Florence & Pisa

Florence and Pisa developed as Roman military trading towns. Florence and Pisa are both along the River Arno and date back to 800 BC. The famous leaning tower was begun in 1172. After only 3 of the 6 planned stories were built the project was abandoned because it was leaning. It was completed in the mid-14th century and stands 180 feet high. It leans a total of 14 feet and moves another 1/4" each year.

We left the boat early in the morning and drove through the picturesque Tuscan countryside to Pisa. We had a bit of time to wander around the tower and look at the adjacent baptistry. There were lots of little shops set up but after a couple of them I remembered we were in Europe and they like to print naked people on everything. Not in a tasteful way, but in a tacky way. Fortunately the stop wasn't too long and we continued on to Florence.

I told Jerel I was very excited to visit Florence. When I was in band in junior high we always had this super old man as our substitute when the real teacher was gone. He gave everyone old-fashioned names and mine was always Florence, so I felt a real connection. Jerel didn't seem to see the importance of it, which is what tends to happen when my stories start with "One time, when I was in band..."

Anyway, in Florence we visited the Piazza del Duomo (if you prefer to speak English you can call it Cathedral Square) where the Cathedral, Bell Tower, and Baptistry are. I don't know a thing about architecture but I sure enjoyed seeing the magnificent buildings.