Post by Kim on Dec 26, 2003 10:29:18 GMT -5
hello one and all,
Just that one day of rain on Sunday, but a front definitely came in behind it. The past two days have
been so clear and clean...sky amazingly blue! But the temp did drop I'd say about 10 degrees and I guess it's in high-30's, which is surely not bad at all for walking around. But, yesterday and today therehas been a rather stiff wind blowing and that does make it feel pretty darn chilly.
Glad I brought my silk long johns along....with those and hat, scarf, gloves it is not too bad at all. I'll take the wind if I can have beautiful days like these have been. 10 days and thus far only one day of misty rain, how can I complain?
Have been quite busy and on the go the past two days. Some of the places I've seen are San Marco museum, home of the frescos of Fra Angelico (not to be missed), the Medicci palace (home)....easily should be missed, 6 euros and 3 rooms are able to be seen, all the rest is gov't offices....San Lorenzo church...here is a story. I was there about lunch time and there probably weren't 2 dozen visitors in the place. Was admiring Donotellos pulpits and asked the info\guard a question. Well, he not only answered it but literally spent the next hour and 10 minutes with me, walking all around the church telling me about this and that, pointing out secret doors, hidden passageways, who did what painting or frescoe, who commissioned it, all the history and gossip one could want. Just me and him. And when we reached the Old Sacristy area he called another info lady on his walkie to come because he told me she was the real expert on that....and then she spent 40 minutes explaining all of it for me. The utter joy, again, of off season travel! Also went to Santa Maria Novella, one of the prettiest churches in town I believe, the proportions are amazing. Also have been to the Bargello....it is to sculpture what the Uffizi is to painting. Chock full of Donotello and Michaelangelo and a terrific museum. Sadly though, no audio and at best marginal info in English. (Had Rick's book with me though so got the high points that way). Just got finished at the Pitti Palace.....not feeling real kindly for it right now. The Boboli Gardens I saw last time and they are for certain a do not miss visit here. The rest of the palace itself.....don't let them steal your money. There are no treasures in the 'Ducal Treasures Museum' and the Royal Apartments run you first through miles of Pallatine Gallery full of very minor works of art by big names and loads of other mediocre stuff by folks no one has heard of lately. The biggest objection is that again, absolutely no information in English and no audio so very hard to appreciate any of it. There are some truly wonderful, visitor friendly places in Florence....take my advice, skip this one. But do see the gardens!
Couple of random thoughts before I run...have to hit the supermarket before it closes for the evening.....have noticed with interest that it seems all the churches and nearly every museum has little portable seismographs (sp?) scattered throughout. And yes, they are the earthquake machines, the name is right on them. Why?? Will they need a machine to tell them if they are having one and why do they need so many in every building? Just a curiosity to me.
Totally have to go, it's Xmas eve and I will shortly be out of time to do a bit of shopping. Hope everyone has a terrific holiday tomorrow! I'll catch up the food reports next post Kim.
.....Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
ging
Just that one day of rain on Sunday, but a front definitely came in behind it. The past two days have
been so clear and clean...sky amazingly blue! But the temp did drop I'd say about 10 degrees and I guess it's in high-30's, which is surely not bad at all for walking around. But, yesterday and today therehas been a rather stiff wind blowing and that does make it feel pretty darn chilly.
Glad I brought my silk long johns along....with those and hat, scarf, gloves it is not too bad at all. I'll take the wind if I can have beautiful days like these have been. 10 days and thus far only one day of misty rain, how can I complain?
Have been quite busy and on the go the past two days. Some of the places I've seen are San Marco museum, home of the frescos of Fra Angelico (not to be missed), the Medicci palace (home)....easily should be missed, 6 euros and 3 rooms are able to be seen, all the rest is gov't offices....San Lorenzo church...here is a story. I was there about lunch time and there probably weren't 2 dozen visitors in the place. Was admiring Donotellos pulpits and asked the info\guard a question. Well, he not only answered it but literally spent the next hour and 10 minutes with me, walking all around the church telling me about this and that, pointing out secret doors, hidden passageways, who did what painting or frescoe, who commissioned it, all the history and gossip one could want. Just me and him. And when we reached the Old Sacristy area he called another info lady on his walkie to come because he told me she was the real expert on that....and then she spent 40 minutes explaining all of it for me. The utter joy, again, of off season travel! Also went to Santa Maria Novella, one of the prettiest churches in town I believe, the proportions are amazing. Also have been to the Bargello....it is to sculpture what the Uffizi is to painting. Chock full of Donotello and Michaelangelo and a terrific museum. Sadly though, no audio and at best marginal info in English. (Had Rick's book with me though so got the high points that way). Just got finished at the Pitti Palace.....not feeling real kindly for it right now. The Boboli Gardens I saw last time and they are for certain a do not miss visit here. The rest of the palace itself.....don't let them steal your money. There are no treasures in the 'Ducal Treasures Museum' and the Royal Apartments run you first through miles of Pallatine Gallery full of very minor works of art by big names and loads of other mediocre stuff by folks no one has heard of lately. The biggest objection is that again, absolutely no information in English and no audio so very hard to appreciate any of it. There are some truly wonderful, visitor friendly places in Florence....take my advice, skip this one. But do see the gardens!
Couple of random thoughts before I run...have to hit the supermarket before it closes for the evening.....have noticed with interest that it seems all the churches and nearly every museum has little portable seismographs (sp?) scattered throughout. And yes, they are the earthquake machines, the name is right on them. Why?? Will they need a machine to tell them if they are having one and why do they need so many in every building? Just a curiosity to me.
Totally have to go, it's Xmas eve and I will shortly be out of time to do a bit of shopping. Hope everyone has a terrific holiday tomorrow! I'll catch up the food reports next post Kim.
.....Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
ging