Apparently life had an adventure I could not have foreseen. An old ‘boyfriend’ came back into my life and now everything has changed. My life’s trajectory is new. Exciting, interesting and it would seem love has reappeared. But I digress….
From Montenegro I made a detour to Florida…a couple months then back to my home in Italy. The weather is colder now, but not ‘biting’ but after Florida, it’s cold. So you bundle up and head out to see where the day will take you. Rome and Florence are magnificent at Christmas. The decorations are just over the top. And even in cold weather, you simply have to stop and stare. I do that so much. Just stand around and stare. It seems all so interesting – even though I have seen so much already. The ‘Presepe’ (nativity creches) on display in St Peter’s Piazza are awesome. How artists interpret the holy nativity scene is quite interesting. I take a lot of photos of everything that looks amazing, beautiful, unusual and special.
My village is decorated with so many lovely items. The poinsettias are everywhere and they do place decorations along the road and walkway. The main church has a video projection on the front of it of the Holy Mother. Somehow that feels like peace and comfort.
Friends are visiting and that makes the season fun and crazy. I’ll be back home in the US next month. But for now, enjoying the season, fewer tourists, great food and wine, beautiful decorations and kindness. If for no other reason, Christmas reminds us of our opportunity to over-tip, over-smile, over-eat and drink – and be grateful for all the blessings we are given. Share. Love.
Hope you enjoy the photos, so many beautiful places here to see. It never gets boring. Of interest is the Florence Duomo now open to tourists. Heretofore it is has been closed for quite some time. The statues and items of note were placed in a Museum behind the Duomo – which is a great Museum and well worth visiting. The inside of the Duomo is stunning so hope you enjoy the photos from the Duomo and from my favorite Florence piazza, Piazza Signoria. So many statues and what a fabulous light show on the side of one of the buildings.
Photos include a Swiss guard in a dark winter uniform at the Vatican. A statue that is a stunning Jewish boat with people – depicting sadness and loss, permanently situated in St Peter’s Piazza and photos that caught my eye there.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Pace. (Peace in Italian – and seen so many places in Italy). It is time for peace. xoxoxo
