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Pisa

As a pit stop on the way to Cinque Terre from Florence, I figured I'd see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. With no train reservations dictating my schedule, I could spend as much time as I wanted exploring the rest of the previous sea-trading power.

The train from Florence to Pisa was a quick 1-hour ride, and it was easy enough to get oriented with clear signage to the tourist information office, where I picked up a useful map. Walking for a few minutes, I came across a deli that was selling porchetta - reminding me of the deli I enjoyed in Florence and the fact that I hadn't tried porchetta yet! The sandwich was quite a bit larger than I expected, but with less meat... so lots of bread to fill you up. The porchetta itself was seasoned well, and very different from what I've had in North America - no crispiness because there was almost no discernable fatty bits, only the leaner portion of the belly.

Onward to the Tower! As anyone can guess, the Leaning Tower is a magnet for tourists, so the area was packed with crowds on this scorcher of an afternoon (31 degrees). I took a few minutes to take some photos - it is exactly what all the photos portray, not a whole lot more. Then, with the unforgiving sun beating down and lots of vendors asking if I wanted to buy something, I left.

Walking around the rest of the city to try seeing other sights, I kept getting the feeling that I should leave. Locals were not friendly, the only people to say hello were street vendors looking to make a sale, and no one seemed to be smiling. I think my favourite part of Pisa was the train station - it gave me a means to get out of that town.

Once I arrived at the first (Eastern-most) town in Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, I stopped. Time to relax and unwind! And as luck would have it, I ran into more Vancouverites - which I took as a sign I made the right choice.

Comments

W.B. said…
31 degrees?! I'm so jealous!
April 18, 2013 7:16 pm
lifeasj said…
It's been getting pretty toasty, which makes it perfect gelato-eating weather! :)
April 19, 2013 12:03 am
Anonymous said…
You make Pisa sound so wonderful ;) hehehhe

Onward to Cinque Del Mayo! (sorry, Cinque Terra? I can't remember what it's called)
April 19, 2013 2:09 am
lifeasj said…
Five mayonnaise? That doesn't sound quite as good as Cinque Terre! ;)
April 19, 2013 5:24 am
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