Pisa was everything I expected. It’s so difficult dealing with attractions like Pisa. It’s an image you know so well it’s as if they teach you about it in Grade 1. You get there, and yep, there it is, along with 3 billion irritating tourists trying to have their pictures taken at just the right angle. It’s incredible how one asshole refusing to pay the 30 cents for the bathroom can completely tarnish my memory of a place. Hopefully I’ll forget about those small things.
Got off the train, took the bus to the tower, saw the tower (opted to not buy a watch or purse while there???), walked back to the train. But what can I say… if we didn’t do it, I’m sure to regret not knowing at some point.
Florence is turing out to be pretty cool. We’re camping at ‘Camping Michelangelo’ which is a nice little spot overlooking the city. First evening was spent wandering the north side of the river, and hitting one of the major art museums. Certainly wouldn’t consider myself an ‘art guy’, but it’s something a person should do while in Florence.
We’re starting to do as the Italian’s do around dinner (when in Rome…); hit the bar for a drink and free appy’s (you could almost just eat that for dinner), head to a Pizzeria for some food, then if time/money permits head back to the bar. The food we’ve been eating so far has been great, although I’m now getting tired of pasta and pizza… they’re the 2 main affordable staples so I alternate between them each night, and throw the odd salad in. Have I mentioned the price of wine yet?? You can buy a litre of wine in the grocery story here for 62 cents. Seriously.
Next day was spent walking up to an old 12th century church and a really cool graveyard overlooking the city, then walking down to the main tourist area of town and going up the 436 (I think) steps of the main Duomo to enjoy the incredible view of the city that the top offers.
Following day was spent wandering the main streets once again; tried the science museum but it was closed, went to the Academia (where the Statue of David lives) but the line up to get in was down the block, so we took pleasure not doing what everyone else was doing and skipped it.
That said (after getting a shorter haircut than I had motioned at), we decided to do the Ufizzi (which is the main art gallery in Florence… since I decided I didn’t get enough art in the previous day *sigh*). Highlights for me were seeing a Da Vinci, a Michelangelo, and the Birth of Venus (by Boticelli).
I think places like Florence are deserving of a lot of respect with it’s amazing history, but unfortunately I have a difficult time ‘connecting’ when surrounded by a sea of tourists, tourist gimmicks, beggers, jewelry vendors, etc, etc… I just hope connecting to the things that don’t make Florence famous is enough.
Pisa – Eddie wanted to be like everyone else
Pisa – classic shot
Florence – View from duomo