Friday, January 21, 2011

Changing My Stripes

Eh oui, for a brief period this spring the French Basketeer is changing her colors; in place of this…. 

IMG_0544

I will be seeing this….

itali flag

Si…va bene…. stupendo perhaps, I am going to Italy!!!!    My niece is studying in Florence this semester, and that sounds like a great excuse for a trip, no?

What most of you don’t know is that before the French Basketeer spoke French, she spoke Italian.  In fact, Italian rolled off my tongue more easily than French did.  The problem now is that while I understand Italian well, if I go to say something, French usually comes out.  No matter, I am planning a wonderful trip, including an overnight layover in Paris on the outbound for a quick afternoon of shopping and dinner with my dear friend Francoise.

Then it’s on to Florence, where I will stroll the streets, photograph the daily farmers markets and visit the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, and perhaps Michelangelo’s House.  I planned my trip to coincide with the monthly flea market, held on the second Sunday, and the famous San Lorenzo market on Tuesday, so there will be no shortage of things to see and do. Oh yeah, I get to see my niece Erin too, when she finishes her classes each day!

Botticelli’s Venus is there~

venus birth

And….seeing that I am in the area, I plan to knock an item off my bucket list and go to Rome.  I can’t believe I have never been to Rome, but here I go.  I will have a few days by myself, again to stroll and photograph, and to visit places I have longed to see such as the Villa Borghese and it’s gardens and Gallery.  I will fill in the gaps on some of my favorite painters, including Caravaggio~

 caravagge 2

Oh how I want to see works like this, the Conversion of Saint Paul~

caravagge

and of course, The Vatican; it’s a dream for me to go to the Vatican and The Birth of Adam~

adam

And the sculpture, oh….Bernini is one of my favorites; David

bernin david

And I think the most amazing piece of sculpture ever, Daphne and Apollo completed 1625; how did Le Bernin  conceive of this, let alone execute it….look at the drape of his cloth, look as her hair flies behind as she tries to escape him, the sculpture is captured at the instant she is turning into a laurel tree.  Imagine seeing this life-size work in person here in the Gallery….wow….

daphne

This image is not as good quality, but here you can see her hair flying, and her fingers turning into branches….carved in marble….between 1622 and 1625….can you imagine?  apollo_d

I am getting excited already, almost as excited as Laura was to meet Jaithan, Emily, Amy & Kymberly this past weekend.  Laura, you are too cute, even with chocolate creme on your pant leg!

Ciao for now mes amis!

14 comments:

  1. I am sooo happy for you!! Have a wonderful time when you go!!!! Cant wait to see your photos when you get back!Hugs,Rachel :)

    French Farmhouse 425

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  2. Oh dear friend how positively delicious. I have been to Rome and never Florence so I feel the opposite of you:)
    How wonderful you speak both languages, must make navigating those flea markets quite a bit easier. I was in Poland once with a friend and she took me to a flea market there, the only Polish she taught me was "no, that costs too much" - I still remember it!

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  3. Andrea, How fabulous for you! You will absolutely love Rome. My favorite sculpture is Michelangelo's Pieta located in the Vatican. We are planning another trip to Venice this September. Our first trip back since we were married there 19 years ago! Have a wonderful trip.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  4. Rome is indeed beautiful. Does not surprise me about the languages: they are both Latin languages and related. Have a great trip!

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  5. Oh, Rome is my favorite place...you will LOVE it for sure!!! So amazing!!!
    I am so excited for you...this is astounding news.
    XO

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  6. Dear Andrea,
    How very exciting for you!! I know you will have fun wherever you are! I wish I could be little bug tucked inside one of your French baskets:)
    Enjoy every step of your journey!
    xxx's

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  7. Bonjour Andrea,
    You'll have a lovely time, enjoy all the marvelous artwork. Safe travels.
    Mimi

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  8. How exciting! I love Rome! And Bernini! Ah, what a master! I look forward to seeing your adventures!

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  9. have fun!! of all the places i visited in italy, florence was my favorite and then rome. but they are both beautiful!

    http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

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  10. I am beyond EXCITED for you. (Cover the cream puffs!) We had just 3 hours in the Vatican art museum. The first 1 1/2 hours were spent waiting to get in. Next we quickly cruised past amazing art to see the Sistine Chapel. Pure torture. Mr. Dcor has promised me we will go back someday.

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  11. I am extremely jealous! I have been to Rome and Florence and know that you are in for a wonderful treat! Isn't this studying abroad thing a fabulous excuse for parents (and aunts) to take that trip!!:) Have a wonderful time and post pictures! Linda

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  12. Hello, I'm a new follower, I'm so jealous that you are going to Italy, I just got done talking to my zia,zio and cugina, in Firenze we talk every Saturday you will have so much fun. can't wait to hear all about it. Have a safe and happy trip.

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  13. What a wonderful trip you have planned!!!

    Viaggio sicuro!

    --Tara

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