Going with the Flow in Florence

Our flat is a hop, skip and half a jump from the Duomo so when we were settled, we wandered out to see the sights of Florence.  The Duomo lies in the centre of the city with no real piazza - it hides behind the buildings and peeps out at unexpected moments and from unexpected angles. 

Our first plan was to find the synagogue - being Friday we thought it would be fun to go to the service and wanted to avoid the mistake we made in Rome and actually get there!  It was already closed to visitors but we went to the handy kosher cafe next door - Ruth's - and  were assured we could go to the service - no problem just turn up.  We changed into suitable clothing and walked back fast as the sun set making the synagogue turn pink and glow. 

Luckily Jewish mean time is an international concept and we made it with plenty of time to be accosted by the cute Yeshiva kid on the doorstep and be invited to Chabad for dinner. We enjoyed the service and when the kiddush didn't happen we were particularly pleased to be rescued from the prospect of the Chabad dinner by the owner of Ruth's who invited us to join him and a friend in the restuarant for bread, wine, food and much lively conversation.

Florence on New Year is a wonder of the natural world.  The streets filled with a surge  of people streaming in both directions and through all the piazzas.  We have no idea whether anyone was actually going anywhere in particular - or if they were all just wandering, as we were, from place to place,seeing what was happening around.  There were at least 5 official events in different piazzas - we saw three of the venues but could't find the 70s and 80s music :( .

After a while of flowing with the crowd we went back to the flat and made a pasta dinner before heading out to a classical music concert outside in the freeeeeeeeeeezing cold outside the Palazzio Vecchio - we had front row positions - we didn't realise quite how big a crowd had gathered until we tried to make our way out (2 hours later) - we had to use someone else's slipstream.  The unclothed marble statues made us feel even colder but were an unbelievable backdrop to the whole slightly surreal experience.  Some of the pieces were quite familiar and the conductor encouraged audience participation although clapping is quite unsatisfying in gloves. 

Florence doesn't run to official fireworks although they are legal to set off yourself - and many people do, all over the place, and VERY loud bangs appear to be a characteristic of the night - made us jump every time and not in time to the music either.

This Gelato was Glovely! (jen)

It was a very early morning by the time we got home, and a very late morning (possibly early afternoon) when we got up today. The tidal wave of people was washing through the streets again this afternoon and we joined the stream - heading for the river and a gelato. 

We were inspired to sit on Ponte Grazie and draw the famous Ponte Vecchio before heading back to window shop and have lunch (?!).  Looking forward to more shopping and shopping and possibly then some culture (or maybe more shopping) tomorrow. 

Oh the life of a traveller...