Things I learn on the road...
"I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma." - Eartha Kitt
Today Tomas and I stopped by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, since we were passing through on our way north. They are currently hosting an exhibition titled Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius. I mean, seriously, was it even possible for us to pass up a chance to see the work of one of the greatest artists of all time? No. It wasn't. We went, and enjoyed it. It made me think.
Like me, Tomas, and many others, LdV was the sort of person who started lots of things with great enthusiasm, and really finished relatively few of them. The difference is, even his half-finished pencil-sketch type stuff is brilliant.
After viewing the exhibition, we walked around the permanent collections. Their medieval/renaissance collection was terribly small, and what there was, I can't display photos from. The High is very protective, and won't permit any photos from their facility to be put onto personal websites.
But moving back to the real world... I did learn some less-than-brilliant things on this trip. And I'll share them, on the slim chance that they might entertain or enlighten you...
What I learned in the Keys:
The Keys are infested with fire ants. Intellectually, I did know this, but didn't think about it. We disturbed a nest setting up our pavilion, and they literally swarmed the booth. A week later, I still have healing bites on my feet. At least when we took down the tents, I was paying better attention and avoided stings.
Next time, bring a bike. The Keys are very friendly to bikes, scooters and motorcycles. Not so much to autos. There are almost no auto parking areas, and all that there are, are metered or pay-lot situations. There are, however, convenient and free bike racks all over.
Next time, carry cash. There are a lot of places in the Keys that simply don't accept credit cards. Neither I nor Tomas was prepared for the fact that many restaurants down there are cash-only. The ones that DO take cards are generally the touristy over-priced places.
Chickens have gone wild! There are flocks of wild chickens all over the Keys. It is weird seeing farm animals running around like pigeons or sparrows.
Duval Street=Bourbon Street Ever been to New Orleans? Like Bourbon Street there, Duval street is dead quiet and full of art galleries and restaurant/bars. By day, anyhow. By night, the street is filled with hookers and other nightlife. The "Duval Crawl" is apparently a tradition, which I handily ignored.
Key West is apparently a center of gay/alternative sexual culture. I didn't know that going in, but walking around at night you will see a lot of people in drag. You can also find fetish shops, blatantly, though tastefully, advertised.
Crows are intelligent enough to teach. One of the pirates had a pet African Pied Crow that he taught to understand commands much as one would teach a parrot.
I could probably think of more odd tidbits, but I think that is enough for one night.
Today Tomas and I stopped by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, since we were passing through on our way north. They are currently hosting an exhibition titled Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius. I mean, seriously, was it even possible for us to pass up a chance to see the work of one of the greatest artists of all time? No. It wasn't. We went, and enjoyed it. It made me think.
Like me, Tomas, and many others, LdV was the sort of person who started lots of things with great enthusiasm, and really finished relatively few of them. The difference is, even his half-finished pencil-sketch type stuff is brilliant.
After viewing the exhibition, we walked around the permanent collections. Their medieval/renaissance collection was terribly small, and what there was, I can't display photos from. The High is very protective, and won't permit any photos from their facility to be put onto personal websites.
But moving back to the real world... I did learn some less-than-brilliant things on this trip. And I'll share them, on the slim chance that they might entertain or enlighten you...
What I learned in the Keys:
I could probably think of more odd tidbits, but I think that is enough for one night.