It was the City of Dreams. It is the City of Dreams. It will stay in my heart as the City of Dreams. It will always have a very special place in my heart and soul.
It opens me up and allows me greenlights that get stymied in Oz. It says yes to passion. It says yes to experimentation. It says yes to the arts. It embraces imperfection amongst its creative idealism.
Fiorenza is Nikki's middle name. That's how much it meant to me, and surprisingly, still means to me. If Nikki, Andy and their baby have a chance to come here, it may not mean the same, but I would like to think it meant something. Afterall the arts is the path they have both followed.
This morning I got up, packed my bags, popped up onto the terrace for a last peek. Then headed off to somewhere I'd not been before, called Giardini Di Bardini. It's connected to Boboli but far more interesting. Also with panoramic views. Love that combo - cosy places and magnificent views.
An Austrian Artist called Helga....had sculptures of huge heads dotted around the gardens, that more wild and less formal than Boboli. I also went to an Exhibition in there of modern art, drawn in by a poster, of a 1928 painting.
Back home. Had some lunch. Then Enrico carried my bag down the 100 steps to the street. Said our goodbyes. Really enjoyed staying there and enjoyed his company. Forza Viola! (Go Firenze)
I walk down Via Rincoli to the Gelateria recommended by Rosie and Lou. It's Sicilian icecream! I choose Sicilian oranges and Citrus chocolate.
I thing bugger the Firenze Card. It probably wasn't worth it. Just made me cram to begin with, trying to do more than I could manage. I don't think I got my moneys worth for it. It might have saved a bit of time in queues but not that much.
Taking my bags to the station, I think where the bloody hell am I going to get any information? A kiosk had a sign up saying "No tickets, No information" so I went their to see where I could get information.
He directed me to the ticket office as Santa Maria Novella some distance away with difficult roads to cross when lugging bags.
I asked there where I could get a bus to the airport. I also asked why the tourist info service was not in the station and whether it would be in future. They shook their heads. I said that MacDonald's was the only place that had Welcome to Florence with a map. No more help than that - not "here s the Tourist Information Office" on that map. They shook their heads, and then the Signora said "how should I put it? MacDonald's is richer than the Commune Di Firenze. " and I realise every day more and more that that is the way of the world.
I found the bus station. I'm now at the airport and they are threatening to put me on a later flight to Paris 'because it's windy'. I retorted with disbelief 'because you call this windy? (hardly a light breeze) it's not as if it's a hot air balloon!' cheeky me!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment