20- Italy for me-3

20-Italy for me-3

Firenze or Florence was 2 hours train ride from Venice.

Hotel Lungarno was close to the station, overlooking the River. Although we were booked for the river view we were told all rooms with the view had been taken. Kusum looked at me and looked at the Italian at the counter and decided to act ‘Indian’. She flashed her Gold, sorry, Platinum American Express card at him and demanded to talk to ‘The incharge’. We were immediately asked to wait with a cup of tea and then upgraded to special suits although still not with the ‘view’. The bathroom was huge with 2 separate showerheads for him and her I suppose.

We decided to take a walk in the city, Capital of Tuscany and were amazed at the narrow streets, mostly one way or cobbled but lined with the most exquisite and famous brand name stores. Across the bridge was the ‘Jewels’ street filled with Gold and Diamonds galore. Every few steps one heard music from the strings of a Guitar or drums beating to tapping feet of hovering tourists like us. As the Sun set on the waters of the River, my friend would spot a spot for a glass of Wine and Pasta for Dinner.

According to UNESCO 60% of world’s most important Art works are in Italy and half of these are in Florence. It is the city of the Great personalities of the 16th century like Leonardo, Raffaello and Michelangelo, replete with their works. After a tiring morning tour of the Uffizi gallery and the Duomo or Cathedral, we walked to Galleria Academia which houses ‘David’ the young shepherd who was to become the King of Israel, the ‘Biblical hero’ who had defeated the giant Goliath. Nothing said could prepare you for the grandeur, the perfect proportions and beauty of the sculpture of David, indeed the handsomest man I ever experienced even though in Marble.

Life of Michelangelo was entirely dedicated to art. Not only did he sculpt, he was an astounding painter, an Architect and a poet. A long and existential route fed on passionate research and maniacal energy that seemed to be born from an infinite pain, melancholy and extravagant temperament. He worked without a pause absorbed by creative frenzy and an unquenchable thirst for beauty. So it is said, and we believe, that ‘Genius and desperation seem universal and timeless’.

We took a day trip to Sienna, capital of Chianti, which may sound a familiar bell for the wine connoisseurs. The Tuscan country side is set across rolling hills, valleys, rows of Cypresses, deep green vineyards, Olives, olives and olive trees. No wonder, the lady sitting next to me with a ruddy complexion, said this was her 13th trip to Tuscany from the U.S. She with 3 others was on a Bicycle tour, staying in a private villa they had discovered earlier. The bus dropped us at a point outside the walled town San Giovanni, perched on a hilltop. Main street was lined by little Tuscan ceramic pottery shops, art galleries, pastticcerias (pastry shops) and geleterias (gelato being an incomparable hand made Italian Icecream) of which I had a lick from Kusum who was not counting calories at this moment. At the end was a Piazza named after a well at the center, ancient palaces and a huge Cathedral on one side.

Sienna further down has the Town hall with Bells, which can be heard all the way to Rome, if the wind is right. The heart shaped Piazza is the urban meeting point where the world famous Palio horse race is held every year. Its main cathedral has striking Zebra like Black and white marble stripes on the walls and inlays of mythological figures from the Old Testament on the floor.

We were taken for Lunch to what seemed like a dark dungeon like basement but was enchanting once the eyes adjusted. Of course we wined and ate in candle-light. Kusum a doctor of kids struck up friendship with Amy across our table, a 3 year old who was also touring with her ‘Male mom and Dad’.

The day done, we found tea by the setting Sun, not enough hot, for us from India and boarded the bus to Firenze and then the train next morning to Rome and then the plane, Delta and KLM to our respective destinations, Delhi and the big Apple New york.

Veena