journey's end

two weeks with

travel companions who are not family

open our eyes

to

different dynamics and ways of doing things

and

introduce us to new ideas

but

also make us like ours too

urban escapade

it doesn't take much to make a good interlude, HOM and i say. a good cappuccino a fluffy croissant agreeable music and refuge from the sun. we realize we are not going to make your intrepid travelers who hike and trek and tick many boxes. this is at dede caffe in florence on our way to the open air market in cascine. after that we nap.

cinque terre

as pretty as all the postcards say. but they don't say how terribly terribly crowded it gets.

independence

i point at the cannoli.

due. to go.

he packs them up.

con carte. i pay.

grazie, he says.

my first italian transaction beyond bon giorno!

a visit to the vatican (again)

as crazy crowded and as mindlessly over-photographed as before. the same historically inaccurate sublimely magnificent art as before. my privilege to visit again.

the inescapable conclusion, i tell HOM, is that the Catholic church is tremendously prosperous.

la dolce vita 2

molto dolce

 

fontana di trevi

if you look very hard past the sea of human bodies you will make out a little patch of lovely clear blue water just there in the corner. 

domus

b&b's can be hit or miss, as opposed to the holiday inn-hilton-hyatt chains HOM favors. but this one hits it with pre-war charm (with elevator!) multiple gates (electronic-ated!) uneven floors (because why not) and the key important things (firm bed hot water double-glazed windows). vintage charm with mod cons.

a little night magic

quadrangle

cobblestones

glowing lights 

inky sky

puppet show

we stumble upon this at the top of gianicolo hill and notice it largely because the children watching look spellbound and have their jaws hanging and one does not often see this these days with young children who have been exposed to e-toys since babyhood.

ouchhhh

yesterday gianicolo hill. today colosseum and palatine hill and the spanish steps and trevi fountain. tomorrow vatican city.

my feet weep. as does my right knee.

kitenge (i think)

my new african hat.

to go with the zuris.

italy impressions

• they love their smoke. il tabacchi!
• sparkling water! makes up for the tobacco
• the pasta. al dente! the oil! the butter! 
• the pizza. wood-fired! the crust! the cheese! 
• cobblestone streets
• and history on every corner

but

• the w.c. lacks a seat. yikes

la dolce vita

 
live band. jazz. conversation. reading. decent wine. decent food.

it doesn't get any better.