italy 2006-5.1

Florence is indeed all about Michelangelo. We started the day at the Galleria dell’ Accademia, and spent quite a bit of time with David, and the prisoners. David is renowned, but the Prisoners less so. They are a group of unfinished sculptures (Michelangelo seemed to rarely finish anything) that seem to epitomize M. belief that he only freed the sculpture from the stone. They are quite evocative and emotional. David seems to breathe. It is really stunning. We also sought out the Medici Chapel so we could see M. Night, Day, Dawn and Dusk. All very stunning. We also went to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and were impressed by the models and drawings of the Dome and the façade. Donnatello’s Magdalene is the most haunting of what we say today, and ironically enough positioned gazing at a crucifixtion. Not quite DaVinci code-ish but certainly raises an eyebrow or two. I was almost jumped by the guards when I got too close to one of Michelangelo’s pieta’s and set off the alarm. I was just pointing at it…In truth they barely raised and eyebrow. I suppose it happens a lot.

Tomorrow will probably be more Michelangelo hunting at the Uffuzi and the Bargelo.

We also had time to wander, window shop, actually buy some leather goods and have a pretty good lunch at a backstreet trattoria. We also finally found an internet café that has a computer with a USB port so we could catch up on the blog. We were both quite amused with the commentary and are happy to be sharing our vacation with you all. Dinner was on the Piazza Republica at the Café Giebbe Rosse. Basic but very tasty Tuscan style cooking served on the patio under the canopy, right on the Piazza. There was gypsy folk/jazz band called Ballo Romm playing in the middle of the square. They were so good we succumbed and bought a CD. We continued to listen to them as we had dessert at Gilli, another café on the piazza.

Firenze is still casual, and still a lot of fun.