In Love With My Life In Lucca
Time to say arrivederci to the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre. Could I ever find somewhere else as captivating?
As I walk out of Monterosso on the way to the train station bound for Lucca I get one more glimpse of a sweet soul who sets up her lonely wares in hopes of a sale.
Such a hard and hopeful vendor prideful of today's fresh catch.
One last fresh smell of the sea and then off to a swift train ride to arrive at my next city to explore ~ Lucca (pronounced Lewkah).
It’s been quite a trip so far and you’ve probably forgotten where we’ve been. Lets’ refresh our memories.
I decide to get ready for an entirely new adventure as I step off the train in Lucca.
No clue what this town has in store except Rick Steves and my daughter, Krosbie tell me it's a must-see.
A short walk from the train station brings a treat to my eyes.
In keeping with the medieval philosophy as we saw in Florence, Lucca is a city protected by high walls.
Ready to go inside?
Nothing like the excitement of the present moment. I am SO jazzed to see what's up those stairs!
You gotta be kidding!
Can't be. No way. Who would have ever thought that my first sight inside the walls of Lucca teaches me where the dog name Fido came from!
Ah, this is more like it!
A beautiful and picturesque canal runs through town.
And what would Italy be without its fresh fruit and vegetable stands?
Just grab one of those luscious hanging onions and take a bite. Don't worry about your breath. Have your partner nibble some too.
Time for me to locate my place to stay for the night. I meander through town following directions from my travel guide which led me to . . .
Nice doors. My heart’s a poundin’.
This time I took Rick Steves' advice and made a reservation at this quaint B&B called La Magnolia when I was in Florence.
I ring the bell, the door releases and Oh My Gawd!
Uh, like, I did good, huh?! I'd be quite happy just sleeping out here.
Through the gate (at the back of the picture above), then a left turn will bring us to my front door.
Come ON. I'm feeling NO remorse having left the Italian Riviera! I'm loving every second of seeing what's next.
My room is a very cost effective (oh forget the euphemism; it’s cheap), which is exactly how I wanted it since this trip was to experience the local flavor of Italy rather than spending a lot on a room.
Small, functional, cozy and just enough for my needs.
Such a fresh looking bathroom. I can't wait to sit, um, freshen up!
My room is located on the second floor with my window looking out onto an inner courtyard. As I’m gazing outside I finally have my curiosity satisfied.
All right, put your walking shoes on because it’s time to see the city of Lucca.
A few steps outside of my B&B I see this intriguing Curio Shop.
I definitely have to go in because I’m getting withdrawals from not having bought something for my honey in hours!
At least a thousand things to entice the eye, but since I'm only carrying a backpack I have to keep my gift small. Then I found it. A pretty Spoon Holder hiding in this antique cabinet. This is exactly what I want to get Patty!
Turning left out of the store I pass by someone’s private entry to their home.
I pause for a minute and imagine my chauffeur opening the Rolls and letting me know that my espresso was waiting for me upstairs. Why not? If you can dream it, you can have it, right?
After I awake from my dream my nose points me in the next direction.
This store is a Bakery (Forno) and Grocery (Alimentari) owned and operated by the Giurlani family.
The windows look so inviting so let’s go in and meet the owners.
Just look at that smile on Mrs. Giurlani. Is she proud of her store or what?! Quite a spread. You could shop here every day for a month and never have the same thing twice.
I couldn’t possibly leave their store without having something to eat. Could you?
I have them make me a panino. Just a quick fix because I got word that there's free food during happy hour at a bar for later on tonight, so I'm saving myself.
Now here’s a rare view of something I had not seen at all during my trip.
A Movie Theater. It's daytime so apparently not open yet. I think it was rather cute that the feature was a movie with Robert De Niro and Sean Penn. To me the title should translate into "Disaster In Hollywood", but the American title is "What Just Happened."
So throughout my trip we’ve seen lots of stores but these took me by surprise.
Betty Boop and Tweety are EVERYWHERE. And I just LOVE Tweety!
Down another street and I bump into a local Flea Market.
A quick look around and this is definitely for the locals. Not a touristy kind of market.
Let’s walk around this Flea Market together.
And a little something for the kids.
And even more for the ladies. It just keeps going.
I decide to look up for a moment and am pleasantly surprised to see how intricate the architectural details of their Street Lamps are.
Definitely wouldn't find a molded poured concrete srteet lamp in Lucca! Pretty, huh?
A classy Linen Store caught my eye next.
Now I thought Nurture My Body gave great Customer Service until I saw what this exclusive linen store offers their customers. An astoundingly beautiful outside sitting area to rest and refresh. (Probably very needed after seeing what the total of your bill is in this very pricey store!)
This place is right out of the movies.
I get a kick out of all the hanging meat. Gives it such a fresh home-grown ambiance.
I’m walking everywhere but many locals ride their bikes.
No matter the age or sex everyone rides their bikes to get places.
Well, after all this walking are you ready for a pick-me-up? I am.
A cute street-side café that beckons me to partake in the Italian tradition I was becoming so ingrained with ~ Espresso. Art is expressed everywhere; even in their coffee.
Now refreshed, I continue to walk and find myself in some courtyard where I have an overwhelming desire to record my perspective of my wonderful trip so I can always remember.
Daytime hours are coming to a close and it’s time to go back to my room at La Magnolia B&B, shower, get spiffed up and see what the night life of Lucca has in store for me (and you!)
Ciao for now.
Tags: Betty Boop, bicycle riding, bike riding, cinema, Disastro A Hollywood, espresso, fido, flea market, fruit and vegetable stand, Italy, La Magnolia B&B, Lucca, marketplace, meat market, movie theater, panino, street lamp, Tweety, What Just Happened
August 15th, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Thanks for your wonderful comments of Lucca, it was a nice window of the town. Lets us know when you post more. We are thinking about going there next year.
Ciao
August 16th, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Gotta tell you both, David and Helen, that your comment just touches my soul. So, so kind of you to take the moments to give of yourself. Most appreciative.
Rich