Culture and life on the streets

Breakfast Italian style, an espresso, a cappucino and a croissant each.

It was then time to walk the damp streets in the direction of Uffizi gallery.  This morning was chilly but not freezing.

On route, we passed the Duomo and also stopped in at Piazza della Signoria, where we were able to view the free open-air gallery, Loggia dei Lanzi

We then arrived at the Uffizi Gallery and collected our pre-purchased tickets. one point of note at this time of year it appears pre-purchasing of tickets is not required for a 9:30 entry, but who knows what the queues are like later in the day.

Katie tried to check our jackets in the cloakroom but was denied, the cloak room at Uffizi only takes large bags. 

Passing through the many rooms of the gallery we were both in impressed and amazed by the collection in the gallery and felt privileged to be able to view it.  Compared to our visit a few years back in the summer season, there were much fewer fellow visitors and we were able to freely view the pieces we wanted to, without too much hinderance.

The gallery was well worth the visit and we were glad we made the trip back.  I do wish, however, the size of the tour groups in the gallery could be limited (or if they are, limited further).  All guides need to use the audio headset, this saves them yelling to the people on tour, but also enables them to have groups of 20 people, this causes bottlenecks and stops people being able to get to the well-known paintings. It is not a big issue but I believe reducing the group sizes would make the visitor experience better for all. 

Next was time to sample some local Firenze (Florence) delicacy, Lampredotto.

Lampredotto is a typical Florentine dish, made from the fourth and final stomach of a cow, the abomasum. Wikipedia

We were advised by Stefano of La Maesta that I should ask for one with the lot, which I did. This meant a spoonful of spicy sauce, a spoonful of green sauce and then a spoonful of a gravy sauce.  All the sauces absorbed into the crunchy bread roll.  Honestly, I liked the Lampredotto, the meat had a slimy texture with a lovely strong meaty flavour.  Next time I would leave out the spicy sauce as it did overpower the other flavours a little.

Katie tried the Lampredotto and was not a fan.

We then passed through the streets and were slightly harassed by an African woman who tried all her tricks on us in hope of getting us to part with our money. First, she started with a pleasant introduction offering us some coloured necklaces, we said no thank-you. Next, she wanted to know where we were from, we told her we weren't interested.  Finally, she tried to put the bracelet directly on Katie's wrist and then looked at me trying to shame me when I said no as if I wouldn't let my wife have this gift. If Katie had have taken the 'free' bracelet the woman would have tied it to Katie's wrist so it wouldn't have come off then would have demanded some payment for it. We both said 'No, Grazie".

She then had run out of tricks and knew we weren't going to budge and moved on.

By this time the light rain had started and just like mushrooms sprouting from the lawn in Autumn, up popped the sales persons on the street selling umbrellas.  Unlike Naples where most sellers were from the African continent, here in Florence we had sellers from China and India also.  I understand why these people have relocated from their home countries, but do wish they weren't so pushy. If we want an umbrella we will buy one, not just because it is thrust into our faces.

In the afternoon we spent some time relaxing at a local Irish bar, the Cathedral Irish PUB, and then returned to the hotel for some rest and planning of our future days in Florence.

Dinner was a more casual affair this evening. We took a short walk to the food court on the upper floor of Mercato Centrale where we selected some lovely Pizza.  We were also dazzled by the very delightful display on the exterior of the building.

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