Showered, spiffed and seeking to get stuffed, it’s time for supper in Lucca tonight.

First stop, a Roman Amphitheater just off the main shopping street. Now called Piazza Anfiteatro, it has been converted into touristy shops and restaurants.

Not in Rick Steve’s Travel Book, but now in Rich Arnold’s Travel Book, a bar called Lucca Drento in the Piazza San Frediano serves FREE all-you-can-eat appetizers while you drink.

All sorts of Italian treats to go along with my vino. And my view from my seat was SO Italian.

I’m listening, watching and enjoying my peaceful meal when I finally catch a picture of a typical Italian nuance.

This is the way Italians point when showing directions. This shot is a bit early but in 2 more seconds his hand would be fully extended to show his friends which way to go. It is considered rude to use only 1 finger to point in Italy! Isn't that just fascinating? I just love finding out about this sort of thing.

Since I was alone I was all ears and able to bask in the sounds.

Time for more.

Trip number 2 found this collection of delectables on my plate.

Yes, there were a couple more trips to fill my plate. They had NO idea who they were dealing with when they put the two words FREE and FOOD together!

It was now time to see the night life in Lucca. There wasn’t a crane around so I used brute force to lift my stomach and begin a very needed walk.

You’re about to see a guy who is 2 gelatos to the wind.

Having no clue what time it is I (somehow) find my way back to my room knowing that I should probably sleep a little in preparation for my leave to Pisa.

Bright and early the next morning I stop off for some cappuccino and pastry and begin my walk out of town toward the train station.

Since I was staying at La Magnolia B&B they give their guests a coupon for a free breakfast at a local coffee shop. You get a pastry, coffee and sparkling water. Yum!

My mode of travel once again.

Such a simple way to get around. I loved my backpack and thanked my daughter a thousand times over for convincing me to leave my suitcase with her in Florence.

Nothing like the real thing instead of stamped-out fake concrete found in the states.

Authentic cobblestone. How the Italian women walk in heels is a magical mystery!

I just had to photograph the police, and I came to find out that there are 2 types of Police in Italy. The Carabinieri, military corps with police duties, and the Polizia, the State Police. Both serve and protect Italian citizens.

Carabinieri on the left and Polizia on the right.

You are NOT going to believe this.

It's early morning as I pass by the Flea Market that I showed you yesterday. Remember? Well, this scene stunned me. The market isn't open yet and the vendors DO NOT pack up their precious wares and take them home. They just cover them with tarps. Talk about trust! Only in Italy.

Headed out of town I walk along the top of Lucca’s protective wall.

As I leave the life of Lucca behind, awaiting across the street from the enormous wall above is the train to take me to my last day in Italy.

How perfect this shall be as my finale is in Pisa. Let’s find out together if the famous Tower really leans or if it is just a figment of my school book’s imagination.

Ciao for now.

Tags: cappuccino, Carabinieri, cobblestone, flea market, gelato, Italy, La Magnolia B&B, Lucca, Lucca Drento Bar, Piazza Anfiteatro, Piazza San Frediano, Polizia, Roman Amphitheater

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 4:33 PM and is filed under Italy Adventure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.