We drove on (according to the map) what appeared to be a highway from Volterra to Lucca but some of the places we were not sure if we stayed on track. This highway wound through small towns, behind backyards, between industrial area and often the lane was hardly wide enough for 1.5 cars. Annette said one time that she thought I had made a wrong turn and left the highway, but nope...there ahead was one of the few highway markers letting us know that it was the right way.
We got to Lucca to return the car and just like the real Italians I had to double park going the wrong way on the street so I could turn the car in. Even though this was a busy street, nobody seemed to care; they just drove in the other lane around us.
Nice, sunny and warm we walked into the walled historical area, with luggage in tow to our hotel. Lucca is a live and vibrant small city or large village with lots of activity and people. We checked in, put on shorts and headed out to explore. Bill and Beth had their own little adventure coming in on the train (they called it the chicken and goat train); a regional rail that was packed with hot sweaty people. We finally hooked up and had a great time exchanging stories of our adventures during the week apart as we strolled the streets of Lucca.
Lucca seems to be a place for art and music schools. We saw several college age people with instruments and drawing pads. We ran into one girl from Kansas who was here for a month studying opera. We had a good dinner, a gelato and then just sat on the piazza watching all the activity.
No people (or unions) to worry about
just lights giving you permission to pass
Colorful creative roundabouts
Our room in Lucca - they do small in Italy!
Look I can wash my hands from the toilet
Hanging out the window
Giancomo Puccini - love the name
He is famous for Madame Butterfly and La Boheme
Statues are big in Lucca
St Michele's Church which we could see from our room
Musicians in the piazza along with a
guy dressed in all white in the background
Matteo Civitali
looks like some kind of sculptor
This is a very large piazza where they have concerts
too bad we were leaving so early because Diana Krall is there tonight
Earth Wind and Fire will be there soon too!
Some famous guy on a horse
Beautiful gate entrance to the city
A huge biking city
Few cars allowed - some small buses and delivery
trucks inside the city walls
Oh, my guy Garibaldi - good to see you again
He was a famous revolutionist and politician
who brought the country together in the 1800's
One lone horse in buggy in this village
The boys are back together!!!
So are the girls
A very tall clock tower
A church of marble
Side view of clock tower
Adorable Italian dad and kid
I didn't capture the red shoes on the dad
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