Community Diary - Part 2

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

~cf. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.

~cf.Khalil Gibran

Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.

~cf.Octavia Butler

Spring 2014 in Florence

Of all seasons, my favorite is spring! I really hoped to be able to experience another splendid spring here in Florence and Tuscan region. As always I was so happy when I saw all those trees started to blossom. Last year was amazing, for the first time in my life I saw all these beautiful flowers from tulips to daffodils and beautiful blossoms of cherry, apple, apricot, peach and grapes. 

My 3 Favorite Parks in Florence

The outdoors refreshes and energizes! Keep close to nature's heart!

There is pleasure in the pathless woods. In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.

The lack of power to take joy in outdoor nature is as real a misfortune as the lack of power to take joy in books.

 

1. Le Cascine

 

open-air market at Le Cascine every Tuesday

The largest park in Florence: wanted by the Medici family as a hunting reserve , It covers an area of 118 hectares between the Arno and Mugnone.

Today it is used by the Florentines for jogging, cycling or rollerblading, or just lying down on a lawn to sunbathe. On Tuesday there is a large open-air market with all kinds of stands.

The Top 3 Cathedrals in Florence

Il Duomo - Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore, Basilica di Santa Croce and Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

1. The Duomo - Il Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (English: Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower) is the main church of Florence, Italy. Il Duomo di Firenze, as it is ordinarily called, was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th-century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris.

Community Diary - Part 1

Our Tuscany's Indonesian community have grown bigger, as many more Indonesians were added to the group. Although the definition of community is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. One thing in common is that we are all Indonesians, but I am glad to see how everyone is willing for a new friendship and to experience how this friendship has grown and is still growing between us.

We met up for big meals sometime, but we often met up more in small groups, even if it is just for a cup of coffee and dolce or just for a morning walk in a park together. I am so thankful knowing how everyone is willing to open their house, to share what they have, to help each other.