Pisa

Groundhog day again, we walked the wall this morning. Another camera free morning. Nothing special but we are starting to feel a little depressed as the number of days doing this are going down quick, We stopped at the bus station and bought tickets for Pisa for later today for 6 euro each return.

Around 10:30 I decided to go bike the outside of the wall on the bike and take a few pictures of the outside of the wall and the gates. I had not done this since I got here There are small water channels running outside of the wall as well. Only made it about 1/2 way before it was time for me to return home for lunch.

For lunch we had crackers with cheese and cookies. We figured we'd get something in Pisa.

We got off the bus near the tower as we could see it coming into own. Only about a 5 minute walk. Great. It is as beautiful as I had imagined it. We first visited the Cathedral as it was free of charge. Just needed to get a ticket and since we had a ticket to go up the tower we were ok. Otherwise I think you just go ask at the ticket office for a free ticket. Unfortunately they are working on the inside and parts of it was covered. Still beautiful but disappointing.

Beautiful bronze doors, from 1595, originals lost in fire

Beautiful gold decorated ceiling



Beautiful Mosaics in the cathedral, unfortunately the nicest one is covered because of restoration in the church

We can only see the very bottom of this mosaic

Beautiful elaborate pulpit, the treasure in the cathedral

Another beautiful mosiac

Lots of tacky tourist stuff for sale just outside

We then went to check the souvenirs shops at the entrance of the square. Bought a couple of 1 euro things and we shared a gelato. After the gelato we had so much energy. Wendy push the tower back upright using her 2 hands.  I pushed it back to where it used to be using 1 finger.  I guess I won.

 

Posing for the obligatory tower shots!

I am incredibly strong!

We checked in my backpack and Wendy's little purse at the coat check (free) as you are not allowed to bring any bags into the Bell Tower. Only about 250 steps or so. The marble steps are worn from so many people going up and down. Today they were not sold out and you could still get tickets on the spot. I would not try this is busy season. Wendy had pre-booked our tickets just in case. 18 Euros each, not cheap. The views are great from the top. The bells are only ring before the church service in the morning. Glad as we were very close to them.

Another woman  climbing stairs in her cute boots

7 bells for 7 notes they told us

Back down we walked to the river with a stop for some focaccia bread. It is very nice along the river and not many tourist as compared to Florence. We think most tourist just stop for the pictures of the tower and move on. We walked across the river and then to the next bridge. From there we made our way back to the tower. Took a few more picture and caught the 5:14 bus which was 10 minutes late. It took another route than the one we had came in on. Lots of nice little villages with narrow roads.

Along the river in Pisa, very pretty

Back at the apartment we reheated the leftover pasta from last night. Good but not as good as last night.  Wendy went to get the laundry off the patio and she screams "there something dead on the patio" Can you be more precise? Happens that a pigeon has probably hit the window and is now lying on the patio.  I ask Wendy what garbage bag do I use for this, compost?  When I get back to the patio with the bag, I kinda see the head is still moving.  Maybe a broken neck. As I get closer it flys off just enough to get to the top of the patio bushes and flies thru them.  All I hope is he made it past the patio.  Will check tomorrow.

Still hungry, we headed to town to mail our postcards and get a slice of pizza. Also wanted to find where we are going to meet our friends for supper tomorrow night. Found the mail box and the restaurant. Stephanie had sent us the address for the restaurant, we found this and the restaurant name and it was a deli place. 2 tables inside and about 4 outside and Stephanie said we didn't need a reservation. We thought it was a strange choice, but then noticed the same name on the next door, and on the next door as well.  So the actual restaurant is at the address 2 over from what she told us, we had a good laugh.  Near the restaurant for tomorrow night I knew there was a pizza place that was not too expensive. We decided to split a pizza and 1/2 bottle of Chianti red wine and that came to 11.5 Euro. It was a wood pizza oven and it was very good.

Crib tonight. I was lucky in the first game and got a 24 in my crib to win the first game. Wendy was not impressed especially since she had a chance to win but did not get much in her hand. But luck ran out and lost the next 2 games.