The Odeon Cinema in Florence, Italy

Because it was our last full day in Florence, we decided to see a movie. There is a Cinema in Florence that we'd read about, where original language movies are shown and Woman in Gold was on at 4:30.

With time to spare, we decided to re-visit the Mercato Centrale for a more leisurely visit than our last. We wandered up and down each of the outside aisles, which angle out from a central point, and we even purchased a few things - souvenirs for us and for the family. 

Afterwards, we headed inside and upstairs to the food court. It was 2 pm and the place was packed. We finally found a couple of seats at a table, rather than perching on a stool at a high counter which is what is most prevalent in Italian eating places. I left Lindy there while I went to find us something to eat. I joined one of the long lines and a half hour later I had a plate of 'fried mix', which were bite-sized pieces of chicken, rabbit and mixed vegetables. This was served with a small container of sauce.

We still had some time to fill before the cinema opened so Lindy headed off to buy our dessert. She came back with tiramisu. We both agreed that it wasn't as nice as the one we'd made.

After a stop at the ladies (not quick, had to join another line) we went on our way. As usual, we had some fun finding our way but we ended up outside the Odeon at 3:45. A sign said that it would open for tickets at 4:15 and the movie would begin at 4:30 so we went for (another) walk! We couldn't find a little cafe/bar that had proper seats so settled for one with stools. Quite an effort to climb onto them! I had a cafe latte and  Lindy wanted hot chocolate with milk but instead, she got a cup of melted chocolate! They make it with hot water but it's so thick! 

We then sat in the Piazza della Republica for 15 minutes, watching the merry-go-round. It was decorated much as the churches are here, with cherubs, religious pictures, scenes of Florence like the Ponte Vecchio - even the ceiling was painted. And there were pots of flowers around the edge, among the horses and carriages.

At a little after 4 pm, we walked back to the Odeon, calling into the Apple Store on the way, just out of curiosity. We were at the door of the theatre at 4:12, along with a number of other people, and of course the doors didn't open at 4:15. They were on Italian time and finally opened at 4:20. Tickets in hand we had just a few seconds to admire the decor before going in to take our seats. 

The seats are large and comfy, just like a lounge chair at home, and with heaps of leg room. The ceiling is domed and there are lavish fixtures and fittings. 

There were no advertisements and the movie began on time. Strangely, there was a quick intermission, with the movie just stopping in the middle of a scene and commencing again at the same place! It was a good movie; Helen Mirren playing a strong role, as usual.

There weren't many people attending, much like a cinema at home in the middle of the week. It was a nice, relaxed ending to our stay in Florence.