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On my very last day of sight-seeing in Florence, Gerhard Brammer took me to the Palazzo Pitti a couple of hours before closing.

Earlier that day, I had been to the dance studio expecting to leave a gift for the company and then do some sight-seeing, but I was invited to take one last ballet class, which I’m very happy to have done.  I got to speak to the company and tell them how much I enjoyed associating with such special people, and to say how lucky they are to study with the great Margo Nativo.  Then I described the gift I was leaving with them… and hugs and kisses all around.

Later in the afternoon Gerhard led me over the Ponte Vecchio through the heart of Florence’s “Disneyland” over to the huge Pitti Palace. We were late in the day, so there were no lines.  We saw tons of beautiful paintings, including their 10 Raphaels (of which one accidental photograph was taken).  There were statues, including one that was a match for the bust in the little balcony alcove at my first apartment by the Duomo.

I loved the large tables inlaid with semi-precious stones. The designs were exquisite still lifes, as good as any painted.

The rooms full of old tapestries and furnishings were thick with something in the air — dust? mold? ghosts? all of the above?  It made me want to get out of there quickly.  I was enjoying the “modern” art (18th through 20th Centuries) when they started buzzing to hurry us all out of there.  Even though it says it’s open until 7, they shut the doors at 6:30.  It was a well-spent afternoon with lots of beautiful things.

After a week of museums, churches and palaces one needs to have the neck repaired.  I’m still resting mine.

Next to last day we intended to visit the Palazzo Strozzi exhibit but missed it by (holds up thumb and forefinger) that much.  Photographed the cast iron gate, and then the carousel at the Piazza della Repubblica.