A Florentine Journey

Reality Check!

Can any of you get out of this parking spot?! Marco not only got in--but he got out--and no property was damaged! I tell you, living here brings out the best in us!

Today, Sunday, I took Lia and her friend Elisheva downtown shopping. Isa and her friends were off doing a little shopping of their own.

As promised, I am checking out the latest fashions as well! This me taking a lunch break with Lauren and Mona after a serious morning of " due diligence" ...I do it for all of you! Baci, C.

It's been a while!

CIAO A TUTTI.

With Spring there is always a flurry of activity. For us it has been great and not so great. We had our first truly negative experience; but even that had it's positive aspects as you will learn if you read on. Lia and 3 of her friends from school are taking an Art History Class with Laura Kramer. Have I told you how fantastic she is? Not only does this women know everything about Art and Florence, but she loves kids and THEY LOVE HER! For two hours every Thursday she takes them to the sites around Firenze. Week before last they saw the amazing "pietra dura" --inlayed stone work at the Pitti Palace and last week they went to where this art is still produced and actually cut stone themselves-- the same way it's been done for centuries! I wished I had been able to tag along !The class is 2 girls and 2 boys. The extra angel in the photo is our younger friend.

I am usually "the art history mom",( as opposed to the"soccer mom"), and it is my absolute pleasure to accompany this amazing group to their class meeting each week. Well, last week we all learned some big lessons!

Lesson one: DON'T DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELVES AND YOUR LUGGAGE-and then walk away from your car! (especially if you have foreign plates) That's exactly what the kids and I did after parking in a very open, seemingly safe, paid lot downtown. I was as close to the Lungarno as I could get. A rear window was broken (a big pain for me) and all the backpacks were stolen! Multiple pains!!! Okay, the good news: we were able to find everything important, homework---THANK GOD!!!! text books, special toys etc. The thieves kept Isa's cell phone, three calculators, some camera equiptment and some food. Nothing irreplaceable.

Lesson two : REPORT any stolen cell phone numbers. If not to the police---(another issue) DEFINITELY to your service provider. Cell phones are big with criminals and terrorists. That's how they caught the guys in Madrid!

I called the police and I went 3 times in one day to file a "denuncia", a formal complaint. Suffice it to say that it will require at least one more trip and more patience for bureaucracy than I have right now! One has 90 days to do this.

Okay, more good news. I have been thoroughly enjoying my class and my friends. I was fortunate enough to have a little time with Pamela while she was here for work.

And yes, I have been doing my due diligence in checking out all the latest fashions! Fantastic comfy shoes and very feminine clothes. I am so ready for warm weather, It's hard to try things on when having to shed sweaters, coats and boots. When I finally do, I'll send photos!

Vasari Corridor

One of our Art History classes included a trip to the Uffizi and the Vasari corridor which connects the Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. Though my pics don't do it justice, you can get an idea of the views and feeling of the space. I can't recommend highly enough that you consider a day with Elaine Ruffolo as your guide, when you are next in Firenze. A better gift you cannot give yourself.

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Another glorious week draws to a close

We began the week on Sunday with a tasty meal At La Beppa fioraia, followed by a walk to the famous Vivoli gelatoria and around Firenze.

The girls and I took refuge from the rain after our Art History Class and had another "girls lunch" at Buca dell'Orafo, just off the Ponte Vecchio. This time it was only Pam, Lauren, Mona and myself. It's a good thing we walk so much here! Mona and I were trying to figure out how many pounds of pasta had passed our lips since we arrived in Florence! Looking at the lovely Mona, one would think, not many; but we know better!

The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

Marco and I took advantage of a break in the weather to visit the Pitti Palace Silver Museum and The Boboli garden. We then had a delicious lunch at the BORGO ANTICO in Piazza Santo Spirito.

Hawaii from my phone

Here is a small group of photos taken with my phone on my last Hawaii trip.

The girls who lunch

There is a core group of us who try to have lunch as often as possible to find new places and stay in touch. We went to Omero for Pam's bday and had a wonderful time minutes from "centro". Mona, Pam, Andrea, Lauren, Sharon, Jody and myself plan it out and select the spots.

Today we went a bit into the country side to Il Caminetto, a family favorite of ours for years. Again, a delicious lunch with wonderful company.

Spring is in the air...sort of

Though one couldn't tell it is March for the unusually freezing temps, the harbingers of Spring are all around. The daffodils and tree blossoms are promising warmer days ahead. My class went to San Miniato al Monte which is one of the oldest buildings in Florence and we froze. It's a very spiritual and beautiful place off the Viale Michelangelo. Hopefully, we'll beable to go and hear the monks chant one afternoon. They do so every afternoon.

I couldn't resist this photo of those pesky motorini that appear out of nowhere like a swarm of gnats.