We traveled to Firenze (Florence) so that nostro figlio (our son) Chris & I could tour the Uffizi Gallery while mio marito Babbo Natale (my husband, Father Christmas) wandered around with his camera capturing the Christmas decorations & beauty of Firenze.
Ah, the Uffizi Gallery, a glorious collection of Medieval & Renaissance art & a joy to behold! It was my third time visiting the Uffizi & Chris’s first. Wintertime must be keeping the crowds away or perhaps people are just busy Christmas shopping. Whatever the reason, we appreciated that the gallery wasn’t packed with visitors & we enjoyed moving freely through the uncrowded rooms. It was a treat not having to jockey for position in front of a painting.
Chris & I discussed the artists & the evolution of painting from the rather flat medieval works, through the introduction of perspective in the paintings to the livelier & more realistic works of the Renaissance as we strolled through the galleries & centuries. We were both amazed by the brilliance of the colors of many of the paintings. Among my favorite paintings at the Uffizi are: The Annunciation by Botticelli, The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci & the Holy Family by Michelangelo.
After the Uffizi visit, we met up with John in the Piazza della Signoria & strolled over to the Piazza Santa Croce to tour the Christmas Market which was laid out in the piazza. From there we walked to the Duomo & finally to the Santa Maria Novella Stazione (station) for our train.
As we walked towards the stazione, the sparkling Christmas lights strung across the streets of Firenze reminded me of the Christmas decorations on Flatbush & Nostrand Avenues in my old Brooklyn neighborhood. As the sky darkened the lights became brighter & I couldn’t help but feel caught up in a sense of childhood wonder at the excitement of Natale (Christmas).
Lest we forget the true meaning of Christmas, there was a lovely, life-sized Presepe (Nativity set) outside the Duomo. The empty cradle was awaiting the birth of the Christ Child.
As our time in Firenze came to an end, Chris announced that we had walked 6.6 miles which explained my aching feet but that discomfort was offset by the happiness of being in Firenze with my two favorite men … mio marito John & nostro figlio Chris.
We boarded the train & asked the bella (beautiful) young woman across the aisle from us for confirmation that the train stopped at Certaldo where we had left our car earlier in the day. That lovely woman, Elisabetta, spoke fluent English & for the ride to Certaldo we enjoyed her company & learned a bit more about Italy. Elisabetta & suo marito (her husband) Chris are from Napoli (Naples) & moved to Certaldo for career opportunities. Elisabetta talked to us of the education system in Italy which to our ears sounded much more rigorous than what we’ve encountered in the USA. She was generous with her recommendations about Tuscany & molto gentile (very kind) to me in helping me learn more of the bella lingua italiana (beautiful Italian language). At Certaldo we had the pleasure of meeting suo marito Chris. It was all in all, a giornata meravigliosa (marvelous day)! Grazie mille, Firenze & Elisabetta!
Stay tuned for more about Tuscany …
Teresa, so beautiful. Even though we missed you at the luncheon, I knew you were really enjoying Italy. I can’t wait to go again. Maybe next year – after Ireland. So you lived in my old neighborhood in Brooklyn! I knew I liked you! Have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy New Year. Mike & Kathy
Sounds like a great time. Are little children approaching Babbo Natale as he strolls down the Plaza? Have fun and a Merry Christmas from all of us .
Barry
Sounds beautiful.
Merry Christmas.
?
Linda