Italy - Day 10

I am a bit sad to be leaving Lerici this morning. I am going to miss the beautiful view out our balcony. First thing this morning, Umberto, one of our local guides, gave a talk on the work of Italian scultors in preparation for our trip to Carrara. 

 Carrara is home to mountains of marble and the people who are in the business of creating with it. We first visited a factory where the marble is turned into beautiful sculptures. I was surprised to hear that the cutting of the marble is done at sawmills.

When one hears the term sawmill, you automatically think of lumber. The Carrara quarries have produced more marble than any other place on earth

As we toured the place, I was surprised to learn that they can use 'robots' for some of the carving, sanding and polishing as well. There were many beautiful pieces in there some destined for other countries.

After that visit, we boarded the coach and headed up the mountain. It was narrow and interesting, and a bit scary to see how the bus negotiated the hairpin turns. More than once, cars had to scramble out of our way or back up for a bit.

The quarry area is busy with large trucks and machinery working.

 With the help of an outdoor museum, Umberto explained the process, both past and present. After that, we visited the 2 gift shops there and I found a few relatively light-weight mementos.

 After going back down the hill, we got out and had a brief tour of Carrara. Most stores and businesses close for a few hours for dinner and a rest period. The city was quite dead - like my town on a Sunday afternoon.

Lunch was at a quiet little place and the food was delish as usual. We never know when it is over - the arrival of dessert is the best clue! After our meal we headed to Pisa, and many of us slept I'm sure.

We were on our own in Pisa. We were given bus tickets, a map and directions to Pisa's claim to fame. The Leaning Tower really does lean!

All along the walkway there were dozens and dozens of people posing as though they were pushing the tower straight. Of course I had to have that shot as well. 

I was hoping to go up to the top and was surprised that they weren't that busy. I had a 15 minute wait before my scheduled time. 

There are 145 steps to the top, which is nothing compared to the steps up to Corniglia in the Cinque Terre. There are several look out points and I stopped to take photos. I also stopped to catch my breath if the truth be known.

The view from the top is magnificent! You can go all around it and there are quite a few old bells. There are seven of them, one for each note of the musical major scale. 

 I was hoping they wouldn't ring because they probably would have deafened me. Apparently my friends saw me from down below, but I thought they had left the area so I didn't look for them. 

Many of the marble stairs are worn to a curve so I was careful going down as well as up since I was on my own and forgot to take a hotel card ICE (in case of emergency). 

 I wandered the grounds which consist of a large cathedral as well as another beautiful building called the Baptistry. 

I headed to where I hoped I could catch the bus and didn't have too long of a wait. At one point, I thought maybe I had gotten on the wrong bus when it turned down a bunch of side streets and didn't take the same route as getting there. Much to my relief, I reached the station and recognized the hotel so I got off. I strode in the front door just as people were going for supper. How's that for timing?!

Supper was very good and not too many courses for a nice change. I just may get to bed early tonight!