To Italy with Love: My Italian Adventure - Part 3

Lost files from Italy 2018....
Praying for the people of Italy and all throughout the world....

"I leave my soul to God and my body to Florence."  Michelangelo 

Florence

Our next morning was spent roaming the halls of the Galleria dell'Accademia (Accademia Gallery), which is the home of Michelangelo's statue of David, the prisoners (unfinished works my Michelangelo) and Pieta which features Mary, Jesus, and Mary Magdalene.  It is sort of unreal to imagine how a single individual could have created such a masterpiece. We are talking centuries before technology and special tools. At 26 years-old, Michelangelo insisted on working alone using only the tools that were available to him at the time. It took him 2 and a half years to complete the statue. The David stands 13 feet 5 inches and weighs 5-6 tons.  David is captured holding the slingshot and rock just before the battle against Goliath.  The statue was originally located outside near the city center of Florence but after 300 years was brought inside the gallery. There were several attempts to damage or vandalize the statue which is why today a special glass wall has been constructed to protect the historic monument.


We worked up an appetite walking around the city checking out more statues near the city center (and a randome poster of Justin Timberlake), taking pictures on the 'Old Bridge' (a lady was nearing hit by a speeding car, but without hesitation I grabbed her from the street just in time... whew!), and checking out the statues of Giotto, Donatello, Davinci, Galileo Galileo, and so many more.

Before lunch we were treated to a presentation at a Leather Factory just off the square in Florence. The top level of the factory looked like a regular store (with regular prices) but downstairs deep beneath the streets of Florence we found the discounted bags, shoes, and other accessories.  It was hard not to buy everything, but resisted the temptation and made our way across the street to lunch.

Pasta is always the first course and this restaurant did not disappoint. It had been hours since our buffet breakfast at the hotel and we appreciated every single bite of the penne pasta with red sauce and olives. The main course was roast beef was new potatoes and for dessert we enjoyed an Italian pudding.

Pisa

After a short bus ride and a quick nap (I had the best naps on the tour bus), we arrived in Pisa.  Sabrina, our tour director, warn us about the friendly but aggressive folks that may approach us trying to get us to buy jewelry, bags, or other items. (These folks were African who had migrated to this area over the years.  When I say African, not like African American or Black, but African African like born on the continent.)  We were also instructed to wear our bags or purses close to us because pick-pocketing is a high risks for tourist in this area. (This became a common theme as we traveled around many of the tourist locations for the remainder of the week. I wore my backpack backwards across my chest unapologetically and could careless about the fashion statement I was making or not making.)

Our local tour guide was funny and kept us on our toes as we make the short walk towards the leaning tower.  Steps away from the main entrance she brought us to a stop and just when we couldn't take it anymore she waved her tour guide flag (all of our tour guides carry some type of indicator so we can keep up with them at all times)  and we stood in awe at as we turned the corner and witnessed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Baptismal Hall and the Cathedral.  It was surreal to walk towards the tower. I had seen pictures and read articles but nothing can quite beat walking in the shady of the tower. After a few failed attempts of capturing the classic photo where you either leaning against the tower or pushing to tower back in place, we did a little shopping and said good-bye to Pisa.

Back in Florence we walked the two and a half blocks to Enjoy, a restaurant near our hotel and enjoyed wood fire pizza and of course more wine...

Florence was beautiful and Pisa was beyond words, but it was time for our next adventure...

Bologna

The morning of my birthday we left Florence heading to Venice with stopping in Bologna along the way.  Due to a traffic accident, our arrival in Bologna was slightly delayed but we had just enough time to explore the local shops, and take more pictures of the beautiful space. We found a cute restaurant in the city center with a fantastic view of the local church.  We enjoyed lasagna, ravioli and wine.  Bologna, although dripping in history, was more alive with today's trends. The fashion the folks wore was more current and even the shops.

Sometimes I imagine myself there in the city center of Florence surrounded by art and fashion and food and wine and good vibes.

I'll be back soon...