Last day of school was today :( or :) not sure! We've met lots of great people, dranks lots of good wine, ate lots of good pasta, and even learned a little italian ;). Our exam wasn't too bad. I can't believe it's already been 4 weeks - the time flew.
Today is the beginning of a Gelato Festival - of course on the weekend we are leaving... mmmm gelato...
Yesterday, we also went to the Academia Museum - saw my good old friend DAVID. For those of you that haven't met him, he's the perfect man (except I think he has the biggest hands I've ever seen!). Something I just learned yesterday, is that he was created as an image of David from "David & Goliath" - if you don't know the story, you'll have to go to Sunday School...
The sun for the last couple of weeks has been awesome! Our beach day was "perfetto". Overall, it's been a fabulous trip. Considering the weather forecast for Calgary, maybe I should stay another week!?!?
Must go enjoy a little more sun and try to pack my 3 leather coats/jackets (eeek!) and shoes. I gave it a go the other day, I can fit everything but my dirty laundry. Mamma Mia!!
Ciao Ciao Ciao!
Jill
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday - Anna
Last day. 11 min left on my internet card. Wed Jill & I went to the beach in Viareggio. The water was warm enough to swim in! Lovely!
Thurs - class supper. so-so supper, but enough wine to keep us happy. Tonight we are going with a new South African friend, Doranne MacDonald, for a nice supper and some Vernaccia. You need to look in your respective liquor stores for Vernaccia..a light fruity wine from the San Gimignano area.
tomorrow we are on the train at 11'ish, to Rome, staying there overnight, and homeward bound on Sunday. We are both ready to leave Firenze, but I have so enjoyed Jill's company! She pushes my limits...a good thing!!
Ciao all!!
Thurs - class supper. so-so supper, but enough wine to keep us happy. Tonight we are going with a new South African friend, Doranne MacDonald, for a nice supper and some Vernaccia. You need to look in your respective liquor stores for Vernaccia..a light fruity wine from the San Gimignano area.
tomorrow we are on the train at 11'ish, to Rome, staying there overnight, and homeward bound on Sunday. We are both ready to leave Firenze, but I have so enjoyed Jill's company! She pushes my limits...a good thing!!
Ciao all!!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
photos
I keep getting booted while trying to upload. so these will have to do.
The first photo is coming into the village of Corniglia from our long trek. What a welcome sight!!
The second is the fellow in the Il Ristoro who has learned to make me the perfect caffe canadese!! It's just way too small!
And without going back, I think the third is one of 3 towns of the Cinque Terre: either Manarola, Vernazza, or Monterosso, taken from the boat ride on the way to Monterosso. ABsolutely beautiful!!
We have a test on Thursday, and a class/school dinner that evening. Pack Friday, and to Rome on Sat. Jill just made hotel reservations.
I may get back to the internet, but we are in slow-mo, not much really exciting.
For lunch today we went to a tiny, buy sardine-packed trattoria (sidewalk caffe/restaurant). It's been in business since 1953. About 20 people lined up outside waiting for their names to be called. We sat on stools, sharing a table with 4 adults and an unhappy 4 year old. And couldn't read the menu. I ended up with ham that has been soaked in salt for way too long, but was very tender. Jill got a huge steak that had been recently removed from its owner, the cow, and maybe hovered over the grill for 20 seconds. Apparently, it was quite good, but I declined to sample it. The chianti wasn't half bad though :). Really, wine is cheaper than water, which is not free with your meal! So...when in Rome...or Firenze, as the case may be...
My liver will be glad to get home!!
Jill has gone to watch the movie Pinocchio. No, not the Disney version. Some Italian director (Banini perhaps??) who has won Oscars for something?? I'll wait for the English version!
Until later!!
The first photo is coming into the village of Corniglia from our long trek. What a welcome sight!!
The second is the fellow in the Il Ristoro who has learned to make me the perfect caffe canadese!! It's just way too small!
And without going back, I think the third is one of 3 towns of the Cinque Terre: either Manarola, Vernazza, or Monterosso, taken from the boat ride on the way to Monterosso. ABsolutely beautiful!!
We have a test on Thursday, and a class/school dinner that evening. Pack Friday, and to Rome on Sat. Jill just made hotel reservations.
I may get back to the internet, but we are in slow-mo, not much really exciting.
For lunch today we went to a tiny, buy sardine-packed trattoria (sidewalk caffe/restaurant). It's been in business since 1953. About 20 people lined up outside waiting for their names to be called. We sat on stools, sharing a table with 4 adults and an unhappy 4 year old. And couldn't read the menu. I ended up with ham that has been soaked in salt for way too long, but was very tender. Jill got a huge steak that had been recently removed from its owner, the cow, and maybe hovered over the grill for 20 seconds. Apparently, it was quite good, but I declined to sample it. The chianti wasn't half bad though :). Really, wine is cheaper than water, which is not free with your meal! So...when in Rome...or Firenze, as the case may be...
My liver will be glad to get home!!
Jill has gone to watch the movie Pinocchio. No, not the Disney version. Some Italian director (Banini perhaps??) who has won Oscars for something?? I'll wait for the English version!
Until later!!
Monday, May 24, 2010
and still continued
The fellow is trying to help me to get the card reader to work on this computer. The drive is not reading apparently.
Anyway...long story s hort. Jill was a trooper, ever so patient with her gasping wheezing old auntie! I have never, short of maybe Mount Carleton, and not even that I dont think, expended so much energy on such a hot day. You cannot imagine my joy when we started, finally, to go downhill! Though even that was tricky. We are not talking a groomed path here, for the most part! What a view. Google "Corniglia", since my camera card seems to not work on either of the computers duly equipped to read it. bleahhh.
We messed around Corniglia for a bit, then Jill decided she would walk the last two trails, from Corniglia to Manarola, and from Manarola to Riomaggiore. I took the train and waited comfortably in the shade! Wouldn't you know it, the biggest obstacles on these paths were not the width, or stairs up or down, but hordes of tourists in large tour groups!
A wonderful weekend, spent on the Mediterranean. Had it only been warmer water! But THIS is Italy!!
We are both glad this is the last week in Firenze. We have toured the Duomo, Uffizi museum, the Palantina Gallery in Pitti Palace, the Medici-Riccardo palazzo, and Santa Croce Church. One can only look at so many representations of Madonna and all things biblical. We have bought our souvenirs, mandatory leather items of course!, and likely are both well over our $750 Can dollar limits for Customs.
Jill has moved downstairs out of the spider nest and into the huge double room on the main floor with me. We cannot believe that our roomie firmly closed her door and did not share either the TV or the freakin' couch, or even pillows on the unused bed. She did not take her garbage out, and didn't even throw out her uneaten food. Dirty towels left on the rack, and dirty sheets left on the floor (I had asked her to throw them into the washer before she left so we could at least change our beds!) A weird woman indeed. Not entirely unpleasant, but she certainly practices "it's all about me!".
Insofar as being able to speak Italian...well...not so much! But we understand considerably more than when we got here. And we are both good grammar students. It is just putting it all together in the most basic of sentences that is very difficult. I think if it is possible that there are even more "exceptions to the rule" than in French! But it's a good classroom of students, and good profs. Today our after school event was a lecture, in Italian of course, about Pinocchio. Regrettably, I can hardly remember the story, but apparently it is so much more than about a cute little kitty and cricket! And can be read on many levels, including from a Freudian perspective....a big growing nose....let your imaginations go wild!
That's it, that's all. Will try to get back mid-week for an update, but our lives will be more quiet than the early hustle and bustle. Been there, done that! And have the leather to prove it!!
Anyway...long story s hort. Jill was a trooper, ever so patient with her gasping wheezing old auntie! I have never, short of maybe Mount Carleton, and not even that I dont think, expended so much energy on such a hot day. You cannot imagine my joy when we started, finally, to go downhill! Though even that was tricky. We are not talking a groomed path here, for the most part! What a view. Google "Corniglia", since my camera card seems to not work on either of the computers duly equipped to read it. bleahhh.
We messed around Corniglia for a bit, then Jill decided she would walk the last two trails, from Corniglia to Manarola, and from Manarola to Riomaggiore. I took the train and waited comfortably in the shade! Wouldn't you know it, the biggest obstacles on these paths were not the width, or stairs up or down, but hordes of tourists in large tour groups!
A wonderful weekend, spent on the Mediterranean. Had it only been warmer water! But THIS is Italy!!
We are both glad this is the last week in Firenze. We have toured the Duomo, Uffizi museum, the Palantina Gallery in Pitti Palace, the Medici-Riccardo palazzo, and Santa Croce Church. One can only look at so many representations of Madonna and all things biblical. We have bought our souvenirs, mandatory leather items of course!, and likely are both well over our $750 Can dollar limits for Customs.
Jill has moved downstairs out of the spider nest and into the huge double room on the main floor with me. We cannot believe that our roomie firmly closed her door and did not share either the TV or the freakin' couch, or even pillows on the unused bed. She did not take her garbage out, and didn't even throw out her uneaten food. Dirty towels left on the rack, and dirty sheets left on the floor (I had asked her to throw them into the washer before she left so we could at least change our beds!) A weird woman indeed. Not entirely unpleasant, but she certainly practices "it's all about me!".
Insofar as being able to speak Italian...well...not so much! But we understand considerably more than when we got here. And we are both good grammar students. It is just putting it all together in the most basic of sentences that is very difficult. I think if it is possible that there are even more "exceptions to the rule" than in French! But it's a good classroom of students, and good profs. Today our after school event was a lecture, in Italian of course, about Pinocchio. Regrettably, I can hardly remember the story, but apparently it is so much more than about a cute little kitty and cricket! And can be read on many levels, including from a Freudian perspective....a big growing nose....let your imaginations go wild!
That's it, that's all. Will try to get back mid-week for an update, but our lives will be more quiet than the early hustle and bustle. Been there, done that! And have the leather to prove it!!
continued
So...the card reader doesn't work. grrr. Anyway, at this limoncino festival they were giving away free samples. Lots of free samples! I'm not sure about Jill, but certainly I was feeling the results of same! Later we went for supper at a lovely restaurant. Of course we were early (no supper til 7) so we stayed and had wine. They are famous for a white wine, Bianca Bianca, I think? We crashed about 10 or so to the sounds coming from the entire neighbourhood's tv's playing a famous All Stars soccer game from Madrid. When someone scored, or almost, the entire neighbourhood was a chorus roars!
On Sunday, we decided we should walk some of the paths that connected the village. We couldnt get from Monterosso to the next town (Vernazza) because of a landslide. So we took the train there (a 3 min ride) and started the hike to Corniglia. OH MY GOD!!! Let me explain. Vernazza is at sea level. Cornigilia is way the fff up the mountain...it is not a port city. "They" say it is a couple of hours, maybe less, to walk the trail. I should have clued in and taken the train when we had to climb, oh, maybe 300 steps, then maybe another 300, just to get out of the darned town!!! Seriously, I thought I would die. Did I me ntion we are both carrying heavy back packs? Of course Jill is a lot younger, and a lot more in shape, so she was fine. She told me I was not allowed to cry "Auntie abuse!". In some places the path was on the edge of the mountain, barely wide enough for two people to pass. No guardrails...did I mention that? And my vertigo issues?
On Sunday, we decided we should walk some of the paths that connected the village. We couldnt get from Monterosso to the next town (Vernazza) because of a landslide. So we took the train there (a 3 min ride) and started the hike to Corniglia. OH MY GOD!!! Let me explain. Vernazza is at sea level. Cornigilia is way the fff up the mountain...it is not a port city. "They" say it is a couple of hours, maybe less, to walk the trail. I should have clued in and taken the train when we had to climb, oh, maybe 300 steps, then maybe another 300, just to get out of the darned town!!! Seriously, I thought I would die. Did I me ntion we are both carrying heavy back packs? Of course Jill is a lot younger, and a lot more in shape, so she was fine. She told me I was not allowed to cry "Auntie abuse!". In some places the path was on the edge of the mountain, barely wide enough for two people to pass. No guardrails...did I mention that? And my vertigo issues?
The weekend - Anna
Jill & I took the train to Cinque Terre early Saturday morning. Cinque Terre is an environmentally protected area, a national park mostly for marine life I believe. It is a group of 5 villages located either at sea level (the Mediterranean) or high on the cliffs. Absolutely awesome vistas, and the beautiful turquoise Mediterranean. Amazing! I didn't bring my USB port card reader so will have to switch to another computer to d/l pics. If I can.
The weather turned hot, so when we arrived in the first town (Riomaggiore) we decided to hit the boat tour, which took us to the last town, Monterosso a Mare. Right off the beach was a lovely beach, so we paid our 50 cents and hit the changing rooms into swimsuits. Glorious! But the water was freezing cold so the only part of us that got wet was from the knees down. It was so lovely there we decided to stay the night. We got lucky and managed to get 2 single rooms, c/w air conditioning and free brekkie. We wandered back into town to find it was a lemon festival. They are apparently famous for very potent limoncina, similar to limoncello but specific to this area whereas limoncello is specific to the southern Napoli area.
The weather turned hot, so when we arrived in the first town (Riomaggiore) we decided to hit the boat tour, which took us to the last town, Monterosso a Mare. Right off the beach was a lovely beach, so we paid our 50 cents and hit the changing rooms into swimsuits. Glorious! But the water was freezing cold so the only part of us that got wet was from the knees down. It was so lovely there we decided to stay the night. We got lucky and managed to get 2 single rooms, c/w air conditioning and free brekkie. We wandered back into town to find it was a lemon festival. They are apparently famous for very potent limoncina, similar to limoncello but specific to this area whereas limoncello is specific to the southern Napoli area.
Monday, May 17, 2010
May 17 - Jill
Ciao Tutti!
Finally sunny in Florence today (woohoo!). Was sunny in Venice yesterday as well but that was after a very rainy Saturday. The main square in Venice ended up flooding exactly where all of the tourists line-up to access the church - ick! Anna and I took advantage of the sun yesterday to share a gondola ride with an american couple from Dallas. Today, to take a break from walking around, we sat in a nearby park; Anna reviewed her school notes and I read my book (currently near the end of Angels & Demons).
In Venice, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. (Karen - you should see the kick-a** shirt I got to wear to the Bon Jovi concert!!)
I have to take a practice run at packing soon so I know if I can do anymore shopping, not that I need anything else but everything is so nice.
Our roommate leaves at the end of this week. That means that I get to move from the loft to the main floor - kinda excited as the loft has a bit of a red spider problem; google says they don't bite though so some consolation...
Hope all is well with everyone.
Ciao Ragazzi!
Finally sunny in Florence today (woohoo!). Was sunny in Venice yesterday as well but that was after a very rainy Saturday. The main square in Venice ended up flooding exactly where all of the tourists line-up to access the church - ick! Anna and I took advantage of the sun yesterday to share a gondola ride with an american couple from Dallas. Today, to take a break from walking around, we sat in a nearby park; Anna reviewed her school notes and I read my book (currently near the end of Angels & Demons).
In Venice, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. (Karen - you should see the kick-a** shirt I got to wear to the Bon Jovi concert!!)
I have to take a practice run at packing soon so I know if I can do anymore shopping, not that I need anything else but everything is so nice.
Our roommate leaves at the end of this week. That means that I get to move from the loft to the main floor - kinda excited as the loft has a bit of a red spider problem; google says they don't bite though so some consolation...
Hope all is well with everyone.
Ciao Ragazzi!
May 17 - Monday - Anna
We have been busy little ragazze (girls) the last 3-4 days! Always exploring, poking in little shops, people-watching in the piazzas, always either in the rain or with the threat of rain. But today we are in summer clothes and have no umbrellas! We just spent a couple of hours in a delightful little park with a lake, ducks and their babies, and the pigeons that never quit begging for food. We read, studied, and strolled. Now THIS is Italy finally!
On the weekend, we went by train to Venice, a 2 hr trip. We took a vaporetto (taxi boat) down the Grand Canal, which passes under the famous Rialto bridge. It was absolutely teaming rain, and it was a sea of umbrellas. Why Europeans don't wear jackets with rain hoods is beyond me, especially with the sidewalks being so narrow and every time you meet someone you risk losing an eye. There is no apparent umbrella-carrying etiquette :-). We found our hotel no problem. The streets are really little alley-ways between the houses, some not more than one person wide. The office was in one building, our room in another, and breakfast in yet another. Very clean, with a patio, but only a view of walls and a few flower baskets, decorated otherwise by the air conditioning unit. But it was dry, and the shower had real water pressure!
Sunday dawned beautifully. We got to see the big clock tower doing its rare thing, which is the magi coming out of one door, and hailing Mary, before passing into the next bronze door. It only does this twice per year (we overheard from the English speaking guide we were eavesdropping on). We went up in the bell tower for a stupendous view of Venetia. We were in line to go into San Marco basilica but just when it was our turn, they closed the church for mass. Plus suddenly the low part of the piazza was flooding. It was very high tide, full moon, etc. And the masses were wading through a lot of sea water. By this time we were high up in the museum overlooking those unlucky enough to be caught in the tide. Then we hooked up with a couple of fellows from Texas and took a 40 min gondola ride through the various canals. We had heard Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp were in town but, alas, they didn't come out to greet us! I guess they hadn't heard that we were in town?? A wonderful couple of days with some little purchases along the way.
I'm going to d/l some photos now, which takes way too much time, but is necessary I think :)
A piu tarde!
On the weekend, we went by train to Venice, a 2 hr trip. We took a vaporetto (taxi boat) down the Grand Canal, which passes under the famous Rialto bridge. It was absolutely teaming rain, and it was a sea of umbrellas. Why Europeans don't wear jackets with rain hoods is beyond me, especially with the sidewalks being so narrow and every time you meet someone you risk losing an eye. There is no apparent umbrella-carrying etiquette :-). We found our hotel no problem. The streets are really little alley-ways between the houses, some not more than one person wide. The office was in one building, our room in another, and breakfast in yet another. Very clean, with a patio, but only a view of walls and a few flower baskets, decorated otherwise by the air conditioning unit. But it was dry, and the shower had real water pressure!
Sunday dawned beautifully. We got to see the big clock tower doing its rare thing, which is the magi coming out of one door, and hailing Mary, before passing into the next bronze door. It only does this twice per year (we overheard from the English speaking guide we were eavesdropping on). We went up in the bell tower for a stupendous view of Venetia. We were in line to go into San Marco basilica but just when it was our turn, they closed the church for mass. Plus suddenly the low part of the piazza was flooding. It was very high tide, full moon, etc. And the masses were wading through a lot of sea water. By this time we were high up in the museum overlooking those unlucky enough to be caught in the tide. Then we hooked up with a couple of fellows from Texas and took a 40 min gondola ride through the various canals. We had heard Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp were in town but, alas, they didn't come out to greet us! I guess they hadn't heard that we were in town?? A wonderful couple of days with some little purchases along the way.
I'm going to d/l some photos now, which takes way too much time, but is necessary I think :)
A piu tarde!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
13 May - Anna
Hmmm the last two days...more walking! I would never drive a car here, no matter how small. But we have actually seen people taking little ones on the back of their scooters. We read (and actually understood the article!) that they are making helmets and child seats mandatory on the back of scooters. Whoda thunk it!
Yesterday after school we visited 3 different gelateries. No sampling, darn it. I think JIll indulged in two of the three, but I resisted two of them. Broke down at the last one and got a scoop of white chocolate, and another of Tiramisu. Ever so yummy, but pe rhaps not as good as at San Gimigniano??
The sun broke through this morning and stayed until about 2:30 or so, when another shower hit. This makes the apt damp, so it takes about 3 days to dry a pair of jeans. Yesterday while we were out at the gelateries a HUGE rainstorm hit. We were like 2 km from home and headedi n the other direction. Got soaked. And Jills school notebook disintegrated. So the drying rack in my room came to yet another good use. My wallet got soaked too. Good thing money does not disintegrate.
We went today to the Mercato central. Think Halifax market down on the waterfront but all on one level. Neither of us cared for the smell of the meat, cheese, etc., but it didnt stop us from having lunch there. Its filled more with Italians than tourists, so a bit of a taste of Fiorentini life. Then we shopped the cheap market stalls, and finally I bought a jacket. Short, black, with brown cuffs and colours. Sooo soft! It was really a painful experience as the guy was way in my personal space, then a lot of haggling. Jill was also trying on, and while I was having my sale rung through he gave her a tremendous deal on, of all things, a jacket made from the humps of camels! Neither of us know if camel humps are really a highly sought after material, but the jacket is really cute, sort of black suede. I wonder if, when she drinks water, she will swell up???
Jill went on the afternoon tour to towers and castles. Since I have only seen a couple of towers (campanile - cam-pan-ee-lay) I figured that translates into way too much walking.
I think tomorrow we may go to da Vinci s Science Museum, maybe to Dante s house. But I now have to avoid the leather store where the fellow is making me a jacket. Or so he says. We popped in yesterday to see if it might be ready, and he said they ran out of leather of the right colour. But he reminded me that if the jacket fits then I am expected to buy it. Of course that was the obvious he was stating, but it annoyed me. nonetheless, I told him to go ahead, as I really thought I wanted the light brown. I still may go back...or not.
We are going out to a trattoria for s upper this evening. Will likely do more strolling around, or go study in Piazza San Marco if it isnt raining.
ciao for now! Oh...Amy...the only horses we have seen are either pulling a carriage, or done in bronze! Everyone has a dog it seems, but I have yet to see one single cat!
OH...we were also told that Brad Pitt is in Venice. Maybe it was JIll who mentioned that? Our teacher, Ri ta, told us she was in the Piazza di Signori at a cafe and someone tapped her on the shoulder and asked for sugar. She turned around and it was Brad himself. She said that was 2 years ago and she hasnt washed her shoulder since! rita is an absolute riot. Maybe 30 years old. Very very expressive. Does a lot of miming (mimeing?), belly laughs, and eye rolling. Quite a hoot!
I am off to the apt, which is about 3 blocks from here.
Yesterday after school we visited 3 different gelateries. No sampling, darn it. I think JIll indulged in two of the three, but I resisted two of them. Broke down at the last one and got a scoop of white chocolate, and another of Tiramisu. Ever so yummy, but pe rhaps not as good as at San Gimigniano??
The sun broke through this morning and stayed until about 2:30 or so, when another shower hit. This makes the apt damp, so it takes about 3 days to dry a pair of jeans. Yesterday while we were out at the gelateries a HUGE rainstorm hit. We were like 2 km from home and headedi n the other direction. Got soaked. And Jills school notebook disintegrated. So the drying rack in my room came to yet another good use. My wallet got soaked too. Good thing money does not disintegrate.
We went today to the Mercato central. Think Halifax market down on the waterfront but all on one level. Neither of us cared for the smell of the meat, cheese, etc., but it didnt stop us from having lunch there. Its filled more with Italians than tourists, so a bit of a taste of Fiorentini life. Then we shopped the cheap market stalls, and finally I bought a jacket. Short, black, with brown cuffs and colours. Sooo soft! It was really a painful experience as the guy was way in my personal space, then a lot of haggling. Jill was also trying on, and while I was having my sale rung through he gave her a tremendous deal on, of all things, a jacket made from the humps of camels! Neither of us know if camel humps are really a highly sought after material, but the jacket is really cute, sort of black suede. I wonder if, when she drinks water, she will swell up???
Jill went on the afternoon tour to towers and castles. Since I have only seen a couple of towers (campanile - cam-pan-ee-lay) I figured that translates into way too much walking.
I think tomorrow we may go to da Vinci s Science Museum, maybe to Dante s house. But I now have to avoid the leather store where the fellow is making me a jacket. Or so he says. We popped in yesterday to see if it might be ready, and he said they ran out of leather of the right colour. But he reminded me that if the jacket fits then I am expected to buy it. Of course that was the obvious he was stating, but it annoyed me. nonetheless, I told him to go ahead, as I really thought I wanted the light brown. I still may go back...or not.
We are going out to a trattoria for s upper this evening. Will likely do more strolling around, or go study in Piazza San Marco if it isnt raining.
ciao for now! Oh...Amy...the only horses we have seen are either pulling a carriage, or done in bronze! Everyone has a dog it seems, but I have yet to see one single cat!
OH...we were also told that Brad Pitt is in Venice. Maybe it was JIll who mentioned that? Our teacher, Ri ta, told us she was in the Piazza di Signori at a cafe and someone tapped her on the shoulder and asked for sugar. She turned around and it was Brad himself. She said that was 2 years ago and she hasnt washed her shoulder since! rita is an absolute riot. Maybe 30 years old. Very very expressive. Does a lot of miming (mimeing?), belly laughs, and eye rolling. Quite a hoot!
I am off to the apt, which is about 3 blocks from here.
Monday, May 10, 2010
7 maggio - lunedi Monday - Anna
Finally a day without walking a bazillion miles!!
On Sat we went to Siena and San Gimigniano - two medieval towns to the north about an hour or so. Did I mention that they built these towns on the top of very high hills then fortified them with towers, etc. This translates into a LOT of walking constantly uphill. Just when you think you have arrived, ouuffa, more steps!! But the weather was great, the company was great, and lots of little stores to peer into on your way by. Alas no time to go into the museums and churches really, but nice to poke around in our free time of an hour or so at each town. In San Gim we tried the recommended white wine, vernaccia (ver-nah-cha) which was delish, and just before leaving had our first gelato. I think we'll be spoiled as some we had yesterday had some ice crystals in it, not nearly so creamy. Whatever they sell in Supervalu as 'gelato' is a far cry from the real stuff. Tomorrow we actually go visit a gelateria where they make it...we are hoping for lots of sampling!
On Sunday Jill and I slept in til about 10, then started off to explore. We walked by Santa Croce area, through lots of piazzas and tiny streets. It is dangerous walking here as the sidewalks are either 1 or 1.5 persons wide, so you have to step onto the street, and watch for cars, motorcycles or bikes coming. We went to an African market down by the Arno. Then cross the river, down the other side to the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge). Then up the hill toward the Pitti Palace. There was a big flea market in the Santo Spiritu churchyard (Marshall & Patrick...think a little better than the Mexican market in Yuma, but 4 times as big!). Back over the river via Ponte Trinita. Sat and had lunch in the Duomo piazza across from the bronze Baptistry doors. Jill had gnocchi and I had lasagna. And a bottle of vernaccia. Expensive to eat outdoors, but it was our much deserved treat. We trundled home, then had to study!! Since we were both falling asleep, we called it a relatively early night...as in 11 p.m.
Oh...Caroline..while we were in a t shirt shop across the Arno River we heard mmm-bop playing on the sound system. I thought of you :)
Loving this! But really must get some studying done! Jill is off to see the iris gardens at Piazzale di Michelangelo. I was there with CAroline (remember the overlook of all Firenze??) and I knew the walk was straight up. Thank you, but I've done enough walking in the last couple of days! Thank God for Aleve!!
Ciao tutti!!
On Sat we went to Siena and San Gimigniano - two medieval towns to the north about an hour or so. Did I mention that they built these towns on the top of very high hills then fortified them with towers, etc. This translates into a LOT of walking constantly uphill. Just when you think you have arrived, ouuffa, more steps!! But the weather was great, the company was great, and lots of little stores to peer into on your way by. Alas no time to go into the museums and churches really, but nice to poke around in our free time of an hour or so at each town. In San Gim we tried the recommended white wine, vernaccia (ver-nah-cha) which was delish, and just before leaving had our first gelato. I think we'll be spoiled as some we had yesterday had some ice crystals in it, not nearly so creamy. Whatever they sell in Supervalu as 'gelato' is a far cry from the real stuff. Tomorrow we actually go visit a gelateria where they make it...we are hoping for lots of sampling!
On Sunday Jill and I slept in til about 10, then started off to explore. We walked by Santa Croce area, through lots of piazzas and tiny streets. It is dangerous walking here as the sidewalks are either 1 or 1.5 persons wide, so you have to step onto the street, and watch for cars, motorcycles or bikes coming. We went to an African market down by the Arno. Then cross the river, down the other side to the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge). Then up the hill toward the Pitti Palace. There was a big flea market in the Santo Spiritu churchyard (Marshall & Patrick...think a little better than the Mexican market in Yuma, but 4 times as big!). Back over the river via Ponte Trinita. Sat and had lunch in the Duomo piazza across from the bronze Baptistry doors. Jill had gnocchi and I had lasagna. And a bottle of vernaccia. Expensive to eat outdoors, but it was our much deserved treat. We trundled home, then had to study!! Since we were both falling asleep, we called it a relatively early night...as in 11 p.m.
Oh...Caroline..while we were in a t shirt shop across the Arno River we heard mmm-bop playing on the sound system. I thought of you :)
Loving this! But really must get some studying done! Jill is off to see the iris gardens at Piazzale di Michelangelo. I was there with CAroline (remember the overlook of all Firenze??) and I knew the walk was straight up. Thank you, but I've done enough walking in the last couple of days! Thank God for Aleve!!
Ciao tutti!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
our street...
It is Sunday, so pretty quiet. Usually it is filled with motorcycles/scooters/Vespas. And garbage bins galore. So pretty!!
Jill and Irish kid Sean
We (all students) were invited out for wine tasting by the restaurant next door. It consisted of dried bread hors d'oeuvres and tasty Etruscan mulled wine..tasted like Christmas.
7 maggio (May 7) - Jill
Buongiorno! Raining again today - on and off since we arrived (but no snow - LOL). School is getting harder - we learned the alphabet, days, months, etc a couple of days ago. Today we tackled verbs... Uffa! Mama Mia!! There are several people in our class that have already taken Italian so not sure why they're in the Basic class. We've had the best ham/cheese sandwiches that I've had since I was in Cuba (forever ago). We've been trying out different cafes - trying to find an economical yet tasty place to get our morning caffé and cioccolate (cup of chocolate soup!).
Yesterday, we toured Santa Croce (a huge church with a lot of people buried in it). It also has dedications to Galileo Galilei, Davinci, Dante, and the list goes on...
Tuesday night, we had a group dinner with lots of wine. Anna and I continued with wine until the wee hours, catching up. Made Wednesday a very long day! Tried out the local McDonalds - good for a hangover and yummy as always!
Tomorrow we're off to Siena with a school tour. Hope the sun stays out for more than 5 minutes ;)
Ciaa!!
Yesterday, we toured Santa Croce (a huge church with a lot of people buried in it). It also has dedications to Galileo Galilei, Davinci, Dante, and the list goes on...
Tuesday night, we had a group dinner with lots of wine. Anna and I continued with wine until the wee hours, catching up. Made Wednesday a very long day! Tried out the local McDonalds - good for a hangover and yummy as always!
Tomorrow we're off to Siena with a school tour. Hope the sun stays out for more than 5 minutes ;)
Ciaa!!
Friday - venerdi 7 maggio - Anna
While I am waiting for photos to upload, I'll type a little.
In the photos, hopefully I have one with my window showing. Ours are the top 3 right hand windows. Mine is 2nd from left. The left hand one belongs to an unknown neighbour. Not sure if I actually have that photo...but for those of you who might have googled it ...
Yesterday was a long day. Classes are going well, but Jill & I are TRUE beginners. While others from other European countries (or elsewhere) have taken it in school at some point. And many are in intensive classes with an extra 2 hrs in the afternoon. Consequently, today (Friday) was frustrating in its amount of overload! But we shall persevere :) (hmmm that looks like an Italian word!)
Yesterday was a lovely sightseeing and shopping day. How I adore the smell of leather!! We each bought leather. Jill got a super jacket (her biker chick look). I had a lovely elegant one on, that would have been great, had I a place to wear it!! But that was prior to May 5, my official retirement date! Or perhaps I mentioned this before :). Anyway, I am looking for more casual at this point. Had on a brown one, but it was pretty plain. So at another store, actually have been measured for one, and am to go look at it on Wednesday. In the meantime....have seen yet another one I like...just one size too small :(.
We went to visit Santa Croce church (Dante outside, but he's not buried there as they ran him out of Florence years before he died). But he is memorialized in thisgigantic statue outside. Caroline...remember him??? And if you do...do you happen to remember where the famous gelato store was? The entire historic core is flooded with them! Jill & I just haven't had time for one and, frankly, in the rain, it hasn't seemed appealing.
Tomorrow we are going to Siena and San Gimigniano with the school...or 20 people. Reservations for opera for Tuesday night (for a sampling of romantic arias...hopefully I'll recognize a few :)). Uffizi art gallery next week. Venice the next weekend overnight. And still working on the 3rd weekend. Likely rent a car or else go to Cinqueterre - a tour or on our own. not sure. Last day will be in Rome.
Altogether, my feet are tired, my body occasionally protests, but right now we are going to have a cold beer in some trattoria or piazza. Life is good! Salut to you all! Tutti va bene!!
In the photos, hopefully I have one with my window showing. Ours are the top 3 right hand windows. Mine is 2nd from left. The left hand one belongs to an unknown neighbour. Not sure if I actually have that photo...but for those of you who might have googled it ...
Yesterday was a long day. Classes are going well, but Jill & I are TRUE beginners. While others from other European countries (or elsewhere) have taken it in school at some point. And many are in intensive classes with an extra 2 hrs in the afternoon. Consequently, today (Friday) was frustrating in its amount of overload! But we shall persevere :) (hmmm that looks like an Italian word!)
Yesterday was a lovely sightseeing and shopping day. How I adore the smell of leather!! We each bought leather. Jill got a super jacket (her biker chick look). I had a lovely elegant one on, that would have been great, had I a place to wear it!! But that was prior to May 5, my official retirement date! Or perhaps I mentioned this before :). Anyway, I am looking for more casual at this point. Had on a brown one, but it was pretty plain. So at another store, actually have been measured for one, and am to go look at it on Wednesday. In the meantime....have seen yet another one I like...just one size too small :(.
We went to visit Santa Croce church (Dante outside, but he's not buried there as they ran him out of Florence years before he died). But he is memorialized in thisgigantic statue outside. Caroline...remember him??? And if you do...do you happen to remember where the famous gelato store was? The entire historic core is flooded with them! Jill & I just haven't had time for one and, frankly, in the rain, it hasn't seemed appealing.
Tomorrow we are going to Siena and San Gimigniano with the school...or 20 people. Reservations for opera for Tuesday night (for a sampling of romantic arias...hopefully I'll recognize a few :)). Uffizi art gallery next week. Venice the next weekend overnight. And still working on the 3rd weekend. Likely rent a car or else go to Cinqueterre - a tour or on our own. not sure. Last day will be in Rome.
Altogether, my feet are tired, my body occasionally protests, but right now we are going to have a cold beer in some trattoria or piazza. Life is good! Salut to you all! Tutti va bene!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday May 4 - Anna
It rains in Italy. A lot! Enough about the weather! Oh yes...it is also t shirt weather. So, for all of you who are enjoying snow in the west...too bad!
Flight, train to Firenze (Florence) was uneventful. Just tiring. We arrived at our apartment on Via San Gallo in mid'afternoon. 68 steps up. Counted them! My suitcase was far too heavy. but I knew that starting out. We will have great quads at the end of this. We are sharing the apartment with a woman from Montreal. Anna and this woman on the main floor. Jill gets a loft room, so gets an extra work out going up the tiny circular stairway. So small her suitcase was difficult to get up there. I have a window overlooking the street, so if you google the address, and look up, look waaaay up Rusty, you will see my window. Via San Gallo 46 is the address. Lots of shops along the street. Very narrow sidewalks, all cobblestones. Streets are lined with garbage cans, tiny cars, and Vespa scooters. Cold beer at the end of the street for supper, with the most dried out panini ever tasted. ptuii.
Monday morning was school. My alarm clock did not go off. But it was the old a.m. vs. p.m. issue. Oh yes, the new hair dryer with the voltage switch, quit after about 20 seconds. And, I brought the wrong hook up. Here in Italy are 3 horizontal prongs. Even Jills super duper plug in thingy doesnt have these 3 prongs. But I discovered one in my room.
School is a mish mash of n ationalities...a lot from Brazil, South Africa, 5 Canadians, 1 American. I th ink 27 in the classroom on the first day. We were divided up for the 2nd day. After school, we had a guided tour of downtown centre of Florence...just the important landmarks. The problem was it was conducted entirely in Italian! But it is amazing how much I understood...between high school Latin, French, Spanish classes this winter...really I could get the gist of it all. We were a little confused when the guide was talking about some statues, and pointing to them, saying what we thought was "Louis", but it was "Lui", meaning "him".
Stopped on the way home and got 3 bottles of wine for 20 Euro (buy 2, get 1 free) and the first two were 10 Euro each, and the third 16 Euro, which was the free one. I like the way they think here! After a bit of a rest, we went out for supper and a walk around our immediate neighbourhood with our roomie Yasmine. Through a couple of piazzas (San marco and Anunziatione), very pretty, even in the pouring rain. Then Jill & I studied our butts off, even reading a bit ahead.
Tuesday ' Day 2 of school. We arrived to find we had been put in different classrooms. So we got that changed, without issue. About a dozen people in the class. A young married couple from Montreal, a fellow (23) from Ireland who quit work and decided he would spend 3 months in Florence for the hell of it. A girl from Brazil (I think , she looks Chilean), 2 ladies older than me one from California, one from...someplace where neither Eng nor French is spoken...maybe South America some where. A girl from South Africa, via London, our roomie Yasmine, a fellow from Germany. I think it will be a good class. Some are taking the basic course, 3 or 4 weeks, some are here for Super Intensive course, so they get classes in the afternoon, some here for 3 months!! But I am sure we will all find common ground eventually. We are both just happy that this school is not a big scam, and the apartment is acceptable. And we find we are lucky that we are about a 10 to 15 min walk away. Many have to come on the bus. One girl has about 2 bus changes to get to class and lives in a neighbourhood where there are no services at all. We have shops galore, little delis, drycleaners, wine stores, even an Irish pub! Pastry shops, bakeries, so many stores selling gelato(I have thus far resisted). This internet cafe wthich gives students 30 free minutes, is 2 short blocks from our apartment. Definitely we are in the best of all places.
this Afternoon we toured the Duomo, which is the pictures at the top of this page. Beautiful indeed. But we will limit ourselves to one church per week.
Also we stopped at a tourist bureau recommended by the Istituto, and made train and hotel reservations for overnighting to Venice the 15/16 May. Through the school, next weekend we are going on a day trip to Siena and San Gimigniano. For 60 Euro, a good deal.
All in all...having a great time here! Just wish it would stop raining! But hey...we are in Italy!! How can anything be bad!! So thats all for now, folks.
Ciao from us both!
Flight, train to Firenze (Florence) was uneventful. Just tiring. We arrived at our apartment on Via San Gallo in mid'afternoon. 68 steps up. Counted them! My suitcase was far too heavy. but I knew that starting out. We will have great quads at the end of this. We are sharing the apartment with a woman from Montreal. Anna and this woman on the main floor. Jill gets a loft room, so gets an extra work out going up the tiny circular stairway. So small her suitcase was difficult to get up there. I have a window overlooking the street, so if you google the address, and look up, look waaaay up Rusty, you will see my window. Via San Gallo 46 is the address. Lots of shops along the street. Very narrow sidewalks, all cobblestones. Streets are lined with garbage cans, tiny cars, and Vespa scooters. Cold beer at the end of the street for supper, with the most dried out panini ever tasted. ptuii.
Monday morning was school. My alarm clock did not go off. But it was the old a.m. vs. p.m. issue. Oh yes, the new hair dryer with the voltage switch, quit after about 20 seconds. And, I brought the wrong hook up. Here in Italy are 3 horizontal prongs. Even Jills super duper plug in thingy doesnt have these 3 prongs. But I discovered one in my room.
School is a mish mash of n ationalities...a lot from Brazil, South Africa, 5 Canadians, 1 American. I th ink 27 in the classroom on the first day. We were divided up for the 2nd day. After school, we had a guided tour of downtown centre of Florence...just the important landmarks. The problem was it was conducted entirely in Italian! But it is amazing how much I understood...between high school Latin, French, Spanish classes this winter...really I could get the gist of it all. We were a little confused when the guide was talking about some statues, and pointing to them, saying what we thought was "Louis", but it was "Lui", meaning "him".
Stopped on the way home and got 3 bottles of wine for 20 Euro (buy 2, get 1 free) and the first two were 10 Euro each, and the third 16 Euro, which was the free one. I like the way they think here! After a bit of a rest, we went out for supper and a walk around our immediate neighbourhood with our roomie Yasmine. Through a couple of piazzas (San marco and Anunziatione), very pretty, even in the pouring rain. Then Jill & I studied our butts off, even reading a bit ahead.
Tuesday ' Day 2 of school. We arrived to find we had been put in different classrooms. So we got that changed, without issue. About a dozen people in the class. A young married couple from Montreal, a fellow (23) from Ireland who quit work and decided he would spend 3 months in Florence for the hell of it. A girl from Brazil (I think , she looks Chilean), 2 ladies older than me one from California, one from...someplace where neither Eng nor French is spoken...maybe South America some where. A girl from South Africa, via London, our roomie Yasmine, a fellow from Germany. I think it will be a good class. Some are taking the basic course, 3 or 4 weeks, some are here for Super Intensive course, so they get classes in the afternoon, some here for 3 months!! But I am sure we will all find common ground eventually. We are both just happy that this school is not a big scam, and the apartment is acceptable. And we find we are lucky that we are about a 10 to 15 min walk away. Many have to come on the bus. One girl has about 2 bus changes to get to class and lives in a neighbourhood where there are no services at all. We have shops galore, little delis, drycleaners, wine stores, even an Irish pub! Pastry shops, bakeries, so many stores selling gelato(I have thus far resisted). This internet cafe wthich gives students 30 free minutes, is 2 short blocks from our apartment. Definitely we are in the best of all places.
this Afternoon we toured the Duomo, which is the pictures at the top of this page. Beautiful indeed. But we will limit ourselves to one church per week.
Also we stopped at a tourist bureau recommended by the Istituto, and made train and hotel reservations for overnighting to Venice the 15/16 May. Through the school, next weekend we are going on a day trip to Siena and San Gimigniano. For 60 Euro, a good deal.
All in all...having a great time here! Just wish it would stop raining! But hey...we are in Italy!! How can anything be bad!! So thats all for now, folks.
Ciao from us both!
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
Packing to go, keeping the 50 lb weight limit in mind, is not fun! I have learned that we do have a washer and an iron, but no dryer, as they are not common in Italy. And we are not sure of the other activities that will be planned for us. So whether or not to make reservations for the Uffizi gallery is a question. Rick Steves' book says to make them a month in advance. But the Istituto says only a couple of days in advance is necessary. To whom does one listen?
So...this is a test to see if I will actually be able to do this blogging! Thank you to my awesome daughter!!
So...this is a test to see if I will actually be able to do this blogging! Thank you to my awesome daughter!!
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