Liverno and Pisa, free from leprosy

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July 21

On our day at sea we sailed past the active volcano Stromboli. It was a hazy day, but by the time we got close we could see it quite well. The volcano erupted about a year ago, but still there is a town of 200 people living right at the base of the 9000 foot volcano. As we passed the volcano a huge puff of smoke came up from the peak. It was like some one had pushed a button just for us- very exciting to see.

July 22

The ship docked in Liverno today, the port city by which you can access Florence and Pisa. Since we already visited Florence, we decided to try to make our way to Pisa (independently, of course, of any of the cushy cruise ship tours). We took the shuttle bus into the centre of Liverno where we planned to catch another bus to take a train to Pisa. When we got into Liverno we were informed of the train strike (our cruise director called them “lightning” strikes and they seem to happen pretty regularly). So we investigated the bus situation and eventually found where to wait for one (exactly where everyone else from the ship was waiting). Like the responsible citizens we all are, we tried at length and in vain to buy tickets at the machine, which was definitely not working. We waited for the bus, concerned about our lack of tickets, but our concerns, like our purchasing efforts, were in vain. Apparently in Liverno the buses stop, open all their doors, and everyone piles in without a thought of showing tickets, paying, or any of those things one might think would happen upon using public transit. We were crammed into the bus, and standing and sweating (more sweating) made our way to Pisa. Upon our arrival in Pisa we mastered the Pisa bus system and found ourselves at the main square. This journey took about 3 hours, but it was well worth it. The whole site was much more stunning and elaborate than we had anticipated. We saw the tower and went in the Cathedral of Pisa, the Baptistry, the Camposanto of Pisa and the Museo d’___. We had to make our visit pretty brief to get started on the return journey. We managed to get seats on the bus back to Loverno, but it must have been over 100 degrees in the bus. I have never sweat so much just sitting and I can’t explain the dread that entered my soul upon every stop the bus made (and there were a lot of stops). That weak breeze coming through the windows when we were moving was the only thing keeping me conscious. Still, at the end of the day, we were very glad we made the journey, and the pool at the end of the day had never been more appreciated. At our more desperate moments throughout this long day, my mother was so good to remind us that “Well, it could be worse; we could have leprosy.” Yes, there’s always that.

-Erica

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Photos

The Leaning Tower of Pisa
actually called the Bell Tower

it almost fell...
I don't know what would have happened if I wasn't there

remains of frescoes
frescoes used to cover the walls of the camposanto

Comments

[Chris Hebb]

On no!!!
I thought we would get through the travelblog without the obligatory "holding up the Leaning Tower" shot. But no. Erica, you are so stronngggg!