I Love Florence

May 5, 2007
The Lure of Florence

Here is my new happenings here
I decided not to leave this morning – more places to see and walking to do and it’s a good city to buy gifts. In rain went to train station to change ticket. That can be very intimidating for us Americans – since I bought tik in US its international and they cant issue me new one so I get on train tomorrow after Validating it in yellow machine and pay conductor 8 euro. Then my hotel was booked and so I return to the other one this morning
I had too many pictures not uploaded to
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v374/judgo/
So with my card reader left behind in Venice I decided to get another and went to this small store near station and I got it. Came back later and got my photos onto my Album.
I was in magnificent San Croce Church in morning and everyone who was anyone then was buried there so you walk over many burial places on marble floor and they have monuments to Dante, Galileo, Michelangelo.. When they had the 96 flood much was damaged especially this famous Cimabue Cross – I saw it and its still damaged and its beautiful. Lots of marvelous Giotto. Whats interesting you see in churches is remains of painted walls.
Went to Michelangelo Casa and that was wonderful. Of course. His brother did a lot of work with it to pay tribute to him. Its amazing place. His work is unmatched as a sculptor.
Walking along I mistakenly entered a building thru the exit Uscita and I was in Bargello – state museum of sculpture so I walked around and then got into shop and almost couldn’t get out cause I had no ticket and then I was out. Wonderful sculptures – my mother studied sculpture and then stopped it when she was a mother – may have been her downfall to give it up.
I had wonderful lunch at Casa Michelangelo and the first place I found with simple tuna salad. Sandwiches are very popular and all meat and cheese
A few nights ago I saw this big crowd waiting to get into Il Latini restaurant and I decided to return if I could find it. So last night I got there after uploading photos and I got in. It has all these hams hanging and that’s a reason I almost didn’t go – so glad I didn’t let that stop me – They put me and a young man at a table and I see his book in English so I start to talk. So glad I did – he is from Puerto Rico here for conference and hes environmental engineer studied in US – he came early to rent car with friends and travel for day and he was just delightful person. Then lady at table next to us - and we are all close together 3 tables - is from Cuba and they are talking. It was incredibly popular restaurant with 3 rooms and a growing crowd outside to enter – no reservations. They just bring you the food – the waiter spoke Spanish and probably various languages – I got my meal without meat or cheese tho they specialize in meat. Man at front with slicing machine cutting proscuitto and hand cutting salami. Very popular food in Florence is rare bifsteak. They like their meat. So I had first course wonderful barley salad with delicate herbs, celery, tomato and then a large piece of roasted rabbit and spinach and espresso. The bill was the most amazing – 20 euro – about $23. people waiting to get in as I left and said goodbye to my friend.
One last memory was seeing this Pallazo Borghese as I was walking and I go in and realize I am very lucky to get in cause this isnt a tourist site. Lots of activity - its mostly rented by Rotary Club and many many magnificent rooms including this incredible dining room all set up for an event. Libraries. Marvelous doors. Everything restored and beautiful. Then after about 10 minutes someone comes to me and asks Who are you with? and I say "Im just walking and looking". "Its not private". Then I am leaving and he doesnt follow me I think cause hes very busy with this event. I walk thru some other rooms and see him again ask for exit and I leave. What an experience!

That’s all for now ….