137. ... Farewell to Florence ...

I can't believe that I have been in Florence now for nearly five weeks - but alas, my stay here has come to an end and it's now time for me to move on to my next adventure ...

But before I say good-bye to Florence, here are a few memories of this fabulous Renaissance city ...

  Approaching storm over Florence roof tops ...

Hari Krishna - Italian variety ...

Note the name of the department store behind them ... !!!

Boys complete with head mike and portable amplifier ( yellow wheels ) ...

My favourite haunts in Europe ... Flea Markets ...

By now I could have filled at least two shipping containers with treasures ...

but have had to settle with just buying a few old books and maps ...

Parco della Cascine - dozens of clothing stalls ...

Bric-a-Brac and antiques at Saint Spirito ...

A good time to pick up a cheap fur coat - 

air temp in high 30s - pavement temp at least high 40s ...

Huge collectables fair at Piazzale Caduti dell Egeo ...

 

... even the headless woman got a look-in ...

The ever-crowded leather market in San Lorenzo 

... then there were the souvenir stalls everwhere ...
selling David aprons and boxer shorts 
... poor Michelangelo must be turning in his grave ...


... and desperate illegal immigrants on just about very street selling everything 
from umbrellas ( when it rained ) to sunglasses ( when it was sunny ) 
to art prints and Gucci ( ??? ) handbags ...
with one eye on the customers and the other eye on the look-out 
for the police who move them on ...
 

... Firentini rose - just to pretty things up ...


Lots of amazing churches ...

La Duomo ... visible from just about every street ...

And stunning Renaissance Palaces ...


Palazzo Davanzati


... narrow street after narrow street ...

and the mirky - but flowing - Arno River


... the famous Ponte Vecchio ...

Then in total contrast, the Firenze Opera House ...


with its line of lobster red horses ...

... and naked men parading on just about every street corner ...

  Hercules and Cacus and another David replica at Palazzo Vecchio

Sculpture Gallery 

  
 

David yet again - this one in bronze at Piazzale Michelangelo
... but just look at his view out over the city ...

... and speaking of views ...

30 minutes by bus and you are up in the Tuscany Hills 

high above Florence in the town of Fiesole ...

 

Florence at your feet - La Duomo at top centre ...

Fiesole laneway ...

... and looking back the other way ...
 

... a cute little "general store" in Fiesole ...

Then it's back to Florence ...
and there's that group of tourists that have been following me
from city to city for the past nine months ...

I love this line of graffiti ...


... " why is it called tourist season if we cant shoot them ?"...

 
... another Firentini rose after that nasty comment ...

I want a 3 wheeler when I get home ...

The very best Italian gelato ...

 

... this one Coconut ...

and speaking of cocnut ...

no - not the Kardashians - 
though I do believe they did have a wedding thingo here 
just a couple of weeks back ...
This one is a Japanese version of the big bash ...

Who is going to knock on these doors ... ??? ...

 
... well, maybe this one ...

Two vending machines - side by side - one dispensing death and the other safety ...

Pretty groovy energy company advert ...

Another Mr Bean moment - so tempting - falling like dominoes ...

And so that's it ... five weeks in beautiful Renaissance Florence ...
now my chic jet train is ready to whisk me off to a new destination ... 

Stay tuned ...