No photos were allowed inside the Santo Spirito so other senses and impulses came to the fore. The feel of cool air on my arms, the smell of incense. I lit a candle for my sister. Almost everywhere, votives are now electric but this church offered real wax candles with wicks.
This bridge was spared by the Germans during WWII for some reason. We crossed over it today to get to the Boboli Gardens.
Up and up you go.
More stairs beyond these.
That’s it for now! Oh, at least one pic of son and girlfriend. Maybe two.
Great photos, thanks for taking us along with you
There will be more!
Ciao Dee,
How delightful to begin to see some of what you saw and did. You bring us the vistas that are so in keeping with how I visualize old historical cities, photos 5 and 6. Now then, the steep climb and walking about the Boboli gardens must have let you all work up a good appetite that led you to some fabulous foods, i.e. fried artichokes. One of the glorious reasons that people travel to Italy…the FOOD!
I found it moving that you lit a candle for your sister; we do those actions don’t we for there is something about wanting to share a moment or acknowledge our loved one, or simply, because love is always present no matter how difficult it seemed at times. My sister is never far from places that I have visited and somehow, I find a way to acknowledge her. The last time that I did something similar was when we took our daughter Shelley, two years ago, to El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, the wonderful living history museum in New Mexico.
My sister was pagan so no church candle but one of the activities that was offered was to make a wreath from local windfall and assorted greenery. As I wound branches of lavender, cottonwood, assorted flowers, dried sorghum blossoms, I thought of her and felt her near me.. As we were leaving, I glanced down at my feet and there was a blue feather so I know she approved of her wreath because blue was her favorite color ; I tucked the feather into the wreath..
We are walking a lot. Tonight is the steak night — for which Florence is renowned. He last time I was in Italy my sister had only recently passed. I lit candles for her then too.
Just fabulous, Dee! Hope you enjoy every moment. I would love to see Italy.
It’s pouring rain now but the weather has otherwise been perfect.
Dee~ These are amazing photos of a wonderful looking trip! I love those views, higher and higher. David IS huge! I don’t think I realized that. Your son & girlfriend have the feel and charm of youth. How nice to spend this time with them. Remembering your sister and inviting her into this trip is such a nice thing to do.
I was glad to be able to see the statue in person because the scale doesn’t really translate in pictures.
How wondrous and beautiful! I ****love*** that picture of son&girlfriend w/their sandwiches – maybe even more than the photos of David, which are great, of course. All they are all great. I’m so happy to see what you are seeing there.
And, the two of them smiling at you – – how do you keep yourself from just melting?
When I was in Florence I just happen to be walking by a huge metal roll-door that a museum guard was swiftly pulling down, and for a microsecond I glimpsed 3/4 of David. A clear view, no people insid. I froze – realizing I was looking at David – I turned to call “It’s DAVID!!”, to my husband and as I turned back the guard screamed out “S-T-R-I-K-E”! I could then only see from the knees down! I was practically lying on the floor (or the street?) to see the last of the feet as the door slammed down and locked.
Was I looking at a fake? Because I wasn’t even looking for David – is it visible from the street? Did I dream it?
This feels like a dream! We’ve seen a fake David and the real one. The real one was in L’Accadamie. I forget where the fake one was.
You are so lucky to be able to travel…
Yes. And to buy all these tickets to everything.
simply magical … memory-making at its finest
It’s been a great trip. Today was a pasta making class and the Duomo. I’m all out of puff and we still have the Uffizi tomorrow!