Tuesday, August 13
La Spezia and Pisa
Going to Pisa on our own was the only DIY excursion we made. After tendering to shore, we walked to the visitor's center and asked how to get to the train station. The young man behind the counter gave us a tear-off map and marked the way. I would estimate it was about a mile through the center of town.
We enjoyed the walk, although not knowing exactly where we were going did sort of cloud my enjoyment. But honestly, it was a straight shot to the train station.
We arrived at the train station in La Spezia and it was jam-packed with people. Paul went to the shorter vending machine line while I stood in the ticket window line. No one in line seemed to know what we were doing or where to go. The vending machine kept asking for a pin number, so Paul and the girls joined me in the ticket window line. Fortunately, the line did move quickly and the ticket agent spoke English, at least enough to tell us the correct track and time to board.
When we got on board, the train had compartments that seat six. We found a compartment and sat down, but a man came by and told us we were in his seat. He explained we had reserved 2nd class seats two cars ahead. The train started to move so we grabbed our stuff and pushed past the people in the hallway who presumably had less than 2nd class seats. There were seats that folded down from the wall like the flight attendants jump seats on a plane, and in one instance I saw a guy and his girl friend both sitting on one, his face buried in her chest. I muttered, "Get a room," as we passed by.
We found our compartment and sat down for the hour-long train ride. There was a man with a book listening to something with earbuds, and a young woman with a small dog in her purse, reading on her iPad and texting on her phone. Neither spoke to us.
We reached the train station at Pisa and went to McDonald's to use the bathroom. The attendant told us it was .50 euros unless we were customers, or intended to be customers in which case we could show the receipt and get our money back. We said, no, and he asked how old Stephanie was and since she was a minor he let her go for free.
From the Pisa station, we set out about another mile for the Field of Miracles. It was close to 1 p.m. and the sun was over head. Hot!!!!
We stopped at a small sidewalk cafe to eat -- La Cittadella -- and get something to drink. I had a pizza with mushrooms which was disappointing because the mushrooms appeared to be canned. Stephanie got spaghetti, which she declared to be the best spaghetti she had ever had.
The waitress asked us if we wanted "natural" water or bottled water and we said "natural." She brought us a pitcher of ice cold water (with actual ice cubes!) that was so delicious and so welcome!
After Paul paid the bill, he asked to take a photo with the cook. The cook obliged, giving Paul's tummy an appreciative pat!
Refreshed, we filled our water bottles with the ice cold water and continued walking to the Field of Miracles. We did not have tickets to climb (and not sure I could have done it anyway). Those who did have tickets still lined up outside in the hot sun. We took some photos, got a souvenir magnet and walked back.
SO FUNNY!
