Knowing Our Place

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ~Martin Buber

I have been reading a collection of essays by Barbara Kingsolver from her book Small Wonders. Kingsolver’s books and essays are some of my most beloved readings and would you believe she has an essay in this book called, “Knowing Our Place”? How fitting is that? Her descriptions of her two homes in the beginning of the essay make my mouth water with desire. I wish I could write like that! She describes things so well that I can smell the vegetables in her garden and I can see the bobcat that looks her in the eyes through her window. Kingsolver says, “Among the greatest of all gifts is to know our place.” I have come to Italy to write about place – physical place, for place, places of the heart, the spirit of place, the people of place, and so on. By looking at a new place, it has helped me make connections and comparisons with my own. It seems stepping away to look at my place from a different perspective helps me to understand it better. At the introduction of Small Wonders, Kingsolver says that many of the essays in this book inhaled and expanded. That’s my wish for my writing while in Italy. I hope to take time to breath, to stop, to inhale it all in; then to remember and to write. I hope what I learn here is something that I can pass on to my students so they understand themselves and their place better. Kingsolver’s essay, “Knowing Our Place” begins, “I have places where all my stories begin.” Throughout my time in Italy, I intend to gather the places where my stories begin as a diving point into my tales. I’ve begun my “deep map” exercise to help me with the process of mapping out places and collecting ideas. I will discuss my “deep map” at a later time….

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” ~Mark Jenkins

My Hotel

This is my hotel...it's wonderful, but it creeps me out every time I have to walk by the serial killer mask store!

Exploring Florence

Today was my first full day in Florence. I have been studying the people and the place for things to write about – I think I make people nervous that I’m always writing things down in my little journal. I have so many stories in my head, but I don’t know where to start. More importantly, I don’t know what to write about or who my audience would be. I have so many collections of journals and writings that I don’t know what to do with, but I’m sure it will come to me one day.

Anyway, back to Florence….I started my day with some time inside Santa Maria del Fiore. The history of this landmark church and dome had my full attention. It baffles me how Brunelleschi could plan such a dome and carry out the structure so long ago. Climbing 400+ steps was worth the view of Florence from above.

After this, I wandered over to the Piazza della Signoria for lunch. Today this is area is lined with cafes and people meandering around the square, but it once was the spot where Savonarola set the famous bonfire of vanities. Thinking about Savonarola my mind turns to a dark, dismal place – the thought of him burning books, paintings, mirrors, musical instruments and so on still curls my lip. I’m glad those days are over here and I was able to enjoy a light lunch outside. Luckily, I was under a large umbrella because it began to rain.

I then strolled over to the Uffizi Gallery to see a great collection of Renaissance art. I was most impressed with the great hall and the thought that the Medici once walked through it. Seeing Botticelli’s Venus was a highlight, as well.

My favorite part of the day was my jog to the train station for my Saturday ticket and then over the Arno River and back. I was dodging people, mopeds, bikes, cars and buses, but it was worth it!

I feel like I must apologize for my lazy writing. It’s not very entertaining or descriptive– just an account of what’s happening. I’m just so tired at night…I’ll have many, many hours of writing time once I begin my workshop. ☺

Ponte Vecchio