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Yes, it rains in Italy!

7/26/2014

 
Picture
Trevi Fountain was first on my list this morning. I mapped it out on my iPad the night before, so I had proper directions.  GPS Florence isn’t much use to me when on the bicycle.  She only has programming for cars going the correct direction on, say, a one-way street!  If I used Flo, I would have perhaps a more successful trip, but a longer trip. Instead, I ride on the sidewalks, or the roads, or along the train tracks, or the storm sewer path on a set of steps, in whatever direction I want; just like all the other Romans. (Flo understands.)

I was a security breach this morning when I parked the bike at the front door of Palazzo Chigi.  A nice policeman, who I had noticed had been watching me intently, politely came over and told me to move it.  Sheesh, how's a person supposed to know that the Italian Prime Minister lives there!

The major, most amazing event of the day was seeing the three Caravaggio paintings in real life, in San Luigi dei Francesi.  I, along with about 10 other people, waited for the church to open. I didn't know where the paintings were located in the church, but I just followed the group, who didn't look at anything else in the building, they just headed directly for a chapel towards the front.  And what a dream to see them.  They are much larger than a 35mm slide, the colour is vivid, the details are incredible. To be able to paint like Caravaggio would be such a gift.  I am looking forward to watching the Caravaggio movie when I get home!

Let's talk about rain and that perhaps I should tune in to the weather network while I am here. It was a little cloudy when I left this morning, but the sun was breaking through the clouds presenting some nice lighting for photos. By the time I left sopra Minerva, it was dumping rain!  Umbrella vendor people had appeared out of nowhere pushing their wares into the faces of everyone who was getting soaked. I knew I had a half hour ride home and decided that each day I arrive home soaking wet, from the heat of the day and what a pleasure it would be to arrive home drenched by rain instead.  I tucked the only important thing, my camera, inside my clothes.

doug rogers link
7/26/2014 05:40:17 am

That ceiling in Sant' Ignazio - though Mannerist (boo!) :-) is pretty spectacular. Makes it's point. Everything is ascending.

Even though I saw Bernini's elephant, I recall being a bit heated and rushed, overlooking the accurate elephant butt.


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