 |
| Michelangelo's Crucifix not MY photo |
President’s Day weekend often seems to be a great weekend to
take a trip. This year I decided that Florence was calling me and although I
had been near, I had never gone.
Sometimes I balk at a possible adventure because people tell me all
about how “amazing” and “wonderful” and “awesome” and I worry that I will end
up disappointed. That has happened to a
degree before but Florence was all that and more. A couple of times I found myself welling up
inside as I stood before Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus,
thinking “WOW…this is really it!” I
could go on and on about all the details, but instead I will mention a couple
of things and you can watch the video to see for yourself. Two major letdowns
happened over the weekend. I self corrected with the reminder that I was in
Florence and that just because I can’t do everything I want my weekend is not a
loss. At the Santo Spirito Church I hoped to get in to see the lovely church as
well as Michelangelo’s Crucifix, a sculpture created when he was only 18 years old. It was very pretty inside, but alas there were No Camera signs up at the
entrance and I even saw a guy get yelled at for taking pictures. Then I found the crucifix, in a room that
only opens four times a day for private viewing. The sign said 1245 pm. I
looked at my watch; it was 1250 and the doors had already been shut. I could see it through the wavy glass window,
and something is always better than nothing, even if you can’t take a picture. Then I went to the Synagogue to see the
building erected 150 years ago after the abolition and demolition of the Jewish
ghetto which had been there for almost 400 years since the Inquisition. It is a beautiful Moorish type building with a
breathtaking interior of rich color and intricate wood and tile work. Before I went in, the guard with limited
English told me, “No Camera,” so unhappily I loaded all my stuff into a locker
and went in sans iPod which is the only
camera I use. Inside while admiring the structure I was annoyed to notice a lot
of people taking pictures with their phones.
After I walked out and gathered my things, I told the new guard on duty that
a lot of people were taking photos inside.
I hated to seem like a rat, but hey, same rules ought to apply to
everyone right? This guard in fluent English told me that I could take pictures
with my phone but not a camera. I asked to go back in with my iPod and she
refused unless I paid again. Rather
miffed, I asked her what difference it made if I took a photo with a phone or a
camera anyway. She shrugged her shoulders.
I dwelt on that little episode for about 30 minutes and decided if that was the
worst thing that happened, then I was indeed a lucky guy.
Okay those are my two tales of one city. Enjoy the video and if you do ever get the
chance, I really recommend Florence. Better yet take a full 90 day tourist visa
and travel around all of Italy.
