Liking Lucca

We're in Lucca now, a wonderful town of 10,000 people living inside 2.5 miles of fully intact fortress walls that encircle the city. The walls are huge...really tall with perodic ramparts. And wide enough on top to drive a car on! Instead, it's the local favorite place to stroll, jog, or bike ride. It's a fabulous park! 

We had a picnic dinner on top, then did the Italian saunter down pedestrian streets filled with typically high styled Italians and their accessory dogs. Have I mentioned how Italians are ALWAYS vey well dressed? Even for casual time, they're extremely well put together. And, the stores....shoes, leather purses and belts, sunglasses, beautiful clothing, bathing suits, watches,..and repeat. It's amazing. No wonder people watching is a required activity during the evening cafe time. I understand it's rude NOT to check out one's strolling partners! I felt weird taking pictures of people, but believe me...it's amazing!

We ended up at a lively and very lovely cafe right ouside our room at our hotel...

Our windows are the 2nd floor middle and left ones above our waiter's head. Maybe you can see hangers on the other side of the shutters with our drying laundry? So, as I write this at 10:20pm in our room, the cafe is full of very happy people, along with lots of laughter and clinking wine glasses and sizzling steaks being served on very hot stones. There's some music wafting in from down the street somewhere. Dolce Vita!