A couple days ago D and I went to the Uffizi gallery; It is home to many of the famous paintings you should've seen in art history- had you not been snoozing away in the back row. It's a very famous gallery with paintings like the "Birth of Venus" by Boticelli, Caravaggio's "Medusa", Titian's "Venus of Urbino" and so many more.
So that being said, we knew there was going to be a line. D and I went to the Uffizi the first day we were here, saw the line of about 200 people, and said we'd come back another day. After consulting Rick Steve's, we decided it was best to go early in the morning, before all the tourists were done with breakfast. Unfortunately, that meant I didn't get breakfast.
We got in line at 8:45; it was considerably shorter than the day before, but we still had a long wait ahead of us. Being in the queue made me realize the many similarities between that line and the line for Cedar Point roller coasters. Though the destinations are quite different, tourist attractions are all practically the same. For example: The food is always expensive; There is a man selling personalized grains of rice nearby, and actually getting business; You are surrounded by a crowd of tennis shoes, tall white socks, long navy shorts, and fanny packs; and finally, your wallet will disappear (whether it's the hefty price of admission or the pickpocketing gypsy).
That brings me to something else I noticed while waiting in the Uffizi queue -45 minutes so far- and that is, the mass of gypsies. Luckily the gypsies that day were just asking for money, but after reading this article: http://www.reidsguides.com/italy/planning/safety/gypsies.html, it seems we've been lucky.
Gypsies all look alike: wearing a dress, decorated socks with sandals, heavy layers, and usually a child in tow. About 5 of them walked down the line we were standing in, holding pictures of their family, wearing the sad face, and muttering phrases in what I presume to be Italian. A few minutes later, they all sprinted out of view and it was just a few moments before the "polizia" drove past.
What I don't understand is that if they are hiding from the police, why do they make themselves stand out? Being conspicuous doesn't usually include a candy-apple-red velvet skirt, at least in my book. I guess I'll never know.
But none-the-less, I'm in Italy, having the time of my life while enjoying the wonderful scenery and delicious food - and the gypsies can't take that away.
P.S. We did finally get into the Uffizi after an 1.5 hour wait. It was well worth it. The architecture was gorgeous and the paintings were unbelievable. I highly recommend visiting if ever in Italy- just make sure you get in line early.
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