Bun in the Oven - Sequel to Cooking with Bucky

Chapter 23 -- Italy~ Venice

We went outside and were struck with the fantastic weather. It was like in California, just a little humid for us. We also looked around and saw some shops, several restaurants and more hotels.

"Which way should we go?" I asked him as we stood on the sidewalk armed with a map.

"Ah, I'd say to our left." He said as he put his arm over my shoulders.

"OK. Just so you know, we may need a taxi in case we're doing a lot of walking." I remind him.

"Of course, Buttercup!" He said and smiled at me. The two of us walked to our left and soon found ourselves at Brunelleschi's Dome, it's a Renaissance cathedral dome. We walked around the Florence Cathedral and admired the massive dome. We also saw that across the street from the cathedral was Museum of Opera of Saint Maria of Fiore. We found out it was an art museum. We also wandered around the Piazza del Duomo as we walked the area and went toward The Baptistery of St. John, a basilica. We looked at the exterior formation. It looked very uniform and very geometric. James said it had a militaristic look to it. Immediately we left and walked away continuing with our counterclockwise walk around the so-called block. Soon we found ourselves at Piazza della Repubblica, an historic landmark and also the city square for Florence. Soon we spotted a carousel in the square. We couldn't help but to smile and think of the one he was on at Disneyland.

"I think I'm going to like this Piazza!" James said as we walked around arm-in-arm. There was quite a bit of people milling around and some vendors there trying to sell things. We also saw a few cafes. James saw one he wanted to visit. They served ice cream or gelato. I told him later or another day because we had a late lunch. We were full of our lunch. Soon after we moved on, found our way to the street and then snaked our way back to the hotel using the map as our guide. We were on a street named Via Dei Lamberti. Next, we found ourselves at Church and Museum of Orsanmichele. We decided that we didn't want to see inside.

"I think after seeing the Sistine Chapel, any church will pale in comparison to that." James said to me.

"I think so too." I said after we glanced inside and saw a few life-like statues and the familiar pews in a place of worship.

"I guess we should move on." He said as he directed me to Via Orsanmichele street. As we went down the street, we saw an ice cream shop, a pub or beer hall. Soon that street turned into Via Dante Alighieri street and then another museum. This time it's the House of Dante. Dante Alighieri was the greatest Italian poet. He wrote Inferno and The Divine Comedy. This was his birthplace. I read some of his writings when I was in college. Some of his work is very deep.

"I didn't know this is so close to our hotel! I know I want to see this unless you don't want to. Do you know who Dante is?" I said to him as we looked at the stone house.

"I wouldn't mind. I'm open to learning new things, especially this person who I don't know about." James said.

"Dante is someone you read when you're in college!" I said as I drew him in for a hug.

"So that's why I don't know who Dante is!" He said and laughed a little.

"With you reading the classics such as Dumas, I should give you my copy of Dante's Inferno when we get back. I think you'll like it!" I said as I gently squeezed him while hugging him too.

"Now, you're going to have me read something of his!" James laughed.

"You can just read a few paragraphs and see if you like it or not." I said as I let go of him.

"I think we should go back to the hotel." He almost laughed and grabbed me so that I was at his side while we walked the narrow street and tried walking on the sidewalk.