S and J's Big Adventure(s): Week 10 - a kick-back Florintine week

Week 10 - Rest and Relax

Sunday, Oct. 31

We walk down to Santo Spirito, but it's late or it's a holiday.
No mercado .

We walked around the piazza and tried to get a table for something to eat and drink, but no one seemed to want to serve us. So we left to shop by the Pitti Palace and/or Ponte Vecchio.

Walked by this shop a few times and never really looked - today we look. I find 2 cashmere pullover sweaters; one v-necked navy, one crew neck red. The place is called "Tutto €10" - that's right only €10 for every item in the shop. I go away feeling like I am ready for the weather now.
Then we move on to buy Taylor something.

We start back to Porta Romana and find a sidewalk trattoria
I have Spaghetti with sea fruit (yes, the menu said sea fruit)
John has the same
Lemon custard for dessert
and, of course, Prosecco for John, Sangiovese for me

Sangiovese and
Sea Fruit

I love this water bottle

OOps - didn't know Halloween was done here - the door buzzed, I called on the intercom as to who it might be - no answer. I then look out the window. 3 ghosts and their mother are waiting for treats - I say "I'm sorry, I didn't know." "Next year," they reply and then go on their way.

Monday, Nov. 1

My workspace

John walks down to Porta Romana and get some stuff from Carrefour.

I do the weekly blog. Do some painting.

Dinner - tagliatelle con pancetta
zucchini, mushrooms on the side

Tuesday, Nov. 2

Finally make it to Boboli Garden - a nice way to spend the afternoon. The weather was beautiful, too.

We have something to eat before
going into the Garden at
Cafe Bellini
in front of the Pitti Palace

Map of Boboli Garden

We walk to the "Isolotto" (islet) and sit to admire.

Someone comes by and stares at us. He walks by and then comes back to take some photos of the pond, then stops and asks, "You are such a nice looking couple. Would you mind if I take a photo of you?"

The nice looking couple

We walk up the
Viottolone

Approaching the Neptune Fountain there's this massive face...

Inside the face

We walk toward the Porcelain Museum

it's closed, of course, but we can still admire the frescoed walls

The views from the garden are spectacular...

Looking south

A great view of the Torre Gallo
that's just down the street from where we live.

The "Bath Tub"

If you read Dan Brown's "Inferno",

Robert Langdon and Sienna Brown run past this giant "bath tub"

Looking east

As we start back to exit, beautiful views of Florence and the back side of the Pitti Palace.

We usually see the other side of these gates.
Our bus stop is on the other side.

We wait for our bus in the park
of the State Institute of Art

Wednesday, Nov. 3

A stay at home day.
Finish Galileo's Gate and start some trees.

In the evening, have the AM's Chat - forgot to take a screen shot.

Still good to see and chat with friends.

Thursday, Nov. 4

Shopping! We're hoping to have lunch, buy some things for John, today.

John wants a new eyeglass case for his dark glasses. We stop at this small shop with leather things. The salesperson is a woman about our age, speaks good English and is very helpful. John picks out the case he likes and asks, "How much?" She answers, "€33,50." He hesitates and says we need to look some more. She says, "I'll be here when you decide." As we leave she smiles a friendly knowing smile.

We then go to "Tutto 10" store to get a sweater for John. It's closed.

From there we start back and stop at the leather shop and the sales lady is happy to see us. John pays the money with a smile - it's exactly what he wants...worth the extra euros.

Bellini and Zuppe

We stop at Café Bellini because I am starved. "Your Bellini's must be good," I say. "Of course, lady," the waiter answers very seriously. I order the minestrone zuppe and...a Bellini! John orders a hamburger and fries with a Fanta.

Friday, Nov. 5

Another shopping day. The adventure begins...

The bus doesn't show up. There's an American couple waiting, too. When we realize no bus, the gentle man notices a taxi dropping off someone at Omero. He flags the taxi and asks if we want to share a taxi. We decline and start the walk. We can catch the #11 from the top of Imperial to Vigna Nuova where we want to go. This works out even tho John's not sure it's the right thing to do.

It's a 10 minute walk to Tigotá.

On the way we walk through the old city and I photograph the family sheilds on the old buildings.