Pisa

The Leaning Tower took more time than anticipated, we ended up running behind. Our choo-choo couldn’t wait for us, so we had to use the public bus to get back to the coach. Umberto made great time on the highway and after a 2 ½ hour drive, we stopped in at the Autogrill for lunch. The Autogrill reminds me of a Stucky’s here in the States, but the food is a little better. You can get a sit down meal or stand and have a sandwich. Plus, there is a section that sells snack foods, drinks, magazines, and small notions. They have clean restrooms. Note: Most restrooms are clean in Italy. Mostly because you have to “pay to pee”. The cost of using restrooms can run from 10 cents (Autogrill) to 50 cents (mostly in touristy places. And every restroom seems to have a different type of toilet. Dave likes the Autogrill becauses he can get 2 espressos for a buck.

	Pisa Friday, May 31st
	We are beginning to call it the 6,7,8 routine. Up at 6, luggage out by 7, have breakfast and board the bus by 8.Today was no different.We had a 2 hour ride before our first stop.
	The bus seems to lull you into light sleep nearly ever day. It’s almost becoming common practice to ride for 20 minutes and fall asleep. Your eyes become so heavy, its very hard to hold them open. This must be fairly common, because Kathy will often say, "before some of you fall asleep, I want to tell you about ....."

	Kathy loves to surprise us with little things. Today she arranged for a small choo-choo to pick us up from the bus and take us to the site. This was actually nice, since the alternative was a packed public bus.
	We were greeted by another great city tour guide named Roberto Bello, a very colorful man. He walked us around the grounds and showed us the cathedral and the upside down Roman writings in the marble. He had arranged for our group to get tickets to go inside the Leaning Tower. Since its renovation, only a small group is allowed to go in at one time and only for about 25 minutes. I understand tickets are very hard to come by. They are reserved weeks in advance. Dave and I walked up the narrow marbles steps to the top. The walk up really plays with your equilibrium. Another beautiful day and the view from the top was wonderful. Just a little hazy.


The Leaning Tower took more time than anticipated, we ended up running behind. Our choo-choo couldn’t wait for us, so we had to use the public bus to get back to the coach. Umberto made great time on the highway and after a 2 ½ hour drive, we stopped in at the Autogrill for lunch. The Autogrill reminds me of a Stucky’s here in the States, but the food is a little better. You can get a sit down meal or stand and have a sandwich. Plus, there is a section that sells snack foods, drinks, magazines, and small notions. They have clean restrooms. Note: Most restrooms are clean in Italy. Mostly because you have to “pay to pee”. The cost of using restrooms can run from 10 cents (Autogrill) to 50 cents (mostly in touristy places. And every restroom seems to have a different type of toilet. Dave likes the Autogrill becauses he can get 2 espressos for a buck.