We're in Firenze but first, our last day in Rome:

Met our friend Vincent at the Santa Maria Trastevere church...one of my favorites....small compared to the others we've seen. Vincent is an exPat from New Orleans....history, art and Latin scholar so any viewing with him is worth a semester at NYU. Won't tell you all we learned but there are at least 3 Annunciations...probably... four there. Two are ancient and partially outside within a Portico. Very faded and worn. No one knows who did them....frescoes.

Later we had lunch at one of his favorite trattorias where everyone knew him. He walked us to Gallerie Corsini (where Queen Christina lived in her day). it was closed last time we were in Frenzy and it has a Caravaggio. The Caravaggio interesting. There were a few great paintings by Rubens and del Sarto amidst a lot of bad paintings. (Do I sound like Ruskin yet?)

But on to Firenze where we arrived via milk train late Sunday afternoon. Beautiful sunshine. Went to Number 13 Calzaiuoli to our former apt. They gave us the one next door which was more lovely. The blue neon hotel sign is still across the street from us and just as we entered the room the bells of the Duomo started ringing. I was suddenly deliriously happy and Florence isn't even my favorite city. It's probably that Stendahlismo* in the air. We did have a little supper at our favorite eatery down the street...Coquinarius.

Today to St. Lorenzo....3 Annunciations. The one by Filippo Lippi has two angels hovering behind Gabriel, and Gabriel has inserted himself through Mary's portal looking carnally but adoringly at her. The Priest in the gift shop did me a favor and hunted the last postcard they had of the painting.



The day is not over but the blog is, for today.

CORRECTION: My Cell Phone Number is:
0039 333 720 2419


*"Stendhalismo" or "Stendhal's Syndrome"

Named after the 19th century French author, Stendhal's Syndrome is an actual diagnosable psychosomatic illness that causes heart palpitations, dizziness, confusion and even hallucinations when one looks at too much beautiful art over a short period of time or when one is faced with too much choice, e.g. when shopping. Stendhal described a bout with his eponymous illness in his 1817 book "Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio."