Wow! Its really been a while since I've updated!
Lots of things have happened since my last entry - good and no so great.
In no particular order......
I saw my first Michelangelo sculpture, and it simply blew me away! It was his unfinished pieta, intended for his own tomb, and St. Nicodemus had Michelangelo's features. When you see it, you are just overwhelmed by the emotions and feelings it evokes. The power of this sculpture, when juxtaposed with other sculptures by other artists (Forgive me, Donatello!) is so far and away superior, it is no accident that it is all by itself away from the others. Simply amazing and awe inspiring.
The same museum also houses one of my all time favorite sculptures, Donatello's Penitent Magdalene. It is carved in wood, and is also capable of blowing me away. It is even more moving in person than in the pictures I've seen through the years. In person, you can see the gilt that was originally covering her hair, and you see not just the penitent, but also the glow of redemption shining through. Amazing!
We went up to Villa Michelangelo in the hills overlooking Florence to see the sunset one night, and wound up having to bargain with the Senegalese unbrella sellers (they wanted 10 euro for a cheapie umbrella - we got one for 3, LOL), then I lost my memory stick. Thankfully I had a backup and the stick was empty. Still stinks, though. Took the bus back and then ate at McDonalds. First drink that was filled with ice since we've been here. It was almost a religious experience!
I got a pedicure and leg waxing at a salon near our apartment. It was a good experience - the pedicure was not as extensive as the ones I get in the states, but the leg waxing was more efficient. I got a first hand example of the Italian lack of modesty. I shared the pedicure room with a guy who was standing in front of a tanning machine buck naked - and he never pulled the curtain, even after I walked in with the pedicurist! Go figure.
I guess I better relate my story about last weekend and the experience of throwing up all over my bus driver..... utter and complete humiliation!
We had gone on the field trip to Greve, and the whole Chianti region. The first two stops were wonderful, I bought a bunch of stuff for a pasta carbonera, and some fettucine. At the second stop I got a gorgeous pair of earrings made of frosted purple Murano glass. The third stop was a medieval castle that has been turned into a winery/restaurant. It was raining, but I bought a gorgeous locally woven shawl made of silk and lambswool, in a very light cream color. Its super soft and comfortable. We had a 3 course lunch, and very free flowing wine tastings. Many people got tipsy, but I wound up getting a very bad case of motion sickness. I wound up on the top of a double decker bus, going at a rapid pace down a twisty mountain road. I had to lurch down the staircase, just as the driver took a sharp turn, and then I tossed my cookies all over him! It was the most humiliating experience of my life - I was so embarrased. They let me off the bus and I went in a bar nearby, and took over their bathroom. My roommates got off the bus (I had stopped traffic both ways, throwing up in the middle of the road), and we wound up calling a taxi to take me back to Florence. Cost me 100 euros, but well worth it not to have to get back on the twisty turny bus!
I'm planning to go on the field trip this weekend to Siena and San Gimignano - I've got both pill and chewing gum forms of Dramamine. I'll probably sit on the bottom of the bus, as well.
My independent study is going fairly well. My class went to the top of the Duomo today - it was politely suggested that I decline. The professor made sure I knew I would not be docked for not going. I spent the time chatting up a docent nun, and taking the archaeological tour of Santa Reparata under the dome.
We have found so many great restaurants, it would be hard to describe all of them. One pizza place is memorable, they actually gave us a whole bowl of ice when they saw me take a sip of 7up (memories!) and make a face. Yep, I'm American. He got a good tip for that! As far as I can tell, Florentine steak has nothing on Berns. Desserts here are not so great, either. No wonder I can't find my size in any stores!
We went to a concert the other night in a restored 18th century church. It was a pipe organ, flute and violin, and they played Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, etc. Wonderful!
It was good to be able to see Pirates of the Caribbean in English. There's this one theater near the school that shows English movies on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Ocean's 13 is coming up soon.
Its absolutely hilarious the way we've gotten so used to the city and the way it moves. We're actually helping stranded Americans who we see with maps and bewildered expressions on their faces. We actually have people come up to us, and ask us questions in halting Italian, and they are amazed when we answer back in English!
I'm really and truly enjoying this trip - its an experience of a lifetime, and I'm determined to experience it to the fullest! My fellow students have been very solicitous of me, and always make sure I'm keeping up, or am OK. They are a great bunch of young people, many of them give me faith in the future. Others have me really worried, but we won't go there!
Lots of things have happened since my last entry - good and no so great.
In no particular order......
I saw my first Michelangelo sculpture, and it simply blew me away! It was his unfinished pieta, intended for his own tomb, and St. Nicodemus had Michelangelo's features. When you see it, you are just overwhelmed by the emotions and feelings it evokes. The power of this sculpture, when juxtaposed with other sculptures by other artists (Forgive me, Donatello!) is so far and away superior, it is no accident that it is all by itself away from the others. Simply amazing and awe inspiring.
The same museum also houses one of my all time favorite sculptures, Donatello's Penitent Magdalene. It is carved in wood, and is also capable of blowing me away. It is even more moving in person than in the pictures I've seen through the years. In person, you can see the gilt that was originally covering her hair, and you see not just the penitent, but also the glow of redemption shining through. Amazing!
We went up to Villa Michelangelo in the hills overlooking Florence to see the sunset one night, and wound up having to bargain with the Senegalese unbrella sellers (they wanted 10 euro for a cheapie umbrella - we got one for 3, LOL), then I lost my memory stick. Thankfully I had a backup and the stick was empty. Still stinks, though. Took the bus back and then ate at McDonalds. First drink that was filled with ice since we've been here. It was almost a religious experience!
I got a pedicure and leg waxing at a salon near our apartment. It was a good experience - the pedicure was not as extensive as the ones I get in the states, but the leg waxing was more efficient. I got a first hand example of the Italian lack of modesty. I shared the pedicure room with a guy who was standing in front of a tanning machine buck naked - and he never pulled the curtain, even after I walked in with the pedicurist! Go figure.
I guess I better relate my story about last weekend and the experience of throwing up all over my bus driver..... utter and complete humiliation!
We had gone on the field trip to Greve, and the whole Chianti region. The first two stops were wonderful, I bought a bunch of stuff for a pasta carbonera, and some fettucine. At the second stop I got a gorgeous pair of earrings made of frosted purple Murano glass. The third stop was a medieval castle that has been turned into a winery/restaurant. It was raining, but I bought a gorgeous locally woven shawl made of silk and lambswool, in a very light cream color. Its super soft and comfortable. We had a 3 course lunch, and very free flowing wine tastings. Many people got tipsy, but I wound up getting a very bad case of motion sickness. I wound up on the top of a double decker bus, going at a rapid pace down a twisty mountain road. I had to lurch down the staircase, just as the driver took a sharp turn, and then I tossed my cookies all over him! It was the most humiliating experience of my life - I was so embarrased. They let me off the bus and I went in a bar nearby, and took over their bathroom. My roommates got off the bus (I had stopped traffic both ways, throwing up in the middle of the road), and we wound up calling a taxi to take me back to Florence. Cost me 100 euros, but well worth it not to have to get back on the twisty turny bus!
I'm planning to go on the field trip this weekend to Siena and San Gimignano - I've got both pill and chewing gum forms of Dramamine. I'll probably sit on the bottom of the bus, as well.
My independent study is going fairly well. My class went to the top of the Duomo today - it was politely suggested that I decline. The professor made sure I knew I would not be docked for not going. I spent the time chatting up a docent nun, and taking the archaeological tour of Santa Reparata under the dome.
We have found so many great restaurants, it would be hard to describe all of them. One pizza place is memorable, they actually gave us a whole bowl of ice when they saw me take a sip of 7up (memories!) and make a face. Yep, I'm American. He got a good tip for that! As far as I can tell, Florentine steak has nothing on Berns. Desserts here are not so great, either. No wonder I can't find my size in any stores!
We went to a concert the other night in a restored 18th century church. It was a pipe organ, flute and violin, and they played Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, etc. Wonderful!
It was good to be able to see Pirates of the Caribbean in English. There's this one theater near the school that shows English movies on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Ocean's 13 is coming up soon.
Its absolutely hilarious the way we've gotten so used to the city and the way it moves. We're actually helping stranded Americans who we see with maps and bewildered expressions on their faces. We actually have people come up to us, and ask us questions in halting Italian, and they are amazed when we answer back in English!
I'm really and truly enjoying this trip - its an experience of a lifetime, and I'm determined to experience it to the fullest! My fellow students have been very solicitous of me, and always make sure I'm keeping up, or am OK. They are a great bunch of young people, many of them give me faith in the future. Others have me really worried, but we won't go there!
posted by Deb | 5:45 AM
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