Everything in Between: Italian Sand Through The American Eyeglass: 10/21/06

Ciao Tutti!

I hope this finds everone well. I am doing fine on a lazy Sunday morning!

So, I was at this bar last night called Slowly and as I sat there drinking my Mojito, it occured to me that I spelled hereby wrong in my newsletter yesterday. Oh my, how could I. I knew my cousin Parker would not have it, so PDawg, I hereby recognize my error and am sending my apology to anyone who was offended by such lack of attention on my part.

OK, can you tell it is going to be a slow news day? Ha ha. Let us see. Yesterday I did go to Santa Maria Del Fiore, also known as the Duomo. You will see many pictures included from the trip. This church is actually still free to enter, but you do have to pay to climb the dome and the Campanile (Tower) I decided I will do these on a sunny day. Actually, today is beautiful, so I should perhaps attempt at least one. SIDE BAR: I just watched a woman outside the window hit the car behind her like 9 times as she squeezed out of the parking place. Guess they don't leave notes here. Wow. END SIDE BAR: Each is about 450 steps, not an easy climb, but doable. The views are amazing. Otherwise, i think I will go to Santo Spiritu and Santa Maria Del Carmine today. They are tiny churches, easy to get done in a little while. As for the Duomo, it is quite impressive. There is not a lot of art inside, as most of it was cleared out in the 1800s. The facade is also circa 1870. Before it was put on, the Duomo was very plain, brown brick. Some people think the new facade is the most beautiful work this side of heaven, while others hate it. What do you guys think?

The cupola, or inside of the dome, is beautifully frescoed. Giorgio Vasari did a lot of the work and the frescoes portray stories, such as the last judgement. Unfortunately they blocked off the end of the church, so I could not get right under the cupola for a full range of pics, but you will like what you see and when I do climb the dome, I can take better pics.

My favorite part of the church, though, was at the opposite end where you see pics of a sundial/clock with golden mosaic of Jesus and Mary below it. The church is pretty dark, but my camera picked up so much light and it reflected of the gold mosaic pieces beautifully.

Tomorrow I plan to go to Pisa, which brings us to the PISA POLE: here we go. After 10 years of construction, they have finally reopened the Leaning Tower of Pisa for visitors to climb. It cost 15 Euro. Do I do it? I will leave it up to you guys. Please respond asap, as I shall leave in the morning.

Hmmm. Well, i decided that next time I come to Italy, I will not even bother packing clothes for two reasons: One, there are so many cute clothes here and my blah wardrobe really isn't in fashion here. And two, apparently you don't really need clothes. As I was at a club called Andromeda last night, I watched this tiny Italian lady dance around in a friggin' nightie. I am serious, like a Victoria's Secret, tiny nightie with matching trunk undies. She glamed it up with a string of long pearls and some leg warmers that she wore on her arms. Man, I would look so hot in that. I can wear that and then sit in the SLK200 Mercedes Benz my friend owns. He let me sit in it last night and it was so choice. I really would look great in that car and my underwear, cruising through the streets of Florence. I missed my chance, really. He gave me the keys and let me lock myself inside. He said I could drive it. Ummmmmmm, knowing me, something really bad would have happened. So, I just cranked the music and sat in it for a bit, prentending to drive. "Vroom vroom," I yelled, as if playing a racing video game!

Well, I guess there really is not much more to share. Next time I will have tales of adventures in Pisa, but remember, you must participate in the Pisa pole. Do I climb the tower? I hope you enjoy all the pics. Please tell me if i am sending too many or if the files are too big for anyone. I don't really know. As requested, there is one of myself. I wish there were more, but everytime I think to ask someone to take my pic, I think of that scene in National Lampoon's European Vacation when they are in Rome. They ask an Italian man to take their pic in front of a fountain. The man is so nice and convinces them to take off their shoes and get into the fountain. Once they are all in, he runs off with their camera. Now, wouldn't that be special. But really, I will start to accumulate them.

Love to you all.

Tanti Bacci!

The Duomo: Santa Maria Del Fiore