Italy - I was unprepared 2025-04-26

 How it started:

Ivrea (Evraya) is the home to Olivettti - the typewriter company. I have a fondness in my heart as I learned on one as well as a Royal. The hotel had a great display.

Ivrea felt like someone shrunk Denver - complete with mountains and streams - and 'Italianated it" I liked Bergamo. I liked Como. I LOVED Ivrea. Totally smitten. Ivrea really is easy.

I finally had an Affogato - gelato and espresso - pistachio of course! And an Ivrean sweet roll.

Hanging out at the river - kayakers were enjoying the course - much like the Confluence at Denver. 

The town is filled with public art, lovely piazzas and enough history to explore for days.

Way too soon we had to leave this idyllic city and return to Milan to catch our train back to Florence. We stopped at Sforza Castle again and this time, I completed my Pokeman set of Pietas.

The Pieta was labeled and 'experience' and it was definitely that. Once ushered into a room with wooden benches and a simulated piece of marble in front of a black screen, the lights are not just dimmed but it's a black out. 

Following the darkness, sacred music is started and lights illuminate the statue from different perspectives. It's a reflective time to take in the music, art and silence of this amazing piece. We see here a much emaciated Jesus and Mary who are both clearly in pain, which is unlike the robust versions in St. Peters and Galleria. After about 20 minutes, you are allowed to get up and take pictures before being ushered out of the room.  It was magical.

Then we took the train to Florence and said goodbye to Kit and Jeri so that they could get on their cruise.