Firenze 2010 - 2011 The "Grand" Tour 


Ragazzo w Sparkler Midnight New Year's Eve

Auguri 2011!



Cari Amici,

Isn't it hard to believe it's been scarcely a week since we returned?  We hope you are all well and returned to a great beginning of the new year on this side of the Atlantic.

We wanted to share a few photos, the "poem" from the cenone of our last eveninCathedral Christmas Tree IIg together and  cite a few books (in addition to those of the syllabus) and films mentioned during the trip that you may enjoy. Also, if you have any photos to share, we would love to see them.  I would be happy to cull through them and post a selection of them on line and on Facebook. 

Thank you all again - it was a pleasure living and learning together for that all too brief but memorable time.

Sincerely,

Deborah and Frank
San Miniato II

Books & Films
Fiction
The Decameron, Boccaccio
The Sixteen Pleasures, Robert Hellenga. Set in 1966 Florence immediately after the flood.
A Room with a View, E.M. Forester.  Film and movie.
Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel
Romola, George Eliot

Nonfiction
The Prince, Machiavelli
Patronage in Renaissance Italy, Mary Hollinsworth
Women in the Renaissance, Margaret King
Brunelleschi's Dome, Ross King
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, Ross King
April Blood, Lauro Martines. (The Pazzi Conspiracy)
War in Val D'Orcia, Iris Origo
The Merchant of Prato, Iris Origo
Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

Films
A Room with A View, Merchant-Ivory
Il Divo (Corruption and politics in Italy during the Andreotti era)
Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Franco Zefferelli
Tea with Mussolini, Zefferelli
The English Patient, Mingella
Up at the Villa
Lo Spadacciono di Siena, Bandini


'Twas the Night Before 12th Night

 

'Twas the night before 12th Night

And the group could be found

At Boccanegra, all gathered around

Their bags were all packed in a rush or with care;

It was the end of our journey but not what we shared.

 

Now it's time to leave the shadow of the dome,

But some of us would like to take a few things home.

Say a Gozzoli, a Massacio, or even the view...

Of the front or the back of David will do.

 

To Korina and Muriel we must say adieu

Tho' you thought we said "The chapel at 2."

To Jeff and to Jane who could not say "Auguri!"

Because Jane's cold had come on with a fury.

 

And speaking of New Years, Shannon and Ron had attested

That Nobuko and Marilyn were nearly arrested.

They, Korina and Muriel in the conga line?

2011 was rung in and they were all feeling fine!

 

To Julie whose patience was such a virtue

San Spirito saw you but Boboli eluded you.

 To Calvin who brought his own holy family,

And our own St. Mary was escorted by Samuele.


 

And then there was Miguel who was never lazy,

Though a vow of silence would have driven him crazy.

 But now Frank and I with you must part

Not "good bye" but with  "arrivederci" aglow in our hearts.


 

Boccanegra, Florence
Boccanegra

 

 


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