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

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

No thanks necessary! I am just sorry that it took so long for me to realise I hadn't, your comments have made me smile on several occasions and it wasn't until I realised that I was never seeing any of your posts that I noticed my idiocy ;-)

Yes, I love that area, but I love walking about with a loved one and paying for a service to taxi our luggage ahead. I'll be by myself, so I am staying away from anywhere that would force me to have an affair out of sheer necessity ;-) I rather like the J that I will be leaving at home.

At the moment, Siena is looking most likely. As for the Ufizzi, I have a couple of galleries that are my favourites, and will be pre-booking as I made that mistake once, never again!

[thisgirl-is.livejournal.com]

That and the fact that I don't really post much. This is mostly an account for fandom reading. It's kind of weird and difficult to be a part of a community that mostly consists of creative people creating things and all I have to offer is enthusiastic flailing. :o) Plus I find it difficult enough to keep up with people I actually know. I was at a friend's house today and had to go hijack their internet because I had totally forgotten it was my brother's birthday - oops!

Yeah, I can see how, "I'm terribly sorry, but there I was with two enormous suitcases and no way to get them from A to B, so what wa I to do? I simply had to shag the nice man or I would never have got anywhere" might not go down too well.

As I recall there was a very good restaurant in Siena called Deano's (no, really) that was a few minutes away from the Duomo - off down the road to the far left corner of the square if you had your back to the church. God only knows if it's stil there, mind. It was a funny dodgy looking little place, but the food was great.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can see how, "I'm terribly sorry, but there I was with two enormous suitcases and no way to get them from A to B, so what wa I to do? I simply had to shag the nice man or I would never have got anywhere" might not go down too well.

You know, when I was younger, I had entire relationships for sillier reasons than this ;-)

As I recall there was a very good restaurant in Siena called Deano's (no, really) that was a few minutes away from the Duomo - off down the road to the far left corner of the square if you had your back to the church. God only knows if it's stil there, mind. It was a funny dodgy looking little place, but the food was great.

I'm adding this to my list, thank you!