Around Town

Walking around Friday night, we were thoroughly entertained by what Florence had to offer. First of all, Friday was the feast day of San Giovanni, the patron saint of Florence. Many people in the city had time off work to enjoy some festivals, street concerts or just bum around, as I did. Friday evening, the entire population of Florence - locals and travelers alike - flocked to the banks of the Arno River to witness an hour-long fireworks show conducted from the beautiful Piazzale Michelangelo, which overlooks the city. Here's a clip from that.

Then as we were walking back through the center, we stopped to take in one of the street performers who is a regular around town, as he's been doing this for more than 20 years. It was just after this video was taken, that my friend was pulled into the middle of the circle, forced to take off his shirt and walk around like a duck while carrying a balloon. I have been banned from ever sharing those photos and videos, so unfortunately you'll have to live with this one.

 

Saturday evening was Nottebianca in the Oltrarno. Nottebianca is celebrated throughout the different areas of the city on different nights. It means white night and it is when many of the bars, shops and restaurants stay open very late, if not all night and allows the city to enjoy a whole night of fun. Plus there are special vendors in the streets, free concerts and many other sites to enjoy. Saturday was the Oltrarno's turn - the Oltrarno literally means "the other side of the Arno" and is the area I live in of Santo Spirito, the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens and San Frediano. Here is a video of a concert held in Piazza del Carmine on Saturday night.