I just wanted to share a few pics I took on a walk around Giardino di Boboli this afternoon. After blogging about all that food and wine, I found myself with a case of the munchies and thought, oh HELL no - you need to go out for a walk. Plus, I'm in the process of breaking in my new North Face GORE-TEX hikers (remember I left five pairs of hiking shoes at home after packing 12 pairs of everything else from designer boots to running shoes, sandals, ballet flats, and flip flops - NONE of which will do in the vineyards next week.) I trundled down my 72 steps into the sunlight and headed down Via Tournabuoni to cross Ponte Santa Trinita - avoiding as many of the tourist mobs as possible on the Ponte Vecchio. I stopped briefly in front of Ferragamo wondering if I would cause a stir in my jeans (hey - they are the GOOD jeans, remember?), my new Euro 120,00 (that's right - there's no REI here, but I found the next best thing!) North Face kicks, and my Euro 5 T-shirt from a lower end dept store. I decided against it, as I was on a mission to walk off yesterday's Austrian pork fest, and I've been wanting to go to the Boboli Gardens since I got here. Sad, as it's only a 15-minute walk away, but I wanted to have time to stroll, ponder, reflect, whatever you do in gardens.
They were not as I expected. A lot of wooded, dark, tree-lined trails - no signs - just walk around till you don't think you are lost any more. It was worth the Euro 10,00 entry fee for that hour and 1/2 of peace and the most quiet solitude in nature I've had in over a month.
NOTE 1: OK - for some reason, I don't have an actual 'Student ID' card - look into this, as everywhere else I just say I'm a student and get my discount. At Palazzo Pitti? Not so much. Must ask front desk about 'Student ID Card' situation. Therefore, instead of Euro 5,00 - I paid twice as much as that young couple rolling around in the grass by the fountain. Good luck getting out those grass stains.
The light in Tuscany is special. I've always said the light here is "different" than anywhere I've ever been. Today, it was spectacular. I just couldn't capture it and do it justice, but every time I look at these pictures, I can remember the feeling of quiet, calm peace away from the city center, the smell of the earth, trees, and leaves on the ground. I was so entranced by the light - the light more than anything, that I felt, for just a small moment in time, like I was in a fairy tale place - a place I imagined as a little girl going where the light was perfect, soft and brilliant at the same time, and just magical. Today I finally saw it. And wow! I guess there aren't enough words.
I did fall in love a little bit more today - with this part of the world, and with an artist named Igor Mitoraj from Poland. I found his bronze sculptures captivating. As I stood there gazing at IKARIA, I wondered. Here was this portrayal of something that may have been perhaps once beautiful and perfect, now broken, almost with permanent reminders of lessons learned, pieces missing, but the whole mood was somehow more than complete for me. It was thought-provoking and emotional at the same time.
Maybe someday I'll be able to explain it better, or capture the light better, but for now, I'll try to share this beautiful place with you.
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All entries are strictly observations from my point of view. This blog is not intended as professional commentary on travel, wine, food, or any other subjects I discuss - it is for entertainment, an online journal, for my friends, family, and anyone interested in my stories or journey in general.
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