no where to begin (9.20.07)

ciao.
wow. i have no idea where to begin. ive been two weeks, two long, dragging, slow, rapidly moving, sand slipping, ever escaping weeks. The time is flying by, but all at once, i also feel as if i have been here so much longer than 14 days. i can already feel the pressure from the other end, as strange as that may sound from that side of the ocean. looking at my self constructed calendar i have nearly every wkend filled from here to December. to the amalfi coast, siena, venice, pompeii, rome, fosole, luca..Ireland? ...one thing leads to another and next you know, christmas is coming and i am leaving. and with that said, i am traveling much much less than most of my classmates here at capa. my bank accound cannot afford leaving each wkend, but neither can my mind. there is so much for an art history major to do here, at home in florence. There is 12noon mass at the Duomo each Sunday. Paintings by Massacio, Sandro Botticelli, Carravaggio, and all of the greats to ambush on long afternoons when i am accompanied by nothing but my ipod. i have though perhaps of taking half of our fall break (a week that ends up streaching out to about 10days off from school at the end of October) and going to the Uffizi each day. inside are over 80,000 paitings, the best renaissance and baroque collection in the world, and its a stones throw from my school.

Its hard to remember all i have done since last i wrote. I have been keep a detailed journal each night to the amazment to my roomates and so while these things have record, there is so much i am sure to leave much out.

Last Thursday, with a apprehensive heart i went to see Michelangels David. After years studying art seriously and the rest of my life doing it passively, there is little that lore and hype has left him. Never the less, he is nothing short of unbelievably stunning. Absolutly gorgous. You have to cran your neck to get him entirely in your vision as he towers the curious visitors, with their prodding eyes and echoing calls to one another. His eyes remain fixed, of into the distance...watching for Goliath. During the dates he was created, 1501-1504... plans were engaging to take Florence under seige, and while a nod to the catholic church that has so controlled artists for centuries, he is also an allegorical symbol of Florence. The peaceful underdog who triumphs and leaves quietly. To make you feel a little embarrassed about what you have (or have not) accomplished, Michelangelo was a mere 28 when his masterpiece was placed in the Palazzo del Signoria. (which by the way is where my drawing class walks each day to sketch.) yes. this is my life. The piece additionaly was created in a stone that was deamed impossible and dismissed by those that sold it to him. *i saw an angel in the marble and carved until i set him free.* ..........ideed.

A few nights ago i hiked along a side street with a friend to visit the Boboli gardens, an enormous formal garden. Free (those museum passes are a godsend) we have planned to return often. The shear size of the gardne allows it many themes, feelings and highlights. You can travel through sharply overhanging trees that lead down long paths or hike up the hills and view parts of Florence from above. And scattered about are ancient sculptures, worn and faded from the years, hiding amongst the swelling foliage, waiting for you to pass under their watchful eyes.

Yesterday on a short field trip for my art history class i visited an Etruscan tomb, the etruscans being the people that the Romans used as a foundation (and in many cases, stepping stool) for their nation. The decorative urns, formed into the body they hold, lying on its side, recling with a wine glass in one hand, lucky gesture occupying the other these relics have been here since the 2-3 century, we now, in the 21st gives perspective on life, death, and all of it in between.

This evening Steph (roomate) and I have signed up for a tour of the Arno River. The weather is, and has been beautiful since we got here. Sunny and cloudless each day and clear and cool eachnight, save just once in the middle of the night when it rained. Tomorrow I depart for the Amalfi coast (imagining the country as a boat..this lies mid-shin). I will see Pompei, Sorento and the island of Capri. It will be one of the more expensive trips i will take, but time is of the essence as i want to go when it is still hot and sunny as i soak in the Tuscan sun on the beaches.

Anyway. These are the things that have been filling my time and mind. Ciao -corrie