| A Cottage by the Sea |
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 I've returned from a fantastic trip in Edinburgh with my son and family; jetlag is behind me. Now preparing for a fantastic trip to Florence with my daughter; certainly not dwelling on the possibility of jetlag in front of me.
I'm reminded of this farewell message on a previous visit just before I walked down the jetway to board the plane home.
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 This Sunday afternoon I attended an on-line lecture* by Timothy Vernon on the Museo del Opera del Duomo (Duomo museum) in Florence. It was almost as good as being there! Monsignor Vernon designed and managed the museum latest renovations and is the current director . His slides could easily have come from my own archives of this, my second favorite museum in Florence ( Il Bargello is the first). Enjoy. *Sign up for these weekly Art History Encounters: elaineruffolo.com YouTube offers lectures by Timothy Vernon  If I had made it to Florence as planned, on my last day I would have visited Santa Maria Novella, the beautiful gothic church of the Dominicans. Alas, I am VERY GRATEFUL for my many, many last days in my most favorite city. Good memories remain forever in some form or other.  I often look at the pictures I have taken of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio during my many trips to Florence. Every time I go I snap anew--the same and yet different. Each photo isn't only a view of a beautiful river and historical bridge; whether in the picture or not, as the photographer, I am there, too, experiencing peace and contentment. (The same is applies to a visual artist). This specific spot is my go-to place for silence, solitude, and simplicity in Florence; a place where I can be alone--even with the all the others who gather there. Although I may wonder what is on their minds--whether they are alone, with someone else, or part of a crowd--I 'know' that they are finding peace and contentment. That is what the bridge across the Arno offers! Ask anyone who has been there.  Every time I fly out of the Florence airport, I wonder if I will return to my favorite city, or if I am saying arrivederchi for the last time. It's not something I've dwelt upon on over the years, but this trip I found myself looking at the Arno and the Duomo with 'memory' eyes. I'm a realist and an optimist, a combination that has encouraged me to take these trips. I'm also healthy and used to traveling, which is another combo that keeps me planning to go one more time.
As I write this on the plane on the way home to Boston, I'm thinking I have at least an October trip still in me. But I won't make those plans until I return from a week in Edinburgh at the end of May.  This morning, as I often do, I went to the side entrance of the Duomo, which is open for private prayer or for those attending Mass. Today, however, a large crowd of camera people and security guards surrounded the entrance. And there in their midst was a young man, sporting a very chic coat and holding a Gucci briefcase, solemnly walking a short distance among pigeons. Every so often someone would rush up to him to fix his hair or whatever, and then the man would go back to the start and make walk again. I slipped into church and when I came out they were still at it.  Carry-on, Traveling light! I’m off to Florence tomorrow, via CDG. I arrive in Florence at 9AM Monday morning and will take the 20 minute, 2 euro tram ride to Santa Maria Novella. I will call Lorenzo, who for years has rented me apartments, and then walk 15 minutes to my absolute favorite apartment. I will take a quick elevator ride to the second floor where Lorenzo will meet me. We will check that the wifi works, and he will give me the keys.
My apartment overlooks a little street; from the window I can see my favorite cafe serving the best cappuccino ever--maybe I'll stop in!. Then I'll walk around the corner to the Piazza della Signoria, say hello to David and be on my way through the Uffizi courtyard to the Arno. So many favorite spots! And I haven't even mention the Duomo, which I'll check out on my route before returning to the apartment for a nap.  April 1 2022 This solitary traveler is ready to go again. I thought that maybe my Florence days were over, but no, I heard, “Go, follow your bliss, you can do it, you want to go.” I know this is right because, if it weren’t, I know that too. It’s the way I operate. I sit with what comes up; if it goes away, well, that’s the end of that. If it keeps speaking out, I ponder until the answer comes. If it is yes, I make the necessary plans; if it is no, I surrender and stop perseverating on it.
Here’s my plan: fly to Florence March 19th, return March 30. I have rented my most favorite apartment—best location ever, with a museum and church in very direction. Right down the street is La Badia, my peaceful go-to meditation church, and across the street I can count of the best cappuccino and brioche ever. |
