Walking, shopping, walking, eating, walking

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  Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Wednesday, September 21, 2011

As planned, we took the train yesterday to Pisa. Weather was overcast and so a perfect day for a train trip. As we had purchased a Eurail Pass before leaving Australia it had to be validated at a train station before we were able to use it. When we arrived at the Santa Maria Novella Stazione in Florence we were horrified to see a queue a mile long. For most of the time there was only one person manning the ticket window - no worries, no hurry. It took us one hour to simply validate the ticket! Fortunately we were able to reserve seats for both Venice and Rome trips so we don't have to go thru that again.  

We were able to take an express train to Pisa which took less than 45 minutes and was a very picturesque journey. Pisa itself was a little disappointing around the station area - not very clean. We had lunch in a nearby cafe which was expensive (45 Euros - THE most expensive meal we have had since being overseas) and pretty mediocre. We then caught a taxi to the Leaning Tower of Pisa - that was well worth the trip. We had no idea of the complex around the Tower - the Campo dei Miracoli - which consists of the Baptistery, Cathedral, Cathedral Museum, Leaning Tower, Camposanto and the Museo dell Sinopie (information taken straight out of my book on Pisa which I have still to read). A wonderful experience. The queues were too long for us which meant we did not go into any of the buildings which was a pity as there is so much to see; it was a late start to the day and with the wasted time in the Station at Florence, we had limited time available for sightseeing. We had originally planned to also stop off at Lucca which is on the same train line but ran out of time so this did not happen either.

The train returned on a different route and was not express so the return journey took more than 90 minutes, but was well worth it. The scenery was different again from the earlier trip and went thru more residential and market garden areas - some pretty views mixed in with some not-so-pretty views. 

At the end of the day we were all pretty tired so it was a very simple meal. Evening entertainment here is an hour or so of Italian TV - last night Italian voiced-over American TV (CSI).  Tonight we are watching the Italian version of Funniest Home Videos - no language barrier here, lots of laughs.

Breakfast here is toast & marmalade (under the griller - no toaster in Apartment), tea (coffee for me). Bread and 1.5 litres of bottled water cost less than 2 euro. Food is not an expensive component of our stay. We seemed to have fallen into a pattern of breakfast in the apartment, main meal at lunch time, couple of glasses of wine and chips in the evening and not much more. Eating here is not breaking the bank. With the exception of our meal in Pisa, it has all been very economical. We did have a delicious lunch today complete with drink which cost us 24 Euros. 

Today we had a very relaxed amble around the market near the Duoma. Mum bought herself a beautiful leather bag, I purchased a bigger but lighter suitcase which I hope will solve my luggage problems (my suitcase handle broke when I arrived in Florence) and linen pants and skirt. We had a bit of a fright today when we purchased stamps for our postcards - 40 euros for 25 stamps (approx $A53). And I think we waited about half an hour in the Post Office before being served. Life is definitely a different pace around here. Oh well, it was another excuse for Mum to enjoy a double scoop ice-cream whilst she waited. I must try one before we leave here.

I've also discovered another two beautiful churches around the local area - amazing to see.

We are all feeling very laid back and relaxed and love the comfort of apartment. It's locale is excellent and tomorrow we will take Mum to the Galleria Dell'Accademia to see David. We plan on visiting the Academy later in the day when hopefully the queues will be much less, then dinner, then a passeggiata serale after which we plan to go to a concert at the Basilica Di San Lorenzo starting about 9 pm. 

The next day will be a full day as we plan to go to the Ponte Vecchio and Pitti Palace. This will be a tiring day for Mum (and us too I suspect) so Friday is planned to be a stay-at-home day (at least for Mum). We leave mid morning Saturday for Venice - can't wait to see Mum's face when we arrive there; she has no idea that that is our next destination as she thinks we are going to Siena. After 4 days in Venice it's off to Rome for approx 7 days then home for Mum and Sis and I'm off to Barcelona. 

It's nearly 9.30 pm here so, buonanotte for now.

 
 

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Interior of local Church, Florence	Unassuming exterior of local Church, Florence	Basilica Di San Lorenzo	Very enjoyable lunch was had here today
Photos do not do it justice	Amazing sight - glad we made it	Planned concert tomorrow night

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