Italy March 2007 - Under the Tuscan Sun

Hey guys. Well I’m finally getting around to my last travelogue for Italy. It’s been an exhausting week since I got home. Even though I am fully recovered from the bronchial infection, I’ve been very tired and have no energy. But, I’m slowly but surely getting back into a normal routine.



Barbara and I left Rome on Monday and headed to Florence via the EUROSTAR. One of the things I like about Europe is train travel. I sure do wish we had it in this country like they do there.



Florence, and all of Tuscany that we saw, was incredibly beautiful!!! While Rome had a more Disneyland atmosphere, Tuscany is elegant, romantic, and magical. Beautiful countryside, wonderful food, excellent wines, enchanting little villages and historic towns. I think I am going to start playing the lottery and as soon as I win, I’m going to buy an Italian villa in the Tuscan countryside.



We stayed in Florence, but about 10 miles out of the city center. (Because I had enough points for a free four-day stay at a Holiday Inn). So, we had to learn the bus system to get around. We did OK with it – always got on the RIGHT bus, but once it was going the wrong way. Strangely enough, we could not find a bus map so had to make do with help from others and our own wits.



Of course, the main reason you go to Florence is for the art. And top on our list, naturally, was Michelangelo’s DAVID. Of course, we have all seen hundreds of pictures of this statue our whole lives, but even so, I was not prepared for the real thing. It is the most magnificent piece of art I have ever seen. I cannot find the words to do it justice. I could have stood there for hours looking at it. Now, get your minds out of the gutter. Of course, there is THAT, but really, it’s insignificant compared to the rest of the statue. Besides, all over Italy there are statues of naked men. Now, the story of DAVID is very interesting. Several other sculptors, including Da Vinci, had attempted to work with the block of stone that was available for it and had given up. Michelangelo, always one to take up a challenge, accepted the commission at the age of 26. The first impression you have is of a colossal naked athlete perfectly formed and proud of face. But, the more you study it, the more you see the more human elements. Every little detail, from the veins in his arms to the toenails to the rippling ribcage is exquisite and so lifelike. What would it be like to have the kind of talent to create something like that?



And, of course, the tourist trade that has built up around DAVID is incredible. There are books, bookmarks, cups, pencils, postcards, everything you can imagine. A friend of mine told me he has a DAVID apron and promised to model it for me. Now that I’ve seen DAVID and seen the aprons hanging in the shops, I am definitely looking forward to this. (Are you listening, WM? I’m going to hold you to that promise.)



The Uffizi Art Museum is in Florence. This is one of the world’s most important museums. We spent a half a day there and saw so many incredible pieces of art, it would be impossible to describe. I would guess that 95% of it is religious in nature. I particularly liked THE VISITATION by Albertinelli and several of the BOticellis and Da Vincis. Now if you had asked me before this trip whether DaVinci or Michelangelo was my favorite, I probably would have said Da Vinci. But, I saw so much great Michelangelo on this trip that I believe I have changed my mind about that. Course, I haven’t been to the Louvre yet.



We took a day trip to Sienna and San Gimigano. Sienna is home of Europe’s greatest medieval square. It is HUGE and is encircled by a ring of medieval palaces. We walked and walked and walked – popping in occasionally to church or a gallery. San Gimigano was my favorite place though. My guidebook says it resembles a medieval Manhattan – and it does. It’s a crop of ancient towers on a beautiful hilltop setting. Lots of crooked little streets to meander through.



Then we went on a wine tour and tasting to an ancient castle. Now I really enjoyed this – the castle was pretty cool though not as much fun as the one in Rome. There is a working vineyard and winery there so we had a tour and tasting. The tour was good – I liked going down in the cellars, but the tasting was so-so. The proprietor was too busy flirting with our tour guide to take time to explain the wines we were tasting. Still, he has won some prestigious awards and I did buy a couple of bottles. Y’all remember I had some wonderful French wines when I was in Belgium last year, but I gotta tell you, the Italian wines are pretty darn good, too.



I have never found my memory card with my Italy pictures which I am just sick about because I had great ones of my niece and her daughter. And, of course, several pictures of Barbara. She has put her pictures on SNAPFISH and I will forward them to some of you later.



I had a wonderful, wonderful time on this trip, guys. It is the best vacation I ever had. I really do want to go back to Jerusalem some day.



Well, now it’s back to my dull old life. But, I do have some good news. My Tulsa client wants me back for another project, so we are negotiating that. Probably will be back there mid to late March for a few months.



And, it’s getting close to BASEBALL time!!! Spring fever is setting in. GO RANGERS!!!!!! THIS WILL BE OUR YEAR!!!