A lazy Weekend that turned out to be Full anyway.

This past weekend was just about the most unproductive weekend ever. NOT that I'm complaining in the slightest. Friday consisted of sitting around, only emerging from my self-induced coma for dinner. What did I have? Um... good question. I can't remember. I believe it involved rice. AFTER dinner came the only important part anyway: gelato! Of course both places we tried first were closed but thats okay. We're in Italy and, as with cafes and bancomats, you're bound to stumble upon a gelateria somewhere without even trying. This gelateria was a good find and not too far away. I had a delicious chocolate biscotti mousse and something else... oh no. There is something wrong with me. I can't remember what flavor GELATO I had! I distinctly remember ordering and consuming this gelato. I even remember which bucket the flavor was in, the second from the left, on the bottom row. I just can't remember the flavor. Pathetic.

behind me is a slice of the stunning panaramic view of florence from fiesole, a small hilltown/"suburb" that sits high to the north of florence

Fiesole. Doesn't sound like much. Doesn't seem like much when you first arrive. Its small with steep streets because of its location on the side of a mountain. But Fiesole harbors some of the greatest views of Florence and the surrounding mountains. Remember Piazzale Michaelangelo? This was better.

You can see everything from the many "panoramic points" in the town and the higher you go the better the view. Florence looks tiny, like a little doll town I could leap over in one giant step. I was tempted to try, feeling as though I really could step out and be in Florence in a single instance (the reality of the 20 minute busride is NOT allowed to intrude on this fantasy). I have often mentioned my desire to take the Duomo home with me to the amusement of the people within listening distance. This vista encourange my fantasy because it created the idea that all I had to do was reach out, pick the Duomo up and place it snugly in my pocket.

just chillin on some swings

Beautiful views of Florence were not all that Fiesole had in store. Before we even encountered any panoramas we found this cute little playground. I immediately jumped on a swing. You wanna hear something funny? Roller coasters? No problem. Being on a boat? Two seconds of nausea then I'm fine. But put me on a swing and its motion sickness galore. I don't understand, the swings used to be my favorite. Maybe its a psychological thing: I was, after all, on a swing when I had my concussion. But that was in the first grade and I continued to happily swing away until long after my recess years were over. Shucky darn. Ooh! I also found a park here in Florence not far away from the apartment. How rockin sweet is that? Unfortunately when I found that one it was swarming with children and I don't think they, or their parents, would have appreciated an American college student interupting their play.

The BEST part...

etruscan tombs

While there are far larger, more complete and/or touristy sights and ruins in Fiesole these were probably far cooler. Know why? Because I got to climb on them. Hands on history ALWAYS triumphs over fame.

maybe if i listen hard enough the ghosts of etrusci will speak to me

contemplating the mysteries of italy from atop the tomb

For those of you familiar with me, you know I like to climb and explore everywhere. My mother would be able to tell you how annoyed I was at having to stay on the paths in Mammoth Cave. So being able to enter an Etruscan tomb, touch it, climb on it and really experience was beyond awesome. This particular tomb was dated back to 2nd or 3rd century B.C. As in 2,200 to 2,300 YEARS AGO. I was touching a building that had been built before Jesus, while the Romans were busy conquering their corner of the world. The Chinese were inventing paper and tofu and the Jews were experiencing the events that would become Hanukkah. It was the midst of the epic Punic wars and perhaps it was built at the same time as the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Euclid, Archimedes and Hipparchus lived around this time and so did Hannibal, the man who almost conquered Rome. The Ptolmies ruled Egypt... *sigh* I could go on like this for a lot longer but I think I'll spare you the intensive history lesson.

kitty! on the way to the highest (and i mean highest) point we passed this cat just chilling in the window, staring down all the tourists passing by

Saturday ended with the perfect note: dinner at an all-vegetarian restaurant. Located just around the corner from our apartment (a dangerous location) Il Vegetariano is hidden in a basement. The food, I ordered cous cous florintina, was so, really, beyond, I'm running out of adverbs here, GOOD. One of the best meals so far. I will be going back no ifs ands or buts.

Another note on food: on Sunday the roomies and I made ribollita. Its a traditional Tuscan soup consisting of vegetables beans and bread. We used cabbage (green though you're supposed to use black) onions, leek, thyme and I think thats all. I'm sure someone will comment if I missed an ingredient. I liked it though I have no basis of comparison, this being my first experience. I'm sure we could have done better and that most restaurants actually do better.

Rounding out my weekend was Mass in the Duomo, something I had been planning on doing for a while but had never gotten around to. It was in English (though I would like to go to an Italian one). The priest had a good, intelligent homily, always a bonus, and it was kept pretty short. Interestingly, I was asked to help out by collecting the offering. Also interesting was the lack of wine during Communion. Funny observation: everything in Italy tastes better, even Jesus. (sorry if that was offensive or distasteful. There's just no other way to put it.)

After having experienced Mass in this kind of a cathedral I can understand why humanity builds their places of worship on such a grand scale despite any waste or overexessiveness. I feel as though an atheist (or at least an agnostic) could feel the presence of a deity in such a place. What I like about the Duomo was how understated it was, especially after the opulence of St. Peter's and the Duomo's own outer grandeur. There are frescoes and statues but it isn't crammed full of stuff. A person can breathe and enjoy the service. Mass in St. Peter's must be INSANE.

As a preview of blogs to come: tonight is Pinnocio at cinema club and this weekend is Verona! I also have a couple papers due, after which, I will be able to reveal the mysteries of my birth chart to all of you. You can help me decide the accuracy of the thing.

One last view from Fiesole, facing north (away from Florence). I like this view because of the flowering tree. Which... equals... SPRING!

the pics in this blog come from Gillian.