Florence

Sunday in Florence, instead of in Siena. Train track work. So we head through quiet streets (it is only 8am) towards the old centre. There we find thousands of green shirted citizens, either in a fun run or supporters thereof, a police band, a Krishna group and a solo violinst. As well as a melee of tourists children dogs mixing with Florentians young old small.

We venture into the Orsanmichele, a church celebrating women, once a granary. The 14th C guilds helped fund the church. A sculpture outside the church celebrates saints and tradesmen.

Yesterday we retreated to the green oasis of the Orto Botanica or Giardino dei Semplici, established 1445 by Cosimo Medici, to wander through the medicinal/conservation focussed tall and tiny plants. An ancient cork tree, a tiny South African tulip. And a ceramics exhibition in the vast orangerie type greenhouse.

A diverse charming exhausting city.