Day 19: Lucca via Pisa

On to Pisa today to visit the famous leaning tower.  The car was buzzing and we were happy to be enjoying the air conditioning after a dreadful nights sleep in our unbearable rooms.  When we checked out I mentioned that the air conditioner wasn't working and got a well rehearsed blurb on how the maintenance man was checking into it after they found a faulty part somewhere this morning. Yeh right, it felt more like their standard line than the truth.  So it was 39 degrees at 11am and there was no refuge from the blazing hot sun at Pisa.  The traffic was mad.  There were African street hawkers everywhere and more beggars than I have seen so far.  It was little off putting.  The crowds were thick and parking was a nightmare, but the tower was sensational.  I am so pleased we put it back on the agenda as it was so much better than I had anticipated.  Boy is it leaning.  I had no idea that it would be so quaint and clean and pretty. And the buildings around it were lovely also.  Its just a shame there are no tree's or that we are here for the hottest summer in years. We did the obligatory stand with arm up supporting the tower. We bumped into the Garbins for a short hello at the base of the tower, but parted ways as it was all too hot to stand around.  We lunched at a fast and furious restaurant and Maxie had a meltdown about his gnoochi (I am so sick of pasta).  Farewell gorgeous tower, it was fabulous but the car seemed like a more comfortable place to be.  We drove past a field of sunflowers and even they were drooping in the heat.  On to Lucca and the terrain changed.  The mountains are getting bigger and the terrain was rocky.  No more olive groves or Italian cypress. Our apartment was a godsend.  Its gorgeous and new and clean and cool.  We rested and unpacked for a few hours and then headed out in the heat to see what all the fuss was about.  And it didn't disappoint. Lucca is gorgeous.  There are beautiful villas and lovely shops.  Its cleaner than a lot of the other cities we seen, and its filled with people riding push bikes through the streets.  We had a gelato and walked along the main street past lots of churches and piazza's.  We ended up in the main piazza which is set up for summer concerts featuring Elton John, Billy Idol, Robbie Williams to name a few throughout the month of July. Lauren Hill a black American singer was rehearsing when we strolled past.  There were security guards everywhere.  The stage was awesome.  The setting was magic. How awesome.  Tony and Sandra met us for a stroll around the city and we finally stopped at Piazza Dell Anfiteatro, just near our B&B.  It was our first experience at eating in a big piazza and there was plenty of people watching to be had. The pizzas were average and the "frothy" Pina Colada's were a rort, but the kids played tip and we soaked up the atmosphere.  A father and son act appeared with the dad belting out a tune on his trumpet and boom box.  Great, some traditional Italian music.  Next came the son while the father then walked around the square with his tambourine outstretched looking for a piccilo (small) donation.  Typical.  It took two songs and they were gone.  We walked Tony and Sandra close to home as we were worried they'd get lost (and it turns out they did).  We detoured home via the concert (at the other end of the city).  It was 10.30 pm and the kids were knackered but excited about going to a real concert.  So we walked and walked and waited until 11 pm but Ms Hill still hadn't come out.  We couldn't see anything as they'd put up barricades and we were dripping in sweat.  And so began the long sad walk home. The kids were exhausted.  Zachie needed to be carried and everyone was just too tired and hot to complain.  Thank god for the shower and air conditioning.