Genoa - Dome-tastic

Would you believe me if I told you this church was heavily bombed during WWII? Yeah, really. There did some pretty darn-tootin' impressive restorations here. This church floored me to begin with. It really does show 17thc style. (at least to my mind's eye it does).

I'm now going to quote to you from the church's English pamphlet.

A statue found and preserved "without hands"and respondent to prayers of an anonymous Flemish person of the 15th century "Christ does not have hands - he only has our hands to do his work today..."

Now I ask you to take a moment, to sit, look up and wonder at the works of God around us and say thanks. Then stand up, and find a way to use your hands to the glory of God.

Wikipedia link in Italian or English

taken June 2010 - Church of San Pietro di Banchi, Genoa

In the park with a Cocatoo

I'm still trying to get the perfect shot of the sulphur-crested cockie. I like the brilliance of the yellow crest, but even still... y'all are going to have to suffer through more pictures of these birds until I get my hero shot. (here's my last cockatoo post)

I might add that since they put new wood chips around the swings in the park, it has been cockatoo city! I think there must have been some tasty bugs in the chips as the cockies have been tearing though the grounds and ripping up just about everything. I also think the random foodstuff left after the weekend picnics are a hit with the birds. Yesterday I watched a cockie pull the straw out of a McDonald's cup, take the top off and upend the contents over itself. mmmm... sticky sweet cockatoos.

Taken August 2010 - Park by our apartment, Macquarie Park, NSW

La Spezia - Me!

I really did have a wonderful time in Italy. On this particular evening, M, T and I were our wandering. Eventually we found a pub with seats outside and the tv tuned to the world cup. All is right with the world on nights like this.

Taken June 2010 - pub near the waterfront, La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia - Mosaics

Yes, I'm on a church kick. One of my favorite things to do is visit churches.

This mosaic was over the front door of an Orthodox church in La Spezia. As this church was never open when I passed by, I didn't get to see inside. A shame, but as I did get to see 6 churches during our 3 days in La Spezia, I think I did alright.

Taken June 2010 - Orthodox Church, La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia - Casting light...

The cathedral in La Spezia was probably the most unique church I have ever been in. It was obviously a catholic church, don't get me wrong... it was just different. Built in an in-the-round style, the focus was the centre alter. There were a couple of side chapels, and behind the reredos there were several icons. Each ceiling pillar had a roman numeral, I to XII for the stations of the cross. A very ordinary church save the whole in the round thing. It was obviously commissioned in the early 60's and completed within that decade. No doubt about it!

As preciously mentioned, the alter was in the centre of the church. Standing just infront of the alter and looking straight up to the ceiling around 10m above was a circular bit of stained glass. This shot is a detail of it. I can only imagine what golden light would shine down on the alter through this glass!

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy