Bill asked if I wanted to go with him, James and Ben to Pisa and Lucca as Rebecca was doing something else with a local writer. To avoid driving into the prohibited zone for cars, I walked about 7 minutes to the other side of the Gramsci ring-road to meet them, then on to Pisa.
We parked, walked to the Tower, cathedral and baptistry where everyone – including us – took the obligatory photo pretending to keep the tower from falling over. It was again brutally hot, so our visit was “compact” and then on to Lucca.
We drove to the walls of the city, parked across the street and walked into Lucca. The city is surrounded by a moat, and is so quiet and calm compared to Firenze, Milano and Roma. Lots of tree shaded walkways, and a beautiful path around the city on top of the wide wall. Bill found an air-conditioned restaurant near where we entered the city, and we enjoyed a long, cool lunch. The city was putting together a performance space in the large central piazza, and we saw that Justin Bieber and John Legend will be performing there later this summer. After lunch we found a place that serves cold yogurt (ice cream) from a tap for a cup or cone – in lieu of traditional gelato – and it was surprisingly good.
Then back in the car for our ride back to Firenze, stopping once for gas, which cost €75! Bill dropped me off where he picked me up, and I headed back home and made dinner for myself. We also passed an Eastern Orthodox church on the way home - picture taken for Sandy.
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KSDhG7SuV4iZaT48A
We parked, walked to the Tower, cathedral and baptistry where everyone – including us – took the obligatory photo pretending to keep the tower from falling over. It was again brutally hot, so our visit was “compact” and then on to Lucca.
We drove to the walls of the city, parked across the street and walked into Lucca. The city is surrounded by a moat, and is so quiet and calm compared to Firenze, Milano and Roma. Lots of tree shaded walkways, and a beautiful path around the city on top of the wide wall. Bill found an air-conditioned restaurant near where we entered the city, and we enjoyed a long, cool lunch. The city was putting together a performance space in the large central piazza, and we saw that Justin Bieber and John Legend will be performing there later this summer. After lunch we found a place that serves cold yogurt (ice cream) from a tap for a cup or cone – in lieu of traditional gelato – and it was surprisingly good.
Then back in the car for our ride back to Firenze, stopping once for gas, which cost €75! Bill dropped me off where he picked me up, and I headed back home and made dinner for myself. We also passed an Eastern Orthodox church on the way home - picture taken for Sandy.
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KSDhG7SuV4iZaT48A