Store Windows

There are interesting store windows to look into in Firenze.  For example, check out the shoes in Salvatore Ferragamo's:

On the sweet side, Easter is just around the corner.

This time of year, everything is ducky.

Need a statue?  Small or large?  No problem. 

For riding about town, one may want to check out a Ferrari.

Although, there are alternatives for getting about.

Hmmm.  The intriguing mask shop of Professor Agostino Dessi.  Recognize that mad hatter on the right?

Some more of the professor's works.

You never know who you might be standing next to staring in a window.

Or at what she might be gazing.

Ciao.



Firenze Sights and Sites

Our apartment is in a neighborhood named after one of its illustrious residents, Amerigo Vespucci, the explorer whose first name was modified and placed on a map as "America."  Amerigo and several members of his family appear in a painting in the nearby Ognissanti Church, also home of a famous Botticelli fresco of St. Augustine.

Amerigo had three brothers, Antonio, Girolamo and Bernardo.  Imagine, if you will, the implications if Amerigo stayed home and one of his brothers had gone off exploring.... North and South Antonio?....The United States of Giro?.... Bernardocan League Baseball?  Sorry.  Here's #3 son, the one who went sailing.

A few more sights, or sites, of Firenze, including the old bridge, Ponte Vecchio.

The enclosed walkway along the top of the bridge is Vasari's corridor, constructed at the request of one of the Medici so that his commute from palace to office (Uffizi) on the other side of the Arno River would be a bit safer.  The small structures on the sides of the bridge used to house butcher shops but, frankly, they stunk, so they were replaced with jewelry shops, which remain today.  Here's a view looking up at the city hall, as it has appeared for many centuries.

And a view of public art in front of the same building.  To the right is the Uffizi, former office building of the Medici, now perhaps the finest art gallery in the world.

By the way, that's only a copy of Michelangelo's David.  The original is indoors down the street.  Although it's off-season, the piazza in front of city hall already is filled with visitors. 

Imagine when things get busy.  Finally, a glimpse of the corner of the Baptistry, the Duomo and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower).

Much to see and explore.  Ciao.

Buon Giorno

Greeting from Firenze (Florence).  We arrived yesterday after a very nice visit with family in New Hampshire.  The Swiss Air flights from Boston to Zurich to Firenze were comfortable with good meals, including Swiss chocolate for dessert.  Our home for a week:

Actually, we're only renting an apartment in the second building from the left.  It's a nice place.  That's the Arno River to the right.  Our front entrance:

Those doors are about 15 feet high.  Not likely to bump one's head going in and out.  We were treated to an excellent welcoming meal by our landlady, Lucia.  Numerous courses were highlighted by a light lasagna, an artichoke torte, omelettes, bread, a bottle of Sassaiolo Rosso Piceno Superiore and for dessert:

Yes, those are fresh strawberries in a rich whipped creme.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Here's a glimpse of a corner of our apartment:

We're heading out soon.  Hope to have more Firenze pictures over the next few days, if not too distracted by the nearby gelato place.
Ciao.