Hi, I’m the Wife of Bath, and I travel independently (mostly through Europe) with my spouse, (I’ll call him the Husband of Bath, or HOB). What thrills us most (and gets our butts on planes, trains and buses ) is to see art “in situ” that is, where it was made, in its original context.
This blog is for everyone who loves to travel for culture, but especially for those of you who, like me, live on a modest budget and need to travel accordingly. You may also be, ahem, middle-aged, but perfectly able to carry a backpack and boldly butcher the local language while eating street food at a UNESCO World Heritage site. Just get out there and travel, and let me know what music you heard, what art enchanted you, and where you had your picnic.
Picnic at the Cathedral 
We returned from Europe a few months ago .. and have a ton of photos. One of my blog posts in several months that I will post, I may seek your opinion of Biblical scene meaning via some fabulous stained glass art. I only recognize the Nativity, 3 Magi, Annunciation, Last Supper, Noah’s Ark, Annuniciation, Cavalery, Cruxificion, Resurrection…..as a non-Christian.
My biblical understanding is based um..on childhood Sunday school for only few years. Then my university major in English lit. of course drew upon literary works with biblical allusions / metaphors.You can imagine, how lost and felt “lesser” in my knowledge when ploughing through John Donne, etc. I draw upon Catholic interpretations when we go into certain cathedrals, on my partner who was an altar boy drop-out by the time he was 10 yrs. old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jean,
I can’t wait to see your pictures of the stained glass? What church were they in?
What does one have to do to be an altar boy drop out—-that sounds so naughty!
LikeLike
Strausborg Notre Dame Cathedral (2nd time I’ve been there)
Notre Dame Cathedral in Beaune, France
St. Jacob’s Cathedral/Church in Rotenburg der au Taber
Sagrada Famila, Barcelona (whole post is in hopper for this)
Basilica of Santa Maria Del Bar, Barcelona
Barcelona Cathedral
Dijon Cathedral, France
In 2010, I went to Freiburg Cathedral, Germany.
Others in Copenhagen.
I’m contemplating on blog post re violence as depicted in some of museums and cathedrdals… Christians should never be too snotty to fundamentalist Muslims….some horrible violent times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He got bored and tired of whatever hypocrisy he saw/perceived at the time. Also his voice broke and he couldn’t sing properly. He was trying to remember the different stations in a Catholic church.. when I asked him about the different sections of a cathedral.
His mother was a quiet observing Catholic until she died. That’s the real link for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, you saw some amazing cathedrals! I’m crazy about the gothic carvings in Strasbourg and I want to go the Frieburg to see the weird gargoyles there. I’ve never been to Copenhagen because it’s so expensive.
You should write a post on the anti-muslim art—I was pretty horrified when we followed the Camino path through France through Northern Spain and watched St. James the humble pilgrim being transformed to St. James the Moor Slayer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t see anti-Muslim imagery…probably because I wasn’t looking a lot. I simply saw the typical…Jesus under attack…..we came across some medieval or near-Rennaissance panel paintings, where women (the sinners), were tortured.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just been reading again all your posts on Baltic Republics and will follow your steps: going to buy you a great bottle of Italian red as royalties 🙂 … excellent posts, really, bravo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie Maurizo! When are you going to the Baltics? Of course there was so much more we wanted to do, but even with just a couple of weeks we go to see a lot of beautiful places. Looking forward to seeing your picture (and to my royalties—-salute!)
LikeLike
I’m boarding to Cambodia and Laos right now, in BKK: will keep you updated on my Baltic plans, and prepare the bottle …
LikeLiked by 1 person
So jealous. Have a wonderful trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOB…Your blog is one of my favs. I’m wondering if you can recommend a place to stay in Chicago this late June 2018 for five nights (family wedding in the suburbs but lots of art seeking in the city of Chicago). We have never been to Chicago but as native–New Yorkers we know the challenge of finding a diamond in the rough that doesn’t break the bank. Currently booked at a pretty pricey hotel in Lakeside? If you don’t feel comfortable with my request…fully understood. Thanks for delighting us with humor and vision!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind words, theartonthewall. I’m happy to hear you’ll be visiting Chicago. I don’t know much about finding hotels here because I never have to do it, but depending on what you’re looking for, an airbnb with great public transportation connections seems ideal. I did a quick search and found this place https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19894316?location=Chicago%2C%20IL&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&check_in=2018-02-20&check_out=2018-02-21&s=aTL-ezBR
which is near where I live and has an express bus to downtown that stops directly in front as well as the red line train nearby. You could also get on the 155 Devon bus for a short trip to the Indian neighborhood which is lovely and good food. Might as well buy a Ventra card and move around a lot!
Hope your wedding is lots of fun. Send me an email at picnicatthecathedral@gmail.com if I can help you find some art, esp. if you like contemporary art.
LikeLike
So generous of you!!!! I’ll be in touch. Thanks. Love the connections you are making.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! I enjoyed reading your post on travel photography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love temples so your blog is quite fascinating for me!
LikeLike
Love this blog! And you might have the best opening photo on WordPress, hats off to you, WoB!
Fabrizio
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie Fabrizio!
LikeLiked by 1 person