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

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

Lucca didn't impress me as much as San Gimignano. I went to San Gimignano three times (all day trips) and all three times I had fun.

And I think Siena deserves two full days there, at least, because I think everyone should be at Piazza Del Campo for at least half a day and do nothing else but sit there. I'm very partial to Siena so you really must go there so I can experience Siena again through you. :P

Also, I think Bologna is better saved for your next trip because it's a bigger city and you're already going to be in Firenze. If you're keen on visiting another region that is NOT Toscana, then I'd suggest to try Cinque Terre instead. Like winnett said, it's a beautiful place. Stupid me, I didn't visit there (and now I'm really crying from the utter regret), but my friends had nothing but great things to say about that place.

OK, I'm going back to my little corner and continue to be jealous at you. *sulks*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

But wouldn't SG be better as a romantic rediscovery with the J next year? And same for Cinque Terre, November's not the greatest time of year for hiking and I don't like to walk alone, even in areas I know really well.

Bologna has the advantage that I only want to see a handful of things there, all in collections that I'll be able to get easy access to without having to schmooze extra curators. It won't be a very touristy side trip, as Siena is likely to be (and it is looking very likely!), but I'd be able to accomplish a good whack of research very quickly!

Send me your address and I can send you a postcard!

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

Oh, good point on Cinque Terre. Can't go there alone. (I didn't remember until just now that all of my friends went there with their partners). But, as for San Gimignano, hmmmm... call me crazy, but I don't see it as a romantic town (I'm spoiled by Bergamo, that's what). Then again, if you are planning to go back next year, I suppose it can wait until you're with J! I'm just trying to pimp it now because Lucca... I seriously was not impressed by it. Heh.

Where are you planning to go to in Bologna? I suppose if it's not to be a very touristy trip, Bologna's all right. I guess I don't consider the city pretty enough for a visit. I think Parma is prettier, but it's really not on your mind, is it?

POSTCARD? REALLY?! OOOOOH! YES, PLEASE! *flails*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Parma is lovely, but they don't have all the Lavinia Fontana stuff that's in Bologna. Maybe I should just go to Ferrara and do the d'Este homage tour ...

And J is a mad medievalist, so I think he'd love SG.

Send me your address!