Gubbio e Urbino

My apologies for not having time to create a better post. This past weekend a group of us archies traveled to Gubbio and Urbino in the Umbrian & Marche regions of Italy. The regions seem distinct from Tuscany to me, perhaps it was the full fall foliage (which these pictures, I admit, do not do any justice to). And the best part, it's a prime place to get i tartufi (truffles). The most amazing taste ever. Sigh. Now it's back to studio, thesis, and three exams. I leave for France and Switzerland on Thursday for 10 days (oh yes oh yes). In the meantime, check my flickr site for pics. Ciao ciao.

Touring in Firenze

Today, Nicole and I decided to be "real tourists" in Florence, and see some of the sights that we just haven't had the time to visit yet. We started at Santa Croce, and after our visit, it became one of my favorite churches in Florence. It is very ornate, layered, decorated - perhaps due to the fact that it is the resting place for many historical Italians such as Dante, Machiavelli and (my man) Alberti - and, of course, Santa Croce is old beyond any American conception.

Hmm, another Medici coat-of-arms (left, with the 6 pears) - Once you start looking for them, they appear everywhere (floors, ceilings, paintings, statues, corners, crannies, sarcophagi....)

I think I caught some of Nicole's "light of God"

The Franciscan Order cloisters of Santa Croce

A magnificent Della Robbia domed ceiling

Then we wandered over to the Baptistery, Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral of Il Duomo), and Capelle Medici attached to San Lorenzo.
This is the dizzying, glittering, golden mosaic ceiling of The Baptistery. My neck hurt after staring up at this one, but I could have stayed there for hours.

Check out the ipod headphones on this guy - he was way before his time.

It was a lot to take on in Florence for one day, but we did it (and had a great time) in about 5 hours (also insert lunch at the amazing sandwich shop where we saw a fight last time, the best chocolate gelato ever, and perusing the shopping district). In other news, fall is definitely upon us in Tuscany - the evenings are chilly, the leaves are burning, and cool breezes drift through the Villa. It's time for fewer tourists, warm sweaters, cute boots, slippers for cold Villa floors, and cozy blankets. I love it.

(A Pause)

Although travels have been light lately - mostly by choice due to a big thesis presentation and other happenings - I assure you, I am still having fun. And I will be back to traveling soon with trips in the near future to Urbino, Gubbio, Paris and Switzerland. In the meantime, here are some shots of my new 'do, a few friends, and our favorite bar for a late morning or early afternoon cappuccino and pastry.

Family in Firenze

It is still somehow amazing to me that you can connect with people from home on the other side of the ocean - to see my aunt's face and open hug-arms running toward me when I walked into their hotel was such a great feeling. The hug and comfort of family. She, Uncle Dave and I spent the whole day in Florence together - we walked everywhere. (And when I say everywhere, I mean from one side of Florence to the other, and back!). After a bit of lunch and catching-up, we walked through the city center, taking in the sites (and shoes & handbags, of course), and across the Ponte Vecchio. This is every woman's dream bridge, lined with gold and magnificent jewelry, and Aunt Sonya was no exception.

We then walked over to the Palazzo Pitti - once the home of the Medici family, and now the museum of their spectacular collection of art. Aunt Sonya was good at reading all of the "red" (read, important), works of art in the guidebooks. She made an excellent tour guide! Next, we strolled over - and hiked up to - Piazzale Michelangelo for the amazing views of Florence.


As we wound our way back to the hotel, we had an amazing dinner a bit off the beaten path, complete with eggplant parmigiana and beer. Salute!
It was hard to say goodbye, but I cannot thank them enough for the food, the gelato, the lovely belt, for bringing neccessities from home, but most of all the good company and great hugs. (Don't worry, dear parents, I sent some extra hugs home to share back in the States!) And, in the famous sing-song of Aunt Sonya..."So long, farewell Auf wiedersehn, good night...!"

Small Pleasures

"For small pleasures, we are thankful."
Here's to pink snake skin shoes, homemade tiramisu, and the cozy feather comforters brought out for cooler nights that make for perfect sunny afternoon naps.