Murano Glass Chandelier

I talked about Venice in the previous post and I forgot to mention Murano, which is located off the shore of Venice. Murano is a well-known place for producing Murano glass, a famous product of Venice for centuries. It's home to a marvelous glass museum and several glass factories where you can watch these artists work in their own environment. Murano has its own Grand Canal, along with fascinating shops and sidewalk cafes. If Venice is too busy or overrun with tourists, go to Murano for the workshops and watch the fascinating process of making class in order to better appreciate the time, craftsmanship, and its artisanal creation. It's worth a ride to Murano island by water-taxi.

The art of making glass in Murano first made its appearance in the 8th century. The artistry and skill required to create each piece is undeniable, as is the long, elaborate and often arduous process of its making.

This chandelier was bought for our home when we were there. I love the lanterns of this light's design. It is very Asian and shows the details and hand painting. Another fun thing of this style chandelier is that you can add more lanterns into your chandelier, and we did 13 of them because 13 is our lucky number. Now, it is hung on the ceiling of our bedroom and reminds us of our sweet memory of our trip.

New F21 Sweater.

I styled it with my old Alaia skirt, Urban Outfitters body suit, Eddie Bruno necklace, Givenchy boots. Last week, the weather wasn't too cold-69 F during daytime, so I wanted to wear the sheer tights that added softness and sexiness to this outfit. Wish you all a wonderful day!!!

Thank you very much for visiting my blog and your sweet comments. I truly appreciate it as always. Kisses...Hanh ;-)

Poland -- New Pictures of Lancut Synagogue

The Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland (FODZ) has posted a gallery of gorgeous new pictures of the synagogue in Lancut, Poland, part of the Hassidic route that it sponsors.

Click HERE for the gallery.

Breakfast at Home

Breakfast at Home

Hahaha....just playing dress-up and having some fun on a lazy afternoon at home with my hubby and kids.

Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Vera Wang necklace, Aldo ring, Alaia dress, Ysl pumps...Lol!!!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I have seen this movie a million times. It's a classic movie, I love it so much!!!and you probably do, too. Audrey Hepburn is a beautiful, elegant, graceful and charming with her stunning face, an icon to many people. Her style is timeless and classic. Everyone knows that, so I don't need to say more.

The book "Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit" by author Sean Hepburn Ferrer who is also her son, is one of my favorite books. It features nearly three hundred photographs, documents and artwork by Audrey herself, many of which were previously unavailable. In this book, the author offers an intimate glimpse into the life of Hollywood's most celebrated actress. Sean tells us his mother's remarkable story, from her childhood in war-torn Holland to the height of her fame, to her autumn years far from the camera and the crush of the paparazzi. It's a rare look at Audrey not from the photographer's lens, but through the eyes of the son who adored her. I received this book from few years ago as a Christmas gift from my sweet husband. I hope this book gives you an idea for your Christmas shopping this year.

1939, Arnhem, Holland. Photograph by Manon van Suchtelen. Audrey Hepburn Estate Collection.Sean at home in 1960, only a few weeks old. Photograph by Mel Ferrer.
Ethiopia, 1988. Photograph by John Issac.

Wishing you all a wonderful, blessed weekend!!!!

Thank you very much for your kind comment!!!

Big hugs...Hanh;-)

E-Ticket For The Next Flight

In one of my previous posts Is It Posible To Plan A Trip With Iberia? I began to tell you about the vacation my husband planned for next month. I can't know, if they read my post in Iberia but after that torture I described you, suddenly the things changed for the best. They changed the flights 2 times more, yes, but at least they did not obbligued me to call their paid client service. They understood, they can perfectly communicate me the non essential changes via e-mail.

Well, now the day of the departure is for the door. And there are some important things to remember. Passport and travel tax. I forgot them completely.
First of all we have to remember to control if the passport is valid. My god, do you think it's clear as the daylight? Yes, but not when your mind is full of problems: the last gifts, little things to buy, PC that does not work, gas and wood and ... Everything to repair, to control...
And if your flight is on Monday and you remember about passport and travel tax on Friday...

But I wanted to tell you about e-tickets.
It's the greatest invention of the era of internet, believe me. I remember those times, when I had to go in the capital to buy flight tickets for my vacations. There were terrible queues, I had to stay hours and hours, days and days there, to reach booking office.

Now I find the flight in internet, I book it. It's not necessary even to print the mail with the confirmation. I print it, but nobody asks for it in the airport. It's enough to show the passport. Great! The flight ticket is the confirmation of your payment. Nothing more. I really LOVE e-tickets.

The only thing you have to look carefuly is when you book your flight. Some companies do not accept e-tickets. And it's written near the information about the flight. So, if you have to receive your flight ticket by post, you need to book the flight at least a month before the day of departure!

And the last good thing of e-booking is e-checking. :0)))
It's possible to choose your place in the airplane sitting for your PC. It's important if you have preferences or your flight is long and you don't want to disturb the sleeping persons that sit near you, for example.

Vatican -- Concern over transformation of disused churches

 Presov, Slovakia --- exterior and interior of a synagogue transformed into a department store. Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber, 2006

By Ruth Ellen Gruber

What to do with abandoned or disused synagogues (in Europe but also elsewhere), and what constitutes appropriate use for them, are perennial issues affecting preservation agencies, congregants, and other interested parties. After the Holocaust, synagogues in many parts of Europe were sold or seized and transformed for secular use -- warehouses,  shops, apartments, workshops, fire stations, a bakery, libraries, museums, culture centers, restaurants, etc etc.

The Final Statement of the seminar last March on maintaining Jewish heritage sites suggested as best practice:

Synagogues and former synagogues should retain a Jewish identity and or use whenever possible, though each one does not necessarily need to be restored or fully renovated.

Former synagogues, no matter what their present ownership or use, should be sensitively marked to identify their past history.

As part of the effort to restitute communal and religious property, when a property of historic value - such as a synagogue - in disrepair or otherwise in a ruined condition (while in the government's possession) is returned, States should help either by modifying laws which impose penalties for not maintaining properties in reasonable condition, or by providing financial and material assistance to undertake necessary repairs and restoration.

Now, the Vatican has expressed similar concern over disused churches that are sold. According to AFP,
Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican's new chief of cultural affairs said Thursday that Roman Catholic churches where there were few worshippers could be sold off. But he urged "the greatest caution" in doing so.

A church in Hungary, he said,  was "transformed into a nightclub and where striptease took place on the altar."

The archbishop, who is president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said dwindling numbers of worshippers at some churches meant it now made sense to sell, or even destroy, the buildings.

"Faced with falling number of worshippers, a phenomenon which we are also unfortunately witnessing in the centre of Rome, churches without any artistic value and which need significant work can be sold or destroyed," he told reporters.

Read full AFP story

Venice, Italy: Magical City On Water

We visited Venice once, and we believe Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It attracts millions of travelers each year. The city is built on the water, just two or four feet above sea level. Unfortunetly, it is rotting away, sinking slowly into the sea. It truly makes you a believer in fairy tales. Cars are banned, so the only way to get around this 5th century city is by foot or by watertaxi. You'll be awed by the magical beauty. It is filled with extraordinary architectural masterpieces and art - The Peggy Guggenheim museum is amazing. Fine shopping and little stores are on every corner; some of the local specialties are carnival masks, Murano glass, and marble paper. Relax in the Piazza San Marco, feed hundreds of pigeons, visit the basilicas, drink a bellini at Harry's bar, wander the romantic alleyways and bridges, and ride on gondolas through canals: These are just some of the unbelievably fabulous things to do. It's really a perfect place for a romantic getaway. Gosh!!! Writing this post makes me want to visit Venice again, right away...It brought back so much sweet memories that's filling my heart.

Piazza San Marco, with Bell Tower and Basilica San Marco ahead.

Basilica San Marco from the corner.High water in Venice, when the tide rises.
In St Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) with high water, they have to build the platform walkway.
Magically, the high water is gone the next morning.
St Mark's square at night. Live music and seating outside of a cafeteria in St Mark's square at night.
Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute seen from Grand Canal.
Gondolas are an icon in Venice.
One of the narrow canals.Ponte Della Paglia bridge.
Bridge of Sighs at night.
Riatto bridge.
Bell Tower, Doge's Palace, St Mark's square seen from seaside.
Doge's Palace. Tourists.
Forever 21-Fun

Forever 21 sequin-faux fur jacket, tank, tutu skirt, new F21 leggings. Ysl pumps, Alaia clutch.

Wishing you all a HAPPY Thanksgiving day and a wonderful weekend with your family and friends!!!eat alot of pie, joyfully laugh and party hard with your loved ones!!

Kisses...Hanh ;-)

Budapest -- JTA Highlights Ovas! and its attempts to save the architectural fabric of the Seventh District old Jewish quarter

 My favorite sign in the 7th district (for a dentist). I hope it doesn't get gentrified away... Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber

JTA's intrepid Wandering Jew, Ben Harris, has written a lively story on the continuing battles over the fate of the Seventh District, Budapest's old downtown Jewish Quarter -- and the district in which  have had an apartment for the past 10 years. (It's a good summary -- and I'm glad to see it because I'm due to speak about the development of the Seventh District at a conference in a couple of weeks in Vilnius...)

He highlights the gentrification but also the activities of Ovas!, an organization founded about five years ago, in attempting to save the dilapidated buildings of the District from unscrupulous developers and the wreckers' ball. Ovas! fights the good fight, but to me the group's failure has been to say "no" to tearing down buildings without putting forward strong, positive alternative strategies.

 Poster for Ovas! outside the Siraly cafe on Kiraly street, Dec. 2008. Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber

I advised Ovas! a little at the start of their activities (they even brought me to brief a city official on my strategic views) and I spoke about the development of Jewish quarters in general at a conference a few years ago organized by Ovas! A number of the people involved (including several of those quoted by Harris in his story) are friends of mine, and I particularly admire the detailed work that Anna Perczel has carried out so passionately over the years. Her book on the buildings of the district is exciting, to read -- but particularly to walk around with.

(See my own JTA story from 2004 about Ovas! by clicking HERE)

Gozsdu Udvar is a controversial restoration/gentrification project in Budapest's Seventh District. In later August/early September, part of the annual Jewish culture festival took place here. Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber

Harris notes some of the corruption involved in the development of the District (fast becoming one of the city's trendiest neighborhoods for cafes and pubs). Many of the developers involved are Israeli.

Gyorgy Hunvald, the mayor of District 7, which includes the Jewish quarter, was deeply involved in selling off historic properties and allegedly making buckets of cash in the process. Hunvald was arrested in February and is now in jail facing charges of bribery and abuse of office.

Perczel sketched out a mind-bogglingly complex story of how investors, developers and the authorities in District 7 colluded to sell off properties, move people out of their homes, and tear down historic buildings for redevelopment. Some aspects of the corruption she describes border on the comical, as when a document that the district was obliged to take into account in formulating its development plan was declared secret and sealed for 15 years.

         Read full story at JTA web site


I began writing about these battles nearly 10 years ago, around the time that I got my apartment, when the local government in the Seventh District (local administrations in Budapest have more power than the city-wide administration) had drawn up plans to punch a pedestrian walkway, the "Madach Promenade", through the district.

When I wrote a "Letter from Budapest" on the issue for Business Week, gentrification of the area was just beginning, but  issues had already festered for years -- actually, for nearly a century. Planners had dreamed of building a new "Madach Avenue" through the district -- and in the 1930s had gotten close: they tore down the so-called Orczy House, a rambling center of Jewish life in the city, and in its place built a brick apartment complex with a huge archway that was to be the gateway to the new Madach Avenue. World War II put an end to these plans.

The Madach Promenade, in fact, is the latest incarnation of a grandiose dream that city planners have tried to implement at intervals over the past century. The failures left the district in limbo, compounding damage done by war and communist-era neglect. Three years ago, architect Andras Roman singled out the Madach plan as an example of how a bold but misplaced vision contributes to urban blight. In ''The Tragedy of an Avenue,'' which appeared in a Budapest cultural journal, Roman traced the failures to the city's behavior as a living organism. City planners, he wrote, ''didn't realize that a city wants to progress by its own rules. It is an inner process that resists the artificial.''

Today, despite all the plans, this process persists. In fact, many locals doubt that the Madach scheme will ever come to pass. But the state of limbo may turn into a fait accompli. Demolition by neglect is a byproduct of inertia, and vacant lots can be more valuable than those with old buildings on them. The Seventh will change, but perhaps not as anyone now envisages.

         Read full Business Week story
 
        Read my 2004 JTA article about OVAS!