Jackson Sun Article about Bon Voyage Party

http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20091230/LIFESTYLE/912300307/Couple-s-fascinating-trip-began-before-they-ever-left-for-Europe

Halloween at the Wennborg's

Halloween is always fun with the grandchildren! Lars' Mother - Dagney; sister - Karolina, and her two children Ida and Issak are visiting from Stockholm. It was their first Halloween. Lots of candy was gathered before the rain started!!

Matthew and Lindsey - the Swing Set

The kids had fun playing on the swing set in the backyard and chasing bubbles!

The Battery, Charleston, SC

The Battery is the southern most point of old Charleston - at Charleston Harbor where the Cooper River and Ashley River join. Some of the beautiful homes are also museums. The Charleston style home frequently have the porches to the side of the street.

Along the waterfront in Charleston, South Carolina

A beautiful park provides a lovely setting along the riverfront in downtown Charleston. The new modern bridge over the Cooper River actually blends with the old city's ancient history.

South of Broad, Charleston, SC

My book club - the Page Turners - just finished Pat Conroy's new book "South of Broad" set in Charleston, SC. The protagonist lives on Tradd Steet and most the action takes place among the beautiful, old mansions found in the southern tip of the peninsula that is old Charleston.

Market Street - Charleston, South Carolina

Market Street is the old entrance from the sea to the town. It's dark history includes a one time slave market. But now the the area is pure tourism. Shops, restaurants and basket weaving line the street.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina is such a beautiful city! The Grand lady of the South and home of Low Country food!

We are visiting Darrell's family - Matt, Susan, Lindsey and Matthew Christian in Columbia, SC. and Kitty, Lars, Linnea, Emma and Markus Wennborg in Charlotte, NC.

The kids were in school for the day - so we decided to drive to Charleston - a little more than 1 hour away. We had a the perfect Low Country lunch at Fleet Landing - Shrimp and Grits!

We wandered around the city for a while - here are some scenes of Market Street, the Customs House and palmetto woven baskets!

We are home! And still unpacking!

We had a wonderful 48 days traveling through Europe - but we are glad to be home in Tennessee! And back to reality! But most important - back with family and friends!!

I think it will take a little time to process everything we were able to see and experience during our travels. The blog was actually quite fun to do. As so many of you know - I spent 18 years of my life working with Chambers of Commerce and non-profit organizations. If my blog sounded like a Chamber brochure - it is really the way I think and relate. Trey warned Darrell when we first married that "Mom has never met a brochure she didn't love!"

Thanks to all who were interested in our trip and followed the blog. It was great to share with you the wonderful places we visited. As you can imagine - my photos could not do justice to the beauty, history and intrigue of these places.

Friends from the Cruise

Thanks so much to Gail and Bob Popeney from California for forwarding these photos! We were able to share several day trips and dinners with wonderful folks that we met on Oceania! And thanks also to Nancy Hancock from Des Moines for also sharing photos!

Roman Forum

This area was the seat of power for the Roman Empire for over 1000 years. Only remants of temples, palaces, and other important buildings remain. The years after the fall of the Roman Empire - the area was filled over and eventually buried. The street levels are at least 20 feet above thhe forum area. Excavations on on-going.

But is is neat to walk in this place and to know that the Romans shaped the history and influenced the founders of our country.

Palatine Hill in the Roman Forum Area

Palantine Hill was the site of the palaces of the Emporers of Rome. This hill was adjacant to and overlooked the Roman forum. Palaces were subsequently built over the top of the older ones -so many of the archeaological remains overlap. This hill is considered the location for the founding of Rome in 700 BC by Romuls. Archeaologists have excavated back to small "huts" that predate written history on this hill.

Excavations are ongoing in many parts of the Palentine and the Roman Forum.

Roman Treasury

These are the columns that remain in the Roman Forum for the Treasury Building. They make look familar because this image is on American money. Our American forefathers respected the Democratic principles of the Roman Empire and adapted some of the best features when they planned our country.

Ceremonial Arches

The Roman Emporer's built huge ceremonial Arches and located them on the "Processional Way" where huge parades into the old city were held. These arches were carved to show the Emporer's great military accomplishments. Here are 3 of the central arches in the Roman Forum area: 1. Constantine 2. Titus 3. Septimius Seversus.

They each look about the same - but each one celebrated a different Emperor.

Roman Colosseum

The Flavian Ampitheater (aka Colosseum) is the most famous site in Rome. It is adjacent to the Roman Forum. The is where gladiators fought and the Christians were killed.

Ancient Romans loved their spectacle. Even modern sporting arenas today have adopted a similar shape for football or baseball games. The Colosseum could hold over 60,000 people.

Santa Maria Della Popollo Church

This church was also part of the Angels and Demons movie - signifying "Earth". Inside are several Bernini masterpieces and Caravaggio paintings. The church is in Popollo Square which is eliptical shaped with the fountains of Neptune and an obelisk in the center.

Notice there is a pyramid inside the church in the Chigi Chapel. (The "Demon's Hole" and a few of Bernini pieces where under rennovation in the Chigi Chapel).

The "Martyrdom of Saint Peter" by Caravaggio hangs in a chapel to the left of the Altar.
Their are 4 central buildings around the Popollo Square with 2 being churches and 2 being civic. This is the "Square of the People".

Obelisks from Egypt

The Romans captured Egypt after the fall of Cleopatra. They brought many obelisks back from Egypt and placed them in parks all over town. I think there are 13 or so original obelisks to be found in Rome. Many of these are 2000-3000 years old.

The Romans and the Catholic Church adapted many of their symbols from the Egypt culture. These obelisks are shown from the following squares: Santa Trinita, Santa Minerva, The Pantheon, Piazza Narvona and Popollo Square.