Sunday, October 30, 2011

Postcard from ...

No, I'll keep it secret for now.

But I will dish this much: I've seen a campanile designed by Giotto, frescos (affreschi) by Ghirlandaio and Andrea del Sarto, monastic cells with frescos by Fra Angelico, and more.

I am in the heart and soul of the Renaissance, an amazing amount of which has miraculously survived for as much as 700 years.

A shame they can't keep the tourist riff-raff out, but I suppose the Fl-- uh, the locals would include me in that category.

I don't know what's happening in the US or the world, but probably when I get back it will still be pretty much the same as when I left. Glad to be on a holiday from it.

The cable TV in the hotel room has among other attractions Al-Jazeera and a channel from Russia. The latter seems to have mostly programs about industrial development, à la the USSR. As the French say, plus ça change ...

Arivederci,

RD

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rick,

I have only seen (very lovely) photographs of those "monastic cells with frescos by Fra Angelico"...but someday wish to stand in those very halls and rooms and gaze upon those frescos. I almost went there 3 years ago but must call up the resolve again to go! - Bill from Maryland (sorry to have been out of touch for so long)

Rick Darby said...

Hey, Bill!

I tried to reply while I was in Italia but for some reason the hotel computer connection didn't work for the comments, even though I could otherwise use Blogger.

Well, Old Boy, it's been bags of time since I've heard from you. I hope you are well. Stay in touch, would you?

green mamba said...

Europe is simply a more civilized and sensible place than America at this point in time.