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Published: November 13th 2007
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After some time wondering the streets, we finally find ourselves at the Pitti Palace - and it is CLOSED 😞 along with the Boboli Gardens. DARN! I was afraid of this. The palace is not closed every Monday, it just so happened to be closed on the Monday we had time to see it. We spent a little time on the Piazza and did get in a quick peek in at a garden courtyard behind the gates as it opened for a maintenance vehicle. The front of the palace was under a huge tarp for renovations. Seems like all the major sites are under maintenance.
As you leave the palace there are several artist lined along the sidewalk with their various masterpieces. At the end was an older man with long gray hair and beard. The most interesting and Italian looking of all the artist. I walk to the end of the side walk and want to take a photo of the street with the row of artist, mainly focusing on this old man. I take my picture discreetly (so I thought) from behind the man to get him in the shot, I turn and walk away. All of the
sudden I hear this yelling to turn around and find the man is chasing me. He grabs my elbow yelling at me about taking a photo. I was really stunned that he is grabbing on me and yelling, trying to take my camera. I realize I am about a foot or so taller than this man and got my bearings. I yanked my arm away, said I didn't know what he was talking about and quickly walked away. That really freaked me out! I was sorry it upset the man and certainly would not have taken if I knew how angry that would make him. I am always apprehensive to photograph people for this very reason. Sometimes you need to take a risk. I doubt it is any masterpiece of a photo and it really does not show any of the other artists, but it does make for a great story. So look for the photo in the album of the old man who accosted me in Florence. (Sorry Man!)
We carry on with the day and make our way over the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge and stroll along the Arno River. The Ponte Vecchio is lined with silver
Artist Watercolors
We should have bought one of these! (by BK) and gold shops and crawling with tourist. We stop on the bridge and enjoy the view. I personally enjoyed watching 3 older gentlemen eating their gelatos (ice cream). It certainly was a perfect place and day for one. I wonder why we didn't get one our selves?
Once you cross the bridge you can stroll along the Arno River and buy any kind of artwork or souvenir imaginable as the sidewalks are lined with vendors. We came across this post with all kinds of locks on it. Too bad at the time we did not know that it is something that lovers do. They come to the bridge and put a lock on the post and then together they throw away the key in the river. Such romance in the city!
We find our way to the Uffizi Gallery, which is closed (no surprise) and end up in the Piazza della Signoria also known as Piazza Vecchio, where Palazzo Vechio (a palace) is and where the original David statue use to stand before it was placed in museum. A replica is now it its place. The Piazza is filled with statues and outrageously crowded, probably because all the
The accosting artist.
How on earth did he know I was taking his picture? Does he have eyes on the back of his head? (by JK) main attractions are closed today.
We are headed back to the beautiful Duomo to see inside and climb to the top. (So far so good, no moped rental companies along the way :~) )
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