Category: Italy

Sometimes the littlest things can mean the most

[in case you’re wondering, that’s the Ponte Vecchio on the River Arno behind me – went exploring there on Thanksgiving and will send the update on that soon]

I am one of those strange people who actually loves to pay attention to little details, and for whom sometimes the littlest things can mean the most. I love simply ‘looking up’ when out and about in a new place, and seeing and appreciating things other people who are often glued to their phones or looking at things at eye level (or often at their feet) simply miss. One can notice in almost all my posts, images of seemingly random small details that go unnoticed by the majority, but that I find fascinating.

For me, it’s the little things that can often bring a wider smile than the more obvious and grand – and I have had a string of such ‘little’ but ever so meaningful instances lately.

Sometimes the littlest things can mean the most

One of the obstacles I face with my particular set of physical challenges, is that packing up and catching planes every few months really messes with my body – and apart from the pain etc, one of the challenges is that both the Lupus and my heart (that thinks it’s an avant-guarde musician and makes up its own beats from time to time – that’s when it’s not deciding to revolt entirely) go screwy, my body puffs up significantly, and it takes me a few weeks to get it all back to playing nicely again.

[Sidebar: funnily enough, road trips never bother me!]

Although feeling much, much better, I still feel rather bloated and unattractive at present, but just today as I was walking down the corridor to my suite, one of the managers saw me. They all know I am learning Italian and I have asked them to only speak Italian with me, unless I ask for something in particular to be explained in English. They have not only done that for me, but they have dumbed-down their language so that I can catch on and understand. I thought that was so sweet of them.

When she saw me, she smiled, I said (in Italian), “hello, how are you today?” – she replied in Italian that she was good, and then she stopped me, and waving her hand from my head to my feet and back up, she said slowly for me to understand, “sei sempre bella” (you’re always beautiful).

I thanked her very much and continued on to my room – definitely not feeling ‘sempre bella’ but appreciating her saying so.

She wasn’t referring to any ‘beauty’, more what Italians call ‘bella figura’ – essentially meaning to always look and feel elegant, to appreciate beauty, to live and love every moment of every day – even what seems mundane to others – in a beautiful way…

Sometimes the littlest things can mean the most

It helps that I am one of those strange people who always wears long dresses, and who loves to wear hats, scarves, gloves, etc – I put on eyeliner and a little of my signature scent when I get up and get dressed in the morning, whether going out or not (not for anyone else, but simply because I enjoy it) – and even when at ‘home’ by myself, I am always dressed with a sort of relaxed elegance. It might be as simple as an inexpensive dress I bought on Amazon, but it is always something in which I feel good – and if I feel like ‘sloppy-comfort’? I have elegant versions of long dresses and cozy fur-trimmed wraps that do just that as well – or it the world feels too big and I wish I had a fluffy puppy with whom to curl up, I have a gorgeous vintage mink coat (before you shoot me for wearing ‘fur’ – no, I wouldn’t buy a new one, but feel perfectly fine with owning a vintage one – disagree with me if you like) and I curl up with that and watch a girlie movie or some such thing.

A couple of days ago I was out – actually my Thanksgiving day! – and while sitting outside at a restaurant in the piazza, a lady came up to me, introduced herself and said she was from Norway and in Florence for photography course, and said that I apparently looked so beautiful sitting there, could she take my photo for her portfolio to capture the way I looked and my feelings and thoughts at that moment (you will get to ‘meet’ her when I finally get to posting my photos from that day)…

…but, I guarantee it was more for what I was wearing and how I was wearing it, than any physical ‘beauty’ – and it wasn’t that what I was wearing was a several-thousand dollar Chanel suit or similar…

So, what was I wearing? What you see in the image above – basic and simple. No makeup other than eye-liner and a lip balm. A simple long black cross-over dress (bought on Amazon for about $30), a beautiful vintage wool and fur hat (that I bought on eBay for about $30), a matching scarf etc, and over-sized Sophia Loren-type sunglasses (these particular sunglasses were my cheapies for about $20 – they weren’t even my expensive Versace sunglasses).

I can pretty much guarantee what Laila (the lovely lady who took my photo) saw, was ‘bella figura’ – the love and care I put into what I was wearing and how I wore it, more than any physical beauty.

It’s probably best summed up in this quote by Audrey Hepburn:

“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls.”

Lately I have done several outings where I have walked for hours and hours, with a few stops along the way. This morning I was planning on going for a long-ish walk and had a couple of places in mind that I wanted to visit, however even before I reached the elevator, I knew today my body was not up for that, so decided to simply run a couple of errands, pick up a bite for lunch, and return.

I felt a little deflated, as I was really looking forward to enjoying the beautiful weather – and so hearing, “sei sempre bella” was just the boost I needed to not feel so dejected at not being able to do more today – and actually, it boosted my spirits so much that I came back, wrote this post to share the experience with you, and feel inspired to do something creative this afternoon!

Sometimes the littlest things can mean the most…

Sending love and smiles to all…

~ Bella

PS: two more of the ooooooodles of Audrey Hepburn quotes I love:

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.”

Basilica di Santa Croce

Heading out this morning, I went wandering to at first explore the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Piazza di Santa Croce.

Here is the video – the individual photos are below:

Piazza di Santa Croce

~ Bella

Museum of Leonardo da Vinci

An extraordinary outing – going for a walk to find the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci – and the museum was only part of the extraordinary day!

It began with calling in to a pharmacy on the way – that was operating as a pharmacy before Leonardo da Vinci was even born!!

Here is the video, if you would like to view that, or continue to scroll down for the individual photos and some commentary:

Just imagine… These were the same buildings that Leonardo da Vince would have possibly walked past… The shops are obviously different, but much of the architecture would have been exactly as he would have seen it.

Lots of cool ‘retro’…

…even this fellow with his old camera…

Wandering the streets, looking at the details, listening to music winding its way through the streets…

That’s the famous Duomo… I haven’t been there yet – so more on that at another time…

It started raining, so I took shelter and had a bite of lunch…

…and more confusing numbers – this time it’s number 41 next to number 93 – oh, well, as long as the postman understands it, I guess…

Just as I was finishing, the sun came back out!

Florence’s Museum of Leonardo da Vinci

This place was mind-blowingly incredible!

Oh, and I thought it was fascinating that the documentary they had playing in the background in this (below) room, was the exact same one that I watched the night before in preparation for my visit! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yT4IkPtTRo)

About to head home, and I was looking up at the building opposite the museum. Looking in through one of the open windows, it was fascinating to see the bare wood – the timbers most likely date back to the 15th century…

~ Bella

The Other Last Supper

Another beautiful day in Florence and I went in search of the ‘other’ Last Supper…

The Other Last Supper

I actually walked past this place – TWICE – before I realised it was there… Just a small plaque on the wall, and a non-descript door.

Created around 1445, this is the first Renaissance refectory in Florence and is the one belonging to the Benedictine nuns of Sant’Apollonia.

…and so, I rang the bell and was admitted… and apart from the man at the door and a woman who was leaving, I was the only one there…

The former convent houses a stunning collection of frescos and preparatory works by Andrea del Castagno (1421-1457), who worked on the Last Supper fresco after his return from Venice in 1444.

Amazingly, the majority of these works were covered in whitewash and were only re-discovered in the late 1800s.

If one puts oneself in the shoes (as best one can) of someone living in the 15th century when this was painted, it is so very easy to imagine how impressive and awe-inspiring (in the literal sense) were these frescos. Sitting alone in the chapel, looking at the far wall, I was captivated.

This is not a particularly favourite style of painting for me, but nonetheless, the effect was remarkable.

…and from such beauty, walking home I went past a place that – I’ve still no idea what was there – had a constant stream of teenagers and early twenty-somethings coming and going…

Another wonderful day in Florence…

~ Bella

Michelangelo Piazza

Michelangelo Piazza – the location for all those amazing vistas of Florence that have become so famous. The Piazza is a fairly recent addition to Florence, being designed in 1869 by architect, Giuseppe Poggi.

This wall is (I think) Torre del Belvedere.

There are three statues of David in Florence.

This is a bronze cast of the real ‘David’ statue that is in the Accademia Gallery of Florence. The second copy of the David is located in Piazza della Signoria (Duomo Square), just opposite the Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace).

…and as fortune would have it, I arrived on a day when there was a classic car gathering!

~ Bella

Si, sono solo!

My day started with sitting outside at one of the local cafes, happily working away as the world meandered by… having a glass of wine… and an Italian fellow probably in his sixties (and very good looking, I might add), wearing jeans and a shirt, asked me if I was alone. “Yes – Si, sono solo,” I replied in my best Italian (Ok, so I know about 15 words and that’s about it, but they were three of them). He then pronounced in English with a broad Italian accent…

“a beautiful woman should not drink alone! This is Italy!” waved his hand in the air with a swooping motion, proceeded to pull out the chair beside me, said, “you do not mind, do you”, and ordered two glasses of wine!

So, in a blink, I was no longer working, but happily chatting away with some handsome stranger who seemed to think the fact that I do not have a husband or a boyfriend to be strangest and most unacceptable thing in the world. Welcome to Italy!

Later that evening, I decided to go out to see a band that was playing nearby in the Mercato Centrale.

Walking along the street, I noticed this amazing window and fountain – just wedged in between two shops – amazing!

The Mercato Centrale was built in 1874.

…and, just like at an earlier cafe, playing in the background was disco and boogie music! According to SoundHound:

I wasn’t quite so daring as to sample the “fourth stomach of the cow”…

This is the culinary school…

Cheers!

The Desperate Erotic?

Yes, that was the name of the band I went to see that night!

Hmmmm, they don’t look exactly desperately erotic, but I guess one never can tell. 🙂

While I was there, I ended up chatting with three guys who live in Ipswich, only about 40 minutes from where I had been staying in England for the past five months – AND – one of them…

– his parents used to holiday at the EXACT SAME PLACE! He described the property precisely – although it must have been a while ago, because he didn’t recall large trees around my lovely little lake – but how strange is that!

They were in Florence for a karate tournament.

Then the question that keeps coming up – “Is your husband or boyfriend here with you?”

They were amazed that I am travelling the world by myself, particularly with a mobility challenge.

When I asked the son of the man with the beard (he’s the one whose parents used to visit Mill Farm) what fires his soul about Karate, I loved his answer.

“I have a lot of aggression in me and I want to hit things. Karate gives me focus and let’s me hit things with respect.”

Hmmmmm… It’s a long way down (says I to myself as I stop to take this about half way down) – but I was very proud of myself that I successfully achieved my mission of getting to the bottom gracefully and in one piece!

What’s also funny is that the following evening, I was chatting with a fellow who grew up only about 20 minutes from where I stayed in England! He, too, was baffled by the whole, “yes, I’m travelling by myself” notion – he was in Florence with friends.

So, “si, sono solo” – but I guess when it comes down to it, life is short. I could wait until my Mr Right turns up to share it with me, share it together – or I could seize every minute and make the best of it.

None of us knows how long we have on this little blue marble we call Earth. I want to make each day special, make each day count, as much as I can.

I’m not always successful – and often far from it – but I am doing my best.

Sending love and smiles to all…

~ Bella x

Florence Loop – Post 3 of 3

This is the third in a series of posts continuing my loop of Florence… It is a glorious city – and so very compact! The view over the city from Michelangelo Piazza is truly awe-inspiring.

~ Bella

Florence Loop – Post 2 of 3

…continuing my loop of the city of Florence…

Florence Loop – Post 1 of 3

Welcome to Florence! To get a general idea of the area, one of the first things I do in a new city is, where available, I take the loop bus – and so that’s what I did today, on yet another glorious days here in Firenze. Starting in Independence Square, I did two loops, one on each side of the bus, to get a good look (and better photos!) and was blessed to get the front seat both trips – perfetto!

All the photos are below (and spread over 3 posts), but if you would like to view a video of them, you wish is my command!

Welcome to Florence!

This was my last day in the glorious piece of Heaven in Suffolk. It was so hard to leave.

There is a line in one of my favourite movies, “Under the Tuscan Sun” (hmmm, appropriate now that I am in Tuscany!) where Marcello says, “when you smash into something good, hold on until it’s time to let go.”

I feel I left part of my heart behind, but although I wish it could have lasted forever, it was time to let go and continue on my way.

This trip was out of London City Airport (that I didn’t even know existed – when I have flown into London, it has always been into Heathrow). The airport was fabulous (well, as fabulous as an airport can be).

The staff were all happy and smiling – even security – and speaking of security, they have new sensors so one can leave everything, even liquids, in one’s bag as it goes merrily through…

I book wheelchair assistance when I travel, and on this flight it felt like one of my private flights, only a bigger aircraft! Chauffeur (in this case, the fellow pushing the wheelchair) takes me on the tarmac, right up to the plane, and when I board, I am the only one on the aircraft (well, for a moment or two until the other passengers arrive).

Yes, I even ate the scone – something I rarely do – but it started me wondering (not the scone, the knife). We cannot bring all manner of things onto a plane for fear of nefarious goings on, yet they arm all of business class with metal knives and forks… Hmmmm….. I guess bad guys only fly economy.

I know one shouldn’t eavesdrop, but this conversation was all about esoteric ideas – and interesting given that at the time on the plane (before I started listening to their conversation), I was reading “Mesmerism”, written by Dr Anton Mesmer in 1779.

Oh, and I also shared the flight with Miss Mirriam – a very nice lady.

Flying over the Alps…

This lovely lady and I kept bumping into each other right from the moment we were checking our bags in London. Such a happy soul.

I had several comments from admirers (of my luggage, not of me) of my matching luggage – although the satchel is letting down the side… My ‘bella figura’ needs some attention in that department (will write a post on bella figura at another time).

Welcome to Florence!

When I told my taxi driver that I had been to Italy many times (but not yet to Florence), he chided me for not already speaking Italian – and so my entire journey was like swatting for an exam in Italian – I loved it!

My hotel is in a lovely 19th century building in a fabulous location, right near the edge of the historic district.

Do you remember “Are You Being Served?” The man who checked me in could have doubled for Mr Humphries – although I don’t think ‘service’ is his natural domain.

I am re-reading “Think And Grow Rich” (the original 1937 edition – I have ever so many challenges with the rest and what has been modified and edited out). For those who have read it, do you recall the little slave girl who stood her ground in order to get her mother’s fifty cents?

Well, I think I channelled that little girl in order to get my bags up to my room.

It is obvious to all that I have a challenge walking (and after a week of packing up the cabin, manhandling suitcases, the flight etc, I was even using two walking sticks, so very obvious).

The fellow on the desk checked me in, and then proceeded to ignore me. “Excuse me, if someone could take my bags up to my room, that would be wonderful, grazie.” To which he replied, “There is an elevator,” and continued to ignore me. I stood my ground, kept smiling, figured the rest of my day, although painful and long (I arose at 4:30am) had been quite lovely so this would also go swimmingly… He continued to ignore me – I continued to stand there, smiling at him…

…and then success! (although he wasn’t smiling, and to every question I asked about where things were – I received either no response or a version of something unhelpful – but I didn’t care as it was otherwise such an enjoyable journey.

The weather was glorious!

Once I rested for a bit, I decided to check out the immediate area, have a glass of wine, etc – although didn’t expect to bump into Marilyn in Florence…

Good luck finding an address – note this used to be number 47, is now 49, and is next door to 127.

There was a problem with the wifi that evening, and I found it fun to watch the different wifi connections that would come up from people passing on the street below, or cars that had pulled up – these ones are quite normal, but….