Today I had the chance to visit the Palazzo Blu in Pisa, a palace I’ve wanted to visit for more than 2 years. Anything you want to know about it can be found here: https://palazzoblu.it/?lang=en

This beautiful blue-stuccoed palazzo is the site of many attractive cultural activities in Pisa, including concerts, opera, and lectures. I think it would be lovely to enjoy a concert within its storied walls.

It was an excellent thing to do on this hot day, because as I discovered to my great surprise, the building has air conditioning! This is quite unusual even today in Italy cultural institutions. In general, I’ve learned, Italians don’t like or trust a/c. Crazy sauce!

The next 2 pictures give you a sense of the ceiling in this room.

There was a small room devoted to an original 12th century painted altarpiece and a 20th century copy of the same. They were displayed side by side and it was very interesting juxtaposition.

Here’s the original:

Below is the copy: Are your eyes trained enough to detect the difference in quality?

I took a bunch of details of the original, because it was gorgeous and unlike at the Uffizi in Florence, you can really get up close and personal and enjoy the details of this work.

I love that the Christ child wears a piece of coral tied around his neck. Babies (especially in the Naples area today) would often be protected from evil by this magical piece of mineral.

I love the bird the bay is feeding with what looks like a green grape.

This is a very well dressed Christ child! Damask trimmed with gold leaf!

Now a detail of the copy. The thing that caught my eye is that the bird in this work is held by a string tied around its neck. I didn’t see that in the original, so I went back and had a look. The paint is effaced on the earlier work except for the areas at either end of the string. If you go back and look at the details, you’ll see what I mean.

I’ll be posting more on the Palazzo Blu soon. Hope you liked it and learned something new! Ciaoooo!

I had to leave Florence for a bit. The crowds of tourists in summer make the city almost impossible to enjoy. It isn’t much cooler here, but it’s still much nicer at the moment.

I hadn’t been in Pisa for more than 15 minutes and I met 4 men! They are pictured below:

My hotel is near the Lungarno Medico and as I walked along it today, this fabulous facade stood out to me.

The video below shows you how the Arno River flows through Pisa.

The next 3 pix show the Medici Palazzo, which is located on the Lungarno Mediceo which explains how the roadway got its name. Cosimo I was big here.

And, finally for today, I made this video simply to capture the sounds of two older Italian gentlemen whom I happened to be sitting next to on a park bench, all 3 of us resting and watching the world go by. I love the sound of the Italian language and can usually get the gist of a conversation if not every word. I surreptitiously recorded them for the music of it all. I hope you enjoy!

I also love the fact that Italian men aren’t afraid to wear pink slacks!

Did I already post this? I can’t remember!

Even though it’s hot, I needed a caffè latte, and my favorite place in Florence for that is at Gilli’s, founded in 1733. I love this place!

And the caffè was a delight, as ever!

Outdoors, the windows of Gilli are always filled with beautiful presented seasonal confections. This little girl seemed entranced by them. Who could blame her?!

The streets were rocking with tourists and bikes, taxis, horse and carriage, anything but regular cars.

My walk took me by my favorite eatery and I loved the fresh design of the large ferns.

Blocks away I spotted a new car model (to me it’s new): the Fiat Topolino (mouse). I love the color of this little convertible.

Later, at a souvenir stand, I smiled when I saw the Vitruvius cat design. I thought you might like to see some of the many t-shirt styles available. There are many!

And then, to balance the riduculous with the sublime, I was interested in the operas being performed this summer at the opera house in the city.

Another great day, if a bit hotter than I would like. :-)

I’m just now coming to. My first week in Florence was kinda rough.

Of course it’s summertime and the weather is brutal! That plus jet lag left me feeling like poverina Mona Lisa above.

But this morning I was beginning to get my groove back and on an early morning walk I spotted some things that delighted my eye. There was a brief rain which cooled us off and cleared the air. A great morning for a strenuous walk.

I was happy to see the old familiar way to announce the birth of a baby with ribbon on an exterior door. And this time a girl!

The rowing club, pictured below, is one of my favorite sites in the city. It is located directly below the Uffizi!

The pigeons are still making themselves comfortable all over Florence. This one found an especially interesting perch.

A little further down the Lungarno and I spotted some wisteria still in bloom. I adore this flowering vine!

The oleander is always a treat. So hardy and so lovely!

It is wonderful to be back!

I was starting to think it might not happen! But, tomorrow!

Happy Belated Independence Day for the poor old beleaguered US of A! I love this country and am worried about its future, like all thinking Americans.

Here are some pix I took yesterday to capture the bright, breezy, sunshiny day

Hope you had a beautiful day, no matter where you are in this great big, beautiful world!