Making progress,
we leave for our first Italian stop over:
famous Pisa, Italy!
Map: Nice, France to Pisa, ItalyA few hours on an eastbound train, a fairly disgusting mayonnaise sandwich takes the place of our missed breakfast.
Sharing a train car and conversation
with some American women from San Francisco, CA.
Soon, a train change is necessary somewhere in northern Italy. The bustling platform leaves few seats for the weary travelers and it does not take long for us to meet new acquaintances as we await our connecting train.
The Italian mother and son we converse with
understand much of our Spanish,
and likewise, we understand much of their Italian.
and likewise, we understand much of their Italian.
Back on the train, we share a car with a young mother and her son as well as a the dark angel Dante of Turin.
Arriving in the late afternoon, we soldier through the city over the river Arno to our reserved room at the Welcome Bed and Breakfast.
A quaint two-level home and its owner, Antonella, greet us warmly. We drop our gear and head out again to find an ATM to pay for our room.
Upon our return, Antonella encourages us to clean up and rest while she makes reservations for a near-by restaurant. She also informs us on the evening's festivities as we happened to be in town during a major festival: the Luminaria.
Up to our beautiful and comfortable room, a gift has been left for us: a bottle of red wine!
Reclining and laughing, we take turns in the shower.
A short walk to the restaurant, we are starved! Seated outside, the ambiance is pleasant, but the staff and service seem sour.
Gnocci, ravioli, calamari, and expensive water leads to a steep bill. Portions are small and we were glad they mistakenly brought two dishes of gnocci.
Gnocci, ravioli, calamari, and expensive water leads to a steep bill. Portions are small and we were glad they mistakenly brought two dishes of gnocci.
After dinner, we decide to venture out into the night to inspect the Luminaria festival on the Arno river.
Upon the river's banks, mobs of people wander through the darkness illuminated by thousands of candles.
Frustrated with weaving through crowds for an hour or so, we made back through side roads to return to our soft beds to nap before our early checkout time the next morning.
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