We arrived in one piece. It was too early to access our apartment so we sat in the piazza enjoying lunch at Dal Puccini, one of the many cafes surrounding the square. Lucca was founded by the Etruscans & became a Roman colony in 180 BC. It is also the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini the composer, Rob has booked tickets for us to attend a recital in the church of San Giovanni - our first opera, very excited. This city is like a maze - you can get lost at every turn, dont leave home without a map.
Our apartment was ready, it was on the 3rd floor (the room with us waving from it)
very steep stone steps (no lifts to help with luggage - bad for the knees but good for the butt)
A lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom place right in the middle of the piazza. Our bedroom is in the attic (another 12 steps up) maybe walking up & down all these stairs will burn off some of the food & vino we have been consuming lately.
BUT I don't think so
Rob loves to cook & we are thoroughly enjoying her delicious italian food such as this Bistecca (giant T-bone, each weighs a minimum of 750 grams) with roasted vegetables plus the boys found a 5lt flagon of red vino for only €4 to complement the meal (for cheap wine it was pretty good)
overlooking the piazza, there were families everywhere, young children playing soccer - band playing music to a crowd of people - an old man dancing in the centre, children dancing with their mothers - the Italians are full of life & appear to enjoy every moment.
The party didn't start until 9:30, the Italians don't seem to eat until very late (8:30-9pm) then the streets & piazza fill up with people. Wandering through the crowds everybody was enjoying the atmosphere, little children were still dancing with each other at 11pm.
Next day Cliff & I hired push bikes to ride around the walls of the city.
It brought back memories of riding as a child - a little scary after all this time
Off to Cinque Terre tomorrow to do some walking.
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