Sometimes when we travel, we imagine what living in this locale might feel like.  Sometimes, the places feel somewhat like home to us, even though it may be completely different from what our actual “home” (town, state, country) is.  But still, we wonder…. What is it about this place that feels like home?  Is it possible I could have lived here in an earlier life?  Do I even believe in earlier lives?  Why do I smile whenever I am here?  I’m aware of how very different my actual home is from Florence, really EVERYTHING is completely different, yet I am so damn happy here!  If I could work here, I would make a life for myself here.  And I have tried to see how that might be possible, but even after taking intensive Italian classes, I can see that speaking fluent Italian is probably my biggest barrier.  The other problem is that Italy currently has a 12.7% unemployment rate, so the gov’t is not keen on allowing Americans to take a job that Italians could have.  And the other OTHER problem, so I’ve been told by those in the know, is that Florence has its own “mafia”, so to speak, so because I’m an American I will never be an Italian, hence the “boys” will never really let me “in” – they can make or break a business.  And as an American starting a business in Florence, I would need to reach very deeply into my pockets to contribute generously to their pockets – and even then, it’s not a sure thing.  I just can’t get involved in that.  So the bottom line is, I can’t work in Italy!  I guess I could either marry an Italian…something I’m certainly not opposed to….or go back to the States, make my money there, and visit often!  I know that’s the answer, it’s just not the one I wanna hear.  😦   So I decided to put my big girl pants on and get on with it, which means leaving Florence, earlier than expected.  My ex-step-sister-in-law (did you get that?) Kim was booked to come visit me for a few days in Florence and then we had planned to go to Rome for a couple of days from where she would fly back home.  I figured this would be a great time to surprise her and fly home with her.  Well…I don’t actually have a home these days….but I knew my next destination could only be gotten to by going through NY/NJ.  So that’s what I’ve done.  Kim arrived, we toured, we ate, we drank, we laughed, we packed, we took the train to Rome, we toured, we ate, we drank, we packed, we laughed, and we flew back to the good ol’ USA.  A quick 3 days and I was airborne again…but before we get to that, here are my pics.

One day I took a walk, and I happened upon Villa Bardini, a restored 16th C villa with gardens that are second in Florence to only the Boboli Gardens.

An art exhibit was being held inside Villa Bardini which I found incredibly beautiful. The artist is Giovanni Colacicchi. This panel is from 1948.

Giovanni Colacicchi, artist.

Giovanni Colacicchi, artist.

Just loved his work…

More…

This was an earlier piece of his…

I don’t think this was his, but loved it anyway.

These are more recent pieces, painted by various artists and they hang throughout the halls of the Villa Bardini.

Another fabulous panel..

And then, I looked through a window of the Villa, and this was the view.

Love those rooftops!

Just spectacular!

The Ufizzi, across the Arno, with the mountains in the background.

Closer view of the Duomo..

ok, back outside the Villa, more views…

And the cypress trees…

Walking through the gardens you come upon this building..which has a little cafe…

And a view, of course…

How could I not love Florence????

The gardens…

The walls….

The garden stairs…

another view…

And then there’s the wisteria trellis…

I’m in a purple phase…my bag matches the wisteria.

Kim finds that two popes are being canonized at St. Peter’s the day before we arrive, and there will be 1 million people at the Vatican to witness it. Hmmm…timing is everything.

Pretty place to sit and contemplate…

We walked and came upon a store – well, maybe it was a gallery…or a museum.. but it was also a workshop…hard to say, but it is the “place” of an artist who makes jewelry, but this is not your average jewelry.  In the back of his “place”, he has an entire table and wall devoted to articles and publications about him, and by him.  He’s incredible.  HIs name is Alessandro Dari.  He is a maestro goldsmith, a poet, an eccentric artist.  His jewelry are more like sculptures.  They are rare, one-of-a-kind pieces that mostly could/would never be worn, but rather put on a beautiful stand with a pinpoint spotlight shining down onto it.  I took this quote from Walkabout Florence, “His collections are based on themes of his interests and passions such as music, time, alchemy, sacred art, the ancient Etruscans. One of his most elegant is the “Church” collection, a series of rings based on the gothic and romantic designs of cupolas and facades, studded with sapphires, diamonds, onyx or rubies. Exquisite, organic, fantastical and fictional, his designs are impossibly original.”  Have a look.

Upon entering, the architecture of the place stuns you and the glass cases invite you

But look what’s inside…

Each piece is unique

Really mind-blowing

Collections of rings with details that are unreal

Wish you were there to see…

And the maestro himself, at work.

We walked more and found the Piazza Michelangelo and the rose gardens.

Walking toward the Piazza Michelangelo..

The wall at San Niccolo

And the rose garden

At Piazza Michelangelo.

The church at the Piazza Michelangelo

I felt bad that I was stepping on people’s graves, but that’s the way the church intended.

Drinks at the Excelsior Rooftop

Sunsets up there are glorious…

Two happy ex-step-sis-in-laws!!

And dinner at one of my faves, Il Santo Bevitore.

Another day, another walk around the Duomo

This is one of my favorite pics…We were at an outdoor food market, and this girl just rode up on her bike and got a glass of wine…I LOVE ITALY!!!

I lit a candle for a friend in need of a prayer…

And dinner at another fave, La Giostra!

Asparagus w Parmesan…

Champagne? On the house…every nite.

This was our last night in Florence.  Soooo bittersweet.  I will be back.  I WILL BE BACK!!!  Before I leave, I just want to post some other pics that are important to me.  So I’m doing that here.  I decided to make Rome a separate post – otherwise this will never end!

The doors to my school.

Wine at Il Santo Bevitore, great food, great atmosphere.

Happy me, being photobombed!

This is a beautiful cultural theatre in Florence where they show movies and have exhibits.

I was sitting on a bench in the Boboli gardens. Just a pretty place.

My dear friends Robin & Jeff Kirsch came to visit their daughter Sam – lucky me!!

Jeff and me.

I always had fresh, beautiful flowers in my apt.

Every Thurs morning I went to the flower market to buy them.

This is the Piazza del Santo Spirito, lots of great markets and restaurants that I often went to.

Went to Milan to meet up with my bestie Jaryn and her gorgeous family. GREAT time.

Stopped into a gallery in Milan and fell in love with this light fixture.

This is my favorite perfumeria in Florence – Aqua Flor.

Best hand cream, Pomodoro, smells like the green stem of the tomato.

They actually create the scents there in the workshop. It’s a huge place.

A fabulous bottle of Brunello at Trattoria del Carmine. I’m still craving the Spaghetti Arrabiatta.

My friends at my corner cafe, this time with Sabrina!

On  my last day, I brought my orchid over to Sabrina, Simone, and Brunilda at my corner cafe and asked, “Vi prendera dura di mia orchidea?” Will you take care of my orchid? And they replied, ” Si, e daremo di nuovo voi quando si torna.”  Yes, and we will give it back to you when you return.   I could not have wished for a more perfect response or show of friendship.

A piece of Florence is locked in my heart and I look forward to getting back there as soon as possible!!!  Next stop…Rome.