My friends left for Rome for a few days and then on to Eugene. We stopped for one last Cappuccino and Croissant at the Cafe we supported for the last week.
I am writing this in the rear view mirror but it was an interesting connection in the sermon at St James Episcopal Church in Florence this Sunday. Long story but the priest had just returned from his home in Alabama and was observing how terrible love can be when you have to leave the people you love to return to the people you love. I had similar feelings as Kim and Carl walked down the train platform at the Train / Bus / Taxi station. Here is a photo of the Church.
I then spent most of Sunday at the Pitti Palace. This is a palace of incredible size that was started by a merchant named Pitti. After a few years he ran out of money for the project and in step the Medici’s to take over the project for their home. Here are few photos for perspective in size of this family house.
I am not sure who lived here beside Mom, Dad and a couple of kids. Interior photos to come. These are the doors through which I would have come home from the office and said “Honey, I’m home.”
I don’t know how to describe this place except that my good friend John Brown would have described it as trying to take a sip of water from the fountain.
This palace has room after room after room of treasures. I am just not sure how you live in a place like this. Each room is full of paintings and sculptures. I guess you sit in a chair and stare at the paintings the way we stare at the TV today. One of the photos below shows the length of the hallway going through more rooms equally full of art.
I did notice a curious male deformity that must run in the Medici family. Maybe the world would be a better place if this were more common.
Just a quick view of the back yard and then on to something more important.
Napoleon occupied this residence for a very short period of time and I am sure all of you are wondering what his bathroom looked like. I have that for you.
When the last lineal descendent of the house of Medici died in the 1743’s she donated all of the art and treasures and the Palace to the people of Italy on the condition that no part of the collection could be removed. As in any good family it turned out there were some heirs with different last names who went on to live long and prosperous lives. One of the displays was some of the wardrobe taken from those dependents. It was all designed in Milan and whichever fashion house had designed the piece(s) added contemporary pieces.
OK enough of the Pitti Palace. It is just too much to absorb in one day.
Later in the day I found myself down by the river in front of the American Embassy.
When I turned around I noticed a message on the other side of the river. Must be a morale booster to see that out of your window everyday.
Some found art and then I am off to dinner by myself. I will the lonely guy in the corner taking pictures of his food.
Riky is more popular than I had imagined.
I wonder if James Brown played here.
I don’t think this one loaded in an earlier dispatch.
A little rude but so is life.
As I become less and less certain that I will ever return I wanted you all to know that I mailed cash Christmas presents to all of you from this postal slot. I understand it takes a while for postage to reach the US from Italy but don’t give up hope.
Ciao!!!!!