Life in Florence, part II

Sunday, December 29, 2013
I guess we won't be writing 13 anymore in just a couple of days,.....
It was either take a siesta or write on the blog.    So, I decided to write because even though a siesta sounds inviting, it will ruin my sleep tonight.
Let's see, what have I been doing since I last wrote you?   Not much, but I do lots of walking and entering buildings and just enjoying the surroundings.

December 25, 2013 - Christmas Lunch
I have pictures from my Christmas lunch with Maria.... you will see them later.   I never know how to enter them so you can see them at that point.   Let me try......  YIPPEE, I did it!

Here's the primo piato... it's always pasta.  The left one is
tagliatelle, big noodles, with wild boar sauce, black olives, and
parmesano.  On the right are three ravioli with white
cream sauce, stuffed with, what else in Florence?
Spinach and ricotta cheese.  Don't ask me which
one was my favorite.....  couldn't pick one.

This is a side dish of lightly fried vegetables:  carrots, zucchine (the plural of
zucchini is zucchine) and baby artichokes.   It reminded me of
the best tempura I've had.  And, again, the vegetables tasted heavenly!

This is Maria and yours truly toasting to our friendship.

Okay, so this is the secondo piato.... this is the meat plate, or fish
or whatever you order, pretty much animal protein.  The left
is wild boar in a lovely spicy sauce, and the steak on
the right is the famous Tuscan steak.   You'll see where they
get the meat for these.  The steaks usually weigh
1 kilo (2.2 pounds), so I was glad the restaurant
did like a fixed menu, and I didn't have to buy that monstrous
steak, although I certainly would devour it in due time.

Okay, here is the dolce, dessert.  On the left are the spectacular
mascarpone-stuffed little balls, like donut holes, and then
drizzled with dark, dark chocolate sauce.   The one on
the right is merengue, not the dance, of course,
but the egg whites but this was more like an
ice cream, because it was frozen and cold.

Thursday, December 26, 2014
So, I started going on "soup tours".....
I went to the same restaurant that Maria and I ate to have their daily vegetable soup.

It was a sort of creamy soup (all kinds of vegetables) and the green
parts you see are, of course we're in Florence, spinach!  It was
very delicious and different.

There was a large table with a pretty big family like 10 people,
and we said hello very informally.   At the end of their meal,
the waiter brings this cake out with the fireworks all lit up!
I asked if I could take a picture and that did it!   They asked me to join them
I ate some of the cake, which was absolutely delicious and then
here comes the bottle of prosecco.    Even these two little
girls got a cute little glass and they had maybe like 1 ounce.
It was one of those moments you remember.   It was
so spontaneous.

Friday, December 27, 2013
I am going to set a personal goal of tasting as many minestrone soup as I can find.  So, here's that one.
I was walking in the Ponte Vecchio area and I went into a little restaurant, 4 tables!  Ordered the minestrone and it looked like this.   This was some of the best I've ever tasted!

Loaded with tender, fresh veggies of all kinds, and it's not a RED soup,
it's mostly clear broth.   And, I have still to see any pasta in
any of these soups.   I just want to make sure I know what
is the authentic version.

After my soup, I went to the Pitti Palace to see an exhibit of impressionist art that is on loan from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.  But the Italians are so clever.  They don't want the world to think that there were no impressionist painters here in Florence, or in Italy for that matter, and that the French can claim impressionism and their very own.  So, they interspersed Italian impressionist paintings to make their point.   It was a lovely, small exhibit, about 24 paintings:  the beautiful ballet scenes of Degas, those lovely outdoor places from Renoir as well as the still lifemade famous by Gauguin.  I had a lovely time, and then, of course, there is the palace.   Ayayay...It's hard to describe it to you because of its grandeur.   This is the palace at the other side of the Ponte Vecchio where that secret passageway is. On the other side of the Ponte Vecchio was the Medici Palace.  So imagine the goings on in that passage way.   There are many paintings in the museums depicting what they looked like in their incognito comings and goings.   In some of those paintings, the clothes the people are wearing are absolutely unbelievable, very very fancy, lots of head wear, the women used to shave the front of their heads to wear jewelry and lots of hair ornamentation, and lots of very light powder on the skin.   The jewelry was unbelievable... in any case, the rest of the palace is a museum.  Now, it's called the Accademia d'Arte, and the Pitti Palace sort of sits inside.   This is the place where many young people, and older ones, I suppose, come to study art.   When you go by it, you see dozens and dozens of people, looks like in their 20's, sitting outside, in the big flat area, eating what else?   Gelato!  

This is the palace, partial view, because I couldn't get it all in.

This is the inside courtyard and all those arches are part of the palace.
They don't allow photography anywhere inside, so this is it.

I bought my gelato to eat while I walked back to the hotel, plain vanilla like you never tasted before.
At the social hour, I met two couples, one from London and the other one from Moscow.   We all hit it off and had some of the liveliest conversation.  It was entertaining and certainly enlightening to hear all kinds of different points of view.

Saturday, December 28, 2013
A couple of weeks ago, I met a couple who were form Cyprus but now live in Brussels, Linos and Vicky recommended a restaurant near the apartment, so of course, I went today to have lunch:  octopus with potatoes.   It sure doesn't sound like an appetizing combination, but let me tell you:  the octopus was butter-soft, and the potatoes just gently boiled, everything drizzling with the bounty of the oglio nuovo....and just a little parsley thrown in for color.  It was totally superb.  The only other place I have had octopus this good is in Puerto Vallarta, Mexican style, but also superb.

It's true.... simplicity is the best option, and, of course,
the BEST ingredients.  

Remember I told you about a street that was beautifully decorated but I could never get a picture? Well, in my meanderings around this side of the Ponte Vecchio I saw the street!   Look at these decorations, aren't they unique... too bad it wasn't at night because every one of them lights up.

Suspended in the air...

Doesn't it look like they're all flying in a line?

Another view, from the other side....

Sunday, December 29, 2013
Today was dreary, grey, rainy, and windy.... INDOORS DAY!   I got a lot of things done, like repacking my suitcase because when I needed something I had to unpack everything!  Now, what I don't need is on one half of it, and what I use is in the other half.   Believe it or not, it took me a couple of hours.   Then, I came downstairs to work on the larger, faster, computers (MACs) they have here because it takes me forever to type on the Galaxy.  I watched CNN International, only to be depressed about the sorry state of our world.   But, guess what?   Esquire, I think, named Pope Francesco as the Best Dressed Man... and I had not noticed how really elegant he is.   And, then they showed the previous Pope, Benedict, looking so unappealing, it was a little bit awful, but you do have to admire this new rock-star!  Everybody I talk to is so impressed, whether they are Catholic or not.
No soup today, I had some fruit and yogurt in my room, and sliced cherry tomatoes with balsamic vinegar... simple but yummy as well.  
So, this is where that siesta decision started.  I am so glad to put this down.  I don't want to forget anything!  Since I didn't go out today, I will include some pictures I have been taking which catch my attention because the Italians have such style!

This is a public water drinking fountain.   They are all over
where people congregate.

This is a window display in one of the restaurants that I go by, it's all
real.   those two sort of see-through crustaceans I think are
second cousins to shrimp.   They were sure different.
I bet you they are delicious!   Mmmmm, must try.  Look
at the fish behind.

Don't you think these would make some of the best grilled shrimp, or a
shrimp kabob?
Look at the fish in the background... they don't look happy.  Grumpy!

Okay, Paco, this is for you.

This is the little balcony I have outside my room.

This is the view across the balcony.  

This is very lovely terrace where you can have breakfast, except
it's too cold right now, although I have seen people eating
there in the mornings.  The flower box is part
of the balcony.

Well, folks, yabadabadoo! or that's all folks, or arrivederci, or hasta luego.....   More next time.
And, it just might be in 2014!   So, I take advantage of wishing you all THE VERY BEST OF EVERYTHING, AND,  FELICE ANNO NUOVO!

Life in Firenze....

Another look of the Ponte Vecchio from my dining room.

I don't know how this got in here, but it's a Christmas tree that was inside
the Museum of the Ponte Vecchio.  It was huge, you will later.  I thought
I had "stood" it up, but I guess not.

When I walk to my apartment back from the hotel, this is what I see.

Maria, the breakfast manager, and best cappuccino maker in the world!

This is Joel, who made my stepping stool so I could get up on the bed.
He works here in all kids of roles.

Look at the gorgeous decorations lining the middle of the street!  I couldn't
get a picture of it, because I was always in the bus, but there was a
street that was lined with lit-up umbrellas, like six across, and about 50 lines.   It was
gorgeous to see, too bad I couldn't get a picture of them,

What would be a good caption for this fish at the market?

Another beautiful street

My incredible mussle, or clam dish at the market where I have
eaten MANY times.

Another beautiful street

This is called inzimino and it's a soup-type stew with calamari
and lots of spinach in a light broth.  With a nice piece of bread, it's
pretty yummy food, and it's not heavy.

I found these fingerling potatoes in the market and brought them home
and roasted them with a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper.
I swear they were the BEST tasting potatoes I have ever had.
I ate them for three meals.

Can't see too much, but the street looked lovely.

This beautiful Christmas tree is near Il Duomo, which is a building I
just cannot get over how beautiful and spectacular it is.

Another lovely street.   This street is near my apartment.

I am crossing one of the bridges to go to this side of the river walk.
It's sunny and it makes a huge difference.  Look at the
dismal view I have to put up with every day.

Some of the lovely window boxes with geraniums along the buildings.

This is for my friend, Paco.  You didn't think we were done
with the doors, did you?

The National Library

The Vasari corridor with the Ufizzi Gallery is located.

Home-made pasta

Just a gorgeous flower arrangement

There were about six of these along the side of a large store.

This is at the Piazza de la Signoria (government) and it has copies of all the
major sculptures in Florence.

Piazza de la Signoria with the beautiful fountain.

A sculpture of Garibaldi at the Piazza

Here is the fountain again...

And again.....

Another lovely Christmas decoration

This is the Christmas tree inside the Ponte Vecchio museum.
I really nice couple from Japan took the picture for me.  I also
took theirs.

It was huge!

This is a real cute children's store featuring nothing but Pinocchio,
because he was originally from Florence.

The kids can stick their head into a Pinocchio board and take
their picture as Pinocchio.   They love it!

This was an open-air Christmas market that was soooo fun
to be at.  People everywhere, Christmas ornamentations
everywhere and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD.

Look at the pieces of pork being roasted here.

Look at the portion they served you, including the potatoes!

Pastries

This would be the equivalent of a "churro"..... fried dough and then dipped
into different sugars, like this one with cinnamon, yummy!

If you have trouble with vampires, this would be your stand.

Music

Haribo had a good stand with all kinds of gummy candies, including
gummy bears.   Brought back a lot of memories for the
Gummy Bears unit I used to do in kinder.

A pig's fate.... what can I say?  Look at the
shishkabobs on the bottom left.

This is the serving.....

Lovely banner with Merry Christmas Firenze

Even in the cold, people eating and drinking cold beer outside.

Very lovely pottery.   Reminded me a lot of talavera from Mexico.

Here's one of my favorite places to eat in Florence.

The outside of the restaurant

Featuring Brunello de Montalcino wine.... probably the best wine in all
of Italy....   we could argue that one over a few bottles.....

I'm already friends with the very friendly chef.

My osso busso.    Absolutely to die for!

My pannacotta.... Again, I repeat myself, to die for.

Here's that very famous Tuscan Steak.  The waitress is cutting it
for some guys to eat who are seating in front of me.   There about
seven of them and they are sharing about three of them.
Of course, they have already had the antipasti, lots of it, the primo piato, pasta, pasta,
pasta, and now comes the real meal:   the steak.

Look at the size.

Beefeaters, eat your heart out!

All good things must come to an end.

A typical street, lined with fall foliage, very pretty.

Entrance to Hotel David

I loved the decorations at this store.

Another piazza, another market

Carousel at that piazza.  It's so nice how Italians always include
something for young ones.

Music, music, music

A side street view of Il Duomo

That magnificent building, with that lovely tree

That beautiful tree, huge

Okay, for now, I think this is the last one....

Look at how they decorate the gelato... those are real pieces of
coconut and strawberries....

Look at the bananas, the melo in the background....

Look at the real pineapple....

My favorite is pistachio, look at the green one1

This is David and Jody.   A lovely couple I met at the hotel.
They are from Kansas City and they sort of
"adopted" me.   We are sure to see each other
again.

The Swee family with their two daughters and me.

December 25, 2013
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!   AND THE VERY BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR, 2014 FOR ALL MY FAMILY AND GOOD FRIENDS!
It's been a while since I have written and posted pictures, so be ready to read and enjoy some (I think) lovely pictures of the glorious Florence in full Christmas regalia, AND lots of food!
I am going to try to post them after the text, but they have a mind of their own and just post themselves wherever they like.... maybe it's more like I don't know how the heck to place them where I want.
Life in Florence had turned into a very nice, relaxing routine.   In the morning, I would get up late, around 8:00 am, fix my breakfast, and answer and write e-mails and take care of some business stuff.   So, by 11:00 am I was ready for my outing.  Every day I went to a museum, a church, walking around the Duomo area, very busy and bustling, it's at the end of the Ponte Vecchio and then plan where I was going to have a yummy lunch.   Dinner was always at the apartment it was mostly vegetables that I had bought at the market, or a small sandwich.  I would come to the hotel for the social hour to meet with the other nice folks here.   I even found me a lady to exchange English for Italian and we started last Monday, December 23.  We met here at the hotel.   She is very, very nice.   She's an accountant and she wants to improve her overall fluency.  She's teaching me Italian.
Gabriele asked me to move to the hotel so he could so some repairs in the apartment and I was not at all bothered by this.   There's always people here and I like the interaction.   Sometimes, it's dauntingly quiet at the apartment with nothing but the sound of Charlie's Angels in Italian.   I never knew those women could speak Italian so well, did you?  In any case, I moved all my stuff over here and will be here until the 28, or 29th.  Then, I go back "home".  So much for the everyday life.
So, listen to what happened to me.   You won't believe it because I DON'T BELIEVE IT.  I was checking on my bank accounts, especially the Italy Fund where the money is that I use for all of this and it was WIPED OUT!   The scoundrels left me with $38.00 from almost $10,000.   Of course, I called my banker in Tucson and told him all about it.   This happend on Monday, December 23.  He is doing the BEST he can, but these days are good for quick action with all the holidays and shortened hours and all that.   The withdrawals all come from very strange places like Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey, and places that are written in Sirilic (Russian) symbols.   I had been having trouble withdrawing money from the ATM machines, it kept telling me I had reached my limit for the day, and I couldn't understand why.   So, I called my banker, who happens to be one of my best friends, and he RAISED the limit, so now they have more money to take out.  Needless to say, it's been an anxious few days, but I am confident that everything is going to work out.   I have a new card being DHLed here.  Hopefully it will be here by Friday, and the money SHOULD be reinstated by then as well.   Ayayay, this has really been an adventure, and one that I have not enjoyed very much.  If things don't get back on track, I am pretty sure I am going to have to return to Arizona.  Or, I will have to be very creative with how I spend my money here.  So, for the time being, I'm fine and just waiting for all this to play out.  It's been harrowing and I have spent a couple of sleepless nights.  Hopefully, all will be back to normal soon.
Today, Christmas Day, was a windy, blistering cold day.   I was invited by Maria, the lady who makes the best cappuccinos to Christmas lunch and we had a blast.   Apparently, in Italy, the Christmas meal is at lunch time and we sure did it right!   You will se pictures later on, but it consisted of a special Christmas menu:  an antipasti dish with the typical Tuscan items:  prosciuto, salami, olives, cheese and a couple of bits of bruscheta with liver pate.  Then came the primo piato:  ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach and a portion of pasta with wild boar sauce.    Then comes the secondo piato:  Tuscan steak and wild boar stew.  A side dish of some of the best tasting vegetables came along:  very lightly fried zucchini, carrots, onion, and artichokes.   It reminded me of the best tempura I have ever had.  Wine was included as well as dessert.   I had a dessert called profiterole, which are dough balls filled with sweet mascarpone, or riccotta, I'm not completely sure, and then dipped in hot dark chocolate......  She has one that is made with egg whites, sort of like merengue, called merengueto,  but not so soft and not baked, it was cold with the consistency of ice cream.  We talked about our lives and I got to know her and she got to know me.   Everybody has such an interesting story even if they don't think so.  We had a great lunch at a nearby restaurant, very family style, because  most places were closed today and, the buses stopped running at 12:00 noon.  I didn't want her to pay for a cab because they are so expensive and they should be since petrol is almost $10 per GALLON!   So, don't complain about the prices in the USA!
Okay, now for some pictures.....

These are the gas prices.  1.64 and 1.71 Euros per liter.   That translates
to about $9.00 per gallon!