Good news – our car started up just fine this morning and got us to the Pisa airport car return with no problems at all. Bad news – there have been widespread technical difficulties with the trains both yesterday and today (not a strike, which I checked was not to be happening on our travel days). Meaning that our 1.5 hour journey is likely to take 6+ hours, and we would be lucky to get that. But don’t try coming back to Pisa today because that won’t be possible. Luckily we don’t want to come back to Pisa until next Friday. Fingers crossed for then.
So we are currently sitting in a cafe across from Pisa Centrale train station, grabbing a bite and a beer (medicinal – for our nerves), and watching the frustrated pick pocket teams as they suss everyone out.
My cross body purse is literally Fort Knox when I attach all the locking carabiners (2 separate ones just to get in, then another one on my phone, attached on a short lanyard to a D-ring that is sewn to the inside of the purse.
So if they really want it, they will get me too and they definitely don’t want that! Not here. Not today.
As we were sitting there waiting, Don wondered how much a taxi would cost. So I go to the taxi stand and ask. Bad news – it’s 220 euro at $1.65 per euro. Good news – Don doesn’t care, and promises to pay it out of his wine fund. Sold.
Only pic I have taken today – and this wasn’t even the worst pose.
Just had to share.
7 minute train ride on a regional train after being dropped off by the taxi in La Spezia, and we are disembarking at out final destination, Riomaggiore.
We know where we are going so after a quick stop at the tiny grocer for charcuterie supplies – we headed for Lorenza’s. Guess which way?
I know what this looks like, but he won’t let me take one.
Almost there – “Lorenza – Arrivo!!”
A few minutes later she arrives with a cold bottle of wine, two beer, and the best hugs ever. This is the fourth time we have stayed with her. She say “hi!” to everyone we have brought or recommended: Ayami and David, Tina and Dave, Stew and Laurie, and Joanne and Deb.
It is not easy to get a photo of her!
Then she insisted on going to get us a pizza to snack on.
Don unearthed this wine we lugged all the way from Chianti just for this purpose (plus 2 more heavy bottles!), and we had a feast.
This guy was wondering if there might be some crumbs for him
But no.
Now we are in paradise for five whole days. If we disappear from here – don’t come looking.
