Italy and Spain similarities
1965 was a time of precarious living in Europe and one could see many people working the fields, using very rudimentary equipment, dressed very poorly and working very hard without the aid of animals or machinery to cultivate the land. At most a donkey would be carrying a load for an old man, and a child would carry on his head wine wood for the fire or a churn of milk in his hand. Shoeless and looking miserable reminded me of home. The same scenes could be seen in Spain any where from north to south. Spain and Italy's geography is very similar. It is sunny, warm and rich in heritage, family values and protectiveness of our relatives, but both countries have not been generous with its people. The church in particular with all their study and wisdom has been very unkind creating a two tear society differentiating between those that have and those that have not and acting very contrary to their preaching. Monarchy and the feudal system were barbarous to their subjects. Dictator-ship the later illness inflicted on both our countries was particular brutal and it had taken a toll on their people for many centuries.
Florence We arrived in Florence and fell asleep as soon as we were accommodated. Dinner would be at 8pm and a rest was much needed. Florence at night is a beautiful city. We were taken by coach for a city tour, which we much enjoyed. The Ponte Vecchio, David Statue the Medici palace and the Duomo cathedral are all clearly lit for tourist and residents to enjoy. The Duomo Cathedral is impressive from near and afar. Its elaborate bronze doors tell bible stories and are very impressive. The restaurants, boutiques and the coffee houses with there pretty padded chairs,the Italians monkey promenading, and the sound of an orchestra singing in every plaza makes the tourist heart delight and wonder into nostalgia. Should life be this good for every human being on earth? Of course it should, but we all know that people are suffering in some place somewhere, and that reduces quality from that very special moment...
In the hotel we were being served with special attentions by two very handsome Italian waiters. Next evening we were invited for dinner at a very nice restaurant near to the Ponte Vecchio. We were fed, wined and danced until very late at night. We sat on the veranda on rocky hammocks with these very handsome and attentive boys. We were young and full of laughter and gaiety, we were served breakfast in bed the next morning. How did we get back to the hotel is a mystery to me to this day, but we were there safe in bed... Next morning saying goodbye was a sad episode, but I am sure our Valentinos forgot our faces as soon as the next coach arrived full of young tourist. “C'est la vie”
Next day a new venture was promised in Rome. The tour operator described the wonders and the rich heritage awaiting us over the microphone. Once again it was a long journey and we arrived for dinner in another hotel near the impressive Coliseum. Vivid memories of the stories told to us by the religious teachers about the pour catholic martyrs being devoured by lions in public due to their resilience in renouncing their believes and their God. It is all too barbaric to contemplate.
1965 was a time of precarious living in Europe and one could see many people working the fields, using very rudimentary equipment, dressed very poorly and working very hard without the aid of animals or machinery to cultivate the land. At most a donkey would be carrying a load for an old man, and a child would carry on his head wine wood for the fire or a churn of milk in his hand. Shoeless and looking miserable reminded me of home. The same scenes could be seen in Spain any where from north to south. Spain and Italy's geography is very similar. It is sunny, warm and rich in heritage, family values and protectiveness of our relatives, but both countries have not been generous with its people. The church in particular with all their study and wisdom has been very unkind creating a two tear society differentiating between those that have and those that have not and acting very contrary to their preaching. Monarchy and the feudal system were barbarous to their subjects. Dictator-ship the later illness inflicted on both our countries was particular brutal and it had taken a toll on their people for many centuries.
Florence We arrived in Florence and fell asleep as soon as we were accommodated. Dinner would be at 8pm and a rest was much needed. Florence at night is a beautiful city. We were taken by coach for a city tour, which we much enjoyed. The Ponte Vecchio, David Statue the Medici palace and the Duomo cathedral are all clearly lit for tourist and residents to enjoy. The Duomo Cathedral is impressive from near and afar. Its elaborate bronze doors tell bible stories and are very impressive. The restaurants, boutiques and the coffee houses with there pretty padded chairs,the Italians monkey promenading, and the sound of an orchestra singing in every plaza makes the tourist heart delight and wonder into nostalgia. Should life be this good for every human being on earth? Of course it should, but we all know that people are suffering in some place somewhere, and that reduces quality from that very special moment...
In the hotel we were being served with special attentions by two very handsome Italian waiters. Next evening we were invited for dinner at a very nice restaurant near to the Ponte Vecchio. We were fed, wined and danced until very late at night. We sat on the veranda on rocky hammocks with these very handsome and attentive boys. We were young and full of laughter and gaiety, we were served breakfast in bed the next morning. How did we get back to the hotel is a mystery to me to this day, but we were there safe in bed... Next morning saying goodbye was a sad episode, but I am sure our Valentinos forgot our faces as soon as the next coach arrived full of young tourist. “C'est la vie”
Next day a new venture was promised in Rome. The tour operator described the wonders and the rich heritage awaiting us over the microphone. Once again it was a long journey and we arrived for dinner in another hotel near the impressive Coliseum. Vivid memories of the stories told to us by the religious teachers about the pour catholic martyrs being devoured by lions in public due to their resilience in renouncing their believes and their God. It is all too barbaric to contemplate.
No comments:
Post a Comment