Ciao!

Italy has been amazing so far. I am sure the red moon we saw on our train to Stansted airport was a good omen, as everything has gone smoothly and enjoyably.

Pisa was warm and wonderful. We arrived at the central station to find the hotel was only a 100 metre walk - which was good as my backpack was getting very heavy. After checking in (without anyone blinking an eye at two women sharing a room, thank goodness) we strolled north towards the Campo dei Miracoli.

I had a lot of fun coordinating my somewhat meagre map with the actuality of fabulous Italian streets and squares. Having made it halfway, we decided to stop at the organic market just over the river. I was already having fun with my Italian, and managed to order Lucy a ginormous doorstop of a sandwich that was more cheese than bread and looked delicious. As for me, the artisans had pictures of the happy wee piggies in their stys to reassure me the food was original and natural... but I found it a bit tough to look a piglet in the face as I ordered the end product!

Meandering onwards, we passed the Pisa Botanical Gardens and a lot of very touristy pizza restaurants until turning a corner and hitting the Piazza. It was amazing to see the Duomo that accompanies the Leaning Tower, and astonishing to see so many people in one place. Everyone was taking the classic Pisa photo to make it look as though they are holding up the tower, and from the reverse angle it looks like a field of tai chi. Hilarious stuff.

One effect of the crowds was the amount of touts and aggressive keepsake sellers - and I didn't really enjoy that. I quickly learnt some Italian of my own - 'Lasciami in pace' - Leave me in peace! I think most of them are illegal immigrants, selling their wares on opened bed sheets and scooping them up for a quick getaway when the polizia appear. It was phenomenal the effect a siren had on the alleyways - empty immediately.

After dawdling home through the back streets (and loving everything) we had an early night at the hotel. I had been doing my best to speak Italian as often as possible, and having two or three complete conversations in a day is as tiring as it is exciting.

The next day we headed to Tuscany for a stay at a vineyard. Words fail to describe the wonderment of all that, so I will wait until I can upload some photos for you all. Overall, Italy is a dream come true and it seems weeks since I was in London.