Monthly Archives: August 2011

The musicality of Italy

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

The Italians use the word “musicality” a lot to describe their language and there are parts of the grammar that have been adapted to support the melodiousness of la lingua. Naturally, there is also the literal music of the country. … Continue reading →

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The Lucca language school

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

The school in Lucca is a bit unusual.  It focuses almost entirely on conversation and dialogue as opposed to grammar.  I am not quite sure what I think about it. When you first arrive at any school you are given … Continue reading →

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Le biciclette

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

Lucca is very flat; it is also walled, and the center of town (the bit within the walls) is essentially pedestrian only, similar to most Tuscan towns.  This makes for a perfect setting for bicycles (le biciclette).  Everyone rides their … Continue reading →

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Puccini

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

I love Puccini (1858-1924), he’s my favorite composer.  Mozart is a close second. Lucca is the birthplace of Puccini and it is my misfortune that his house is closed for renovations!  However, he spent most of his life and wrote … Continue reading →

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Love is in the air?

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

I don’t know what kind of pheromones I was setting off today but it was another one of those “Italian men gone wild” kind of days. It seems as though I was being watched on my way to the Boboli … Continue reading →

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The Museum of San Marco – update

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

I had to go back the museum today and snag some more photos.  Again, no flash!!!  I have appended my earlier post to include the new photos. One other huge plus to this museum is that it has one of … Continue reading →

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Dante Alighieri

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

Has there ever been anyone alive or dead that you just felt you had some strange connection with, or maybe just an unusual curiosity, and needed to get to the bottom of it? There has been something nagging at me … Continue reading →

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Boboli Gardens

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

I got up early again this morning and headed off to the Boboli Gardens before it got too hot.   I don’t think I have slept late once since I have been in Italy! The gardens are largely formal and … Continue reading →

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Chicks rule!

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

Anna Maria Lodovica was the last of the Medici family.  She died in 1743 and she is now in San Lorenzo. She left her entire estate, in perpetuity, to the people of Firenze.  This included the amassed Medici collections found … Continue reading →

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The Museum of San Marco

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

I wasn’t even sure I would visit this museum while in Firenze.  It wasn’t on my short list but I happened to be in the neighborhood today so figured why not? Oh my!  I am so glad I did!  I … Continue reading →

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