Florence (Firenze)
The Quarantine and me
I don’t usually write my dark thoughts on my blog. I try to keep it light and filled with beauty.
But the dark side is there and the quarantine has allowed it to fester. I’m attaching a letter I wrote this week to a friend about these past 6 weeks.
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Hi, thanks for checking in. We are still staying at home although last week bookstores as well as children’s clothing stores were allowed to reopen in addition to pharmacies and grocery stores. Some outdoor food markets and small milk stores (yes, we have them!) and bakeries are also open.
I go out about once a week to take out the trash and then go get supplies. Last week I ventured downtown to a small market where I can buy corn tortillas (the strange things one misses as an expat…I could write a book), and didn’t get stopped by the authorities so I went to a fav grocery in the center to buy cheddar cheese. Then, I was close to the Duomo, so I decided to have a look. I felt like an outlaw and so I was afraid to snap even a picture. Can I just tell you, the duomo looked smaller than I remembered it! Isn’t that crazy! It was a wild afternoon, to be set free temporarily!
I’m doing ok. I teach almost everyday in China and see my local friends on Zoom meets. I do my studies (Italian, art history, gardens) when I can. I try to do yoga. I make plans for what I’ll do when we are released.
We are hopeful that we will have more mobility by early May. I doubt we will be able to travel out of Florence for months to come. So fortunate to live in a place that has a lifetime of things to do and see. I know I’ll be darkening the entrances of museums and churches in a new way the day freedom comes! The quarantine has made me realize that I don’t take nearly enough advantage of the sights in my own home town. I’ve been spoiled. I will approach things with a new attitude after the quarantine ends.
Italian have, by and large, followed the rules. Rather surprisingly! I’m proud of this country and the way the pandemic has been handled here. There are no idiots protesting the stay at home rules as in the states.
What’s the climate like in **** in terms of the lock down? I saw that the fake prez wants to open some states. My lowest moment in this whole last 6 weeks happened a couple of weekends ago. I made the mistake of watching one of his press shows, which happen about 11 pm here, and then cried myself to sleep afterwards. Not from fear, cause I’m pretty much over that worry now, but from the state of affairs at the head of our government. It is a tragedy.
*****
That was my letter, and to it I want to add this article from the New York Times, because it captures in part my incredible sadness for the loss of the American I know and love.
and there was also this article, which also reflects the feelings I have:
Sorry to be a downer today. But, life isn’t only or always filled with beauty.
Florence is almost completely devoid of people
I had the chance to see il duomo today. Wow. Strange indeed.
Enjoying the sunshine during la quarantena from a city apartment
A recent walk through my borgo
To begin, a recent view of the full moon from my apartment through the trees just beginning to leaf out:
The lovely little passerella near my house puts on a real show once a year for about 2 weeks:
The architecture in my neighborhood would thrill me in any country. I am happy for the opportunity to slow down and enjoy what surrounds me on a daily basis. I don’t normally pass through some of these streets in regular times:
Random moments of Florentine beauty
Some of these are of course from the archives. Nobody would believe that Florence’s Piazza Santa Annunziata would be filled with people in April of 2020. If it were, the police would soon be there!
But, from 20 years ago or so, I found this wonderful picture of the piazza during a plant exhibition of some kind. Sigh. :-))
Sometimes, you just need a fresh look at an old friend. How about the one below: the pavement of Florence’s Duomo. Wow.
A recent drone overview of the beautiful Duomo. In shots like this, you realize just how small Florence is. See the Piazza della Repubblica to the left.
And a recent shot from the arbored passerella near my apartment. I love wisteria so much!
Calcio Storico, the lots are drawn, but when will the games be played? Not in June!
Calcio Storico, with the coronavirus draw behind closed doors: the 2020 semi-finals
This morning, Easter day, as per tradition, the draw of the Calcio Storico took place, although, of course, given the coronavirus emergency, the ceremony did not take place before the outbreak of the wagon (canceled) in Piazza Duomo but in the Salone of the Cinquecento.
The draw has decided the two semi-finals, which will face first the Greens of San Giovanni against the Azzurri of Santa Croce and, in the second race, the Reds of Santa Maria Novella against the Whites of Santo Spirito.
It is not known yet when it will be possible to play. One thing is certain, not in June as per tradition. Maybe in September.
The draw was attended by the commissioner for popular traditions Andrea Vannucci, the president of the historic Florentine football Michele Pierguidi, the director of the historical procession of the Florentine Republic Filippo Giovannelli and the four captains of the historic districts of Florence.
Florence is there and its tradition remains. The hope – Vannucci underlined – is to be able to return to normal soon and to be able to live, if conditions permit, a tournament with great public participation “.”
The Uffizi under la quarantena
La mia passerella piccola, con glicine fantastico
Oggi:
Wisteria in full bloom!
On my walks to run errands, I was happy to pass by not only my usual wisteria spotting on the passerella, but additional flourishes in my neighborhood. What a season!
And, a second location: the local high school:
I wistfully think of the Giardino Bardini, which must be alive with wisteria blossoms right now. After the quarantine ends, I shall high-tail it over there to see my favorite spot in Florence. :-))
get back, lauretta! 
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