Slowly life is starting to evolve into a new pattern. We typically tour one day, have classes the next, and then head out again. Almost every day is art history from 7 to 8 PM, just before dinner. The professor loves Renaissance art and is transforming us into masters of discernment of eras and spectacular artists. I now know Pisian romanesque vs Florentine, Gothic vs early Renaissance – and slowly the brain cells are digging back into the recesses of past learned knowledge. Every once in a while a word or concept is thrown to my concious mind. Monday I went to a 2 hour drawing class, a 1 hour drama class, a 2 hour photography class and then the art history. After dinner from 9 to 9:30 there is a group of about 10 of us who take turns reading Dante’s A New Life outloud.
Tuesday was our first excursion to Florence. We caught the city bus at 8:20, which is about a 15 minute walk from our front door. We discovered the right way to get to the station and onto a train, which is ever so much easier than we imagined being jet-lagged and uber nervous on Sunday! The villa is about 25 minutes from the center of town. Pistoia is about 30 minutes from Florence via train.
The professor, Jeffrey, is quite civilized and had us all stop at the square, Piazza, in front of the Duomo to partake of coffee and pastries before beginning the tour. My tea and croissant were quite delightful and set us up for the next 3 hours of walking around. What was wondrous were the expressions on the student faces as they looked at the Duomo for the first time – life vs. slides and life won a huge victroy. It didn’t stop us from taking pictures trying to capture the unobtainable, but the aha was fabulous.
I got so much more out of just visiting by myself over the years. I never got to see Perseus’ back end before and it quite rivals any tight end of the NFL! You can see all of the youngsters I am playing with – average age of 19! I saw sculpture and churches I had previously just passed by. We are now all in awe of Brunescelli who gave Florence the beauty and archtecture never seen before in the world. I thought the beauty of the Bapestry was the famous Doors to Paradise, but the much earlier mosaic is unbelievable as it shimmers in the light bringing mystery and glory to the place.
We were told of the best places for Gelato, where not to get pizza, and how to maneuver the city. I, of course, had both the cherry and the chocolate gelato. I ate my pizza like an Italian folded together as I walked down the street gawking at the gorgeous windows during our 1 1/2 lunch break .
Reversing course we headed to the train station and back to the villa. I arrived earlier than most of the students as they climbed up to the cuppolo of the Duomo. When I heard claustrophobic and thought of the heighth I decided to act my age! I saw the beautiful rooftop view while eating a luxurious brunch on the 5th floor of the Baglioni Hotel on Saturday morning, so why submit to discomfort and strenuous exercise?? I had an hour and a half of quiet at the villa and just enjoyed being here instead. Not too bad.
Today we did a quick trip into Pistoia to see two more churches and their pulpit and altarpiece. Again it was clear that one needs to see up close and personal the works of art in situ. How blessed can I be to experience this, appreciate this, and to really see the wonder of creativity? It definitely allows humility a large place to exist in my soul.
Today is market day, so we were released early in order to enjoy looking for bargains and beauty. I found a scarf, belt, and simple black cardigan (it is chillier than anticipated in the mornings and evenings) and spent a total of 40 euros – not bad. Lunch back at the villa was leftovers, which is typical. Homemade ravioli, green beans, fresh tomatoes with mozerella and basil, spinach stuffed pork (last night’s dinner) plus faro pesto, potato salad, and cold cuts. Yeah, I can tell you feel sorry for me.
In half an hour I head to drawing class, then photography, and end up with art history before dinner. Tomorrow we leave the villa at 8 to head to Sienna for the day. It will be a long day, but we have been assured it will be fabulous.
The only drawback to the adventure is that I don’t exactly have a single room. There is one mosquito who is in hiding so effectively during the day and early evening that I cannot see or hear the creature. The only time he becomes a public personality is at the exact moment I fall asleep, disappearing immediately thereafter only to re-emmerge the next moment of nodding off. I’m hoping there is a short life span for the insect and I can come out of this encounter victorious – and get a good and peaceful nights sleep at last. It’s a small price to pay for this new life I am living.
Lisa Oberreuter 
Your new normal leaves us breathless! Thank you for spending so much time and energy to keep us armchair travelers abreast of all your doings. We are fascinated and jealous! Our love to you.
Your words make it feel as if we are there with you including your roommate! What an adventure you are experiencing.