Sunday, 28 September 2008
Churches, museums & piazzas
Every corner is poetry
Images from left to right: Sculptures within the Piazza Signoria; Chiesa Santa Croce, San Croce; tomb of Dante Aligheri in the Chiesa Santa Croce; tomb of Michangelo Buonaratti in the Chiesa Santa Croce.
Frescoes and fountain within the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio
Porcellino Market
Chiesa di San Lorenzo and marble wall carving in the Piazza San Lorenzo.
Famous San Lorenzo central market
Friday, 26 September 2008
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Monday, 22 September 2008
Giro Italia
This afternoon I was walking through Piazza della Republica on the way to Edison's bookshop to peruse some design books over a latte; when I saw a crowd of people in the main Piazza. Naturally I stopped to see what was going on - and just as well I did... because I got to see the finale to the female Giro Italia, the famous cycling race in Toscana.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Bella Firenze
Back home in Bella Firenze
After my inspiring and adventurous sojourn, I’m back 'home' in Firenze...
It’s really difficult to summarize how I’m feeling at the moment because there are so many different emotions running through me.
This years’ experience in Florence is vastly different to last year - in many ways. There are many different challenges, insights and adventures and although I'm living my dream sometimes I have doubts. But when I’m filled with these temporary doubts, I stop and try to delight in the sound of church bells, technicolor fabrics flowing around sun kissed and well heeled legs, fading renaissance fresco's, the taste of eggplant marinated with peppers, or the celestial eyes and dark curls of the Italian children.
I am now living in San Marco. San Marco is another original quartier in Florence. From my bedroom window I look out onto a sea of terracotta roof tiles and can see the tip of Brunelleschi's Dome..ahh.. the sight of Il Duomo makes my heart sing. Last week I commenced studying Italian language at the Accademia Europea di Firenze. I'm now doing level five Italian! The classes are intense and simulating and I adore deviling deeper into the language.
I've had a lovely week. After the morning grammar classes I've been spending time with friends: lunch in San Spirito; attending Yoga classes in Porta Romana; sun baking and swimming at Belleriva Swimming Pool; and cycling through Parc Cascine.
One of my greatest and simplest pleasures is cycling along the Arno River and through the park, particularly at sunset. Lately its been really pleasant because as the wind whips through my hair I feel summers' intense heat dissipate and the change of season beginning.
After my inspiring and adventurous sojourn, I’m back 'home' in Firenze...
It’s really difficult to summarize how I’m feeling at the moment because there are so many different emotions running through me.
This years’ experience in Florence is vastly different to last year - in many ways. There are many different challenges, insights and adventures and although I'm living my dream sometimes I have doubts. But when I’m filled with these temporary doubts, I stop and try to delight in the sound of church bells, technicolor fabrics flowing around sun kissed and well heeled legs, fading renaissance fresco's, the taste of eggplant marinated with peppers, or the celestial eyes and dark curls of the Italian children.
I am now living in San Marco. San Marco is another original quartier in Florence. From my bedroom window I look out onto a sea of terracotta roof tiles and can see the tip of Brunelleschi's Dome..ahh.. the sight of Il Duomo makes my heart sing. Last week I commenced studying Italian language at the Accademia Europea di Firenze. I'm now doing level five Italian! The classes are intense and simulating and I adore deviling deeper into the language.
I've had a lovely week. After the morning grammar classes I've been spending time with friends: lunch in San Spirito; attending Yoga classes in Porta Romana; sun baking and swimming at Belleriva Swimming Pool; and cycling through Parc Cascine.
One of my greatest and simplest pleasures is cycling along the Arno River and through the park, particularly at sunset. Lately its been really pleasant because as the wind whips through my hair I feel summers' intense heat dissipate and the change of season beginning.
Some of the scenes my eye casts over as I walk through the streets of "Bella Firenze"
Exterior details of Il Duomo, Firenze.
'Bapistry Doors', Firenze.
Some of my favourite niches in Firenze..Vernazza Cafe.
... Parc Cascine, Firenze with Aldo & Valentino.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Northern Adventure
A journey from Firenze (Toscana) to Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), Padova & Venice (Veneto) and Dolomites (Treviso) - a decadent, fantastical and challenging experience.
September 2-9th, 2008
September 2-9th, 2008
Monday, 8 September 2008
Dolomites, Treviso
September 5-8th, 2008
Trekking in the Dolomites
After lunch at Scotoni Hutte (2040m) I embarked on a mountain climb that felt like vertical 90 degree ascent. The climb was seriously so steep and difficult that I had to stop every 10 minutes (or after five paces), to regain my breath because I was unable to acclimatise to the high altitude and my leg was aching... then when I was about to reach the summit of the last cliff face, I heard some rocks falling around me and the wedge on the side of the mountain that I had to pass was so narrow and the incline so steep that I could feel the weight of my back pack, forcing me backwards. There was no one else in sight, I was tired physically and mentally and at this point I started to get concerned, especially as no one knew where I was.
Fortunately despite the precarious nature of the day's trek, my strained joints and the summit climb; the first days trek was basked in sunshine and blessed with clear blue skies. However the Dolomite mountains are formidable and unforgiving and as I experienced the following day the weather can change both dramatically and quickly. Near Fanes there is a small rustic and simple chapel. I entered and on the altar saw some rocks which i presummed had been elft by other trekkers. I reached into my pocket and placed the small rock I had been carrying in my pocket during the days former trek and in a book wrote a prayer of thanks. 'Thank you for the courage, ability & capacity to live my dreams and please guide me in my future endevours'.
Sadly I was unable to walk the following day, even with the aid of a walking stick which I created from discarded wood. My joints were inflammed and with the wet weather and poor visability, I decided it was unwise to continue. However given my remote location and the areas limited transport I was advised that I would be unable to leave the Parc until the following day. Earlier in the day one of the waiters from the Fanes Rifugio had offerred to give me a lift to the nearest town if I was unable to walk. After attempting a mountain climb and returning after 2hours in pain, I sat in the mountain hut and ate goulash, red wine and strudle and listened to the locals conversing in dilect as I read my novel and waited for my new friend. At 15oopm my friend arrived and reassured me that where ever I needed to go, they would drive me there. But rather than drive me to the nearest town my 'angel' drove me to Brunico (130km round trip) where I caught the train home to Florence. I entered the station to buy my train ticket and us coffees and when I turned around she said "No that's ok.. I better go anyway, 'cause I have to drive back and I don't want to be late for my last shift.. Hey good luck.. It was nice to meet you!..."
Trekking in the Dolomites
After a few days in Venice I traveled to Treviso to trek the Dolomite mountains in Val Badia. As I traveled deeper into the heart of the Dolomites I began to notice the change in the locals' accents and facial features and the architectural features and landscape. I stayed one night in Corvana in Val Badia and then in the morning traveled by bus to Passo di Falzerego (2105m). Then I took the cable car to Passo di Lagazuoi (2752m) in Parco Naturale di Fannes-Sennes-Braies.
From Passo di Lagazuoi I trekked for 7-8hours/day over rough and difficult terrain. The ground consisted mainly of hard rocks and stones the surface of the rocks were covered with fine sand. Within the first half an hour of my solo trek I strained the ligaments in my left ankle and then after a few hours of trekking I started to develop tenderness and pain in my left knee. I traversed across lakes situated at 1700m and climbed along narrow passages wedged between cliffs at 2200m and trekked mountains that rose from 1700m to 2400m then traversed plains where sheep, cows and goats grazed. The sound of the bells around their necks ‘clinkered’ across the fields and finely tuned the silence around me.
Rifugio Scotoni (2040metres) nestled in the Dolomites mountains, in Parc Naturale Fannes-Sennes-Braies, Val Badia.
After lunch at Scotoni Hutte (2040m) I embarked on a mountain climb that felt like vertical 90 degree ascent. The climb was seriously so steep and difficult that I had to stop every 10 minutes (or after five paces), to regain my breath because I was unable to acclimatise to the high altitude and my leg was aching... then when I was about to reach the summit of the last cliff face, I heard some rocks falling around me and the wedge on the side of the mountain that I had to pass was so narrow and the incline so steep that I could feel the weight of my back pack, forcing me backwards. There was no one else in sight, I was tired physically and mentally and at this point I started to get concerned, especially as no one knew where I was.
At the end of the day the mountain hut at Fanes (2060m) brought great comfort and relief. Filled with the comforting scent of a warm dinner, a glass of wine and like minded adventurers keen to share their experiences. I sighed wth joy, a sense of achievement and utter exhaustion.
Rifugio Fanes (2060m) in Parco Naturale di Fannes-Sennes-Braies, Val Badia
Fortunately despite the precarious nature of the day's trek, my strained joints and the summit climb; the first days trek was basked in sunshine and blessed with clear blue skies. However the Dolomite mountains are formidable and unforgiving and as I experienced the following day the weather can change both dramatically and quickly. Near Fanes there is a small rustic and simple chapel. I entered and on the altar saw some rocks which i presummed had been elft by other trekkers. I reached into my pocket and placed the small rock I had been carrying in my pocket during the days former trek and in a book wrote a prayer of thanks. 'Thank you for the courage, ability & capacity to live my dreams and please guide me in my future endevours'.
Sadly I was unable to walk the following day, even with the aid of a walking stick which I created from discarded wood. My joints were inflammed and with the wet weather and poor visability, I decided it was unwise to continue. However given my remote location and the areas limited transport I was advised that I would be unable to leave the Parc until the following day. Earlier in the day one of the waiters from the Fanes Rifugio had offerred to give me a lift to the nearest town if I was unable to walk. After attempting a mountain climb and returning after 2hours in pain, I sat in the mountain hut and ate goulash, red wine and strudle and listened to the locals conversing in dilect as I read my novel and waited for my new friend. At 15oopm my friend arrived and reassured me that where ever I needed to go, they would drive me there. But rather than drive me to the nearest town my 'angel' drove me to Brunico (130km round trip) where I caught the train home to Florence. I entered the station to buy my train ticket and us coffees and when I turned around she said "No that's ok.. I better go anyway, 'cause I have to drive back and I don't want to be late for my last shift.. Hey good luck.. It was nice to meet you!..."