St Petersburg, FL

Happy 45th Birthday Dad – where ever you are.

Today is my version of Disneyworld. One of only 3 things I had planned for my trip. The Salvador Dali Museum. We find the place with no worries and arrive at the same time as a guided tour is starting. The museum is a private collection of an American couple, the Morse’s. The museum is now 20 years old.

My favorites included:

* Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust Of Voltaire – one of great double images.

* Discovery Of America By Christopher Columbus – huge painting (a master work) showing a young Columbus in the dream of his discovery. Also the use of Gala Dali as Madonna, and a hidden self-portrait.

* Ecumenical Council – The mixture of religion and science. The hard to see Hand of God reaching for his Son. Another huge, amazing painting.

* Hallucinogenic Toreador – The many paintings of Venus de Milo, used in such a way that it hides the image of a young bullfighter. Another of his major works, and an absolute masterpiece to see in person.

* First Days Of Spring – Smaller painting with many sexual and Freudian undertones, and references to his youth and his father. This is a painting I had read about and was stoked to see.

These are just a select few of the fantastic paintings – and there were a couple on a loan to other museums which I would have killed to see eg Apparatus and Hand, Velasquez’ Margarita. It was worth coming to the USA just for this experience alone. I bought a t-shirt and some cards and a bookmark from the store to mark the occasion.

We went to the pier afterwards to grab some lunch.

Our next stop was the Florida International Museum, which was hosting an exhibition on President John F. Kennedy. This was also fantastic. It gave a full history of his family from his parent’s meeting up until his death. Plenty of items on display from his rocking chair to commendations he received when he was in the Navy. This was coupled with films and a full audio guide made it all very interesting. Though, oddly enough, not a lot was mentioned about his assassination.

Back to the Days Inn at 7pm after full days sightseeing.

The girls decided to keep on the culture theme (?) and have dinner at Hooters. OK – so it more so that they could tell Johnny and Troy that this is where we went. This is the original of the chain.  The food here was good, but my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Back to the hotel to sleep it off.