Porta Romana, Milan

I enjoyed a walk around the Porta Romana area in the city a couple weekends ago. It's a historic area where a lot of the teachers at my school live. It's a definite possibility when I move into the city... there is a lot to do and it is also near to the tram that goes toward school.

A smoke-and-reading break for the tram driver:

Happy Wall - Copenhagen

I love the Happy Wall in Copenhagen! Interactive art pieces throughout city... are awesome.   : )

It IS often the little, random things that can add some happiness in a day!

There was a family with a young boy at the wall and they were working to flip over various pieces. After some time, the they all stepped back and the mom asked the boy (in French) what he had spelled... he yelled out, "Victor!" Haha... so cute - must be his name. They then took a picture of Victor standing in front of his name on the wall.

More pictures can be seen here: Guerrilla Innvoation

The Happy Wall is in a large, beautiful square...

AND then I turned the corner and found some lovely street art paintings, which I matched with one of my favorite photos from my time living in Vietnam (left, below):

walking around Brussels...

Brussels is a nice city... although I'm glad we had time to also go to Bruges for a day-trip... it is nice to be able to see such different parts of Belgium! I'd like to get back some day and see more. Below are photos taken while we were out and about in Brussels:

Reading and enjoying the sunshine  : )

Cute...

I love this street art!

The flowers and buildings are equally gorgeous...

(one end of the Grand Plaza...)

city messages - Verona

I enjoyed seeing various messages around the city of Verona... on bridges, buildings, columns...

Well... did you brush your teeth this morning??

Always a good reminder:

Porta Venezia, Milano

Yesterday, I went into the city to meet up with a couple friends.

I really like the Porta Venezia area in the city... and want to explore it more next year. There's great shopping, restaurants, a fun feel, and even a square filled with hearts!

Some other photos that I took while in the city:

Gorgeous day. Gorgeous duomo.

M for Milano.

Nonny in Florence... butterflies

Seeing a butterfly is a symbol for me that my Nonny (grandma) is there with me... whether really there with me or in spirit. My Nonny loved butterflies. I remember her numerous butterfly magnets on the fridge and some that were on the wall... in a hallway in her house and in the bathroom... all over. Especially being in Italy - where her family is from and where so much of our family culture is based - I feel Nonny with me often.

Another street art initiative around Florence are butterflies! What a way to brighten up a city. I love it.

I took only a couple photos of the butterflies - but there were many around the city.

One butterfly was on the ground... and I picked it up to keep and use as a bookmark!

street poster art - Florence

...More from the streets around Florence...

the art of swimming - Florence

More of the street art in Florence... and some of my favorites! There are a number of L'arte sa nuotare (The art of swimming) characters. Another street art scavenger hunt! Wonderful. Beautiful. Creative.

There is even a Facebook page for L'arte sa nuotare! ...apparently it is in other cities as well... such as Barcelona - awesome!

street art scavenger hunt in Florence

Walking around Florence, I noticed a lot of street art... but not as much huge graffiti painting on buildings, but smaller pieces of art... many of which were themed throughout different parts of the city.

Below are a bunch of stickmen that I saw... with various mini messages: