Pisa, Lucca, and Da Packers

Thursday (Feb 3rd) We had our fourth Art History excursion into Florence! We went to Museo Nationale Del Bargello, home to Italy's largest collection of Gothic and Renaissance sculptures. We saw works by Verocchio, Donatello, and Michelangelo (shout out to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), to name some of the more well known. Walking around the showrooms and seeing the intense artistry of each sculpture was incredible. There were also some rooms with old coins, ceramics, and tons of ivory sculptures  Below are a few pictures - but unfortunately some areas were pretty strict about their 'no photo' policy (like Michelangelo's room).


Friday (Feb 4th) A group of five other girls and I left around 9 AM on Friday for a day trip to both Pisa and Lucca! The first half of the day we spent in Pisa, and after turning a corner walking from the train station we could see the Leaning Tower. It was a bit of a walk ahead, but let me tell you she was a leanin'. It was a absolutely gorgeous day out - clear blue skies, sunny, and about 60. The tower, white against the bright blue backdrop looked almost like a mirage! We first headed to the ticket office to pay our 15 euro to climb the tour. Although this is a pretty steep price, I knew I wasn't going to come all the way here NOT to climb the Leaning Tower. We only had to wait about 15 minutes for the next climb up, and were given lockers to put our bags in (they weren’t allowed up the tower for some reason). Luckily, I remembered to grab my camera and at this point I took my jacket off too. Which, incredibly, I was able to keep off the rest of the day! There are eight floors in all to reach the top of the tower, and the stairs are smooth marble. Interestingly, they are also incredibly warped in the middle and rippled because of the insane number of people that have walked up them. Along the way up there were windows you could look out of, and the view just kept getting better and better! We got the the top (or what we thought was) which housed a bunch of bells around the center. You could also walk around the entire edge. One of the guards at the top pointed us to a TINY flight of marble stairs that led us to the very tip-top of the tower. There were awesome views of the homes, snow capped mountains, cathedral and duomo, and green space below with scattered people. We spent about 20 minutes at the top taking it all in...we definitely got our moneys worth! The day, like I already said but can’t emphasize enough, was perfect. Bluer than blue skies, sun shining, and I was on top of the leaning tower of Pisa. What more could a girl ever want?!

We then made our way down the slippery-ish marble stairs and walked over to the area of greenspace by the baptistery/back of te duomo to eat our lunch. However, there were guards around and you weren’t allowed to be on the grass strangely enough. So, we sat on some stairs and looked out into Pisa, chomping on our sandwiches, fruit, peanuts, and bounty bars. Sidenote: I don’t know WHY they ever give us those darn bounty bars to pack in our lunches. They are coconut which I'm not a fan of...but every time I still take it since I am always craving chocolate. The kit-kats here (which we sometimes get to pack in our lunches) are far superior to the bounty bars and definitely better than the ones from home.

After lunch, we just relaxed a bit by the tower and then went to take the typical touristy photos holding the tower, pushing it, pinching it...the usuals. We first were trying from the sidewalk, but then noticed a few people hopping over the fence to take pictures in the grass. Next thing you know, there were like 30 people doing it. I think the guards went on lunch break or something? We had a lengthy, hilarious photo shoot with the Leaning Tower. By the time this wrapped up it was time to book it back to the train station for our ride to Lucca!

The train ride to Lucca was about 20 minutes or so, and after exiting the train station we walked around a traffic circle and RIGHT away saw the huge intact Medieval city walls that surround the city. We walked up the stairs to the hilltop of the wall, and it was absolutely gorgeous! We sat for about 10 minutes, but due to our limited time got moving into the center of town right after. We walked past a group of young boys playing soccer right next to the duomo in Lucca. Can you imagine that, just playing games next to a historic building and not thinking twice about it? Unreal!

In Lucca we strolled around the charming streets, and went to several piazzas and churches. Lucca is a Tuscan town known for it's beauty and churches - not rooted in tourism or drawing crowds. I really, really liked that aspect of visiting there. The Duomo di San Martino (the Cathedral) we got to go inside for free (another perk of being away from tourist central). It was really pretty, and the inside has some unreal stained glass windows. The indigo especially was just so bright and beautiful - I loved it. We also saw the outside of the San Michele in Foro, the most photographed church in Luccca. I can see why! The exterior has an uncountable number of columns and at the top there are two big angel statues and one of a saint. We also dipped inside this church for free. We passed by San Giovanni church and wanted to see the inside, but it was closed. Bummer! I probably could have spent a little bit more time in Lucca, but oh well. I got to see a lot of it and I know I can just bring my parents there WHEN THEY VISIT!!!! Side note: My parents informed me that night they were for sure coming. I was, and am, ecstatic beyond words.
 
That night, we got back about half an hour before dinner, so I quickly packed my stuff for rugby and headed downstairs to the dining hall.
Needless to say, when I got home that night after a full day of travel and rugby I crashed!

Saturday (Feb 5th) I woke up knowing had a week ahead with two papers and an exam due, so decided that I was going to stick around Sesto for the day. I knew if I went into Florence I would a) spend money on shopping and b) not get any homework done and c) probably stay there allllllll day long. So, I just went in Sesto Fiorentino with two girlfriends. It was overall a great time - we got coffee and pastries, walked around the huge market, and spent some time outside on another beautiful day. I worked on organizing some of my travel plans when I got back to the Villa later in the afternoon, and worked on some of me homework I knew I would have time to do until Monday. The next day (Sunday) was going to be full of sport spectating!

Sunday (Feb 6th) As I already mentioned, this was my day of sport spectating (rugby and football, to be more specific). I left in the morning for a two hour car ride with my rugby team here to watch the Women's 6 Nations rugby match of Italy vs. Ireland. I didn't know what to expect, having never been to a national level rugby match before - but it was incredible! Although the final score wasn't the best outcome for Italy, it was great to spend time with the team and watch high level rugby. There was even confetti shot off at the beginning - how fun! After the match we stayed and socialed for a while (typical rugby culture) which was a lot of fun, too. I didn't get back until about 9pm, and about an hour later headed into Florence to the Red Garter (a pub) to watch THE PACKERS WIN THE SUPERBOWL!!! Although I had a few moments where fatigue started to take over, I toughed it out thanks some awesome Packer plays and the Black Eyed Peas. I must say, their half time show far exceeded my expectations and was pretty awesome. I got back to the Villa, by taxi, at about 5AM that morning (well, techinically Monday morning). I thought I crashed hard on Friday night...but believe you me this night I was out like a light. It was a day full of professional football and rugby watching - and the Packers won to put the icing on the cake. I can't complain.

THIS WEEKEND is Rome! We head out early Thursday morning and I won't be back until Saturday night. I have been really excited for this trip since the start of the program, and can't believe it is here already. Tonight, about 20 of us watched the Lizzie McGuire movie to get us pumped up for Rome. It worked like a charm - I am so anxious to get there!