the (new) endomobile

[Tobi]

Very tempting to consider this mode of travel, and thanks for letting us "participate"! My main concern would be that since you constantly have all your belongings in the van, any hike, sightseeing, etc means you need to leave it all on a parking lot somewhere.. ready to be broken into. How do you deal with this issue? Minimalistic packing, and have all real valuables with you at all times?

[endo]

I learned from my previous van—which was broken into several times—and have therefore installed numerous security measures here (see further up in this thread) that, at the very least, make it extremely difficult to get inside.

[Tago Mago]

Shots fired

[Tobi]

@endo ah yes.. seen this now. The Fort-Knox method

[endo]

Today we visited Loreto—after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the second most important pilgrimage site in Italy and one of the most significant in the Catholic world.

The Basilica of the Holy House houses the Santa Casa—according to legend, the Holy House of Nazareth where Mary grew up and received the Annunciation. It is said to have been carried to Loreto by angels.

[endo]

Interestingly, Loreto also has an old Christian tattoo culture for pilgrims, dating back to around the 5th century. It is probably the only one of its kind outside of Jerusalem and is kept alive today by Jona Carducci.

I already had a few designs from Loreto on my arms, but since I was there anyway, I naturally had to add something new.

Mrs. E, too, has had something done.

[Daniel San]

@endo
very cool !!
I once red about the family in Jerusalem that keep this tradition alive.

[endo]

@Daniel-San that‘s the Razzouk family, doing tattoos for pilgrims in Jerusalem sice 1300 A.D. That’s where I got my first tat, and all the motivs on my arms are either from there or from Loreto.

[endo]

We are now parked for the night in San Marino, which we plan to explore tomorrow.

But that’s enough posting for today. Mrs. E made wonderful pasta, and we have some lovely red wine. Phone off.

[endo]

Today's program included San Marino, one of the six European microstates. Unusual for us today, but a reminder that nation-statehood is only about 200 years old.

Aside from its picturesque location on the hills of the Marche region sloping down to the Adriatic, it's a pretty shithole, full of the usual touristy Chinese souvenir junk.

We took the cable car up and walked around a bit.

[endo]

It might be a little embarrassing, but I'm collecting country points. This was the 69th country (UN+) I've visited so far.

So I got myself a stamp for my passport.

In the afternoon we drove a little further north and are now near Padua, where we will stay for the next few days to visit Venice and Padua itself.

[Chap]

@endo said in the (new) endomobile:

It might be a little embarrassing, but I'm collecting country points. This was the 69th country (UN+) I've visited so far.

So I got myself a stamp for my passport.

In the afternoon we drove a little further north and are now near Padua, where we will stay for the next few days to visit Venice and Padua itself.

Really like that idea. 69 is an incredible number. I think I am be between 15 and 20.

[Twistlock]

@endo, looks like an awesome journey, thanks for sharing! And a belated Happy Birthday to Mrs E!

[Matt]

@endo why r your shoes off?

[Denman John]

@endo Travel tattoos are the best!

[endo]

@Matt said in the (new) endomobile:

@endo why r your shoes off?

I was wearing Birks.

[Giles]

@endo said in the (new) endomobile:

It might be a little embarrassing, but I'm collecting country points.

Yes, it is. But I wish I had started doing it when I was young.

British Airways have a thing called flightpath, and I just had a look at what I have done with them since 2000....

I'll have visited a few other countries with other airlines (many with partner airlines), but I suspect I am nowhere near 69.