Sand in My Shorts....and I like it

Sitting a the train station reading a novel about Tuscany, I begin to feel a large portion of my life as an Italian will be spent here. I am ok with that. I am traveling Europe alone. I am strong.
I need to plan my trip for next weekend, to Milan and Como Lago. As close to Switzerland as it gets. But for now I am content waiting at the train station, belly full of capuccino, heading to the beach.

I arrive in Livorno with no clue how to get to the beach. I ask someone in Italian and find out just how kind Tuscans can be. I was given a bus ticket really just because I made the effort as a tourist to speak Italian. I love language!

Livorno reminds me of Florida mixed with a hot day at Coney Island. Families are out on bikes. Sundays really do bring out the best in Italians. It's a time for the family. A day for actual rest. Much needed I feel. I pay 5 euros for a day of exclusive beach access. Worth it for the tan I'll receive and the book I will devour.

Path along the beach

Livorno's classic board walk

 

Boy learns to ride his bike

Boardwalk and Mediterranean

 

 Later today I will return to Pisa for the celebration of the year, but for now it is the sunshine for me.

The classic idea of an Italian is alive in this modern city. The city was rebuilt after the war, so most beauty is gone. Yet the feel is very much dominate. Here men compete to be the most tan. There fore they where nearly a slingshot in hopes to leather their cheeks. The culture is amusing enough to be appreciated.

To describe Livorno perfectly one must remember classic 1950s movies. The ones with old wrinkly men from Italy swim laps in the sea wearing little more than a wash cloth. It must be how Dean Martin spent his final years. Although Americans may frown on this there is a definite peace here. Sofia Loren, the entire rat pack...minus Sammy. This is the life.

It is at this beach, that is not particularly beautiful, yet the atmosphere screams LOVE ME, that I think of a line from Octavio Paz "Light is time thinking about itself." The hours pass slow, and for this I am grateful.

I attempt to catch a bus, and am told it will be another half hour. While I stand waiting, I am asked by an Australian gentleman if I would like a drink.  Yes, I would.  Succo d'arancia, to be exact.

Finally I get to the train station.  A Brit approaches me in hopes that I speak English. I do.  He is also going to Pisa, so we go to three different platforms to find the correct train. Hey, this is Italy.  He is thankful I speak a minor amount of Italian, and we converse on the way home. I found a friend, that I will meet later tonight for the Pisan celebration called, Luminara.

Today I am happy it's a lazy Sunday with good people.