Aug. 26, 2002
Aahh yes... Mantova. A city of history, romance and gelato. So far, the best on the trip. Straciatella, menta, caffe, ace, fratola... the list goes on and on. Enough flavors to try different ones three times a day. (Not that anybody eats that much, but if they had wanted to, they could!) Aside from the gelato, there was an ancient Roman cathedral, built in 1081 A.D., a theatre that Mozart performed opening night and Alexander Volta did his experiment on the battery. Both structures were facts of engineering in their own right. One because it was one of the first completely unsupported domes and the other for its innovative woodworking due to lack of funding. Then there was the Palazzo Te, which was to say the least, well worth the walk for its "unique" frescoes.
Last night it was basketball. Two more superb victories to place in the Santa Clara win column. Another great day on our European trip. We next visit Verona and Venice.