cloisters. Along with its campanile, the church of Santa Croce is a huge, imposing white structure. We bought tickets so that we could proceed inside, and there we saw the tombs of, among others, Galileo Galilei, Dante Alighieri, Michaelangelo, and Niccolo Machiavelli.

After our time at the Santa Croce, we proceeded to the crowded Piazza della Signoria, where you can find both the famous Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio. Outside, we took photos of famous statues (copies only, originals inside the museums) such as that of ‘David’ (Michaelangelo) and ‘Hercules and Cacus’ (Bandinelli).

having a taste of Florence's gelato

at Belvedere Fort

We took a rest in one of the pizzerias dotting the area, and of course, we did not pass the opportunity to have a taste of Firenze’s gelato, considered the best in the world. (In fact, during our stay in the city, we always grab a gelato everytime there’s a chance.)

Piazza della Independencia

sign at the Academia Museum

On our last day, we visited the Belvedere Fort, which we learned was built by the Medici family to protect them from rebels. We also passed by Piazza dela Independencia, which covers both sides of the road in a symmetrical fashion, and the Piazza San Marco one of the oldest and most popular squares in Florence among the locals. Of course, we have to go to the Academia where you can see Michaelangelo’s original of ‘David’. We even passed by the Philippine Consulate in Florence along the way. The square of the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata is huge and old, and Alice and the kids spent some time praying inside the church. We then spent the afternoon exploring many of the shops, as well as the local market, and spending a short time at the Basilica di Santa Maria del Santo Spirito and the PalazzoPitti.

 







The most memorable evening in Firenze (Florence) however, was spent by the family resting above a hill where Piazzale Michelangelo is perched, marveling at the romantic panoramic view of the Renaissance City. It was really a night to remember for all times: the family just whiling away time, savoring gelato and listening to classic Florentine music on guitar by a local artist, while looking at the Arno River and the medieval structures at a distance as the sun sets.

Priceless.