From the vault: Eze, 2007

The view from Eze, looking down on Villefranche. One of the loveliest places on Earth, I think.
I should belatedly give a shout-out to Heather Fultz, who suggested I visit Eze in the first place, and who last night gave me a most flattering haircut...

From the vault: Eze, 2007

Architectural detail spotted in Eze, Provence.

From the vault: Brescia, 2007

Haven't had anything to post lately, so herewith a couple of photos from Brescia, Italy, that I took in 2007 before the start of the Mille Miglia. At top is the Capitolium erected by Vespasian in 73 AD and excavated in 1823. Below is a bit of architectural detail that seems to have incurred a bit of damage over the years, perhaps during the Partisan fighting during and shortly after WWII. (The history of Italy after the war is absolutely fascinating, particularly as it concerns U.S. anti-communist intervention. It's not much of a stretch to say that the U.S. played a major role in fomenting much of the rightist violence and discord that marked postwar Italy, all in the name of preventing leftist governments -- whether socialist or communist -- from taking control.)

A surprise in the Tenderloin

What a surprise to find such a gorgeous building when I took Carmen the dog to St. Boniface in the Tenderloin for the St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals. You'd never notice the place from the street, perhaps because you're too busy trying to avoid the perils of the Tenderloin, but once inside you're greeted by some beautiful old stained glass and wonderfully harmonious decorations everywhere you look. As a bonus, it's got that whole Franciscan vibe, which is pretty cool in itself—especially for dogs.

Nice light, Sts. Peter and Paul