Chapel view

This is a view of the cross in the chapel up on the hill. The chapel was so beautiful, peaceful, and lit only with natural light and a few candles.

Happy Birthday Kelly!!

Hope you are having a beautiful birthday!

The Florentine (Pietsch) death march

Brian took us on a walking tour to San Miniato al Monte, a church perched on a hill overlooking Florence. Built in 1018 over the shrine of the early Christian martyr. The church was absolutely beautiful, but the treck was mostly uphill. We passed the home of Galileo. We stopped just before the church and snapped two photos, one holding signs in honor of my aunt Joan stating "Go Joan Go" and another wishing my cousin Kelly a "happy birthday." Can't wait to tell the kids about the 3 mile hike uphill both ways.

The church was absolutely beautiful, and there were few people there. I spent several minutes in the lower chapel by myself, and it was peaceful and an absolutely wonderful experience. I snapped several photos while there and lit a couple of candles. A moment I will never forget.

I purchased a couple of things at the gift shop including some lavender essential oils, a cross for my collection, and a Gregorian chant CD.

We stopped for lunch at a little cafe overlooking Florence and the food was wonderful.

We also visited Santa Croche on the way down, which was beautiful and contained the tombs of Michaelangelo, Galileo, and many others.

And did a bit of shopping, stopping at the straw market, and once again visiting the artists creating chalk images on the sidewalk.

We did a bit of shopping and ended the evening ate Il Latini, a little restaurant, which Rachael Ray had suggested. It was quite an experience. Quickly ushered to our table, the waiter immediately and feverishly started placing food in front of us, and wine, and more foood. As quickly as it came, we ate it up. Tried a lot of things I typically wouldn't have, including a pasta with wild boar, proscuitto, etc. Great fun and laughter was had by all.

Ciao!

Fresh Fruit!!!

One of the things that was so refreshing to see was all of the fresh fruit in the open markets. We picked up some fresh artichokes and snacked on them this evening in the apartment.

Babtistry door

This is a detail of one of the panels on the door to the Babtistry.

Duomo and Campanile

Sidewalk chalk art

As were exploring the city this evening, we came across a couple of artists creating sidewalk art with chalk. I thought this one was particularly beautiful. In all, the image was about 4 feet tall.

Duomo photo

This photo was taken of the ceiling inside the Duomo. Our guide indicated the the paintings of the people on the ring are roughly 27 feet tall.

Ponte Vecchio - another try

Attached is a photo of the Ponte Vecchio that I took this evening on the way back to the apartment.

A wonderfully sunny day in Florence

After a long period of rains the sun was out in Florence as we explored the city. This morning we went on a walking tour visiting; the Duomo, the babtistry, David, the Ponte Vecchio which are in such close proximity to our apartment. The weather has been beautiful, and there is so much beautiful architecture here. We visited a large market with a wide variety of fruits and vegtables, as well as a number of meats that I hope never to sample.

We ate lunch at an outdoor restaurant and had some delicious wine followed by some wonderful pastries. Heading out for dinner shortly and will try to contain myself after the "wine incident" which I had last evening.

Morning in Florence!

After a long day of travel and a good nights sleep, we are preparing for our first full day in Florence. The flights went smoothly, and the driver was there to pick us up and bring us to the apartment. Last night, we ventured out for a nice dinner at an outdoor restaurant and walked about the city, across the nearby Ponte Vechio and past the Duomo which is spectacular in person. You have to give it to them, they did know grandeur!

As I type this morning, the smell of coffee wafting, through the what was once a bakery, I am reminded of those who years ago, walked in this same place, readying bread for the ovens and the smell of baking bread which once permeated these walls.

We are on schedule for a half day walking tour of the city this morning, and can't wait to see the city in daylight.

Hoping all is well with those of you at home!

B

Final preparations

With less than an hour before we need to be leaving for the airport, I am feeling much more comfortable with my packing and preparations. I am happy to report that my suitcase is packed, and only about 3/4 full, making plenty of room for gifts and treasures. While my checked luggage has some room to spare, it appears that my carry on will be weighing just shy of my 11 year-old. My laptop, ipod, camera, lenses, pillow, reading material, and the bottle of Tylenol PM, etc. But all things I feel much safer within my grips.

Just a few small details left, some files to e-mail off, some things to clean up and to dispose of the 3 trees worth of packing material that accompanied all of the things I needed for the trip, perhaps a gallon of oil is more accurate than the trees. I have downloaded some audiobooks, TV shows, including a "Rapid Italian" language primer, maybe I can listen while I sleep and absorb something.

Ciao!

B