DATE: Saturday 15 July, 1995
PLACE: Florence
WEATHER: Hot
REMARKS: Breakfast in the Pensione. Off to the Uffizi Gallery,
high on Desiree's list of 'must see's'. A long queue - 90
minutes worth, highlighted by a loud outburst several rows
behind us in which another tourist spotted a pick-pocket and
yelled at her to stop. Getting there was bit of a walk beside
the River Arno, which is not impressive, although the buildings
lining it are lovely. However, the Ponte Vecchio is: a classic
medieval/Renaissance bridge with shops on it and houses 'stuck'
to the outside of the structure.
The Gallery itself is disappointing. Well set out for viewing,
but many rooms still closed after a bomb blast in May 1993.
Only 1 or 2 da Vinci's, & one of those, while large, had
a half-finished, sketch-like feel to it. Many of the paintings
are on a grand scale, & deal with grand themes. However,
the repetition of the same religious allegories is a surprise.
Why the focus on, for example, the Adoration of the Magi?
An interesting display would have been to put all the paintings
(for example of the Annunciation) together in chronological
order.
The girls were very taken by two paintings: one of Judith & Holofernes - she killing him with a sword through the
throat; the other of David with the (blood-covered) head of
Goliath. Very graphic!
Lunch was on top of the building - fine view of the Duomo
and Campanile and the castle-like building alongside the Uffizi.
Wandering in the Piazza, we enter this same building and
pause to admire & photograph a central fountain. I have
Jayne in the push-chair. Questioned by a stranger, Desiree's
hand-bag is lifted from the back of the stroller. All took
less than 5 seconds!
Desiree even saw them talking to me & mentioned it to
Sarah & Charlotte, while Jayne later says she saw a woman
lifting the bag. They of course vanish, and we realise the
bag is gone just minutes later. The bag has cards, some cash
and spare car key. And we had survived Rome and Pompeii!
We hurry back to the hotel and call to cancel credit cards.
Amex replacement is available Monday, while Visa not until
we will be in Venice.
By the time the Carabinieri report is made (so we can claim
insurance) it's after 1700, and our view of Italy and Florence
has taken a real tumble.
Not one of the best days so far!
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