I
left for school early to check on the level of the River Arno. It was
higher but not alarmingly. Today it rained all day but stopped around
4.00.
The streets in the center of Firenze
are normally closed to most traffic, with the exception of taxis and
police. At 8.30 in the morning it's a different city! One big traffic
jam of delivery trucks. They are bumper to bumper stopped, everyone
making deliveries. Yesterday I saw specialty trucks stacked with firewood. dairy,
meat, fruit, laundry and product. In the piazzas, street
cleaning trucks whirl away. And, it's quiet as people quickly do their
work. I heard no horns honking in impatience nor did I see anyone
hanging out talking. No cigarette breaks. The restricted access is
strictly enforced and the workmen use their time wisely.
School
is fantastic. Wish I could extend my stay to months. I asked
my teacher Patrizia for help today. I need to buy both a deck of Tarot and Scopa
cards. She called around for me and gave me directions. They carry these
items in Tabaccheria shops. I bought two decks of Florentine style
Scopa. One is a gift for Michele my Roman Italian teacher. Still looking
for the Venetian Tarot cards.
Anna
Maria, from Spain, passed me note today and asked to meet for coffee at
Gilli in Piazza della Republica at 4. I took pictures of sweets in their windows.
She must have misjudged her time, because I didn't see her there. We'll have to try again. She is someone I could be friends with. As I stood outside waiting I saw a rainbow forming over the Battistero (Baptistry). The lighting here is gorgeous. I did get a picture, but it had almost faded by the time I walked down to the Piazza del Duomo.
Each trip, I attend Palazzo Strozzi's current exhibition. Each normally run 6 months. I took a few moments this time to read over the history of this palazzo.
At 5.30 I had a reservation at Palazzo Strozzi for 'Let's Talk Art.' I was paired with a young Florentine woman who wanted to practice her English and I could try my Italian. Together, she and I toured the exhibit 'The thirties. The Arts in Italy Beyond Fascism.' Exhibition information
I paid 5€ for the event which was half the price of a normal ticket.
I would not have attended this particular show because of its topic. It was a unique experience to share with a stranger. We both enjoyed two hours conversing about art in two languages.
She must have misjudged her time, because I didn't see her there. We'll have to try again. She is someone I could be friends with. As I stood outside waiting I saw a rainbow forming over the Battistero (Baptistry). The lighting here is gorgeous. I did get a picture, but it had almost faded by the time I walked down to the Piazza del Duomo.
Each trip, I attend Palazzo Strozzi's current exhibition. Each normally run 6 months. I took a few moments this time to read over the history of this palazzo.
 |
| Possible portraits of Palla Strozzi and his son Lorenzo (Adoration of the Magi, Gentile da Fabriano) |
At 5.30 I had a reservation at Palazzo Strozzi for 'Let's Talk Art.' I was paired with a young Florentine woman who wanted to practice her English and I could try my Italian. Together, she and I toured the exhibit 'The thirties. The Arts in Italy Beyond Fascism.' Exhibition information
I paid 5€ for the event which was half the price of a normal ticket.
I would not have attended this particular show because of its topic. It was a unique experience to share with a stranger. We both enjoyed two hours conversing about art in two languages.
At 7.30 I headed home, ready
to call it a night. But 10 minutes later, I decided to make another trip
to the laundromat. Clothes take forever to dry in the rain.
The
boots I brought with me are older and so uncomfortable. I keep looking
to see if I can find soft Uggs. Maybe tomorrow. Then I'm tossing these
old boots.
 |
| Borgo SS. Apostoli, from the door of Hotel Cestelli |
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