Looking forward, looking back

Frescoes in a chapel in the 

Siena Cathedral,

in Siena, Italy

Ten years ago at this time I'd just returned from taking part
in the Florence Biennale.  The whole experience was such
a life changer.  I met new friends, saw amazing art, fell
in love with a country I had only dreamed of, and heard
of from both my parents and many of my friends who had either
been born in Italy, or had parents who were originally
Italian.

My ancestry connection is that my great, great, great grandmother
was Florentine.  So being in Florence made me very happy.
Part of the thrill of being in Italy, was taking a bus tour around
the area where we were staying, to Siena, and Pisa.  The image
tonight is a fresco in the Cathedral in Siena.  Our tour guide
used her influence to get us into a spectacular chapel in the
cathedral, and changed my view of art from the period.
It turns out the art that was not damaged (in this chapel very
few visitors are allowed to enter, because breath damages
the colour) is brilliant in colour.  All of the art that was subdued
in colour was according to this guide, damaged.

Woo Hoo.  May bright colour reign supreme.  It was one
of the most beautiful rooms I've ever been in in my life.

Wishing you a very Merry Holiday Season.  Looking forward
would I love to return to Europe. The answer is yes.

Have a loving your holiday time day.