01/16/2009 Excursion to Pisa and Luca, and the most extraordinary dinner EVER!!!

The Greatest Day Yet!!

Visit to Pisa and Luca + the most wonderful meal EVER!!

We took a 1 hour bus ride to Pisa, where we were ‘tourists’ and took many pictures by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The drive there way breathtaking, and I felt my cares slip away into peace and calm as the urban landscape slowly disappeared and was replaced by the hills, valleys and lush greenery of rural Tuscany. After visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, we toured the aged Duomo/Cathedral, Baptistry, and Graveyard located adjacent to the Tower. Spiritually speaking, the three buildings were to symbolize Birth, Life and Death. They were breathtaking!!!

We ate a brief lunch with a handful of new friends before getting back on the bus for a half-hour ride to Lucca, the food consisting of phenomenal (and cheap!) Margherita and mushroom pizza. Encased within tall, stone walls, Lucca was a quiet little city, devoid of tourists and, seemingly, people in general. Having been used to the bustling, active streets of Florence, Lucca seemed nearly deserted. One thing that surprised me about the city was its incredible attention to cleanliness. I have never before seen (cobblestone) streets so immaculately clean!! We got a brief tour of the three main Churches of Lucca, and then were ‘surprised’ (forewarned) about our opportunity to ride bikes around the perimeter or the city!! What a gorgeous day!! The sun was shining, and people were walking, running, biking, and jogging along the pathways as we made our way around the two mile circle. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon!!

This evening, my roommates Melissa, Lauren, Sarah and I went out to dinner with a couple of our new friends, Domenica and Jackie. We went to a quaint little restaurant, “Cantinone: Enoteca Del Chianti Classico,” located near both of our apartments. It was tucked beneath the ground, so we had to walk down tiny stairs to reach the entrance. Brick arches ceilings welcomed us in to a warm, inviting, candlelit atmosphere. We were about to experience True Authentic Italian Service!!!

We ended up having a Multi-course meal lasting 3 hours (for only $20 E—it’s a bit pricy, but just WAIT till you hear what we got)!!

Variety of Appetizers:
Blended Spinach-cheese dish
Grilled zucchini and egg plant
Bruschetta
Fresh Ham and Salami slices

Course 1:
Phenomenal vegetable, white bean soup
Gnocchi topped with truffle sauce

Course 2:
Pork with Asiago slices
Marinated Chicken with pearl spices
Seasoned Potatoes

Dessert:
Tiramisu
Lemon Jella shots

3 bottles of phenomenal white wine
EXCELLENT service and HOSPITALITY (the chef Michael, ‘mike,’ got to know us / and us him, and he bought us all ROSES from the venders that came walking through the restaurant)

The GREATEST DAY YET!!! = )

As a side note, I have really enjoyed my classes thus far, and I am excited to learn more about the history, culture, and art of Italia!! On Thursday, In my art history class: Michelangelo to Bernini, we toured the Casa Buonarroti—the museum, library, and archive that houses the earliest found works of the famous Michelangelo Buonarroti. It was quite incredible to see such astonishing artwork, especially his first marble sculptures and reliefs, done at such a young age. What a prodigy!! I am excited to delve further into the genius of Michelangelo as we learn, observe and experience his life and works.

Arrivederci!!

Mollie