Learned a bit more about the villa: It was built in 1560, and it originally served as the summer home of a bishop. The children of Cosimo de Medici came here to study with said bishop.
There really will be jousting this weekend. Arezzo has a big medieval festival.
It's also apparently possible to find places in Arezzo where the Decameron takes place--notably the famous well. I'll have to make a Field Guide post on the Decameron while I'm here, then.
It's been very interesting to discover the reputation of Chicago theater. Both the faculty members I've talked to have been quick to praise Chicago theater, and to say that the work in Chicago these days seems more interesting and vital than what's in New York.
The truism also holds that Chicago is the biggest small town in the world. Even here, it turns out, I'm running into friends of Chicago theater people. A fellow staffer did his undergrad work with Sean Graney, for example. So there goes any lingering illusion of escapism.
And yes, this place is idyllic and gorgeous, but OH MY GOD THE MOSQUITOS. I am covered in red welts. The windows, being Renaissance windows, have no screens. I may regret saying this when the fresh figs are a distant memory and we're all shivering on our eight daily hours of state-rationed heat, but as far as the bugs are concerned winter can't come soon enough. All in all it's still a small quibble. But when you are hot and itchy and reeking of apparently ornamental bug spray, you tend to lose your sense of proportion.
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Great blog
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