So, it is cold. It is not as cold as London was last year, bot it is cold. I think we Floridians are so weak sometimes. I think this when I see Florentines sitting at outdoor cares without a mere shiver.
Yogurt with granola...not the sweet American kind. Croissants...hearty, not sweet and buttery. Cereal,fruit,muffins, cheeses.....these make up a typical hearty Florentine breakfast. we had breakfast overlooking the garden where young Michelangelo once practiced sculpting.
Our morning walk began with a trip to the Duomo.....the grand church in Florence. The building and it's baptistry building rise up from the square...the piazza. The kids commented that it seemed like a giant movie set. In green and white marble, it was a fitting comment. We saw Cardinals arriving for their morning mass. speakers were set so the crowd could participate.
We enjoyed the life sized full nativity and special guest choirs.
The weather was misty, rainy and gypsies appeared from nowhere to sell umbrellas. The guys were great lookouts and protected the rest of us from having pockets picked!
We learned how to use our card to get into the bank and access fund via an ATM wand understood exchange rates better afterward.
The San Lorenz leather market was fun and bartering a was a game. And of course, some made great deals!
We had an amazing lunch in an authentic restaurant and visited the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's DAVID. Speechless is a good word for the experience. The special exhibit on Renaissance musical instruments was quite interesting as well. We saw some timpani that Miss Wick would not want.
It grew colder as we walked to the Ponte Vecchio bridge crossing the Arno River. Some of our students are remarkable Photographers!
In learning about the Medici's we also learned that you can leave something wonderful for mankind, yet not be so "swell" yourself and that Christ is what makes the difference
FIRENZE (Florence, in Italian).....one of the great cities that contributed to life as We know it today. May we remember our time here and strive to learn more.
How great to be in Florence on Epiphany. Thanks for keeping us informed and helping us feel like we are there with you. Enjoy the bike ride today! Hopefully the lost luggage has caught up with you.
ReplyDeleteTyping on an iPad is a challenge at midnight. I will edit the type os as soon as I reach a rel keyboard. Try to read as if everything is correct. Really....I can spell....though I do take creative liberties with grammar......add inflection!
ReplyDeleteI was just telling Emily yesterday that we do not need to agree with all the author says when reading classics in order to gain much from their genuis. Today you have said something that seems similar about the art world. Praise the Lord "that Christ is who makes the difference."
ReplyDelete