Elsien's Traveblogue

Florence Monday 23rd February 2009
It's almost 'Goodbye Florence'. Going back to Brussels on Wednesday, London and Harlow Friday night … Tuesday will be a hectic day, trying to squeeze in the Uffizi again, the Bargello and maybe the Academia … They are on the list because I have to look at some of the paintings and sculptures there again, because of my course … I have managed to do a fair bit of studying while I was here, an Open University Master's Degree in Art History, the first module of which concentrates around Caravaggio, who mainly worked in Rome, but some of his paintings are here in Florence, as of of his patrons was a Medici ambassador. I have always been fascinated by the Medici and of course I have now been able to indulge that taste here … The number of churches and chapels here that sport the Medici 'balls' – I think I should do Mastermind on this family …
Back to work next Tuesday. The language school in Brussels has finally organised me classes at the European Commission in English for Negotiations and Interventions in Meetings; I also have a few training days with the Commission on Writing for Media and Public. However, it's not enough to keep me in the lap of luxury, so I will start to rent out my little flat in Harlow from 1st May, be dependent on J's hospitality and good will for May and June, then live in student accommodation at Docklands for July and August – I've got my old job back, but will be residential this time.
I'll try and get more well-paid work in Brussels from September, and a little 'pad of my own', but that's in the lap of the gods … So, my life is back 'on track' for the moment – I think anyone who can plan six months ahead these days is very lucky! Open for offers from September though! If Brussels doesn't come off, it's Italy, Spain, Turkey … anywhere with a Ryan Air connection to London, Brussels, Holland (much as I hate Ryan Air) ...