DAY 40: Flied Lice

Forty days and forty nights… wow. So much has happened- 10 major cities, 10 not so major/mistake cities, 4 countries, liters of wine, gallons of cappuccinos, some of the best food I’ve ever tasted and by far, the most breathtaking art and architecture I’ve ever experienced. Europe has done me well, and I still have 3.5 months left! I have definitely established the “Perfect Packing List”… and it doesn’t include 70% of what I brought… rats. The last pair of rubber rain boots I owned had yellow ducks on them, in a size 5. I’d give anything to have those back, 5 sizes bigger… my feet are cold and soaking wet everyday. And the cute cheetah print umbrella I bought in the Paris metro looks like a cheetah mauled it- P.O.S. I don’t even think it’s waterproof. There are many other things I want to just throw away because I’m not wearing them/they are just keeping Luigi fat. Main complaint is lack-o-rain gear… I’m sure I’ll change my tune in a month or 2 when I’d rather eat my sweaters than put them on…

Day trip to Siena today took a bus FULL of other people... I’m not usually a big fan of other people. Especially when I don’t know them and their bathing habits. Quaint little Tuscan hill-town about an hour away from Florence… we found ourselves in the shell-shaped town square, Piazza del Campo where the “Palio” is held twice a year- a traditional medieval horse race that draws over 75,000 spectators… they haul in dirt, cushion the storefronts and pack people into the center like sardines as horse and riders dangerously race around the small ”track.” Across the brickyard sits The Palazzo Pubblico, a beautifully constructed building housing an art museum featuring impressive frescos by Ambrogio Lorenzetti portraying the results of good and bad government. A friendly little man in sweatpants, plaid sport coat and sneakers named “Gordon” befriended us and provided the G! Hollywood Story: Simone Martini and the scandal, controversies, secrets and cocktail jokes. He had caterpillars for eyebrows… what a character. We walked through an exhibit by Ali Hausson- portraits and scenes of everyday life from Eastern Europe and Africa… he painted works by Picasso and Leonardo in neutral colors acting as a background, with bright, exuberant faces in the foreground. It’s all in the eyes, hands and feet- if you can master a heel and eyelashes, you have a special place in my heart.

Following our history lesson, we tried a Siena delicacy that gives “fried rice” a whole new meaning… white rice, water, sugar and orange zest, rolled into balls, fried and sprinkled with sugar… pretty good, interesting consistency. Fair food- like fried Oreos, funnel cake, turkey legs, cotton candy… disgustingly disgusting. Might as well duct tape Crisco to your thighs and sit in front of the TV with an IV of Dr. Pepper while dipping Cheetos in mayonnaise. Following a brief group gorgy, we hiked over to the Duomo (completed in 1380) which, like Florence’s Duomo, makes you pinch yourself to wake up and realize what is ACTUALLY before you. The magnificence, precision, thought, time, planning and skill that goes in to making the Romanesque front door, let alone the whole shebang blows me away. The best part of my day occurred at approximately 12:34 p.m. when I walked into inside and saw zebra pillars. This place is the best inspiration for a children’s book… black and white Cheshire cat striped columns hold up gelato flavored, fresco-smeared walls leading up to a domed ceiling. But not just any ceiling… midnight blue panels centered by bright gold stars lead up to angels sitting on the lip of a rotund window inviting you up to play. The marble floors are a zoo- mosaics of mythological creatures and furry astronomy signs pattern below you. A separate room holds illuminated manuscripts with ink detailing that could only be done with the sharpest feather and the steadiest hand. All I could think about was how at night, statues carefully stepped off their pedestals, mermen wriggled off their pages and angels would stretch out of frescos and let their hair down… they would pull chairs around the pulpit using drapes as a makeshift tablecloth covered by candles, Chianti and fresh pizza pies. And the grand organ would provide background music for dancing merriment… instead of “Night at the Museum” it would be “Night at the Duomo.” Imagination is a powerful tool…

A slice of veggie lasagna for lunch and walking up and down the quite streets filled my lazy afternoon before our bus back to Florence. Rain put a damper on things by the end of the day, so sweatpants were the only excitement my evening offered. And celery with peanut butter, which never tastes the same as good ol’ American Jif… they just don’t get it. Although Nutella is a semi-substantial substitute (lacking nutrients…) Another day trip to Lucca tomorrow- busy weekend! Ciao ciao ciao!