Florence Olio

Generally these posts focus on one or two themes. Not this one. Those loose end photos start to pile up after a while, requiring some attention.
First, you'd think with its Etruscan antiquities, its medieval and Renaissance art, and its contemporary role in the world of fashion, Florence would not need to borrow creativity from anywhere else. You'd think. But then who's this guy?

I suppose an Italian might say, "Buon Giorno, Dali." Next, a contemporary spiritual message on the entry door to a church. Nothing phoney about this.

If you're still reading, one palazzo has the iron grating around its windows firmly supported by turtles. While not among the most celebrated sculptures in Florence it is, none-the-less, noticeably different and clever. 

Moving along (as the turtles are not) to a more enticing topic, this is what an excellent pizza margherita looks like. This one is from Gusta Pizza, a very popular place, with good reason. The pizza is cooked at a very high temperature in a wood-fired oven, and the taste is delicious beyond description.

Sorry that all you get to do is look at it. It's gone now. Next to a more serious subject in Florentine history. Many famous Florentine's, including Michelangelo, are buried in the Santa Croce Church, to the right of this statue. Perhaps its most famous son, Dante Alighieri, should be buried there, but the feuding Florentines exiled him before he wrote his Divine Comedy, and he never returned home. He died and is buried in Ravenna. But rather than dwell on their monumental faux pas, the Florentines have celebrated the person who reposes not inside Santa Croce with a grand statue outside.

After the Dante error, the Florentines took to exiling politicians, a far safer way to avoid future regrets. Finally, this is gelato.

Wait, let me provide a closer look.

For visitors to Florence, this gelato was acquired at the shop on the south side of Ponte alla Carraia. It was only 1,50 euro and, to my surprise, was quite large compared to typical serving sizes. (This was, needless to say, a very positive turn of events.) The photo was taken only after I had enjoyed a substantial portion of the serving, which was hanging precariously over the sides. The flavor? Fondente. Dark Chocolate. I wish I could share some with you; however, like the pizza, it's gone now. Mmmmm.

Ciao.