Photos: Roman ruins beneath San Giovanni church, Mom and I at CasaNova Vineyard, Guinigi Tower.
Time continues to go crashing by. My Fall Break week is over, Mom has come and gone, and only two months of school left. Our plans for going to the South of France fell through so we had to come up with a Plan B spontaneously. We had a wonderful week seeing some of the jewels of Tuscany. We tasted wine, ate truffles, 31 year old balsamic vinegar on ice cream, whole seabass and gilthead (Orata), rabbit stew, king prawns, eggplant, tomatoes & mozza, pasta (mom), cappuccinos and croissants, tiramisu, gelato... :-) Food is very important in Italy.
Lucca and Greve were both great towns. Even Florentines love Lucca - it is just the right size. And has a fantastic art supply store. Oh yes, and chocolate. Because I was missing out on the 83 steps to my apartment while away, I decided to climb the Torre Guinigi (Guinigi Tower). Towers were built to show the wealth of various families. The Guinigi family dominated the silk industry in the middle ages. In its heyday Lucca had 160 towers (r.steves). Right - so i climbed the 227 steps to the top which has trees and incredible views. Mom chose to pass and take my photo from the street below with her new ZOOM.
We went to an excellent Mozart and Puccini concert in San Giovanni Church. Puccini was from Lucca (Madama Butterfly, La Boheme). The floor of the 12th century church has excavated layers of Roman ruins below the existing floor. Amazing!! The entire city sits on similar ruins.
We shopped of course, but didn't buy much. Mom didn't want more to lug home. My Italian boots remain elusive. And speaking of shoppping, we spent one day in Florence so visited IKEA. I NEEDED a comforter. Lunch was also notable: baked salmon, veggies, large salad, and red wine. Almond tarte for dessert. I am loving my new warm cover (though it doesn't help the big sag in the mattress).
There is so much more. Mom got to visit one of the SRISA campus' and met my photo instructor and a few folks. She amazed me by climbing the Stairs from Hell several times. We tried to get flights to Madeira to see Mike and Sundowner. 900 Euros each plus hotel seemed steep for a two day visit!
Ended the week in Rome where it was in the mid to high 20's Celcius. Friday night we went to see Trevi Fountain which is spectaclar, had dinner outside at a small trattoria, then walked to the Spanish Steps. Taxi back to hotel. We shopped a little on Saturday but we had our luggage with us (luggage deposit had a gigantic line). We parted ways at Track 24 in Roma Termini as mom headed off to her airport hotel and I caught my train back to Firenze. :-( Fantastic week.
