I think this morning has been my favorite of my time in Italy as of yet.
I woke up late this morning (as I do almost every morning...) and ate a little yogurt for breakfast. I put on my black cotton dress, teva walking sandals, senza scarf, grabbed my bag and was determined to do 2 things before coming back to the house: See the interior of il Duomo and buy fresh fruit from the Mercato Centrale. So, I hit the road.
On the way, I stopped by Caffe Dini to see Giovanni and Jean Carlo and to buy a water. This caffe is right by the duomo, but also on my way to and from my afternoon class that meets Mon-Thursday. I frequent that particular caffe almost daily. As I walked the perimeter of the duomo I saw the gift shop for the Museo del'Opera of the Duomo (one museum I went to a couple of weeks ago) so I stopped in to see if I could get a postcard or two of some of the art in that particular museum...I picked up some of the singing children (my very favorite) and I also picked up a copy of the fiction (based on true life) book Brunelleschi's Dome. This particular book was written by an Englishman about Brunelleschi, who designed and constructed the dome on top of the Cathedral that I was going to see. Professoressa had suggested I read the book before the trip, but I say, "better late than never, right?"
Then I headed to the Duomo, and, honestly...I've seen better churches. Sorry if you think otherwise (I really don't want to stomp on any toes...) The church was very beautiful, and when I can't wait to climb the dome, oh gosh, now that's the real spectacle, I'm sure I will retract the previous statement, but it's just another building in my book. The exterior of the church is the real highlight of the building, though. Honestly, I walk past it every day on my way to class and I almost lose my breath everytime. It's just incredible. The size, the stone, the embellishment, there is something new to discover every day.
Well, so, done with the church. Tourists are pesky and taking pictures in churches should be considered a mortal sin in my book. Why? We have a memory for a reason, and we have the internet...need I say more?
Then, to the Market. This market sells everything FRESH. "Fresca, fresca," as professoressa would say. I have yet to really use my hands as a part of the language, but Giovanni and Jean Carlo are teaching me. Fresh chicken, whole of course, fresh cheese, fruit, veggies...two floors of vendors. For those of you that enjoy a good Farmer's Market, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Well, I headed straight for the fruit and pasta which is upstairs. I picked up a pear and a nectarine and some blackberries and then some fresh RISO (rice pasta, my FAVORITE) and some dried apples. One must eat in this country.
So, I did all of this by myself and on my own. At this point in the day, I have spoken entirely in Italian to everyone I have seen since leaving my house. I proceeded to buy some gifts for people in the San Lorenzo Market, this huge market just on the street near the duomo. So many vendors: leather and scarves and jewelry and more and more and more.
I did some more walking and browsing in stores. One thing to note, my taste in jewelry remains intact. I have been eyeing a particular necklace in a store window for a week, so today I stopped in to try it on...well, I didn't buy it if that tells you anything about the cost. :(
Then, after purchasing some necessities from a BODY SHOP, how American, but I gave it my seal of approval when I found a much needed item I haven't been able to find for the last 2 1/2 weeks.
Then, back to my caffe for a late lunch. This is where it all got really good for me. I had a calzone and my water from earlier, then they gave me a glass of wine...how nice are they! Then, Giovanni asked me if I would translate some things for him...well, sure, I guess. So I sat there and translated their menu into English for them! I wrote it on a poster...not great handwriting, I must admit, but I did it nonetheless. They were so pleased and I was delighted they would ask me.
So, that's it for the moment. I am going to San Miniato for their vespers service tonight and then dinner with some of the girls and David Ribar and his wife.
Thank you all for your kind birthday messages! I had a delightful birthday, senza gelato, but I'll fix that today!
Ciao for now,
Grace
I woke up late this morning (as I do almost every morning...) and ate a little yogurt for breakfast. I put on my black cotton dress, teva walking sandals, senza scarf, grabbed my bag and was determined to do 2 things before coming back to the house: See the interior of il Duomo and buy fresh fruit from the Mercato Centrale. So, I hit the road.
On the way, I stopped by Caffe Dini to see Giovanni and Jean Carlo and to buy a water. This caffe is right by the duomo, but also on my way to and from my afternoon class that meets Mon-Thursday. I frequent that particular caffe almost daily. As I walked the perimeter of the duomo I saw the gift shop for the Museo del'Opera of the Duomo (one museum I went to a couple of weeks ago) so I stopped in to see if I could get a postcard or two of some of the art in that particular museum...I picked up some of the singing children (my very favorite) and I also picked up a copy of the fiction (based on true life) book Brunelleschi's Dome. This particular book was written by an Englishman about Brunelleschi, who designed and constructed the dome on top of the Cathedral that I was going to see. Professoressa had suggested I read the book before the trip, but I say, "better late than never, right?"
Then I headed to the Duomo, and, honestly...I've seen better churches. Sorry if you think otherwise (I really don't want to stomp on any toes...) The church was very beautiful, and when I can't wait to climb the dome, oh gosh, now that's the real spectacle, I'm sure I will retract the previous statement, but it's just another building in my book. The exterior of the church is the real highlight of the building, though. Honestly, I walk past it every day on my way to class and I almost lose my breath everytime. It's just incredible. The size, the stone, the embellishment, there is something new to discover every day.
Well, so, done with the church. Tourists are pesky and taking pictures in churches should be considered a mortal sin in my book. Why? We have a memory for a reason, and we have the internet...need I say more?
Then, to the Market. This market sells everything FRESH. "Fresca, fresca," as professoressa would say. I have yet to really use my hands as a part of the language, but Giovanni and Jean Carlo are teaching me. Fresh chicken, whole of course, fresh cheese, fruit, veggies...two floors of vendors. For those of you that enjoy a good Farmer's Market, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Well, I headed straight for the fruit and pasta which is upstairs. I picked up a pear and a nectarine and some blackberries and then some fresh RISO (rice pasta, my FAVORITE) and some dried apples. One must eat in this country.
So, I did all of this by myself and on my own. At this point in the day, I have spoken entirely in Italian to everyone I have seen since leaving my house. I proceeded to buy some gifts for people in the San Lorenzo Market, this huge market just on the street near the duomo. So many vendors: leather and scarves and jewelry and more and more and more.
I did some more walking and browsing in stores. One thing to note, my taste in jewelry remains intact. I have been eyeing a particular necklace in a store window for a week, so today I stopped in to try it on...well, I didn't buy it if that tells you anything about the cost. :(
Then, after purchasing some necessities from a BODY SHOP, how American, but I gave it my seal of approval when I found a much needed item I haven't been able to find for the last 2 1/2 weeks.
Then, back to my caffe for a late lunch. This is where it all got really good for me. I had a calzone and my water from earlier, then they gave me a glass of wine...how nice are they! Then, Giovanni asked me if I would translate some things for him...well, sure, I guess. So I sat there and translated their menu into English for them! I wrote it on a poster...not great handwriting, I must admit, but I did it nonetheless. They were so pleased and I was delighted they would ask me.
So, that's it for the moment. I am going to San Miniato for their vespers service tonight and then dinner with some of the girls and David Ribar and his wife.
Thank you all for your kind birthday messages! I had a delightful birthday, senza gelato, but I'll fix that today!
Ciao for now,
Grace
posted by Unknown at 6:40 AM
1 Comments:
you are never coming back are you? you are falling in love with the country and you are just going to leave me here, in the us all alone. fine then. be that way. enjoy the fresh pasta. bah who needs fresh pasta when you have the fake american stuff. much better that way.
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