Florence 4: piazza, schmiazza

Our last day in Florence and we decided that we had not done enough stairs lately so should do the duomo cupola. Particularly after not climbing Pisa tower. The Duomo cupola is actually the Cupola Di Santa Maria Del Fiore. Only 494 up and 494 down. More than the leaning tower.great. It was extremely hot, claustrophobic and steep at times but the view once we got to the top was almost worth it. The one of us who finds heights disturbing found a friend going up the stairs. Someone even more 'disturbed' by heights. Once they reached the top, they both clung to the posts and would not venture close to the edge. They each found some comfort in the idea they were not alone. On the way down the interminable stairs, one of us slipped as we were passing a group going up on the narrow spirally stairs. Far too narrow for 2 people but in the end was lucky as 3 people caught the person who had slipped, probably preventing further injury. After treatment(medicinal)and recovery time, we decided to cross the Arno River (looks like a canal) and check out the Piazza Pitti. Passed 10 other piazzas on the way. Appears piazzas are popular in Florence. They are everywhere. Arrividerci Firenza.