With the help of my crack IT consultant who is now back home in Tucson, I was able to get the photos compressed and included with our first-day’s blog. By that time, it was almost midnight, and I collapsed into bed. So, to get back on top of this, I will write briefly now!
We wanted to get to St. Peter’s near opening time, so up at 6 and out by 6:45-ish. Lovely morning, more clouds than Monday but nice and sunny nonetheless. We arrived at the Vatican about 7:10 a.m. (Ottaviano from the Metro; change at Termini) and were among the first people there. However, unlike other times we have been there that early, much of the inside of the church was blocked off, I think supposedly because various masses were being said at 7. However, made for a much less than ideal visit, as there was much that had to be seen from a distance! And please tell me why, with no mass in front of it, and the sculpture itself behind a glass wall, one has to look at the Pieta from 20 feet away?? Don’t understand…walked through St. Peter’s Square, recalling images from Angels and Demons, then headed back to hotel for breakfast.
Very nice spread at the hotel; quiche, eggs, the Italian form of bacon, as well as salami, ham, and cheeses which are always my choice.
After breakfast, the monumental job of repacking cases, taking as much out of my backpack as possible. We kicked back for an hour or so, as not enough time to really do much, and needing to schlep back to Termini for our 12:15 p.m. train to Florence. Train easy to find, and we were on board about 11:45. Car well occupied, but not packed; we had four seats (two and two facing each other) to ourselves. Managed to get the cases up above our seats, which made watching them very easy indeed! Lovely ride; beautiful scenery (after all, this is Italy!) and in 1h 45m we were in Florence!
Off the train and a schlep to our hotel – note: have decided to take a taxi back to the train station on Sunday – schlepping cases over cobbles is NOT the easiest thing in the world…arrived at Loggiato et Serviti about 2:15 and our room – Number 18, was ready. YEA! Elevator up to second floor, and in to room. Very, very nice! We not only have a window that opens to the interior courtyard, we have an outside window that opens as well, giving us a great cross breeze! We also have a view of the Bruneleschi dome of the Duomo, but can see the Accademia as well! Unpacked and got organized.
Then, outside to see some of Florence! Walked around the Duomo and Baptistry, through the piazza Republica (where we found TERRIFIC gelato – pane cotta and chocolate for L, stracciatella and chocolate for me!) and then down to the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio. Lots of jewelry shops! Had been thinking about a pair of gold earrings, but with the price of gold so high, have decided it would definitely NOT be a good idea! Back to the hotel for a bit of a rest before dinner.
Decided on Café Za Za, at Mercato Centrale; very good recommenadations. Five minute walk, and they were able to accommodate us in their basement. Lovely, lovely area (and of course I didn’t bring camera, so now we’re just going to have to go back!) We had the basement to ourselves for a very nice interval, before others started coming in…started with a bottle of house Chianti Classico – excellent! For starters, we split a bruschetta plate – one with mushrooms, one with fresh tomatos and mozzarella, one with cooked tomatoes, and finally, one with pate – all great! For mains, Linda had melanzane (eggplant) parmesan, and I had –of course! – homemade pasta with TRUFFLES! Incredible! We even had room for desert! Linda had tiramisu; I had pane cotta (custard) over strawberries – all washed down by some vino santo … WOW! Back to the hotel; end of a beautiful day!
So…to bed; up early in the morning to head out! More later!
m
x
As for me... I am enthralled with this magical place. I almost have no words for it and Margaret does a wonderful job capturing the feel of the place. I am sketching a bit and writing too…but mostly soaking it all up. You can’t help but feel the creative spirit all around you! Much more later!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment