Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Buon Anno!





Happy New Year, friends! A little late, but traveling gives me a fresh perspective on things, and I return with resolutions, born of new experiences. One is to get out more and let myself have fun. 

I spent New Years Eve in the 13th century Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, where precisely at midnight the ritual of burning away the old year, symbolized by a huge sculpture that a different artist makes every year, began. It was spectacular and I really enjoyed the whole scene. 

I'm home now, and will be back with more soon. xo, Jen






35 comments:

  1. Hello Jen,

    So good to know that you are safely returned home. But, what adventures you have been having and how beautifully your photographs on Instagram have captured it all. Thank you so much for sharing them, it was just as if we had been popped into your suitcase and hone along with you for the ride.

    Travel is such a wonderful thing. Immersing oneself in different cultures and seeing, tasting and hearing everything which is new is so revitalising. We cannot wait for you to post more.

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    1. Thank your for your kind words, Jane and Lance. I thought of you when I was in Venice. xo

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  2. The origins of Burning Man? ;)

    Enjoy your new perspective!

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  3. Interesting informations from your trip and great pictures !
    Greetings

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  4. oh fabulous. can't wait for more.

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  5. Hope you're finally getting some sleep. Enjoyed touring with you via IG, excited to read words put to the experience.

    Xo J

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  6. Wow,exciting! What a coincidence! A same ritual has just held in my city. What is the sculpture symbolized? I am looking forward to reading a coming post.

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    1. Oh that is so interesting. I heard that it represents the bad things about the previous year, or just the previous year.

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  7. Well, I guess I should check out your Instagram site but I am so afraid if I go there I will never get back home. (My idea of travel.) It sounds like it was a great experience Jen and hopefully you're have many more to come.

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    1. Thanks so much, Rubye Jack. I was late to Instagram, but love it. Just like here, ou find your people.

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  8. Hello Jen, The best thing about traveling is to discover something new and interesting. That New Year Man is adorable; I would have wanted to keep it--perhaps they sold miniature replicas? Witnessing that kind of ephemeral art, like the sky lanterns in Taiwan, is a special treat for those who make the effort to be on the spot.

    Welcome back, and I hope the frigid winter isn't too much for you!
    --Jim

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    1. Jim--he was amazing, and it was kind of weird to see him burning, but also magnificent. I didn't see any replicas, but that's a great idea, especially because there's a different one every year. I'd love to see the sky lanterns one day.

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  9. I've never seen that before. Must have been fun.

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    1. It was amazing. I can't imagine it being done in any city in this country. Too many regulations and potential lawsuits.

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  10. Oh, my beloved Italy ... I love it. So glad you had a wonderful time ...
    M x

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  11. OK. I wrote a comment yesterday and it somehow disappeared. Let's try this again. Yay, welcome back. Happy New Year! Can't wait for the rest.

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  12. Hello Jen

    Sounds like a wonderful new year in Bologna. Such fun
    Wishing you a very Happy New Year

    Helenx

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  13. welcome back and Happy New Year dear Jen :)

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    1. Thanks Alicia. Hope 2015 is a wonderful one for you.

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  14. Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Magical New Year too Jen!

    Madelief x

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  15. Hi Jen, and welcome home!
    I believe a large effigy figure is burned every year in Santa Fe NM but not at New Year. I think Labor Day? Will have to look it up. !Feliz Ano Nuevo!

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    1. Oops, sign me "Diane in Denver."

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    2. I was trying, without success, to imagine them doing such a thing in U.S. But I can imagine, maybe, a smaller version in Santa Fe. It was crazy.

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  16. happy new year to you too. and welcome back. I hope you're going to share more of your adventures :)

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    1. I will, Petra. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  17. Welcome home, Jen! You were so kind to let us travel with you via IG. Looking forward to reading more about your travels. Maybe burning away the bad stuff speaks to why we Southerners love a bonfire! Hope you have a good week! Smiles...Susan

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    1. Susan, there is something so compelling about a bonfire--they are absolutely magnetic.

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