Florence (2):Da Vinci

Among the most famous in Florence is the Gallery Uffizi. It has large collections of paintings and sculpture made by Italian artists.

Unfortunately, I'm not a really big fan of art.

First half an hour: 'wow cool' ( stood one minute and observe)
Next hour: 'err. . did I see this painting before somewhere?'
Remaining hours: 'I guess we've seen enough art for the week'

One of the most interesting section there was for Leonardo Da Vinci's works. Prior to coming here I thought of him as just a painter. How I was wrong. He was also a sculptor and scientist at that time. There were physics experiments, mathematical conjecture, architectural designs and even dissections of human body conducted by him. A man of wide interest.

Another interesting place in Florence is the Old Bridge ( Ponte Vecchio). A short bridge with houses built on top ( mostly shops) and one of the main tourist attraction.

Snowfall

So finally, right the next day after I complain for the warm winter, snow fell near my apartment. And I thought to myself, "here comes winter".

The snow was thin. Almost feel like raining except that I could catch the falling snow. Roads were covered in thin layers of ice, making it slippery. Much of the snow in the road has been removed when I went out though. The normal sorroundings with snow looked somewhat beautiful white.

But it seems that I expected too much. The snow fell only that fateful day. There has been no more hint of snow since. It rained but not snow. Perhaps it's already spring now. One month early.

Warm Winter

It was a beautiful day. The sky was clear. The sun was shining brightly. A bit warm. Green trees. Fresh atmosphere. Still there was something amiss . . well what was it . .

Oh, it's supposed to be midst of winter now . . well aren't winter supposed to be freezing?
And yes where is the snow? Some of the days there are a glimpse of snow on the mountain summit, and that's all. Just when I thought I had a chance of playing with some snow. Well, fat hope that was.

People blame it on global warming. But winter throughout europe this year would be one of the warmest in several hundred years. I once asked my Italian flatmate:

me:Is the warm winter a good thing?
Tommasso: Of course not
me: why? it's not so much cold now
Tommasso: Many reasons, people cannot ski, that's one
Then the bears do not go to sleep. Bugs that's supposed to be dead are still alive.
Nature's balance are affected.
me: (nod) ic . .

Well the only thing I miss from this winter was the snow. The ideas of whether bears get much sleep or not does not appeal much to me. Yeah, people tend to be selfish.

Hope the winter will get colder these days.

Florence (1):David

Florence(Firenze) will appeal the most to art lovers. There are dozens of museums in the city. Many famous artists have made their marks there in Florence.

Among them is the artist Michelangelo famous for his "David" sculpture. The original sculpture was displayed in the Gallery Academia and the replicas were around the city.

I am not really 'artistically inclined'. But viewing the sculpture still bring about majestic feeling. Too bad that cameras were not allowed in the academia. It made the 7 euros felt too expensive for entrance. Well, once in a lifetime maybe still ok.

The other two replicas we found was outside the old palace and in the piazza Michelangelo. The sculpture was a bit vulgar and obvious, in the name of art, perhaps. That's why I thought I should crop some of his parts.

Cooking Chronicles(5): Meatball Soup

Meatball soup is widely available in Indonesia. It can easily be found from small moving stalls to restaurants.

As I had some extra prawns, I just mixed it in. Dismantle and cut the prawns and mix it with the meat and green onion, adding a bit of flour. Shape the meat into ball shape by hand.

Boil the water, then put the meat inside. Add salt. When almost cooked, put the vegetable and green onions in.

Fireworks

New year is often associated with fresh start. People everywhere celebrate the coming of the year.

This year also in Trento people gathered in the city square Piazza Fiera for the new year countdown. Accompanied with fireworks, singing, dancing and free flow wine amidst the cold wheather, people crowded the place.

It was not easy to get back home though, at 12.30 am, the cab were fully booked. We had to wait and arrive home around 1.5 hours later. So much for a new year celebration.

Happy new year 2007!

Buon Natale!

As in many european cities, christmas was one of the most important holidays celebrated in Italy. The towns are filled with decoration of colorful lights. Christmas markets, selling christmas related gifts and tidbits can be found on the city streets. In the evening, it was a lively atmosphere as many people go out in the streets.

In this season, most Italian would go back to their hometown and spend time with their families.


In churches, they usually have the nativity scene depicted inside. Some churches have evening mass or late night mass during the christmas eve.

It was not a white christmas, as I thought it would be. Well, perhaps chrstmas was not meant to be white in the first place.

Christmas in modern days would be a season of giving. Warm moments for family gathering. A point to ponder and give thanks. A festival of celebration. These are wonderful aspects for christmas as seen by people all over the world.

But first and foremost, Christmas was as depicted in the nativity scene:
The night was dark. So was human life.
But even within the darkness, a light appeared, in human form.
Not from a palace nor with glorious splendor.
Just a small baby in a humble manger.
Still, what was but a small light in the town of Betlehem has become the light of the world.
The light of us.

Happy birthday Jesus!