So, Thursday Preston and I decided was the day to take a train out to Pisa, to see the leaning tower, and Lucca. I got dressed and said "I'm wearing this white shirt to make sure we get rained on." Well...that was dumb. About halfway into the train ride it started raining. Then more and more. We got to Pisa in the middle of thunder, lightning, and torrential downpours. It was also about 20 degrees F cooler than it had been and I was wearing sandals, shorts and a thin white tanktop. We bought a huge purple umbrella from one of the African umbrella salesmen at the train station and decided to forge ahead with the 20 min walk. Wow. We forged alright. Through puddles as big as ponds and completely flooded streets. Even stopping at a cafe for some coffee didn't really help the storm pass. Luckily my sandals were securely strapped with some grip on the bottom. Preston was wearing some Puma flip flops and almost lost them, and his life, in some of the water and slippery surfaces (i.e. marble).
We made it to the tower and bought some ponchos. They were lovely, trust me. Preston did look a little like shrek in his green one and my yellow one was, well, big bird-esque. It was all worth it. The tower is indeed leaning and it was amazing to see it in person after hearing and reading about it all my life. The rain even cleared up while we were there so we could take some decent pics.
After grabbing a pizza we hopped a train to Lucca. It's a tiny town surrounded by a 12 meter high wall with a really old world/medieval feel to it. While stopping for cappuccino and to eat the canolli I had been carrying in my purse since breakfast we decided to rent bicycles to explore Lucca. The wall is only 4km and it seemed like the best and most fun way to go. For €2.50 each it was definitely worth it.
I should tell you that after leaving NH 11 years ago to move to Philly I stopped riding bikes. I'm scared of the traffic. So...I returned after 11 years of bicycle retirement and, like my mom said, riding a bike after all that time was just like riding a bike. I did have a little difficulty with sharp turns but whatever. I didn't injure myself or anyone else and I got to see all of amazing Lucca.
We rode off the wall and into the town for a bit and an old man stopped us to ask what we wanted while we were snapping some pictures. I thought we were in trouble. We were not. He just wanted to tell us where to go and what to see in his town. He didn't speak much English so I told him I understand Spanish (which he did speak from living in Venezuela years ago when he was younger). He proceeded to speak in Spanish/Italian/English to me. It was adorable.
After a couple hours in Lucca we hopped a train back to Florence where, you guessed it, it was pouring rain. Ha! Luckily by the time we were ready to eat our late dinner the rain had passed and we had some great Italian food, more great wine, and great service (especially the Ethiopean/Eretean/probably gay waiter). We took one more walk down to the river and ended the Florence chapter.
Friday morning we did our best to eat and drink as much as possible at our included breakfast before checking out. I met a nice old couple from New Zealand who gave me all sorts of pointers for my upcoming trip there and an interesting but borderline crazy woman from Ireland who also seems to love Australia.
We were running a little late for check out so I was basically tossing shit in my bags trying to pack. It was the first time I'd rushed in my entire trip and it brought back all sorts of work/life memories. I can tell you this...that sort of hectic rushing, whether professionally or personally, is done for.
We made it and then made our way back to the train station to head to Rome. After getting a little lost we finally found our "hotel." Let me say, it was no sort of hotel. They did not have AC, the beds were something else, and the bathroom was worse than any of the hostels I stayed in. Bleck. But it worked for the less than 2 days I needed it.
Preston convinced me that we should rent a scooter. I was scared. Driving in Italy is no joke but I did it and it was awesome. There is no better way to see Rome. Preston saw all of Rome in 4 hours, it took me 4 days my 1st time. I showed him the collusseum (sp?), the vatican, the pantheon, the spanish steps, trevi fountain, the area along the river by the synagogue. Everything.
For dinner Friday night I brought him back to the pizza place I loved the 1st time. I did not eat a whole pizza this time. I did manage to spill my wine, preston's wine, and the waiter spilled my water. Hilarious. After dinner, gelato and a nap on the fountain near the Pantheon. Ha!
Saturday a.m. I brought Preston to Trastavere for breakfast (I had the most delicious croissant and apple-strawberry juice ever) and we whizzed around a bit more on the scooter. By early afternoon Preston was on his way back to Prague and I sat in Piazza Navona and went home to pack slowly and get some sleep to be sure to catch my flight the next a.m.
And that's that. I'm sweaty and hungry and in need of coffee so it's time for me to reacquaint myself with Philly beyond the guacamole and margaritas I had with Susan last night. I'll be back to tell you more!
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