Freddisimo!

Over the last several days, a cold snap has struck Florence, bringing snow and 40 mph winds. All this while Madison gets 50 degree temperatures and sunshine. Now there's climate change!



(Recreation of today's weather. Events may or may not have been dramatized for blogging purposes).

Yesterday I went in to Florence in the morning to do some reading at "Mama's Bakery," an American bakery that features delicious muffins, cupcakes, bagels, and all you can drink tea. A popular hangout for American students studying in Florence, the cafe has more North Face jackets per capita than any other location in the city! I picked up a new book beforehand at Florence's "Paperback Exchange" (the english speaking bookstore). Irving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy" is a novel about Michaelangelo's life... I especially enjoy the descriptions of 15th century Florence. Other than the souvenir shops, not much has changed.



Later that day the villa was visited by best selling author Dava Sobel. Sobel is the author of a number of historical non-fiction books, including the very popular "Galileo's Daughter." I really enjoyed the book- it reads like a novel though it is actually a piece of non-fiction. When I asked her how she keeps her writing so captivating and entertaining, Sobel told me that she simply writes what is entertaining to her. That other people have been interested in her writing is a nice little side-bonus. Good answer.



This morning I trudged rebelled against 40 mph wind gusts en route to the middle school, where the students were learning about American jazz music. Today's "we're laughing with you not at you" moment: Hearing Italian middle schoolers pronounce "Satchmo."