Florence 1970: Florence 2008

The years pass; 38 to be exact. For the city of Florence, steeped in history, a few decades is nothing. Not quite the same for people who change quite a bit in the same span of time. On our recent trip to Florence, I wanted to get a photograph of Laura and me standing where Mom and I stood so many years ago, my only other time in Europe, during the summer of 1970.

Dad took this picture of Mom and me in front of Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors from the Florentine Renaissance. It was July 1970, warm and sunny. I was 16 years old and my Mom was the age I am now. And below, on a breezy, cool November day in 2008, I stood with my daughter, age 20 in front of those same doors in Florence. Time passes. The building doesn't change much if at all.
How do we ever know when we'll "be back" to visit again, or if we'll never be back? I don't suppose I gave this much thought way back then but I do now. Maybe some day, Laura will pose with her daughter or son in front of these doors which Michelangelo called, "the gates of Paradise". Or, maybe not. Only time, most mysterious and elusive, will tell.

Changing my URL

Well, I finally figured out how to change the URL for Ahead of the Wave. This transition has been in the (mental) works for ages but I couldn't quite figure out how to make it happen. The "arubagirl" thing just wasn't me for the long haul in blogging. I'm happy that the title of my blog and my URL now match (internal consistency always does wonders for me).

I'm hoping that I don't lose anyone in the transition; that part still worries me a bit but hopefully you'll leave a little message here that you've found me.

I'm running to keep ahead of that pesky wave and feeling some better in the last few days.

I'll likely start posting 'real stuff' soon.

Till then....remember, it's always best to be on the downslope of that wave, moving forward, slicing through the water with precision and grace. Oh well, we can always hope....

Another Hiatus

Whether it be prolonged jet lag, the gloomy chill and wet of Seattle in November, the state of uncertainty in so many aspects of my personal and professional life, or some combination I just don't know. I've decided to let go of what's becoming the "push to blog" and to blog "well". Blogging should be fun, something that relieves stress and helps me distinguish important from non-important, something that gives me a sense of satisfaction when I push "publish". I'm not getting that just now. Creative energies are at a low point.

So, dear ones, another hiatus is at hand.

I'll keep reading though.

Arrivederci Firenze

Goodbye Florence. This is our last evening in the city and the bags are just about packed for the long journey home. We will awaken early tomorrow morning to catch a taxi to the airport, a flight to Amsterdam and then on to Seattle. Leaving is turning out to be one of the more difficult things I've had to do in a long while. While I'm totally ready to get back to more familiar surroundings and sleep in my own bed, bidding goodbye to Laura seems tougher by the minute. When she left in early September, I knew that a trip fairly soon was in our future. Now the time looms long as I think about the next five plus months apart. I may have to come back!

The last few days have been busy. Friday we spent in Florence; exploring the area south of the Arno River, near the Pitti Palace and through the Boboli Gardens. In the afternoon, Laura and I scoured the stores for brown boots. There were lots of options; she finally found just the right pair; my treat. All the women are wearing stylish boots over jeans and the Pashmina scarves are everywhere now that the weather has turned cool.

Saturday we took a train to the small, quaint walled city of Lucca west of Florence. We rented bicycles and "rode the wall" which is a popular way to see the city. After a glass or two of wine with lunch, biking felt a bit odd but was great nonetheless. The quiet of lovely Lucca, compared to Florence, was as calming as a yoga class. No vespas! And as pedestrians and bikers, we were treated well. I could spend some quality time in Lucca; highly recommended.

Today, our last day, was a bit frenetic as we tried to figure out how to navigate through a stressful period of time. The anticipation of saying goodbye and making the most of the "last moments" together was a blend of the bitter and the sweet. The day was crystal clear,beautifully accentuating the stucco colors against a brilliant backdrop. Today was about shopping; in the upscale stores (Laura) and through the endless stalls of the San Lorenzo Market (me). We enjoyed an early dinner as the midnight blue of evening descended, the moon and Venus high above. I thought about the "day blind" stars (and moon) over Seattle today as dusk caught us up in her magic.
Goodbye Florence. A wonderful 10 days spent with our youngest. Thanks to all back home who kept up with the pace of life.

She is the Reason

We may be in a wonderful city with endless sights and potential experiences but that's not really why we are here. This is why.....

It has been so wonderful to spend time with Laura. Although I'm getting deep into culture shock and craving the home front, I still don't want to leave because of this one here.

photo above left is taken in front of the GU campus in Florence

photo on right taken in the Boboli Gardens, Florence

Few Words, Mostly Pictures

Michelangelo's last work

unfinished Pieta

Museo delle'Opera del Duomo

fresh produce for sale


fresco at Santa Croce Cathedral


the Campanile Bell Tower
at the Duomo



the Duomo at Santa Maria
del Fiore


the Leaning Tower

behind the Duomo in Pisa

The photo opportunities are limitless whether inside or outside, sunny blue sky or drenching rain. My brain is on overload, packed with images of great beauty, grace, and monumental scale.

Italy After a Week

I haven't posted in a few days; by the evening, I'm either so tipsy on wine, tired out from all the activities, or spending time with the guide book planning for the next day. It's early in the morning now; you all in the USA are likely sleeping (I hope well). I'm listening to the sound of Vespa scooters buzz by the hotel window. Ubiquitous, noisy, and moving aggressively through main streets and side streets for about 18 hours a day. No surprise to me: this is one very vivid memory I took away from Florence the last time I was here way back in 1970.

We've been in Florence for a week now; it has been wonderful to see Laura and live the magnificence of this old city. The modern, totally overshadowed by history leaves me in awe, as it should. The memories of this very special trip will be with me forever.

The last couple days we've left the city for side trips. Wednesday we joined Rebecca, originally from Denmark, who moved to the area 13 years ago and who now owns and operates her own business, Tuscan Wine Tours. This day long trip started at 8:30 and ended at 6; we joined 3 other couples plus Rebecca for a personally guided tour through gorgeous Tuscan countryside south of Florence. We visited two very different wineries; both producers of the famous Brunello wines of the region and enjoyed an authentic Tuscan lunch with four courses plus bread and wine in a countryside home. The weather was gorgeous (and that says a lot since many of the days have been very rainy) which made for wine tasting possible outside on a porch with views of rolling hills in the distance and fresh pressed olive oil drizzled on crusty bread an absolute slice of paradise.

The first winery was quite small, organic and run by a woman originally from the U.K. and her Italian partner. We enjoyed an overview of the entire wine making process, from the grape vines, how they are maintained (pesticide free), pruned, harvested and mysteriously turned into great tasting Brunello wine; quite the art as well as science. Olive trees ready for picking were everywhere and she served us cold press fresh oil (....olives-on-the-tree-earlier-this-week fresh) bread and sea salt along with generously filled glasses of garnet colored wine.

The second winery, owned and operated by three generations living in the same home was a nice contrast to the first stop. The winery produces considerably more bottles and is more widely known commercially. We not only tasted the Brunellos but tried the grappa as well which reminded me a bit of kerosene (yum). The views of the Tuscan countryside from this locale were breathtaking. Both Denny and I remarked that we had never seen land like this, rolling hills with unique vegetation catching the light at mysteriously beautiful angles.

We made our purchases; two bottles to bring home (one of which is meant to be stored and savored years down the line) and two to drink here in Florence. We shared one of those bottles with Laura last evening in our hotel room. She's learning to enjoy wine; it's a process to detach from the sugary sweet shots and the local favorite Irish pub drink in Florence, the "Irish Car Bomb" (Guiness, Irish whiskey, and something else....ugh) that flourish during the college days of 2008.

Yesterday we made a soggy trip by train east to Pisa. I'll post more about that later. In the drenching rain I bought yet another umbrella from a street vendor. The leaning tower is definitely leaning. The Duomo cathedral and the Baptistry housed in the same square were equally impressive.

Today we'll stay put in Florence since rain is again in the forecast. The weekend should be drier and we're' tentatively planning a trip to Lucca, a walled city northeast of Florence that is highly rated. Each day brings new treasures (and challenges). I'm glad to be here. As our time winds down, I have bittersweet feelings about returning home.