Rob and I went to Italy in December 2016 to celebrate Rob's 50th birthday, the winter holidays, and our 15th wedding anniversary. We returned to the hotel we stayed at the previous year, right in the heart of the Oltrarno neighborhood of Florence, the most beautiful city in the world. It was a dream come true. But my knees, my immobility stood in the way of my fully enjoying this vacation.
I could only walk for so long before having to sit down and rest. It was so frustrating and I was so disappointed in myself. My husband was so loving and supportive, though. He was my sherpa carrying everything when I couldn't, being patient with me when I had to slow down or rest. It was wonderful (OMG, the food and wine,) for the most part, but I can't shake the feeling of disappointment of how I let myself, and my husband down.
My vision is going back to Italy and having a chance to do it over again, this time with my legs and back feeling great, being able to walk for miles without resting, without having to wake up with swollen knees and wonder how I was going to get through the day. I have this vision clear in my mind, with a goal date in mind, my 50th birthday in September of 2019.
In case you wondering why I want to go back, here are some photos from our trip. This will help me to revisit my WHY when I need it, to help me define my vision.
The view of Ponte Santa Trinita from Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River
Birth of Venus, Botticelli in Uffizi Gallery
Meat and Cheeses from Signorvino.
You've never tasted Prosciutto like this outside of Italy.
Madame with the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) in the background
Rare quiet morning in the city center
The Replica of David, where the original used to stand, in front of
the Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore,
known the world over as The Duomo
Santo Spirito Church
Basilica di Santa Croce, the final resting place of many famous
Italians Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli
Il Porcellino, rub his nose to ensure your return to Florence.
You bet I rubbed that snoot!
Oceanus by Giambologna in the Bargello Sculpture Museum
Crostini with different spreads from Le Volpe L'Uva,
I miss those long wine lunches. We even sat outside late December.
Gaia's Fountain in Piazza del Campo, Siena
Duomo di Siena (Cathedral of Siena)
The Church in a square in San Gimignano
Tuscan Countryside
Michelangelo's David at Accademia Gallery
The view over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo
The Colosseum, Rome
Perseus with the head of Medusa, Cellini, outside the Loggia di Lanza
sculpture garden in Piazza della Signoria
Bianchi (my maiden name) bikes all over town
Pitti Palace Muse
Ponte Veccho by night
The giant Christmas Tree in front of the Duomo
At a New Year's Eve gala on our 15th Anniversary,
what a fabulous night this was!
La Primavera by Botticelli, lesser known than
Birth of Venus but more evocative IMO.
Duomo di Pisa
Piazza Navona, Rome
Neptune's Fountain, Piazza Navona
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