Genoa, Italy

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to Thank Christopher Columbus for our thanksgiving Celebration.

"Wait a minute" you say...  If you think about it, without Christopher Columbus America would not have been discovered when it was and the the pilgrims may not have come to America when they did and we wouldn't have had Thanksgiving. So, everyone should give Christopher Columbus a big "Thank You" for discovering America when he did as you celebrate and give thanks during your Thanksgiving activities.

Since someone (could have been me) mentioned Christopher Columbus, it reminded me of Genoa. See how I tied Thanksgiving in with Genoa. Just wait until I discuss Rome and the Vatican as we approach Christmas.

Getting back to my story. We visited Genoa, Italy when our ship made port at Savona, Italy. You probably know Genoa from the Christopher Columbus connection. This is where he was born and spent his childhood before exploring for Spain.

On our way, we once again saw the dry rivers of Europe.

A visit to Genoa would not be complete without a view of a ship similar to what Columbus actually used.

Our first stop was to the local cathedral. Isn't this always the first stop in Europe?

And of course, this cathedral had a pair of lions out front.

Inside, this cathedral looks like many others that we have seen.

 

 After the Cathedral, the tour guide gave us a map and left us to explore Genoa on our own. As we head to the Palazzi del Rolli we see many, many old and interesting buildings.

As we walking these narrow streets, we were just amazed at the architecture that we saw. Upon closer examination, the buildings were really remarkable.

As we make it to the Palazzi del Rolli, it is beautiful regardless of which way we look.

We go across the plaza and find an interesting building design. Each building, street after street, has a covered walkway.

The sidewalk in these covered walkways are tiled with different patterns.

The signs took on a Las Vegas or Broadway look with lights and neon.

In one of the bakeries (there are small bakeries all over Europe) we saw this sign. What a neat saying.

Then we turned the corner and saw another food sign. They seem to be everywhere, even in Europe. Notice the graffiti on the sign. That is another thing that appears to be all over Europe, including on antiquities that are centuries old.

As we are walking back towards our tour bus, I saw a small business on the other side of the street while our side had an alley directly across from the store.  Then I realized that they just built another store in the alley. It wasn't the only alley that they did it in. Look real close and you can see the alley is directly behind the store.

The alley was another example of Europe with a multitude of motorcycles in it. It was really a whole herd of motorcycles. I suppose some of you are saying that a number of motorcycles is not a herd. Well, what is a number of motorcycles? I rest by my explanation of a herd of motorcycles.

As we continue our walk, I notice the street lights. Again, another example of how fancy the street lights are in Europe.

As we walk the narrow streets, possible the same streets Christopher Columbus walked as a lad, I spot a young lady at a motorcycle wearing a safety vest. She intrigued me. Can you figure out what she is doing before you read the answer?

 

I watched her for a little while more as she went down the narrow street, stopping every so often, delivering the mail. I thought this was so interesting on how they do this in the narrow streets of Genoa.

Once again, have a Happy Thanksgiving.