Monthly Archives: November 2013

Nov6

Adventure in Italy: Florence, Day 6

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When the glory of the past comes to meet you in the present and it’s delivered in the form of paint on canvas, it’s time to pay attention. Opening yourself to the the interpretations of the stories through the eyes of an artist — when those artists are some of the best the world has ever known — well, that’s just a little slice of magic!

Welcome to the Uffizi Museum, in operation since 1591. To me, that’s as mind-boggling as the art within it.

My favorite? A difficult question indeed. But since you asked: It’s the Botticelli room. I like thinking of the young Sandro Botticelli, the rebellious young artist, rockin’ the Florentine Republic with his sometimes secular subjects and radical new style (Pre-Renaissance). The “Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” just speak to me, sing their little song and leave me moved. That’s what art is, after all, isn’t it? A feeling left with you to linger.

Before dinner, I made my way up Brunelleschi’s Duomo to see the city light up at night. Climbing in between the dome within a dome seeing this construction was humbling, as was the view of the city twinkling below.

It was a beautiful day in Tuscany, with the sun shining bright over this city that already glimmers like the jewel that it is. After any great encounter with art, I like to contemplate; today, I did that on my hotel balcony with a glass of Chianti, and finished this perfect day with a traditional Tuscan meal that I will dream of for some time to come. Along with all of that art, my closed eyelids will dance for some time to come.

Nov5

Adventure in Italy: Florence, Day 5

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day5postcardHere’s the thing — and I expect no sympathy here — but travel is hard work. It’s a blessed kind of work, but this girl has to be very kind and gentle with herself while on the road. I schedule “downtime,” and grab it where I can. Today that was necessary. But first, I had to go see some art.

We started the morning with the enchanting Museum of San Marco and the magical Fra Angelico frescos and painting. It’s one of those small museums that takes you by surprise and leaves its mark on your memory and, for me, my soul.  I discovered it on a trip several years back, and it hasn’t lost an ounce of charm. Fra Angelico was a monk, and this was his monastery. The frescos were created for the monks’ cells (bedrooms), and they remain right where they were painted. You cannot photograph anywhere in the museum, so these pics are from the internet. If I had to be a monk, self-condemned to a life without earthy pleasure, please, please let me sleep under these precious masterpieces.

On to lunch, a relaxing affair, and for me, a mortal American, a completely charming event indeed. Italians understand pleasure, have mastered relaxation, and lunch is a event. As they often drink wine with every meal, they are still perplexed by Americans drinking habits. They say we drink too much for effect and not enough for pleasure. I heeded the call and have been enjoying my afternoon vino with cuisine that makes me feel like a Medici (Florence’s very wealthy extremely powerful ruling family and sponsors of the Renaissance). My feet thank me after all that walking, and I understand siesta after all of that food!

Did I say I took it easy on myself today? Well, not yet — first, a visit to the Medici-Riccardi Palace. This was once home to Lorenzo (Medici) the Magnificent, Lorenzo almost single handedly (with some help from the Vatican) funded the high Renaissance, and the art here is indeed magnifico!

OK, now I can take it easy on myself. It’s time for a evening in with my Momma to reflect on all this glory. A trip to a grocery store that feels like a delicatessen for a picnic dinner in the room and a quiet evening of rest, listing to the rain gently fall!