Blogs from Florence, Tuscany, Italy, Europe - page 184

Today we departed for Firenze (Florence). We stopped off at the Fragonard Perfumerie in Grasse this morning for a demonstration on how they produce their perfumes. Grasse is cradled by hills, with views out to sea, and surrounded by fields of lavender, mimosa, jasmine and roses. It has been the centre of the world's perfume industry since the 16th-century, when Catherine de' Médici started the fashion for perfume-scented leather gloves. As well as Grasse's perfume industry, it was also the centre for leather tanning. The perfume houses which were founded in the 18th and 19th-century, including Fragonard, are still in business today, though the perfumes are made mostly from imported flowers or chemical essences. Fragonard was given its name, after Jean-Honoré Fragonard, a famous local artist. How is perfume made? The best perfumes begin as a ... read more

I'm not getting so lost anymore. I can now actually leave my apartment and end up at the place that I intended on visiting, without losing myself along the way. This is the first feeling that a city is little more manageable. This morning, I met with the director of a school here in Firenze that teaches comic art. Amazing stuff these young people learn-and I had a meeting to show what little drawings I have brought with me to him. Although there are no positions now for teachers, he said there is always a chance and I also expressed interest in aiding as well...we'll see! Also, last night, I had dinner with Lorenzo, who is the man that I am renting my apartment from. He lives in the next building, a magnificently modern apartment with ... read more

Last night I felt in me the rise of loneliness. Yesterday I planned on walking to an area called Oltrarno, across the Arno river, to another part of Firenze more with street more quiet, calm and filled with beauty. As things have proved themselves to me so far, I happen upon the most mysterious and amazing things by chance. So a walk through the quiet streets in Oltrarno (a Sunday afternoon) let me to a modest church where inside are the famous frescoes by Massaccio. Not only did I watch a small cinema about their origin, but I was able to see the frescoes myself...smaller in life, more as abundant in color, detail and an acute observation and honesty about life. The Brancachi chapel is small-and the frescoes depict St.Peter (I hope I have the correct ... read more

Observations: * Bra straps show regularly, under shirts translucent as white wine. * This is HIGH FASHION, people. Every big name, in a big store, with beautiful people sitting on marble and glass benches. * The bells from the duomo (the huge, main cathedral in the center of Firenze) begin ringing at 7am. A beautiful way to awaken. * Women never wear shorts. Older women wear dresses and tasteful, often large, jewelry. In general, there are many great looking people here. Beautiful skin and large features, even with no make-up. * I passed a street yesterday where I heard a woman practicing operatic pieces, somewhere  few stories up, with open windows. It sounded like she may have been having difficulty with one particular note, as she sung and resung the phrase several times. Some sharps and ... read more

Summer in Florence attracts the largest crowds. Most impressive about Florence is its Duomo, said to be the 4th largest cathedral in the world... read more