April 25, 2017

After yesterday’s difficult tour of Rome, we decided to change our plans for the scheduled stop in Livorno, Italy.  We had a tour of Florence and Pisa planned, but thought we’d cut the trip back to just one stop.  We decided on Pisa.

Today (April 25) Italians celebrated a national holiday called Liberation Day, which marks the end of Mussolini’s dictatorship during World War II. Most of the shops, museums, restaurants were all closed in observance of the day.  Simpflying the day’s tour schedule just seemed the right thing to do.  Plus, we were still rather tired after Rome.  

Pat and I found a private car driven by a very nice man named Gabriel.  We agreed on a price and set off to Pisa. The trip took about a half hour, driving through the countryside of Tuscany.  Gabriel didn’t speak much English and our Italian was rusty but we did just fine thanks to a translator app on my iPhone.  Suddenly we turned a corner and without warning, there stood the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Gabriel gave us two hours to explore Pisa, take our pictures, and create our memories.  We sure did that.  What a beautiful little city.  

When we arrived at the tower, we saw nearly everyone staging their pictures of holding the tower up.  Pat goaded me into doing it too but I just couldn’t; a decision I knew I’d regret.  But nonetheless, I didn’t do so and neither did she.  Pisa is gorgeous and very peaceful, even with crowds of people.  We sat in an outside cafe and had cappuccino, did some shopping for some little gifts, and on the way back to the car, found another cafe and we both had a glass of Chanti.  

We slowly walked back to our meeting point and found Gabriel patiently waiting for us.  What a nice day!

 Tomorrow we’ll be back in France as we’re slated to stop in Nice.  We’ve decided to do the same thing, find a private driver and go somewhere interesting.  Maybe we’ll go to Monaco or take a drive to Provence.  Whatever we do, we’ll be together and we’re sure to have some fun.