Fisole

Right above Florence, there is a small Etruscan town of Fisole. It is only about a twenty minute bus ride from our apartment (probably thirty from central Florence) and is very much worth the trip. For one, it is a positive experience using the local bus system and working through buying tickets and such. Also, Fisole has perhaps the best views of Florence from its high vantage point.

The bus drops you off in the main center of town. From here, you can walk the winding mountain roads and get a view of both the Florence side and the other side of the valley and the rolling hills behind it. Also right off this main Piazza, is the entrance to the museums and ruins. Fisole is built on ancient Etruscan and Roman ruins and features the remains of a Roman amphitheater, baths and temples dating from both eras of history. Not much is left of the baths and temples, and it is difficult to imagine what they were like in their day but, the amphitheater is almost entirely intact. There are also two museums on site that show some of the artifacts that have been found in the area and gave some history of the town.

I think Val had a good birthday. We didn’t do much other than Fisole and we found our white whale of a bar. We have been looking for this nightclub since we arrived in Florence and we haven’t been able to find it. Finally last night we walked down the right “alley” and turned on the right “alley” off the alley and found it. When we did it fit the description very well. Because it is in the main part of town, right off the main Piazza, they wanted to hide it well and make it as nondescript as possible. Well, they succeeded, quite well actually. When we finally found it, the door is just two metal doors at the end of a trash filled street and all it says is: Tabasco, Gay Club. Just walking by I don’t think I would ever have thought to give it a second glance.

This week we should be finally getting to make some prints. The first week of class has focused mainly on museums and just getting situated. I hope that the last two weeks of the class is focused mostly on working with some fieldtrips thrown in for inspiration. We are getting to continue working with the large field cameras which is nice, I have taken what I hope are some good shots. While it is possible to immediately process the film, the negative is lost if you can’t soak it in a chemical formula that cleanses the negative of the polariod chemicals. We are getting to the exciting point, and I can’t wait ☺

Ciao,

Shaych