(cont'd...) The sun was winding down when we boarded the bus going back to Santa Maria Novella from Piazalle. Another bus route means different things to see, but then again, it could snag you elsewhere. It happened to us that afternoon. Anyway, we reached our intended destination a little later. The area of Santa Maria Novella is the arrival and departing point of Florence when you travel by train. This is where we finally took a leisurely stroll after being lost.

Within the nearby area is where you find the Duomo, Giovanni Baptistry, and the campanile, among others. Those independent stall owners at the market are spread within several blocks in the vicinity as well.

We walked the cobblestone streets around Duomo to get a closer look of the building. The edifice facade and sidewall are truly stunning; it's made of beautifully arranged planks of white and green marbles all around. The intricate detail does not end there because its tower has its own uniqueness also. Standing beside the del Fiore duomo, the architectural grandness of campanile or bell tower, aside from its height, is its intricately encrustered pieces of marbles of several colours. These types of architecture are clear reminiscent of an ancient era; something that we were grateful to see as we finish our run around the duomo. The baptistry right in front of duomo is another marvel. Because of its octagonal shape and its more than one door, it was hard for me to confirm which one is the main door.

Although narrower compare to other basilica's massive doors I've seen, the door(s) itself was a marvel to watch. The door is made up of several panels. Each one has embedded biblical depiction scenes, and with its gold-inspired colour, the door was a delight to look at.

In nearby streets and few blocks from these magnificent buildings are stalls of great bargains. From sculpture reproduction pieces to leather jackets, the bazaar proved to be another exciting adventure for us. Although the atmosphere was typical as in any other open bazaar - for example, with an over-eager stall owner doing his magical sales pitch to unassuming tourists, the absence of sweltering heat during that afternoon made all the difference.

We continued on skimming the area.

One of the reasons why we enjoyed the place - aside from its weather, was the bargain. For example, remember the 200 plus Euro brand name necktie that I mentioned in my Milan blog? Here it was quite the opposite. For four silk neckties for 10 Euro, I did not mind buying more than I needed. My wife bought her share of the bargain as well, and together we bought neat sculpture replicas and several gifts for our friends.

Minutes later, we were walking away from the bazaar place to catch our evening train to Milan. Tired and our hands full of stuff, we still managed to exchange smiles as if saying to each other: "Europe is not at all that bad when it comes to finding bargain because there is this place - right in the heart the Renaissance birthplace and Dante's hometown, where you will find the most amazing place for bargains! The city of Firenze is indeed a bargain-seekers haven!" :)

“ ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…”

Bisperas ng Pasko. Sa munting karitong-bahay na iyon ay pawang katahimikan ang bumabalot; walang tahol ng aso at ni sagitsit ng tsinelas sa kalye…

Kalahating oras na lang bago mag-Noche Buena, tahimik na nakahiga dahil sa gutom sa karitong-bahay si Jessa at ang tatlong-taong anak nitong si Jet.

Bagamat may sinag ng ilaw sa poste na tumatagos sa mga kartong dingding na pinagsapin-sapin, madilim at malamig pa rin ang gabi sa bandang ang iyon ng Roxas bolibard. Sa mga sandaling iyon ay tila nahinto ang paggalaw ng orasan at ikot ng mundo sa mag-ina: naubos na ang mga nagsasalisihang sasakyan na kanina ay panay ang harurot; ‘yung mga nagpapasyal, mukhang nagsiuwi na; kahit yung gumagalang mga gard sa parke, at ang mga pagala-galang asong askal ay di mamataan ng gabing iyon. Ang malamig na simoy na hangin lang at ilaw sa poste ang dumadamay sa kanila sa sandaling yon.

“Ma, sakit ng tyan ko,” impit na sabi ni Jet sa ina. “Di ba sabi mo darating na si Papa at kakain tayo ng prayd tsiken dahil Pasko na mamaya?” tanong ni Jet sa ina habang hinihila nito ang kupas na manggas ng ina.

“Darating na si Papa mo, Jet!” sabay haplos nito sa noo ng kaniyang bunso habang inilabas niya ang kanyang ulo sa kariton at tinanaw ang kanlurang bahagi ng kayle upang tanawin ang pagdating ni Jesse na kanyang asawa. Naalala niya, kanina pa pala silang alas-diyes ng umaga nag-“altanghap” matapos na silang mag-asawa ay namulot ng redyekted na diyaryo malapit sa may printing pres, at ito ay kanilang ipinakilo sa bentahan ng garapa.

Sa bente-singko pesos na napagbilhan, napagkasya nila ang isang serbing ng lutong kanin na nilunod sa sabaw ng nilagang walang karne ng baka. Yung natirang walong piso, ikinumpleto nila sa pagbili ng inihaw na isaw upang magsilbing ulam sa kanilang “altanghap”. Kung gutom na si Jet ay ganun din siya, pero ayaw niya itong iparamdam sa anak dahil kailangan niyang maging matibay. Yung babol gam na itinatago-tago para paglibangan ni Jet ay ubos na rin.

Mag-aala una na ng naaaninag niya si Jesse na dumarating. Hinawi niya ang tabing na karton sa kaniyang uluhan at inayos ang higa ng natutulog na si Jet. “Anong nangyari sa iyo?,” tanong na may halong pagkainis at pag-aalala ni Jessa sa asawa. “Kanina ka pa hinihintay ng anak mo at panay ang tanong sa prayd tsiken…”

“Nahirapan akong maka-ekstra dahil wala ng dumating ng deliberi ng gulay galing sa Baguio. Pasko na kasi at isa pa’y binagyo sa Ilocos kaya daw madalang ang baba ng gulay,” ang malumanay na sagot ni Jesse habang inaabot ang supot ng kalahating Andok at pansit sa asawa. “Nakasingit na nga lang akong magkarga ng mga pinamili ng mga humahabol na mamamakyaw!” Alam ni Jesseng hindi interesado si Jessa sa mga huling sinabi niya, pero sapul ganoon siya, madetalye.

Kargador at pahinanteng pa ekstra-ekstra si Jesse doon sa may Baclaran, pero sa hirap ng buhay at sa dami ng nagpapahinante, minsan ay halos singkuwenta pesos lang ang naiiuwi nito. Kaya nga madalas - makakain lang sila sa kahit isang beses sa maghapon, madaling-araw pa ay itinutulak na nilang mag-asawa ang kanilang karitong-bahay sa may printing pres upang mag-abang ng panapong diyaryo at saka nila ipinakikilo.

“Yang anak mo wala na lang binanggit umpisa kaninang umalis ka kundi ang iuuwi mong manok. Sabi niya sana laging Pasko para makakain siya non. Ayan, nakatulog na panay ang nguya sa kanyang babol gam! Panay nga ang kulit sa akin!”

Di sanasadya ay sumagot si Jesse na may himutok at katumbas na hangad tulad ng kanyang anak, “Sana nga araw-araw lagi ding me okasyon tulad ng Pasko para naman malaki-laki ang kita ko at hindi lang kape at altanghap ang kinakain natin at madala naman kita sa doktor para gumaling na yang sakit mo sa baga,” Pagkahugot ng malalim na hinga, dugtong niya, “Pati na rin makaipon tayo ng pamasahe pag-uwi sa probinsiya!”

Alam ni Jesse na higit pa sa pagkakargador ang kailangan niya para mangyari ang nais niya, ngunit talagang napakahirap na ng buhay. Yung iniipon-ipon niyang pamasahe sa barko para umuwi na lang sila sa probinsiya ay naubos na noon pang Oktubre dahil sa mahal ng gamot ni Jessa. Isang buwan na ang kanyang asawa ng huli itong nakainom ng gamot, kaya yung ubo niya mas malala na ngayon. Payat na rin si Jessa. Yung pagkawala niya ng trabaho sa konstraksyon nung isang taon ang siyang dahilan kaya sila na deley sa upa at napalayas sa barung-barung nilang nirerentahan. Kaya ngayon nagkasya na lamang siyang gumawa ng kariton para sa kanyang mag-ina, at napipilitang magpalipat-lipat ng lugar kung hinahagad sila ng MMDA.

Matiyaga si Jesse, ngunit alam ni Jessa mas malakas ang loob niya dito, kaya matapos niyang ilagay sa plastik na mangko ang pansit at inihaw na manok (ke Jet basta manok, prayd tsiken ito sa kanya), may lambing na isinampay niya, inikot at pinaghugpong ang kanyang mga kamay sa asawa na nakatalikod sa kanya, sabay bulong, “Me awa ang Diyos…”

Alam ni Jessa na ganoon din ang nasa puso at paniniwala niya, ngunit wala na siyang maidugtong para ibsan ang himutok ng asawa. Dahil siya man minsan ay nagtatanong din.

Muli katahimikan. Magkadikit sila at nakatanaw sa malayo. Tila parehong nag-aapuhap at naghahanap ng pag-asa ng kung mahahawakan lang ito ay hinablot na nila. Ngunit ang pag-asa, alam nila ay hindi tulad ng isang bagay na nahahawakan kundi ito ay nasa puso at pananalig. At gaano man sila kawawa sa mata ng tao ay hindi sapat upang sukatin ang kanilang pananalig at pag-asa sa Diyos.

Ang ingay ng gabing yon ay biglang nabuhay; isang pampasaherong dyip na walang sakay kundi ang drayber ang lumabas mula sa may kanto. Ang sa umpisa nitong mahinang steryo ay lumakas ng lumakas habang papalapit sa kanila.

Yung kantang pamasko nilang naulanigan, sigurado sikat yun nung mga bata pa sila. Ngunit ang mensahe parang gumuhit sa damdamin ng mag-asawa ng magkatinginan sila. Nagpa-alaala ang Diyos!

“Dinggin ninyo ang buong bayan, pamasko ang awitan, Laganap ang kasayahan, May galak ang sandaigdigan, Dukha man ang ating buhay, Tayo’y dapat magdiwang, Tayo ay magpasalamat sa taglay nating buhay, sa araw ng Pasko, iwaglit ang lumbay…” Malakas, hanggang sabay na lumipad at nilamon ng hangin ang likiro sa paglagpas ng sasakyan.

“Papa!” ang ingit ng naalimpungatang si Jet. Hinawi ang nakatalukbong na kumot sabay lundag sa ama. “Papa…Papa, nagugutom na ako, kain na tayo prayd tsiken!”

Nagkatinginan at ngumiti ang mag-asawa sa isa’t isa. Naupo si Jet sa hita ng ama habang pinilipit ni Jessa ang hita ng Andok at isinubo sa takam na takam na anak. Sumabay na rin sa pagkain ang mag-asawa matapos mag-usal ng pasasalamat.

Alas dos ng madaling araw - dalawang oras makalipas ang oras ng pagsilang ni Hesu-Kristo, sa munti nilang karitong-bahay, ang malumanay nilang hinga at sabik na nguya ng anak ang tanging ingay, ngunit sa puso nila: ang nagsusumigaw na pag-asa.

Ang munti nilang tahanan ay nabalutan ng kapayapaan; walang tahol ng aso at ni sagitsit ng tsinelas sa kalye…

” ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…”

COPYRIGHT RESERVED TO THE AUTHOR. PERMISSION REQUIRED TO REPRODUCE.

(cont'd...) We did not make it to the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre); however, in Florence, we able to appreciate the breathtaking view from Michelangelo's plaza (Piazalle). All the while we thought the Pisa Tower was within the city of Florence, this wasn't the case, which we found out soon after we arrived here.

So after disembarking from Firenze Termini, we grabbed our lunch and attempted to buy bus ticket going to the tower, to Michelangelo's place, and to just explore other site-of-interests of Florence. The plan was to cover the three in a day and hit the way back to Milan for New Year.

It wasn't how it exactly happened. We went to a "bar" (this is what to us is a convenience store) to purchase bus tickets going to Pisa. Well, going there by bus would require more time than we thought, and the more practical choice had to be by train. After my time estimation, even train ride wouldn't still afford us to be back the same day to Milan as planned. That was the conclusion we came up with upon listening to the eager explanation delivered wonderfully in an Italian/English combination by the friendly store cashier. We ended up in our hands purchased bus ticket stub going to Michelangelo's place instead. Soon we were among some Japanese tourists and locals waiting for bus #10 (or #24) heading to the plaza.

Once passed the city proper, the road going up the plaza is winding and uphill.

Along this road is where some of the upscale villas are nestled. At first, there wasn't really striking about the plaza. The first thing I laid my eyes upon on was parking lot with several cars parked! Soon we left our bus and went further away from the stop. Aside from the Michelangelo's David standing at the centre of the plaza (probably Florence's tribute to its most famous citizen, Michelangelo, David's sculptor), its 180-degree view of the city was also breathtaking.

On the hill, all of us, tourists, were like kids let out from the classroom during recess, racing excitedly to the playground. Right away, we hurriedly looked for the best vantage point to take pictures right along the balusters that border around the plaza.

Eventually, we were out on our own and doing what a tourist should do: taking pictures.

The afternoon sun enhanced our sightseeing of the whole city of Florence. The blue sky descending to the Tuscan mountain outline from afar gave it the appearance of a picturesque postcard. It was also nice to see the whole city itself with all those terra cotta-clad houses spread throughout and around the noticeably massive Duomo. At the west (not sure if it's right), the spectacular architecture of Ponte Vecchio Bridge that rests lazily above the Arno River was a delight. Seeing this type of surrounding truthfully contrasts modern cities in North America; the surreal testament of the view seemed to allow me to relive and dwell temporarily in its ancient glory.

Lastly, the lonely replica made out of brass standing singularly atop the hill, is Michelangelo's David. Considered as one of the most famous masterpieces created in the Renaissance period. This is the largest replica of David I've seen. It was nice, but I did have a hard time taking good angle shots because of an unmindful individual sitting at the bottom of the statue.

Few store shacks added to the interest of the plaza, selling souvenirs tourists could have hard time resisting; we were one of them. I was able to practise my haggling skills though when I bought 22" x 34" painting reproductions of Michelangelo's "The Creation" and Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" for five Euro each. The guy was initially trying to sell it for 30 Euro each!

The sun's dramatic afternoon descent coincided our leaving the hill. It was nice to think that although we missed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, our experience at Piazelle Michelangelo quite covered it. TO BE CONTINUED...