E's Trip to Italy! (Part 1)
Jul 1st, 2000 | 11:19 AM
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E's Trip to Italy! (Part 1)
Let's see, where do I start and how shall I format the recollections of our Italian adventure? I think I'll set randomly collected thoughts in some order then add description as they come to me. Perhaps it might be best to break it down by city, starting with the second city we visited, Florence, and ending with the first, Rome. I do this because of an old habit of mine at the dinner table. I always end the meal with the best tasting dish so I walk away with the best flavor in my mouth. <BR> <BR>I'm afraid that I'm not all that good at the proper names of some of the things I saw, whether it be churches or fountains or museums. This doesn't not lessen my enthusiasm for the sights, but serves to make me feel that much more enriched for having seen them. <BR> <BR>With that said, one with the show... <BR> <BR> <BR>Pisa <BR> <BR>Of course, there's not a lot to do in Pisa except see the "Leaning Tower". What we had never heard, though, was that the basilica and baptistry there are beautiful. I should mention here that I found, during this trip to Italy, that I have a passion for architecture. I guess I had known it all along, but was not exposed to such amazing feats of human design until now. The three structures in Pisa were fine examples of this work and made me want for more. Unfortunately, we were at a lack for time. I felt like I could've spent at least another half and hour staring at these marvelous structures. <BR> <BR> <BR>Florence <BR> <BR>Our first views of Florence were from a spot high enough above the city so as to allow views of this wonderful skyline. Churches and domes and bell towers and pink colored rooftops all adorn this wonderful town and the fact that we had perfect weather made it all the better. <BR> <BR>Once in the thick of it, we immediately realized just how much fun it was there in Italy and in Florence. The city, for us, was about finding our way in this country and becoming accustomed to interacting with its people. We shopped and toured the city by foot and ate lunch and dinner at the wonderful restaurants. We had a blast and, by the end of our short stay there, we all said "that was a blast!" <BR> <BR>On the architectural and arts side of things, we saw the wonderful Duomo (the amazingly big domed church), but we didn't get to go in. We went to Ponte Vacchio (a bridge enclosed with shops) and did some shopping and waited in a line to see Michelangelo's David and the Slaves (I was awed and could just sit and stare). It was then that I found out my passion for sculpture as well. I find that I can look at a painting or tapestry, but stare at a sculpture. Finally we strolled around Piazza Pitti, a square where the atmosphere is such that words will not describe it. It's bordered by museums and churches that are themselves works of at and centered with a fountain. <BR> <BR>We were luck to have chosen a good touring book and found that each and every restaurant that it recommended was excellent. We dined at Trattoria da Benvenuto for lunch, a nice little place that had no tourists but ourselves. The staff was attentive and worked with us on reading the menu. We had our translation book, so the waiter looked at the words for us. For dinner, we went to Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco. This place had a great atmosphere, but was filled with English speaking tourists. That fact didn't lessen the experience, though. The food was terrific and the waiter made a special desert for my sister's birthday and something special for her 10 year old daughter, who couldn't decide what she wanted. He asked what she liked and simply had something prepared that matched her requirements.
