Yep – made it up the long spiral staircase to the top!
What a swarm of tourists! I’d hate to see this place in July and August if this is what it’s like in June. Golly. The square just surrounded by all manner of stalls selling cheap (or not so cheap) junk with the tower on it. People everywhere. Lines. The usual African immigrants with their purses and sunglasses and watches.
But well worth it.
A nice, scenic – but crowded and bloody hot – hour on the train out there. Little towns up on the hills. The Tuscan countryside. Pisa itself is an entirely charming little town. The river cutting through it, fountain am the grand old streets.
The tower, church, and baptistry are clustered together in a large grassy square (ringed by the hoards and the junk vendors). A line to get into each of them. All completely beautiful.
It’s 30 degrees here – and not a spec of shade. Got some lunch, some coffee, saw the sights, and headed home. About 4:30 now – I left at about 9, so it’s been a long day. A little rest here, and then a wander through the city until dinner time.
Tomorrow is just solo exploration. To be completely absurd, I’m going to follow the trail through the city that follows the plot of that new Dan Brown book, “Inferno” – I made notes as I read. Should be a fun little day.
Right, all for now.
Italian Summer 