We went galevanting off to Firenze this past weekend, did the whole thing in two days, what a whirlwind. Our main targets that we accomplished were Santa Maria Novella, the Duomo, the baptistery doors, San Marco, the Accademia (all on Saturday), then on Sunday was the 5 or 6 hours spent at the Uffizi, of which we were first in line early in the morning, and then a bit of wandering and the Palazzo Vecchio. Out of everything we saw, I would have to say that Artmesia Genileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes was the most amazing thing for me. I was surprised however at how captivating the David was, as i was not expecting be wholely wowed.
Then on Monday we went on another series of excursions, this time in the food valley, where parmesen cheese, proscuitto, and l’ambrusco are all made. We went to a cheese farm, if you call it a farm, I’m not sure. Only three people worked with the cheese, of which they make around 12 wheels a day, with no breaks, ever. There was the cheese master, his assistant and who seemed like the boss, this wonderful 90 year old lady who had worked with cheese her entire life. We then went to the proscuitto museum, which was informational, but not as fun as a slaughterhouse or production house would have been, but I think the smell was much more tolerable for most. We then from there went to a winery, where one man was in charge, and whose family had lived there since the 15th century, and the oldest part of the house was from then. We tasted 4 of the wines, all delicious in their own ways, paired with different pork products on bread for the different wines. It was crazily enjoyable and a relaxing time, although the after effects of drinking at noon on a hot hot day were definitely felt. And after the winery, we were not done just yet for the day, we went to a castle, where one of the host mothers, who was showing us around, had lived growing up, which is inconceivable. The majority of it was closed but we walked around the inner walls in the outer part of the castle, where people do still live, it was of course picturesque.
And today, Wednesday, we worked on art, I finished my drawing for the “exhibition” at the end of our stay, however that will be, and went to the weekly market, and later to Parco Ducale, a French style park on the Otra Torente, a beautiful and spacious large park with statues and such stationed around the grounds.
This weekend, to Venice! Exciting! I am pretty worn out from all this nonstop learning, art-making, Italian speaking, but it is a truly wonderful experience, and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s all day on site lectures from Elena. Featured artists: Coreggio, Parmigianino, and several churches included I believe.
And a note of the weather. It is hot. Italy sun. I think it hit almost 90 degrees here today, which apparently is inconceivable for the PNW right now. I wish the Northwest some sunny days.
