Pizza in Pisa

Today was a Saturday and Ed and I took the train to Pisa. (We're old pros at this train thingy by now). My only problem was that our nice stroll across Pisa to the Leaning Tower took longer than I thought and I needed to pee really bad by the time we got there. Ed still laughs when we remember all I could think about when we got to Pisa was finding a potty. Once one was found I had to rush back to Ed before I could enter to get change for the "admission fee". (Remember to carry change for the toilets in Italy. Most charge up to 1 Euro for usage.)

Once "relieved" I came out to see a breath taking view of the Leaning Tower. No matter how many pictures you have seen, you'll still be amazed to see it in person. The gleaming white of the stone contrasting with the pristine green of the lawn is so very picturesque. Everyone takes pictures or sketches it as you can see in this painting I made from one of my photos. This piece is titled "Sketching Pisa".

Once you've seen the chapel and the grounds around the tower you can go up into the tower for something like $45 Euros. For Ed and I that was out of our budget and I wasn't too hip on climbing a crooked tower with scaffolding around it. I mean exactly when do you think this tower is going to topple over? I found out later that they don't let people go up just any time so I missed an opportunity but if it was any consolation I saw my traveling companions photos and the climb is not an easy one due to not only the height but also the wear and tear on the steps. And if you are prone to vertigo like me they say that the slant kinda "gets to you" after the first couple of hundred steps.

My perspective (Jane's Perspective) was that I was here and I was soaking up the whole atmosphere just by standing and staring at this beautiful sight. There was no need for me to pay to do more. And while I was there I was able to snap a picture of an adorable child feeding the pigeons. I, of course, had to paint that too. This is a small piece, only about 14 X 20.

Before we left the area, Ed and I had to take the obligatory "holding up the Tower of Pisa" picture.

Now it was time to stroll back to the train. There was plenty of time so we wandered the streets around the tower and found a weekend flea market. Whenever you are in a town on the weekends look for open air markets. You won't believe the bargains and the assortment of goods from which to choose. This is where you can really find a souvenir that's not a China knock off. I painted these two gentlemen who were taking a break at the market. Notice the tents that lined the streets filled with merchandise. I bought a sterling silver ring that looks like an antique and a sweater and spent 15 Euros. (The sweater was a gorgeous purple angora that a lady was selling for 5 Euros).

Around every corner were more and more flea market finds AND as if that was not enough, fruit and vegetable markets line the alleys and by ways. I painted this scene too but my painting just doesn't do justice to the color of the stands.

Now we're hungry and tired but still have time to kill before we have to take the train back to the boat so we stopped for lunch and (you guessed it) we had pizza in Pisa.

This next painting is taken from a photo I took as we sat at the outdoor cafe for our pizza. See why I loved this town so much? Everywhere was something of beauty and Italian flavor. What a fabulous day for our last day in Italy.