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4703. judithathome - 3/10/2012 2:49:37 AM Jen, you'll go back...trust me. 4704. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 7:29:06 PM Well, it was the time of my life. I seriously want to move to Rome or Florence (I didn't care for Milan at all).
I shot over 1,200 pictures. I will sort through them and post some highlights.
I've only gotten two hours of sleep in the last 36 hours, so I am pooped. 4705. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 7:35:38 PM Bhel puri,
I spent a couple of hours in the Pantheon with a local historian. It's a true marvel of engineering and Roman ingenuity. I took dozens of pictures.
That said, the Vatican is equally impressive and holds more art and works. For me, the Vatican wins. One of the best parts of the trip, and of my life, was sitting in the Sistine Chapel with only five other people and enjoying the ceiling and the Last Judgment of Christ. 4706. arkymalarky - 3/20/2012 8:30:43 PM Yay for you Jen!! 4707. vonKreedon - 3/20/2012 8:39:23 PM Oh man Jen, I am seriously envious of your time in the Sistine Chapel. How was the Vasari Corridor? Did you go up to the top of the Duomo in Florence? What was your favorite meal?
I so want to go back. 4708. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 9:45:18 PM It was wonderful, Arky. :) 4709. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 10:13:21 PM VonK,
The Vasari Corridor was great! I had art/historian guide and looked at select works throughout the Uffizi (Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, etc.) and then worked our way to the private/secret entrance. This corridor was made for the Medici family for a few reasons. (1) They knew that the papal corridor (the Passetto di Borgo) was used successfully by the Pope when the Germans tried to attack and kill him. (2) They knew that it would provide a way for the Medicis to move about unnoticed. And, (3) it would be a way for them to store more of their extensive art collection. The guide said that it housed works that inspired Cosimo I and later generations (Leopold is who had it had built). Vasari had the unique challenge of building between homes that were already located where the corridor went, and he was able to build it quickly - five months!
Unfortunately, a terrorist attack in 1993 destroyed some of the paintings (Carravagio), but the portrait gallery is nearly intact. I saw self-portaits made by virtually every famous Italian painter known, and some others as well. Albrecht Durer, DaVinci, Rubens and Bernini were my favorite.
The next day I went to the Palazzo Vecchio and toured it extensively as well.
I did not climb to the top of the Duomo in Florence. I ran out of time. I did go inside it and the Medici chapel as well.
As for food - it was delicious every single day, every single meal. I did some research on food places I wanted to try before I visited. Probably the best meal I had was a tie between the lunch I had in Florence at dei Frescobaldi (http://www.deifrescobaldi.it/ristorante-wine-bar-firenze/home.html)
and the dinner at l'Osteria di Memmo in Rome (http://www.osteriadememmo.it)
I had fantastic cacio e pepe at other places, and was decadently indulged by the owner of a family run deli/salami shop - Volpetti. Not to mention the market I shopped in and all of the gelato I tried. I could go on and on!
Thankfully I walked for ten hours every day. 4710. judithathome - 3/21/2012 6:18:41 PM Your trip sounds great and well-rounded...I agree about Milan.
I had a little pang when you said a Carravagio had been destroyed...we went twice to the exhibit of his paintings that was here at the Kimball in Dec/Jan. He was amazing and his work is so unique, it can be identified as soon as you enter a room.
You need to spend your entire summer there next!! 4711. thoughtful - 3/21/2012 9:48:12 PM Rec'd an Xmas card from high school gf who won a fellowship which included living in Italy for 11 mos. not bad.... 4712. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:40:16 PM Judith,
Milan was dirty, in my opinion. The people were incredibly snobby and put off by anything. In fact, I don't recall a single 'thank you' for anything. Yes it's Milan - the fashion capital of the world. But honestly, if I want to buy a Louis Vuitton bag, I can drive to Northpark Mall in Dallas and buy one - and I will get better service. The thing about shopping, for me, is that the world has become a smaller place. Designers are not localized anymore. Armani, Prada and Fendi aren't solely located in Italy - they're everywhere.
That said, I loved the Last Supper exhibit and the hotel I stayed in was excellent. 4713. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:41:17 PM For me, Rome is where I would gladly move. Florence is a very close second. And you know, I thought it (Florence) had *excellent* shopping. 4714. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:43:34 PM And for you coffee loves like me, I found the best coffee I have EVER had in Rome (another reason I love the place). Plus it's right around the corner from the Pantheon, and not that far from a Bernini fountain.
Sant Eustachio
Hands down, the very best, most voluptuous espresso I have ever had. 4715. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:44:20 PM thoughtful - what an awesome opportunity for your friend. You must go and visit her! :) 4716. judithathome - 3/25/2012 10:36:15 PM I've been experimenting with finding something to sip on throughout the day...decided that Bloody Marys come with some societal baggage so I tried drinking iced coffee all day...which is good because I drink it black, no sugar...so, calorie-free.
However, coffee has become almost as expesive as gasoline so I bought some Japanese green tea bags and a jug of OJ...and a case of Perrier. Going to make a mixture of green tea and Perrier with a splash of OJ...will report back on whether this is going to become the drink du jour. 4717. thoughtful - 3/25/2012 11:19:42 PM My drink of late has been just a splash of trader joes 100% cranberry juice (which is powerful stuff) in a glass of seltzer. Low cal and good for your bladder. 4718. Jenerator - 3/26/2012 6:30:44 PM A friend of mine swears by warm lemon water as an appetite suppressant.
That's good for your kidneys. 4719. thoughtful - 3/29/2012 2:55:26 PM This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.
*The last line says it all. *
Dear Bertha,
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring
the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending
more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor,
not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish
them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every
special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or
the first Amaryllis blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous,
I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving
my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the
hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my
vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and
hear and do it now
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be
here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would
have called family members and a few close friends. They might have
called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past
squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese
dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.
I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew
my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters
that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I
didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love
them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything
that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when
I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.
Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you're
too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward
this, would it be the first time you didn't do the little thing that
would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it
certainly won't be the last.
Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to
let them know that you're thinking of them.
"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't
need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be
there."
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might
as well dance. 4720. arkymalarky - 4/14/2012 11:07:37 PM Very lovely.
Our swifts are setting up on the porch fan again. Last time I think all the baby birds survived. Maybe they will again. Hobo has gotten to where he won't chase birds, animals, or cars when he knows I'm watching him. But he still will when I'm not. Mojo's getting too old to be interested in that kind of thing. 4721. arkymalarky - 4/15/2012 2:18:27 AM Sitting on our patio with tiki torches lit. I'm getting in the mood for retirement. 4722. judithathome - 4/15/2012 3:04:09 AM Reading that, I'm getting in the mood for YOUR retirement, too! ;-)
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