Motorcycles & Mezzo Sopranos

From Moto GP to La Battaglia di Legnano

 

The Florence Opera House is certainly an impressive sight. A majestic well appointed edifice nestled contentedly amongst the trees on the bank of the Argo river. As impressive as the building is - so too are the attendees resplendent in super fancy digs, sipping champagne and delighting in the splendor of Italian cuisine. It's a busy well attended event.



I was ever-so- slightly less resplendent in travel clothes and contenting myself with a budget conscious hot dog from across the street.  It was - I might add - an exceptional Hot Dog. Fantastico!!!





The story of La battalia di Legnano was well told by the on stage actors but also explained on the screen above the performance conveniently written in both Italian and English. That helped a lot as would have paying attention in history class to have even a passing knowledge of the Holy Roman Empire and the Lombards.

Impressive were the acoustics of the building and the precision of the performance. I can't speak to the vocal gymnastics, which were certainly impressive -- but I can say something about the orchestra and if there mistakes made ... at all .. I didn't notice them. The building itself is clearly state of the art in terms of both aesthetics and acoustics. At one point heard a pin drop.😊

I thought it would be a bit little like the scene out of the movie pretty woman when I  inexplicably found myself with tear drenched cheeks and a heavy heart. Nope ... nothing like that. But I did enjoy the performance very much. Cheap gallery seats were 24 Euro - great value.

Moto GP at Mu--Gello

They say that fortune favors the brave and on this day that was definately me. Electing to walk the 5kms from the train station at San Piero Sieve to the race track (rather than pay the 10 euros for a ride - scandalous!!) I was fortunate to find a pass lying on the ground. Later while telling a fellow walker of my discovery - I learned that it was a thousand Euro all access pass. Well now!!! ... wasn't that a nice find 😝 I briefly flirted with the idea of turning the pass in ... but naw.


More interesting would be to see how far it would get me. It was a day of pleasant Beep Beeps as I passed from the various staging areas to the paddock, hospitality suite and pit area. The sneaky reality only added to what was already a day of everything overwhelming and wonderful. At one point I sat inconspicuously with the pit crew and riders listening to the conversation while snacking on cold beer lobster and prosciutto. Hehe

A lover of motorcycles and anything related - this has been a dream for me. In particular, it was a chance to see Valentino Rossi - probably the greatest racer of all time --- set the fastest lap on the track.

At 39 years of age - he continues to amaze fans by being competitive every time he hits the track. What a competitor and what an amazing rider!!
It was interesting to watch how the riders tryed different lines an d out of the corners. Also surprising for me was just how fast they were going. It's a lot different than TV.

 

Thanks for reading ....Layno!!!

Chasing Pizza

Tenacious persistent and incurable -- Italian culture endures

 

In a couple shots above and below, I have tried to capture in part,  the Italy I have read about and visited previously. There is so much going on that screams "we are Italian -- and of this we are immensely proud".  In a time when National pride seems a mess of perverted religious fervor, power struggles and  economic trade sanctions -- it's so nice to see national pride based on a history of the Love of life.

A quick note on all the sculptures below but in particular The Rape of the Sabine Women by the Flemish sculptor Giambologna is amazing but also and most impressive in the early morning sun is  Baccio Bandielli's Herculkes and Cacus. Of course Medusa loosing her head is an all time favorite for me. Hehe

In search of a spectacular pizza!!!!!

My sense was that a million pizzas had been lovingly placed into this same old brick oven. Mine -- was the culmination of years of experimentation, practise and a history of combining fresh quality ingredients to make something extraordinary.

They say that the Margarita Pizza (crust - tomato sauce and cheese) is the best "test" as it gives you the straight goods .... the pure taste sensation. I added sausage ... what the hell .... there are no recent crucifixions for this small crime of passion.





I researched the Pizza place reported to be the best in all of Florence and while most of the recommendations may have come from the owner of the shop -- Pizzaiuolo, came up again and again. Off I went in search of this Holy Grail of Pizza. My quest was rewarded as I succumbed to the fresh basil -- extra virgin Olive oil rubbed into the dough before adding the heavenly tomato sauce and sausage potentially hand-made by Aphrodite were added . The Mozzarella -- from Italian buffalo's massaged each day by Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez .... and as though tended by the hand of Michelangelo himself -- the Pizza was perfection in a Pie!
















Thanks for reading ...Layne!!!