Ah Erko ... and Florence ... and that's not an English accent

[blamebrampton]

The lovely crazy French cat lady was about again today, with her giant ginger tom in her backpack, head sticking out and surveying the world. Apparently he dislikes cat cages, but is quite fond of being worn papoose-style. She inquired after our plague and I was happy to report that J and I are both on the mend. While the occasional coughing fit still occurs, and we're still fairly tired, we are definitely functional human beings again rather than flu victims. Hurrah!

This recovery, and the end of the report edit of doom (want to know anything about Australian regulatory authorities? I'm your girl!) means that I am now free to start planning the casual part of my trip to Florence in five weeks. It starts with a conference and a catch-up with my curatorial friends, and ends with a catch-up with some fandom friends, but in between there are several days of nothing.

I suspect that two straight weeks in Firenze will see me a little rabid, so I am trying to sort out what I want to do nearby. I'll be travelling by train or bus, have a modest budget and will be alone. It's the art and textiles tour, ahead of next year's romantic getaway when the cash-flow situation will be much improved. If you know the region, help me make up my mind. Bologna is calling to me, but I am trying to decide about Lucca, Ferrara, Pisa (where I m dropping in for a day anyway), Siena and San Gimignano. Any recommendations? I have been to all these spots save Lucca, but as a dissolute young person rather than as a responsible adult with High Cultural Concerns.

On the topic of cultural concerns, one strange artefact of the flu has been watching television. I am constantly surprised by what American actors think sounds English. Does this happen the other way around? Hugh Laurie and the bloke on Life both sound very American to me (with occasional vowel slippage from Hugh),  do Americans hear everything that's wrong there?

Finally, a very happy birthday to sassy_cissa ! Your kindness, generosity and talent never cease to impress and inspire me!

Comments

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

I traveled with friends the last time I was in Italy, and really enjoyed SG even though it wasn't a romantic trip - but given the choice between going there alone and with J, I think taking J would probably quadruple your pleasure. So if it's a real option for next year, I'd postpone it.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I think that's the ticket. I have to look up everyone's arrival time again! And it occurs to me that I have no idea if I am coming back from Pisa to Florence on the 9th ... oops ...

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

I have to run, but I'll make a sticky post or web page with the arrival matrix later. The earliest arrivals are on the 12th. It might be good to get phone numbers and pics too, so we can actually find each other!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

arrival matrix! You're so organised!

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

The odd thing is that both my home and office are in complete chaos. And by "complete chaos" I mean "I'm not sure this is fit for human habitation".