Day 5

Italy 2011

Day 5

After eating breakfast in our apartment, we went out for cappuccini and pastry. Then we were off food shopping.  First, we found the local bread shop where only Italian is spoken and the bread is baked early every morning. The next stop was the frutta e’ verdura shop to buy very fresh fruit and vegetables. We bought rucola (arugola), tomatoes, fresh eggs, and very large ripe figs. With the meat and cheese we bought yesterday at the meat and cheese shop (which we knew wouldn’t be open today), we were all set to make our sandwiches for lunch. But first we went to the internet café to send out our blog. This is the only place at which we are staying that doesn’t have internet connection, but we can at least compose our messages in our apartment.  The cost for this wonderful apartment is only 500 euro ($650) for the week, so we can live with this inconvenience.

While Bob was at the internet café, I was at the bank where I met in interesting man. He said he is from La Jolla, CA, but has lived in Lucca for 20 years. He says there is no other place he would rather be. He said Italy is ranked #2 for health services while the U.S. is ranked #39. He gets his prescriptions for free as well as many other services. He actually lives in the country outside Lucca and rents country villas. 

After lunch and a restful break inside our apartment, we rented bikes and “rode the wall”.

It’s very strange that we have not seen one adult wearing a helmet, whether a local or tourist. The only helmets we’ve seen have been worn by local children. In this photo you can see a child wearing a helmet as well as a tratoria (place to eat) set up in the street! 

All of the bikes are one speed because the town is perfectly level. The only “hills” are the paths that lead to the top of the wall. The following is a photo of the top-of-the-wall path and a scene of what we might see looking towards the old town of Lucca.

In all of Italy, the locals leave work and eat a big lunch with their friends, even including wine, and then take a riposo (rest) for three or four hours. This means shops and even restaurants close and don’t reopen until late afternoon (shops) and early evening (restaurants).  You wouldn’t eat dinner until after 7:00 or 7:15. The towns and cities become very “alive” after this time. On the way to Italy, we learned that people in Italy work many less hours than Americans each week. Italians are happy making just enough money to live on. Their focus is on family and the enjoyment of food, wine, and life.  While we were riding our bikes around the wall this afternoon, we observed some locals taking their riposo.

Some of you have asked what kind of weather we’ve had. It’s been perfect, as far as we’re concerned.  It’s been warm and sunny and a little humid every day. If you see me in long sleeves, it’s only because of the sun. I could easily be wearing sleeveless tops every day and evening.