The variety of meats and produce at the market is amazing. The colorful chickens, while smaller, looked delicious, the quail eggs were tempting, while other organ meats, brain and testes and ...... were not high on our must try list.
We had heard that one should reserve sometimes a month in advance for the Uffizi Gallery. Getting there, we were greeting by a sign map stating that gate 3 was for reservations and information. We soon found out that the long line at gate 3 was for those who made reservations to pick up their tickets, before going to another long line at gate 2 to enter.
Asking directions, we were instructed to go to gate 1, were we easily bought tickets for the next day, and it seemed we could even get in later this same day. Perhaps it was good we did not make reservations in advance.
One reason we wanted to go in person, was to try to get a photo permit. Most museums allow photgraphy, some require a permit for a nominal charge. Here in Florence, most museums do not allow any photography. A pity.
With our tickets arranged, we once again walked along the Arno river admiring the Ponte Vecchio with the throng of tourists. Florence is a city of tourists.
Crossing the Arno River, we once again strolled the quaint small streets of the Oltrarno. The area here has a more authentic Florentine feel, with the small winding streets, and the occaissional remaining family tower. Romeao and Juliette were not from Florence, but these family towers and feuding families surely had their own stories of star crossed lovers.
Gelatos are always an enjoyable treat, and we each had ours as we sat in a small park, resting, and simply enjoy the sense of place.
We headed back towards the river, and was amazed how still it was. The reflections and sky was spectacular, and once again, Hera seemed to briefly exhibit some symptoms of Stendhal syndrome. Thus far, I seem to have not been affected, but we will have to see tomorrow at the Uffizi galleries.
Wine, food, pastry is everywhere in Florence. As we past a chic looking cafe, Hera spied some awesome looking Cannolo Mignon. We each had one of these bite sized deserts. They were wonderful. Deliciously sweet, with a long pleasant after taste. All too often such deserts are overly sweet, but these were just perfect.
We meandered back home, and entered our now familiar neighborhood. Passing Santa Croce church, we crossed some streets that reminded us of both Prague and Rome.
As I write, the apartment is parfumed with the Porcini cream sauce Hera is preparing for our pasta. We sip our Lagioiosa et Amorosa Verduzzo Frizzante wine, a delightful slightly effervescent white wine, refreshing and crisp. At 2.60 Euro, it was cheaper than our gelato. (Back home, the SAQ charges us $9)
One of the shops we had crossed earlier today, had handwritten bookmarks with various quotes. One of them had said... "If you keep thinking of all the things you do not have, think of the things you do not want to have, and be thankful for not having them..."
Photographer's notes: So far I have so many amazing images. I am saveing them all for my audio-visuals. All you see here are tiny teasers. I hope you are enjoing them so far. Don't be shy, contact us in private or in comments section here.
Cheers,
Anthony & Hera
