If you could go anywhere....?

“While You Were Sleeping” is one of my favorite movies. One thing I remember about that movie is when Bill Pullman asks Sandra Bullock, if she could go anyplace, where would it be. Her immediate answer is Florence.

She didn’t have a clue.

Sometimes I wonder if those things are put into movies to promote tourism. If they are, they should pick better destinations.

I was not impressed.

The buildings in the city are very old, and it is true that many famous people lived there, grew up there and are even buried there; like Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei and Michelangelo. The famous David statue, sculpted in 1501, resides in a gallery inside the Accademia Gallery of Florence.

It isn’t even tourist season but the city was packed. One would think a city that makes so much money on visitors could take better care of its appearance.  Yet it does not look as if Italy has that philosophy.

Florence should be a treasure. It could be something to be very proud of, and perhaps they are. But its appearance is dirty, over-run with street vendors, pick-pockets and graffiti. Its monuments are dirty. There is trash in every street.

Don’t get me wrong; one of the loveliest buildings we saw on this trip was located in Florence – the lovely Florence Cathedral, built

 in 1296. Then there was Santa Croce, the Friar's church were Michealangelo was buried. But there were more than buildings in Florence. It was heavy, rather depressing place.

If you could go anywhere – this is just a suggestion – don’t choose Florence.  If you don’t agree, just remember; everyone is entitled to their own opinion.