Lucca: Quiet Tuscan Sophistication

Lucca. Today was the day meant for travel. I started out by sleeping. Pizzas late with the girls makes this girl unwakable. Then it was time to head out. I brushed my teeth, put on some clothes, drank espresso, put on my face and decided my hair was not worth the work. Grabbed a camera and purse crammed an English book and words of the day journal and went on my merry way. On the way to the bus to town to catch a train I walked my normal route. Through a secret path everyone knows about. While walking on this path I stumbled upon a man urinating in the bush. He managed to put everything away and say scusa. Then sorry.  Then he followed me to the bus stop in hopes that this inappropriate time was perfect to hit on me. He asked if I was married, and I very coyly said yes. Surprise!

I must give Italian men props. The are brave in the very worst ways.

I am starting to recognize this place as home. Not the buildings but the people. I see the same bleach blonde take her child to school the same woman with nice shoes walk to the bus and the same old man ride his bike.

 

A regular site in Pisa

The tain ride was simple and thiugh I wanted to read , I couldn't take my eyes or camera off the scenery. I arrived in a flash and headed to the wall around the city. The 4k walk was short yet long. I stopped to take pictures of everything. Coming off the wall I headed toward a piazza. Went into a cafe because I followed the blonde. Turned out his name is Adrian...like Monk. He is from Hawaii and is in Italy for his brothers wedding in Florence. I love running into Americans

Walking around Lucca helps me fall in love with  Italy. I walk by a pasticceria or a cheese shop. People seem to respect the beauty here. No...I do not mean me. I walked through a street and heard the whistle of a song. I first thought it my phone but realized it was a happy man's song. Old men ride bikes and people surround their lives around the duomo. I walk into it. Silence. Respect. A dead person or saint on display. Ok...somethings I do not understand.

 



I walked into a bookstore to get my first novel in Italian. I approached the vender to ask for a suggestion for someone learning to read Italian.  He immediately took me to the children's section.  I then told him I would like to read something I could show in public.  He showed me a book in the children's section written by an author that also wrote the adult version. Same exact book, just a slightly less colorful cover.  I was sold.  I know will be learning to read Italian with Italo Calvino/II visconte dimezzato.  I have no idea either.

I paid 4 euros to go atop the tower that has the trees...iconic for Lucca.  It was worth every contatti. Check it out for yourself.

I continued to walk through the streets of Lucca. I ran into whiffs of sweet scents carried by the blowing strong wind.  I never wish to leave.