Jul 07

Tuesday July 31
Villa il Roseto, Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci-Fiesole: He designed the Church on the Motorway. Beautiful garden, and a Persimmon tree! There was a plant that had sticky pointy leaves and tiny white flowers and smelled like lemon balm, but I don't know what it's called. Its a little dissapointing that our gardens & villas teacher doesn't know plants.
I took lots of pictures of the view from this point. You can barely make out the synagogue and Duomo. I saw two butterflies.

Villa Medici -Fiesole: Stopped and had time to sketch here. I did a pot, but it sucks. I got lots of great shots though, including one of me in a tree.

Villa Medicea della Petraia: This home had a gorgeous purple chandelier inside the main room with frescoes EVERYWHERE. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside though. You'll just have to get me to show you my notes later. Classic Medici symbols could be found throughout the home, These include a crown and the 5 Medici balls which are presented in an oval. We were moved quite quickly through this vill and even faster through the garden. I saw a small green lizard, fish and a dragonfly.

Wednesday August 1

Villa Buonvisi Olivia: Park is surrounded by a wall. While this garden wasn't as exciting as the others that followed, it showed how the use of shade in a garden can provide shelter from the weather. This garden was a fair example of how gardens had different levels in the 1500's. The garden also featured a grotto where, in it's day, would have different water-effects.

Villa Torrigniani: A beautiful garden with lawn separating the two sides. On the right, one garden leads into another. In the Grotta di Venti, we were shown the different water effects. There were several. Water would shoot out from the ground in a few different places (we weren't expecting that one and we all got wet ) There were statues inside the grotto and so water shot out from all different parts of the statues. It's really quite clever how the water-works work behind the scenes. Above the surrounding area on another level to the garden, there was a fish pond (which had no fish, but did have two white ducks). You'll see the pictures...

Giardino Garzoni: In this town you'll see pinocchio dolls and merchandise everywhere. This is because this is home to the man who started Pinocchio.
Upon entering the garden, you see a large man-made pond with water shooting up several feet into the air, one ugly black swan, two white swans (wings clipped) and many ducks (to the left, right side has pond to). There are gravel walk areas and plants planted in designs. Past the ponds on either side, there are three garden areas with lawn all around. A central three level staircase leads up to a steep hill, with water trickling down the center to a pond with tadpoles. Above, there are a series of paths that take you to different areas. We went through a bamboo forest to find a maze leading to a grotto. The maze was made up of thinned box woods so it wasn't that hard to figure out. Plus, we kind of cheated by going around.
Up the hill and to the left of the garden, the castle, referred to as the castle with a hundred windows, features upper floors which Napoleon is said to have stayed, and a kitchen where the father of the author of Pinocchio worked. The garden is said to be an extraordinary example of 18th century Tuscan taste.
Back down toward the entrance of the garden is the Butterfly house. Need I say more?! We were kind of rushed through this area, but I still managed to get lots of pictures.

Thursday August 2
All day excursion to Villa Medici Poggio a Canaio & Parco di Celle (in Pistoia).

Medici Poggio a Canaio: Constructed over the remains of an ancient medieval castle.
This home was nice. We strived to take pictures even though it wasn't allowed, but I managed to snap a few undetected. Inside on each side, there are two spiral staircases, one for going upstairs and the other for downstairs travel. This isn't the most impressive villa that I've seen so far, but is was the first with an in home theater.

Parco di Celle: This garden was more of an art exhibition than any other, but a most refreshing take on modern art. Scattered all over are works of art by various national and international artists. And unlike other areas we've so far visited, this villa has the largest number of different varieties of trees, including white/red/scented American/ Douglas firs, chestnut/horse chestnuts, white horn-bean, Atlantic/Himalayan cedars, cypress/lawson cypress, flowering ash, giant arbor vitae, black/umbrella pines, yew, elm, holm/turkey/common/downy/red/American oaks.
I especially enjoyed all the mosquito bites I received around my ankles during the 3 hour tour. But it really was quite amazing! There was an area where the hill was carved out and you walk along this path. In the path there is a little bowl with water and two small crabs inside. You walk further, it appears as though you go deeper as the side of the hill are now over head. Walk through a gate into the hill. Plexi glass and a half turn to the left and right take you to the opposite end where you walk up a spiral stair case to find you are back on top of the hill, but in a clear box, to which there is one opening to exit.

see upcoming pictures from my adventures:
http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z115/barnhabe/

ROME!!!!
I went along on all of the scheduled activities, but it left me with no time to shop or look around on my own in Rome.

We were provided with maps to clubs and places to dine.

On saturday, a bunch of us went to Rome's Hard Rock Cafe for some much needed reminders of home. I ate a cheese burger, bahama mama, and Island mai tai for desert. I bought a T-shirt to commemorate the event. Why have I never been here before?! Loved it!! Check for the pic on my photo site. On the way home, those who didn't go clubbing got a special treat--a free Gelato from one of the Best places as noted by a program director and a great candy shop!

I had an opportunity to throw a coin over my shoulder and make a wish at the Trevi fountain. It was gorgeous!

Also visited St. Peter's basilica, the Pantheon, and the colosseum.

Sunday was a mandatory day for ID students. We went to the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, & Villa borghese (17th century, laid out for the nephew of Pope paul V.

This was a great excursion but I really wish I would have had more time to visit local shops.

P.S. there is a pic of Vartuhi, a cafe owner (next to our hotel), and I . This man was so sweet to us!

Monday July 23 35 Celsius

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY GRANDPA (TED)

I miss you but am glad you have the rest of our family to be there with you! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, alles Gute zum Geburtstag, lieber Großvater alles Gute zum Geburtstag, alles Gute zum Geburtstag... und
viel mehr. (i hope that's right!)

Italian: Buon compleanno, buon compleanno, caro grandpa di buon compleanno,
buon compleanno... e molto.

With Love,

The Duchess

Today we visited Museo Horne and Museo Stibbert; both homes no longer used as such. Horne is a merchants palace from the 14th century. Herbert Pursey, a london architect who bought the home, said it was the most authentic example of a home from the 14th century. Inside, there are strozzi stools which are high backed chairs with three legs. The north wing was used for the family while, the south wing was used for workshops. There were smaller rooms which weren't as grand in scale, and the window shutters and doors had this "half chestnut" design on them.

In the Stibbert home, the style was gothic revival. It is viewed as a 19th century man's residence. Inside, walls are painted with a fabric style print. There were also 2-3 rooms that had embossed leather walls-something we hadn't yet seen. There was a collection of armor and chain-link protective wear. The fire places in 2 rooms were the first to be decorated inside, using tile and mosaics. There was also a collection of swords and long metal guns. And one tented ceiling, where the fabric swooped and tucked.

Tuesday July 24 34 Celsius
Yay, rain! well, barely a sprinkle, but still the first bit of wetness we've had.

Today is our last Interiors class before we move on to the gardens portion--which I've so been looking forward to!! The only place set for this afternoon is Palazzo Pucci, a home that is still in use by Pucci's brother who is 91 years old. This home is the most lived in that we've seen, with the most homey feel and even reminded me of Gramp's house at the farm.

Emilio Pucci is a fashion designer who concentrates on the 60's era of style, using bright colors. The following link will give you a taste of his work:

http://www.emiliopucci.com/

His home included 19th century silk curtains, a neo-classical ceiling of the late 1800's, a few Baroque furniture pieces, hardwood floors in herringbone pattern, a terrazzo floor, (mosaic flooring composed of chips of broken stone, usually marble, and cement, polished when in place) as well as some terra-cotta flooring. The home also featured early 20th century heating in the dinning room.

Tonight, we go to an academic crossover meal for staff and students to mark the midpoint in the semester. We will be going to Trattoria Zaza. http://www.trattoriazaza.it/

Another great dinning option!! Completely fantastic food and wonder service. For my first course I had Ravioli strascicati (ravioli with a cream sauce-only, it was actually a meat sauce). Secondi Piatti, I ordered Pollo fritto alla fiorentina con patate in pastella (fried florentine chicken with potatoes). And for dolce (dessert), I chose Vin santo con cantucci fatti in casa (desert wine with homemade cookies -actually biscotti) Desert was alright though i wished after the first taste of wine that I would have stayed with my first choice of Fragole al limone con zucchero (strawberries with lemon & sugar)!! Because, when I was moving on to my last biscottie, I found some wildlife. Not pleasant. Mom--remember your oyster at the oyster place? Ya... The waiter was very nice about it though and offered to bring another dessert, but I was so full that I declined. I would still recommend this place though b/c they have such fabulous meals. Also, I believe each night may have a different set of courses.
hopefully, mom and I will be able to come here, and I know exactly which dessert to order if we do!!

Afterward, we all came back the apartment to chill out before going to sleep on our full tummies.

Wednesday July 25

Boboli Gardens: we briskly walked past Boboli to spend our afternoon in Giardino Bardini. What a let down. And then we just sketched Mom, I'm comin' back with you to Boboli to really see it. Tickets are about 9-11 euro and there is timed entry. Can hardly wait!!


Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina Concert: This was such a moving concert! I absolutely loved it and bought the CD after. It was held at the Bargello museum which is where we visited one day for the interiors class. There was such an applause that there were 3 encores(my way, what a wonderful world, and a remix of the first song)! My favorite pieces were N.Piovani-Suite della vita e bella, Gabriel's Obe and Ballabili dal film il Gattopardo-Valzer Verdi.

Thursday July 26

We visited Villa Gamberaia. You can see the pictures on the photobucket site.

Its finally cooled down temp wise, this week will be btw 34 and 36 degrees Celsius.
last night i thought it was sunday but it was really saturday so this morning i woke up at six thirty ready to go meet for class then I found out it was sunday so i ate breakfast and went back to bed. I will probably go out today. Im still looking for the hotel mom will be staying in when she gets here. I went to look for it yesterday, it doesn't seem like it would be hard to find, but I went around and around and couldn't find it, so today i'm really going to look hard for it. I pry just passed by it over and over yesterday without realizing. The blocks here are just one long building until the end of the block. Walls inside divide each business but they aren't separated per establishment. Plus, street signs don't stand on their own little pole--they're on the side of the building and not always in the same place. And its not like their at eye level on the buildings, nooo their up their. your whole head has to go back to see it. Can't even pronounce most of them so you have to remember what they look like as you try and find where your supposed to go.
Also, i don't think i can go another day eating anything that has to do with or looks like pasta...or pizza.

The mosquitos here don't make a buzzing noise so you don't know when they're coming for you. You just happen to notice one out of the corner of your eye trying to get you. You try to get it, but you don't know where it is because it doesn't buzz. Last night, there was one trying to eat me and i finally spotted it on my towel and when i went to smack it all quite like it must have known i was coming because it flew away. I couldn't hear it or find it so i tried to sleep under my covers but then i couldn't breathe.
Mosquitos here are called tiger mosquitos because they have stripes. There's a product you can buy at the grocery store called VAPE ("vapay" when pronounced in IT). If you want to leave your windows open at night you can hang VAPE in your room and the mosquitos will die if they try to come in. It makes me wonder though, how safe it really is to breath.. all night long.
However, my roommates and i have decided never to open our room windows so no type of bug can come in.

On another note: You know those tourist books that tell you not to wear this or that when you go to another country? Who do they think they are, they don't know. When you get to your destination you find its more or less opposite to what the book says anyway. And conservative clothing?? ya, the older women/men wear conservo clothing but not the young ones!! Italian (young) women dress more scandalously here than the tourists. Well, I guess you learn as you go.

"Don't forget to bring a coat/sweater incase it's gets cold...." This is so true when you're going to PORTLAND in the summer time. Other wise it really doesn't seem to apply in FLORENCE....Until you get to your apartment with the arctic chill of AC blowing all day until 11pm when it shuts off and your left to suffer all night in the muggy air--only because a week before, flat mates (except for you) on every floor complained about how cold it was at night; so the maintenance guy comes to adjust when it comes on or goes off.
And there's no on or off button either. so when you come back to the apartment after walking around with your class forever and are finally on your off time, you are so glad the AC is on. Then later, after an hour or so has given you time to cool off and now you have goose-bumps, there's no way to turn off or down the AC. The only choice is to go back out in the hot humid heat to warm back up.

Hey, check out tons more pictures newly uploaded at:
http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z115/barnhabe/?start=all

This week marks the hottest temperatures we have felt since being here. Its HOT! But, I've got a nice suntan.

http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z115/barnhabe/

16 July
Topographical Museum: a recording of the landscapes and their settings in Florentine times. It included a model of the city before the Duomo was built.

Casa Dei Tessuiti "House of Textiles": We had to switch around our day quite a lot today. We came here because the fashion students had raved about their experience here. This shop is located on the Duomo Piazza and across from the ACCENT center. The owner is very friendly and welcoming. He'll invite you right in and show you all his silks-crepe and jacqaurd among others. He showed us the fabric he sells to Armani. At the end, Stephanie from ACCENT took a group photo of us with him. The fabrics were gorgeous and he knew everything about them.

Casa Rodolpho Siviero: characterised as having a democratic interior. Though not as notable (in my book) as Casa Guidi. Siviero was likened to James Bond in the way that he was a kind of spy for Florence. He would gather intel on the Germans who were stealing Florentine artworks. In 1944, Italy was liberated and the stolen artwork was taken back to Florence. Artwork that had been exported for economical reasons were not returned to Florence. When Siviero died, he gave his home and personal collection of art to Tuscany.

17 July
Santa Maria Novella: (sorry no cameras allowed) This church is more square shaped, and not in the typical Basilica form. Decorative schemes come from the year after the plague in 1348. The church was assembled to bring together the reunion of the Greek and latin churches. There are 5 rooms frescoed from top to bottom.

Palazzo Vecchio: Built btw 1299-1314, an odd shaped building plan (trapezoid). Open areas symbolic of power and grandeur of government. The Medici family had lived here but decided it was too small and moved.There is a brilliant room here which is gold with tall mirrors along each side. Definitely a must see!

Incresso All'Officina Profumo-Famraceutica Di Santa Maria Novella: Originally a church in the 1300's. They sell a highly coveted Santa Maria Novella perfume at approximately 50E. Among other scents, you'll notice rosemary when entering the building and blue-spruce in other rooms. You don't want to spend too much time in here without clearing your nasal passages with either coffee or eucalyptus gum.

18 July
Palazzo Pitti: (Sorry, no camera allowed) Signs of rustication with rough boulders, giving a prison-like feel to the outside. It was designed by Brunelleschi, who wanted a forbidding-like exterior. The Baroque interior focusses on Florentine design. This was the home to Medici grand dukes. In most of the rooms you'll find that there is jacquard (silk) stretched on the walls. This gives a warm and grandeur feeling. Chandeliers in almost every room also show the grandness of the place. Rooms without chandeliers show and give feeling of immensity by the style of art and frescoes in the room. Palazzo Pitti was the first place where I found that the paintings have the illusion of stepping out from the wall. This is not a place to be missed when visiting Florence!

Brancacci Chapel: We were to look at the expulsion of Adam and Eve. (sorry no cameras, but I pulled a few links from the net to put on photobucket.

19 July
Synagogue: (no cameras allowed) Built to show that the Jewish community was fully apart of the Florentine culture. A statement of position, showing that they weren't going anywhere; that they belonged. The layout of the synagogue is a Greek cross (like a plus sign, equal on each side). It's the second largest synagogue in Europe (and fifth in the world), but the first with moorish design. It took 7 years to paint the entire place. I have never seen anything decorated like this from top to bottom. Every square inch is covered in geometric pattern with Stars of David included in every design. With blue-green domes, it can be seen for miles from the top of the Duomo and even from the viewpoint of San Miniato al Monte church. Unlike the other churches we've seen on this trip that have green or black horizontal stripes, this one has red stripes with very little ornamentation on the outside.

Church on Motor way: Michelucci wanted to make a space where one could react in their own way and have their own spiritual experience. The church was put on the motor way so passer-byes could stop in and pray before continuing on their journey. Inside is a very open space. Hallways/passageways connect to each other and lead you back to the center, to the first floor, and to a hidden baptistery. They are open, yet private. The shapes used throughout the structure of the church are organic. Different sizes of square and rectangle windows let in natural light, as there are no light fixtures. Rough marble and concrete made to look like wood help secure the feeling of an organic or natural space. Olive trees surround the outside. This is a very odd shaped building, non like I've seen before.

P.S. My roommate has taught me a yummier spaghetti recipe-I can hardly wait to make it at home!