That exhibition!

 I am sure happy that I took in the Sistine Chapel exhibition at La Galleria in Fort Lauderdale, as it made me appreciate all over again, the sheer genius of Michaelangelo.

I had actually visited the Sistine Chapel itself in the Vatican decades ago, when my children were just pre-teens but I don't think I appreciated what he had actually accomplished and gave the world. 

In fact the only thing I really remembered was the fact that he had painted the ceiling of the Chapel, lying on his back for the entire time.😊 

Random Old Testament prophets above.

It's only now since I have started to take art classes, that the depth of his ability, conquest of every detail and the general production really hit me. 

Remember, in the 1500's, artists had to make their own paints, (you couldnt walk into a store and pick the medium and your colors😁). His use of colors, tints and shades is therefore out of this world.

Further he had no pictures to guide him, so everything came from imagination. 

He got his inspiration from the Old Testament, but it's his interpretation of those texts that is so dynamic.

Noah drunk and naked.

The great flood.

Another angle of the great flood.

The Adam and Eve story.

Some aspects of the judgement.

The judgement en toto.

I am certainly not into religion, but his dynamic interpretation of some of those characters and events is phenomenal.

So happy I went down to Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed it with fellow student Helena.

Even happier that I have this blog so can turn to it from time to time to remind myself what real genius is!

Whoever can, should take it in.

Almost there

 I am in Dubai waiting on an Emirates flight to Sri Lanka.

That county was not on my bucket list, but when I got a message from my good friend Damith on Christmas day 2024, telling me that he and wife Sharlene were back there and I should come and spend time with them. Who could turn down such an exceptional offer?

Not me, especially since I am crazy about elephants and curious about Buddhism. Hope they don't get tired of me before my 3 weeks are up.😁

Naturally, Dubai duty free shops are fabulous and ridiculously expensive!

So here I am in Dubai airport in transit area, killing time as I have a 5 hour layover after coming off a 13 hour flight from Toronto on Air Canada a few minutes ago.

If I have ever flown on Air Canada before it must have been many decades ago. I don't recall. But this was an excellent long haul service. Especially since I just had the experience of flying from Venice for 8 hours on that dump, Air Europa last month.

Boy I can't believe that airline which was established in 1986, could still be  flying, as their service is so terrible. It's worse than Spirit and I always thought no airline could compare.

Not even water could you get to drink on that dump outside of mealtime! 

Anyway forget them. 

I left Fort Lauderdale in a thunder storm but was happy to do so, as there was lots of news yesterday about the poor, dangerous conditions at Trump's US airports, where not even radars are functioning properly at some.

The leg to Toronto was fairly bumpy to the point where I even had to stop reading, as my hands where jumping up all over the place.

But Toronto to Dubai was a dream. 

Great food, nuff wine, lots of leg room, smooth conditions most of the way and efficient staff.

I love Emirates and am using it to Colombo so will see if they can outdo Air Canada.

Big up the airline.

Sri Lanka here I come. Hope the mangoes are riping there now too.😋