Florence

I’m willing to go on record as being one of the few who was NOT enamoured with Florence. We went early in the week fully expecting to go back another day to see more but one day was more than enough for us. I’ll confess I’m not a fan of big cities and maybe it would have taken me a few days to adjust and see the beauty. But really, it just didn’t do it for me. Even the famed Boboli Gardens were a disappointment. Sunrise or dusk might have helped but I wasn’t enticed to hang around that long. The fucking tourists groups were like swarms of insects. We were there on shoulder season and it was still hot and crowded. I can’t honestly image what it would be like in peak season.

We started out at Uffizi Gallery. I’m not a history fan (interested, but only so much). I’m fussy with my art and I just don’t know how many paintings of Jesus anyone needs to see. Churches irritate me. I appreciate the architecture but the religion and associated hypocrisy on multiple levels disturbs me. And a strategically placed statue can be interesting but after a while they all start to blur into one another. I know, I know, I’m showing my bogan roots and my absolute ignorance of history and art etc, or maybe my expectations were too high.

I’m sure there’s much to love about Florence but it would take me more than a day to get beyond the touristy bits and find some soul. If you’ve been and loved it, what did you love about it?

DSCF7256.jpg
DSCF7284.jpg
The old and the young.

The old and the young.

I was impressed with the women owning the manspreading way before it was a thing.

I was impressed with the women owning the manspreading way before it was a thing.

DSCF7276.jpg
DSCF7281.jpg
DSCF7278.jpg
DSCF7280.jpg
DSCF7283.jpg
DSCF7290.jpg
DSCF7296.jpg
Far be it for me to judge (but I will anyway) but why would you park yourself in front of a famous monument to paint and then use your phone as a reference photo?

Far be it for me to judge (but I will anyway) but why would you park yourself in front of a famous monument to paint and then use your phone as a reference photo?

DSCF7311.jpg
Quite a story going on here don’t ya think?

Quite a story going on here don’t ya think?

Just doin’ their job on the Ponte Vecchio.

Just doin’ their job on the Ponte Vecchio.

Bloody swarming with tourists! Yes, yes, I get the irony of complaining about tourists.

Bloody swarming with tourists! Yes, yes, I get the irony of complaining about tourists.

One of few interesting points in Boboli Gardens. Maybe I was just in a bad mood that day?

One of few interesting points in Boboli Gardens. Maybe I was just in a bad mood that day?

Trying hard to appreciate new art.

Trying hard to appreciate new art.

Who commissions and pays for these things? This is worse than the red seats in Venice.

Who commissions and pays for these things? This is worse than the red seats in Venice.

I can appreciatea fruit and veg shop selling Vino.

I can appreciate

a fruit and veg shop selling Vino.

DSCF7395.jpg
DSCF7403.jpg
All the girls on scooters in Italy was pretty impressive.

All the girls on scooters in Italy was pretty impressive.