Today was a day of churches and more churches. It's amazing how many churches there are in Sicily when the place was founded by Phoenecians and conquered by muslims and has therefore only had a christian presence since the 1200's (The city was founded in the 8th century B.C.). However, the Artwork in the Palentine Chapels and cathedral in Palermo are huge Byzantine-style mozaics of bible scenes combined with arab architectural features which makes a very interesting combination.
Italy is a place where history is everywhere, including in the present. While going on a run this afternoon I stuck out like a sore thumb. Perhaps it was because I was wearing running clothes and the youth around me were wearing the fashions of tomorrow, but I could have been walking around in 12th century Palermo and might have blended in better.
In any case, my project for the next couple of days is to do some more exploring on my own and hopefully to communicate with some local youth. I don't know Italian, but I can say enough with the few words I know combined with some slow Spanish that it should make for an interesting conversation.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
To where no Kushner has gone before
Though my grandparents are very well travelled, they had not yet gone to Sicily, at least not until today.
The day started with the awesome eruption of an active volcano, Stromboli, which erupts every 20 minutes with jets of lava. Amazingly, people still live on the island in the shadow of the volcanoes cinder cone in spite of past disasters such as Pompeii.
The afternoon saw a visit to Cerafu, a small seaport on the northern side of Sicily. The town was delightful with sandy beaches and lots of sun as well as friendly Italians, narrow streets, sweet ice cream, traffic jams (involving cars, vespas, and pedestrians), and amazingly inconspicuous thousand-year-old cathedrals and olive oil factories.
While touring, I learned a valuable lesson from the Normans who ruled the island during the 12th and 13th centuries: tolerance is the best policy towards diversity, even if you are an absolute monarch. Roger II, a catholic and a Norman, on advice of the pope, invaded a Muslim-run Sicily in the 12th century AD. When he successfully conquered the island, Normans made up only 7% of the population. However, by involving Muslims in government and adopting 3 official languages (Latin, Greek, Arabic, and sometimes Hebrew), he was able to usher in a golden age of art and architecture to the island.
Also, my first attempted exploratory mission on my own, a desired walk down the beach, was vetoed by Grandma and Grandpa. The reason, it was not safe and the mafia is strong in Sicily. After careful negotiation, I was able to secure some exploratory time for myself in the upcoming ports.
A long day of sightseeing and some amazing sights coming up, so I'm signing off for now.
The day started with the awesome eruption of an active volcano, Stromboli, which erupts every 20 minutes with jets of lava. Amazingly, people still live on the island in the shadow of the volcanoes cinder cone in spite of past disasters such as Pompeii.
The afternoon saw a visit to Cerafu, a small seaport on the northern side of Sicily. The town was delightful with sandy beaches and lots of sun as well as friendly Italians, narrow streets, sweet ice cream, traffic jams (involving cars, vespas, and pedestrians), and amazingly inconspicuous thousand-year-old cathedrals and olive oil factories.
While touring, I learned a valuable lesson from the Normans who ruled the island during the 12th and 13th centuries: tolerance is the best policy towards diversity, even if you are an absolute monarch. Roger II, a catholic and a Norman, on advice of the pope, invaded a Muslim-run Sicily in the 12th century AD. When he successfully conquered the island, Normans made up only 7% of the population. However, by involving Muslims in government and adopting 3 official languages (Latin, Greek, Arabic, and sometimes Hebrew), he was able to usher in a golden age of art and architecture to the island.
Also, my first attempted exploratory mission on my own, a desired walk down the beach, was vetoed by Grandma and Grandpa. The reason, it was not safe and the mafia is strong in Sicily. After careful negotiation, I was able to secure some exploratory time for myself in the upcoming ports.
A long day of sightseeing and some amazing sights coming up, so I'm signing off for now.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ashes to ashes, dust to ... plaster?
Yesterday's trip was to the former Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The interesting views of these communities preserved in their final hours on earth is a real testament to how real a threat mortality is. However, it also shows how it is possible that your legacy can live on in a very interesting fashion. In the case of some of Pompeii's less affluent citizens who were left behind, in the form of a cast of their final position as they were hit by the 800 degree F blast of a pyroclastic flow from nearby Vesuvius in August of 79 AD.
It is important not to despair, however, because the remaining inhabitants of the Roman empire went on to rule much of the known world for another 3 1/2 centuries. It is curious to wonder how people 2000 years in the future will look back on our civilization. Will they think that today's soccer games are as primitive as the gladiatorial games in Rome seem to us, or begin using phrases like, "it took them a whole 8 hours to get across the Atlantic!" Who knows? One thing is for sure, Pompei and Herculaneum are a testament to the fact that being accomplished alone does not guarantee you a place in history. It also helps to keep a good written history your own accomplishments. An interesting example is a rich fish sauce seller in Pompei who's vain frescoes tell us both his name and that he was one of the largest fish sauce manufacturers in ancient Rome.
In any case, I hope that I will be remembered rather in the history books than as a plaster cast buried by 10 feet of volcanic ash, but who knows. Right now all we can do is live life.
In other news, today I went to Paestum, which includes some of the best preserved Doric architecture in Greek temples dating back 2500 years. These were abandoned during Roman times due to an influx of Malaria. All along, I've been helping my grandpa and pushing my grandparents to take new challenges. This experience has reminded me that the definition of "adventure" changes with age. What for me is merely an afternoon stroll, for my grandparents becomes a great challenge, but it is a pleasure to spend time with them, and I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be, except perhaps if my mom, Sam, Michael, and my friends could come along for the adventure too.
Also, the average age on the ship must be 60, but I have managed to meet a couple other young people who seem nice. Well, I've got an active volcano to watch at 5AM my time, so I'm off.
Arrivederci!
It is important not to despair, however, because the remaining inhabitants of the Roman empire went on to rule much of the known world for another 3 1/2 centuries. It is curious to wonder how people 2000 years in the future will look back on our civilization. Will they think that today's soccer games are as primitive as the gladiatorial games in Rome seem to us, or begin using phrases like, "it took them a whole 8 hours to get across the Atlantic!" Who knows? One thing is for sure, Pompei and Herculaneum are a testament to the fact that being accomplished alone does not guarantee you a place in history. It also helps to keep a good written history your own accomplishments. An interesting example is a rich fish sauce seller in Pompei who's vain frescoes tell us both his name and that he was one of the largest fish sauce manufacturers in ancient Rome.
In any case, I hope that I will be remembered rather in the history books than as a plaster cast buried by 10 feet of volcanic ash, but who knows. Right now all we can do is live life.
In other news, today I went to Paestum, which includes some of the best preserved Doric architecture in Greek temples dating back 2500 years. These were abandoned during Roman times due to an influx of Malaria. All along, I've been helping my grandpa and pushing my grandparents to take new challenges. This experience has reminded me that the definition of "adventure" changes with age. What for me is merely an afternoon stroll, for my grandparents becomes a great challenge, but it is a pleasure to spend time with them, and I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be, except perhaps if my mom, Sam, Michael, and my friends could come along for the adventure too.
Also, the average age on the ship must be 60, but I have managed to meet a couple other young people who seem nice. Well, I've got an active volcano to watch at 5AM my time, so I'm off.
Arrivederci!
When in Rome...
I am a big fan of museums because they often offer the chance to learn about something that you wouldn't usually learn. In the case of Rome, I learned that the entire city was a sort of museum. On display, among other things, the local Italians. The reason for this was mainly my short stay. I think that I managed, in 7 or 8 hours, to see the largest possible number of Roman sites, including the Vatican museums (including the Sistine Chapel), the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, among others.
Overall, the city was great and the Vatican was very impressive. It was nice to see that G-d, or at the very least a very insistent Pope, could inspire such great works of art. One surprise was the synagogue of the former Jewish Ghetto. It is often easy to forget that the Rome, home to the center of the Catholic church, is also home to a Jewish community that dates back to before the birth of Jesus. One of the oldest communities in the world, these Jews have had their share of persecution over the years, including being relegated to a ghetto in a specific part of the city in the 300 years previous to the unification of Italy in 1870 (although they were allowed to leave this part of the city to work during the day). Another interesting fact is that the pope, in spite of encouraging the inquisition in Spain, actually encouraged fleeing Jews to move to Rome, where he hoped they would help the local economy (which they did).
A great day and also an interesting introduction to modern day Italy through a city that is home to everything from ancient history to living history.
Overall, the city was great and the Vatican was very impressive. It was nice to see that G-d, or at the very least a very insistent Pope, could inspire such great works of art. One surprise was the synagogue of the former Jewish Ghetto. It is often easy to forget that the Rome, home to the center of the Catholic church, is also home to a Jewish community that dates back to before the birth of Jesus. One of the oldest communities in the world, these Jews have had their share of persecution over the years, including being relegated to a ghetto in a specific part of the city in the 300 years previous to the unification of Italy in 1870 (although they were allowed to leave this part of the city to work during the day). Another interesting fact is that the pope, in spite of encouraging the inquisition in Spain, actually encouraged fleeing Jews to move to Rome, where he hoped they would help the local economy (which they did).
A great day and also an interesting introduction to modern day Italy through a city that is home to everything from ancient history to living history.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Lessons of an International Flight
After a day of travelling, I have arrived in Rome and have learned some valuable lessons.
1. Eat something sweet as soon as its given to you: When I was on my Swiss International flight, I was given some Swiss chocolate. Thinking that that would be a great treat for later, I put it in my pocket. I'm smart, I was going to eat it before it melted all over the place. Wrong! Now I've got one chocolate covered cell phone and one chocolate covered pocket.
2. Go to the right baggage claim: After coming through the wrong Italian baggage claim port in Rome, I realized that I had just come through customs and did not have my check luggage. Luckily, I have mastered the art of looking like I know what I am doing and was able to sneak backwards through customs and retrieve my bag.
3. When keeping kosher in Rome, ask what's in the food: My grandparents and I went to a nice italian resaurant, after ordering, the waiter made a suggestion of something else to order. Of course, I took it. One spectacular meal, and one pork meatball and bacon covered pasta later, I have learned this lesson. By the way, "sauce" in Italy can include bacon. Who would have known?
Well, tomorrow I'm off to the Sistine Chapel and right now I'm off to bed with a belly full of home cooked Italian pasta. An interesting start to whats promising to be a great trip.
1. Eat something sweet as soon as its given to you: When I was on my Swiss International flight, I was given some Swiss chocolate. Thinking that that would be a great treat for later, I put it in my pocket. I'm smart, I was going to eat it before it melted all over the place. Wrong! Now I've got one chocolate covered cell phone and one chocolate covered pocket.
2. Go to the right baggage claim: After coming through the wrong Italian baggage claim port in Rome, I realized that I had just come through customs and did not have my check luggage. Luckily, I have mastered the art of looking like I know what I am doing and was able to sneak backwards through customs and retrieve my bag.
3. When keeping kosher in Rome, ask what's in the food: My grandparents and I went to a nice italian resaurant, after ordering, the waiter made a suggestion of something else to order. Of course, I took it. One spectacular meal, and one pork meatball and bacon covered pasta later, I have learned this lesson. By the way, "sauce" in Italy can include bacon. Who would have known?
Well, tomorrow I'm off to the Sistine Chapel and right now I'm off to bed with a belly full of home cooked Italian pasta. An interesting start to whats promising to be a great trip.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Jungle in the back yard
Monday saw the unfolding of an amazing event right in my room. The praying mantis egg case that my brother, Sam, had gotten at the bug fair last week hatched. Hundreds of baby mantises marched out, fully formed miniature versions of their parents, and proceeded to fill their terrarium. Then Sam and I launched an hour-long effort to disperse them in our yard. I would not want to be a tiny bug in my backyard this week.
All of these simultaneous births got me to thinking about the meaning of life, and I came up with this:
"The best way to approach the meaning of life is to live it."
All of these simultaneous births got me to thinking about the meaning of life, and I came up with this:
"The best way to approach the meaning of life is to live it."
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